Beauty and the Beast
Year: 1991
Rating: G
Length: 84 minutes / 1.40 hours
If one movie were to cement the Disney Renaissance in the 1990s, it would have to be Beauty and the Beast (1991). While The Little Mermaid (1989) kicked this era of Disney off, Beauty and the Beast had a deeper and more meaningful moral based in contrasting reactions to masculinity that was powerful enough to earn it a nomination for Best Picture that year (the first time an animated movie had done so). Disney had figured out their formula here and used it to great effect for the next few years.
As with all these modern classics, Alan Menken’s songs make this movie quite memorable. The visual style that accompanied everything was bold and distinct, using even more CGI than The Little Mermaid did to even better effect. The variety of character designs and personalities also made the cast feel diverse and well-rounded. It may be a little dark for small children at times; but then again, what Disney movie didn’t have a few moments that would scare these little ones?
Where I think this movie really bridges the gap between The Little Mermaid and Aladdin (1992) is in how it’s not all about a princess or a prince. Sure, Belle (Paige O’Hara) needs to look past the rough exterior of Beast (Robby Benson) to the potential he has within him to change. However, there’s a contrast here between Gaston’s (Richard White) toxic masculinity and Beast’s growth needed to fix the curse he brought upon himself (brought on by his own toxic traits). This is perhaps the movie’s largest strength because it proves men don’t need to be the “alpha” to get the girl, even if they think they deserve her.
A well-produced examination of multiple moral lessons, I give Beauty and the Beast 4.5 stars out of 5.
1/2
