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Have you heard the buzz? Beauty and the Beast is coming back to theaters this weekend – this time in 3D! One of the things I love the most about Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is the personal nostalgia surrounding the movie.
Although I’m not quite young enough to say that I enjoyed the movie when I was a kid, I do remember watching it with my siblings who were little at the time of its release in 1991. We’ve had a copy of the VHS, followed by a replacement DVD version of Beauty and the Beast since my kids were little, and we’ve watched it over and over again together.
Because Beauty and the Beast came out originally before I was a parent, when I saw it in the theater last month I was able to see it through totally new eyes (and I’m not talking about my 3D glasses).
The story of Beauty and the Beast is a true classic, and the songs that were written and recorded for Disney’s version comprise one of my all-time favorite soundtracks.
I’m sure you all know the story line (and if you don’t, then you have even more reason to head to the theater this weekend to see Beauty and the Beast 3D in the theaters. Seriously. Go now), but here’s a little refresher:
About Beauty and the Beast:
- The film was nominated for six Academy Awards®, winning Oscars® for Best Song, by the renowned Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, and Best Original Score (Menken).
- “Beauty and the Beast” was the first animated feature to cross the $100 million plateau in its initial release.
- Alan Menken has been nominated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 15 times with seven wins. Prior to his death in 1991, Howard Ashman received six Oscar® nominations with two wins.
- Three years after the film’s debut, “Beauty and the Beast” hit Broadway. The musical opened at the Palace Theatre and ran in New York for 5,464 performances between 1994 and 2007, becoming the eighth-longest running production. It has played in 13 countries and 115 cities and continues to enchant audiences worldwide.
Innovative for its time
When released in 1991, the film was praised not only for its incredible artistry and time-honored tradition of being hand-drawn, one frame at a time, but also for the innovative use of the computer as a tool for adding production value and creating exciting new imagery. Remember when computer animation was cutting edge?
Disney’s Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) department was in its infancy at the time, and they discovered ways to enhance the look of the film while trying totally new, ground-breaking techniques at the same time.
According to CGI artistic supervisor Jim Hillin, “The ballroom sequence featured the first computer-generated color background to be both animated and fully dimensional. What this means is that the background is literally moving. This gives the impression of sweeping camera moves and perspectives as well as theatrical lighting that would otherwise be impossible.”
Now in 3D
A few people have asked me if the movie is “better” in 3D. I am personally not a huge fan of 3D movies in general. However, as I was watching Beauty and the Beast 3D, I noticed that I felt like I was truly drawn in to the action. I felt like I was part of the movie. Part of the magic.
I loved that Disney stayed true to the original movie and didn’t change it so much that it felt too different. It really was simply an enhanced version of the movie I’ve always loved. And even if nothing had changed, I would still consider Beauty and the Beast worth seeing again (or for the first time) in the theater.
See Tangled Ever After before the show
I got an extra little treat that I wasn’t expecting when I saw Beauty and the Beast in December. Tangled Ever After, a short movie in 3D that continues the story of Tangled (on the wedding day!) was a delight. It had the entire theater laughing. Just another thing to look forward to on January 13!
Beauty and the Beast 3D and Tangled Ever After come to theaters on January 13, 2012 and are both rated G.
What is your favorite scene or song from Beauty and the Beast? What are you most looking forward to seeing in 3D?
Written by 5 Minutes for Mom managing editor, Lolli. You can find me blogging at Better in Bulk and tweeting at @1momof5.
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post, but the trip to New York City and the shows and activities were paid for by Disney/Dreamworks. All opinions are my own.
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