My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analyses: "Beauty and the Beast" - An Celebration of it`s 30th Anniversary and In-Depth Summary of It's Content and Legacy

Hi folks! Welcome to my My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analysis blog. A blog where I'm analyzing several Disney films, Disney or Animation in general! These entries are just meant to be my analyses. Not reviews or statements. Just fun analyses! Though I'll make some personal remarks now and then, the content of these entries are meant to be depicted objectively. They're made for entertainment purpose only and the pictures/clips are copyright Disney or other companies.

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Since I've started two entries about most of the first movies of the Disney Renaissance, it would be unfair to leave out an entry about the movie who`s essentially perceived as the cornerstone of the Renaissance. But my second entries about them have tried to be different from their predeccesors: My entry about the Genie was essentially about the character and the shaping of Disney's sidekicks. While my second entry of The Little Mermaid was a comparison to it's Japanese predecessor. So, just like my second entry for The Lion King, this entry will rather be an Analysis about it's Legacy and content. Originally I was planning to release this at the Fall of 2021. But due to how it`s been 30 years since it was nominated for a Best Picture at the Academy`s the following February, it`s tempting to synergize it with that month.

I`m glad you learned to touch my hand without having your claws sink within my hands, Beast :)

At least it`s without
The Troggs ;)

Out of all of the Fabulous Four of the Disney Renaissance, perhaps none is more credited than Beauty and the Beast. At least Beauty has a position that none of it's predecessors and followers had; Having it`s aforementioned Best Picture Nomination at the Oscars. However, while Beauty's vigor lies in that nomination, it happens to be invigorating for other reasons: It was the first Animated Feature to ever cross the $ 200 barrier. However, while Beauty is certainly a beloved and cherished movie that is influential to it's followers, it's position is really interesting to examinate among Disney historians and also Disney themselves: It seems to be hailed as the Pinnacle of Disney Animation.

The Sparkles are so well
hidden :) Which makes
them special :)

In fact, the crew have stated several times that Beauty and the Beast simply was their favorite film to work on several occasions. Besides that position, the truth is that it`s simply put on a pedestal of being perfect by various people (despite having it's faults). Which makes Beauty's position quite obvious for us Disnerds. But regardless of it`s staple, Beauty happened to have it`s own Anniversary in the Fall of 2021. As it finally turned 30 years old. And for us who were kids during it`s release, it`s hard to believe that it`s been over 30 years since this movie came and made it`s huge and important impact on animation.

My Own Personal History With Beauty and the Beast

This is how to treat your ex-
boyfriend, girls :)

As for myself, I've stated previously that besides The Rescuers Down Under, The Lion King was the movie that truly converted me to appreciate the Disney Renaissance. As aforementioned, for some reason, Walt's classics spoke more to me than the latest pictures, because there was a sheer innocence and charm to them. For some reason, these new classics didn't quite appeal to me before Lion King. While I liked both Mermaid and Aladdin, none of them were actually my items of obsession, as those who my favorite Disney features were.

We`re shining at the expense
of the bleak castle :)

So for a long while, Beauty and the Beast happened to be my least favorite among the squad. Mainly because the film didn't appeal to me at all. And frankly because it was too dark and too sophisticated for my taste and therefore simply boring at times (please don`t hate me for it). However, growing older made me learn to appreciate it more. And it wasn't until I became an adult where I truly learned to love it for it's strengths (it's brilliant songs, score) to a point where it was hard to see how I couldn't love it.

The Innovations of Beauty and the Beast

I`m glad I`m not allergic
to dandylions :)

No matter the position of Beauty and the Beast, at least it was praised at the time for having genuine innovations in a Disney fairy tale. And actually turning them on their heads: A Villain who's handsome and who doesn't have the heroine fall for him because of his looks (which was a lot of fun to do for the directors to do). A real development to the relationship between the lovebirds (which is even stated in the film by Mrs Potts). And last, but not least a heroine who reads and who doesn't pine for her Prince (despite how initially Belle would pine for someone to share adventure with). In fact, Belle must be one of the most likable Princesses ever.

I was so excited that
it wasn`t hard for me
to climb :)

Having the typical and stereotypical Princess kindness, yet having guts and balls to be assertive when it's needed. In fact, while the following Heroines developed independence and spunk, at least Belle got genuine credit for her modern, feminist streak. Despite that some naysayers have whined about her not being Feminist enough. Yet for all her faults, Belle does actually save the Beast at the very end and is quite proactive. While Ariel was essentially the first heroine who broke the feminist mold, Belle was a worthy successor to her for being proactive on her own right.

The Other Innvovations With Beauty and the Beast: The Best Picture Nomination and The Unfinished New York Film Festival Screening

Yay, they`ve managed to have
us look canny :)

But of course what Beauty and the Beast is mostly known for, is it's Oscar Nomination for Best Picture (being the third time where Disney were nominated for it, after Mary Poppins). At a time long before Best Animated Picture actually existed. This nomation was both expected and unexpected.

I forgot to have my coke
today :)

But such a nomination for was truly something innovative for Disney and therefore Disney marketed the heck out of it. However, there were some criticism against it. The general consensus among observers were that actors (who make up the Academy`s membership) wouldn`t vote for an animated film. While there were some who believed that no other animated picture would receive that honor, it would take almost two decades before two other animated features under the Disney umbrella got nominated (Up and Toy Story 3). But Beauty is forever known for that innovation. And there are still purists that truly believe that Beauty should've won that Oscar, due to what is considered to be a weak competiton (the Award went to Silence of the Lamb).

Just say the mantra from
Finding Nemo: Birds are
friends, not food :)

But at least the nomination was a part to erase the stigma of animation being a kid medium. As aforementioned in my previous entry, Beauty reasonated with people for it's substance, depth and complexity. Which was most likely the main reason for even getting nominated. Even for a weird kid like myself could see that Beauty had a sophistication and a depth that made it catered to an older audience. But at least it won the Golden Globe for Best Picture.

Don`t get used to it, it`s
quite exclusive to have a
progress look :)

Another first with Beauty is how it was pre-screened at the New York Film Festival in Lincoln Center in September 1991. In an unfinished version (which actually opened the Festival). It was something that the creators were dubious about. Still the film pleased the audiences and gave it standing ovation (apparently the audiences applauded at the end of each number). And gave the film a buzz (as many compared the buzz similar to the buzz around Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at it`s time. As ironically, the same thing happened when Walt was forced to show the film to the Bank of America, in order to give it money). Despite that the movie was further along than the Festival demanded, so they had to retro a little bit. It was an amazing experience for the crew. It was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival, where it also gained a 10-minute standing ovation.

How Beauty and the Beast`s Sophistication Influenced The Following Renaissance Features

I`m blended by the
white light:)

However, Beauty and the Beast`s ambitious nature somewhat unfortunately led to the downfall of the Disney Reniassance. At least in a way. There's no secret that Beauty`s goals actually lead to a bigger ambition for their upcoming pictures. And therefore the studio pushed for films who not only could win the award, but also becoming more mature in themes. While it`s well known that Disney didn't have faith in The Lion King at the beginning, at least it continued the gravity that Beauty began with.

Without money :)

Afterwards came Pocahontas, a film that was deliberately shaped to be an Oscar contender. But unfortunately ended up missing it's both targets. The same could be said about The Hunchback of Notre Dame. A film that was essentially a remake of Beauty (for sharing it's similar tropes). Perhaps Hunchback wasn't aiming for the Oscar bait. But it was certainly grand in ambition and managed to have quite amount of depth and substance of it's own right. Despite being a dramatically uneven and jarringly so (without going into that much debate now). Which is somewhat a pity, since both Pocahontas and Hunchback were fairly ambitious on their own right and could`ve enhanced the ambitions from Beauty.

The Stockholm Syndrome Accusations

And yes, I`ll break it
by force :)

However, the biggest controversy of Beauty and the Beast is how it`s been basically accused for portraying Stockholm Syndrome. Which it's clearly not doing. In my previous entry about the movie I've adressed this issue and made it clear that it`s not about syndrome at all. Yet there are still many people who honestly believe that it`s about that syndrome. While it's fair to see why people would think so, as it`s essentially a story about a girl falling in love with her pre-abusive capturer. However, she doesn`t comes around when before he stops his abusive behavior and learns to change his ways of behaving.

The Criticisms of Beauty and the Beast and How The Live Action Remake Tried to Fix Them

Without love :)

However, a staple that Beauty and the Beast has always been stuck with is about it's various plotholes. Not only from fanboys, but from authors as well (especially from David Koenig). About how Be Our Guest states that "10 years we've been rusting" (indicating that the Prince would be only 11 when he was spelled, despite how it`s never confirmed). And how the Prince answered the door when he had servants. Why the servants were enchanted and how Maurice is the only one who gets lost while looking for the Castle.

At least it`s without
Ella and Giselle :)

And how Mrs Potts is too old to be Chip's mother and how the castle is separated from the village. And that not all of the enchanted objects used to be humans. These holes have been discussed forever and have plagued the film during in our scrutinizing era of Internet. So it's not strange how the live action version of Beauty actually took care of these questions and answered them for it's retelling. But not everyone where happy about this, as many people (among them being Lindsay Ellis) meant that it was unnecessary to answer them, as they weren`t necessary for the story.

The Live Action Remake

So it would be perfect time to discuss the much debated live action remake of Beauty and the Beast. Which was released in 2017. While both the remakes of Cinderella and The Jungle Book proved that these live action remakes could be redeemable, there were a lot anticipation for the one of Beauty. But unlike those two previous remakes, there was a more lukewarm reception to Beauty. Mostly due to that it essentially was a carbon copy of it's animated predecessor and perceived as an inferior copy. But the live action of Beauty essentially combined elements from the original tale and Disney's version. And managed to fix the scrutinies that had surrounded the film. But it was a huge success, nonetheless. Despite how unlike it`s animated predecessor, it never actually received a nomination for Best Picture.

The Development Between the Beast, Gaston and Belle

However, regarding the development of the two major male leads (yes, forgive me for repeating myself): Both Gaston and the Beast have been perceived for being equal jerks, as both of them are douches. I guess that scrutiny is fair. Both Gaston and Beast actually perceive Belle as an item for their good in their own way. However, the real difference between them is that Beast learns his way of humanity, while Gaston doesn't. In fact, it`s remarkable how Beast and Gaston has simultaneously their own development happening the same time during the course of their change of nature.

I wanted to
look manly
without a
gun :)

I can`t understand
how anyone from
Toy Story can resist
being in a box :)

Yet regarding the focus of our two titular leads, it's still Beast's who`s given the biggest and most overt arc. While Belle's arc is more understated and subdued (while some believes that she doesn`t really go through an arc, her development is about learn to see what`s beneath the surface. As stated in Something There). But it was first and foremost Beasts`s arc that interested the directors in the first place, as it was Howard Ashman who believed that he should go through an arc that was both internal and external.

The Spinoff Properties & Re-Releases

It stands for U :)

However, unsurprisingly Beauty and the Beast has been milked by Disney in several ways: By two Direct-to-Video Cheapquels (which remarkably enought none of them are actual continuations, but rather expansions of Belle's time as a hostage. And that Beast remains a Beast. Most likely due to that it's his most well known appearance). Sing Me a Story With Belle was a TV series made for children. And we all know that Beauty was the first of the Disney properties to actually grace Broadway (as it was confirmed to be the Best Broadway Musical to not be on Broadway at that time). Despite how there were naysayers who were laughing at the idea, it became one of the longest running Broadway shows in history.

We wanted to be Hillbillies :)
Don`t ask why :)

But as for changes to the movie itself, an important addition was with Human Again in the 10th Anniversary Re-Release at IMAX in 2002 (inspired by George Lucas` re-release of Star Wars with new material). It was originally intended for the movie, but it was deleted because it was too long.

My jump is impressive,
right? :)

But the creators desperately wanted to show the point of view of the objects. So when it worked in the Stage version, they decided they could put it in the movie (the original animators were a part of it). As a part of the 3D-trend, Beauty was also released on 3D in 2012 (with the release of the Tangled Ever After short). And since Belle became a mandatory member of the official Princess Franchise, her presence in the lineup has been huge. And yes, Beauty also started the career of a certain Canadian Starlet named Celine Dion. With her version of the end credits single, Beauty and the Beast.

Epilogue

Don`t worry, we`re usually
enemies otherwise :)

Regardless of the perfection staple that Beauty and the Beast has been stuck with, would it be fair to label it as perfect? Well, for those of you who wants to, then you`re welcome. But as for me personally, it's not unflawed. The animation is somewhat inconsistent (no offense to the animators), the slapstick comedy is somewhat off-putting and Gaston is not particularly as strong (in my eyes) as many people wants him to be. Still, I`ve personally learned to love Beauty during the years. And while it would be tempting to scrutinize why it never actually appealed to me as a kid, it`s incredible that I didn`t care for it at all.

I`ll tell ya a secret: It ain`t bad
being small :)

Now as an adult, I`ve come to realize it`s strengths: It`s wonderful music, a great heroine and it`s general sense of whimsy, wonder and magic. But ironically, the thing that made the movie off-putting to me as a child, made me actually to respect and admire it as an adult: It`s complexity and depth. No matter what, Beauty is still a rousing success and a movie that truly changed animation and made it`s inpact on the memdium. And deservedly so. It has gained a huge Legacy and will continue to do so through many years. So at the end, there`s nothing left to wish Beauty Happy Past 30th Anniversary and may you continue to have many more.