Beauty and the Beast: Platinum Edition
November 2002 Reviewed by: Rad Bennett Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

The first animated feature to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, Beauty and the Beast seems like a Broadway show with animation. Boasting sensational production numbers and heartfelt love songs, it smacks so strongly of the theater that it was easily extended into a live musical show in the mid 1990s. For that production, an unused song, "Human Again," was dusted off and reinserted into the story line. It became so popular that when this DVD was being planned, Disney decided to complete the animation for this number in order to reinsert it, resulting in what is now called the "Special Edition." This was a costly, unprecedented move, since it involved reassembling the original cast members to record the soundtrack. On seeing it, most will feel the effort was well worthwhile.

The cast members' voices are perfect for this movie, none better than veteran Jerry Orbach, who provides the voice for Lumiere, the enchanted candlestick. Younger audience members, who only know Orbach from his role as a New York City detective on NBC’s popular Law and Order, might be unaware that Orbach has had a long and distinguished career as a Broadway performer. He played El Gallo in the original production of The Fantastiks, going on to the male lead in Carnival, then to Chicago and Promises, Promises. He won a Tony for his performance in the latter. To Lumiere he brings a wit and wisdom that makes the character indispensable. As Orbach sings it, Lumiere’s giant culinary production number, "Be Our Guest," becomes not only one of the most eye-popping pieces of animation around, but the ultimate tribute to Maurice Chevalier.

Paige O’Hara brings sweetness and innocence to Belle, and Robby Benson voices a tortured and kind-in-spite-of-himself Beast. Angela Lansbury is appropriately British and reassuring as Mrs. Pots, and the rest of the roles are cast to perfection. The animation is prime Disney. Each character moves with its own body rhythms, with fluid and realistic motion. This was one of the first animated films to use computer-assisted graphics and these are meshed seamlessly with more traditional animation techniques (and explained in the supplements on disc two).

The DVD release is presented in Disney’s Platinum Edition series, a notation that has come to symbolize excellence. Though I do not feel that this edition offers quite the cornucopia of goodies provided for Snow White or the Pixar movies (A Bug’s Life, Toy Story, and Monsters, Inc.), there is still a lot to enjoy. There are two DVDs in the package. The first contains three different versions of the film: the Special Edition, the original theatrical release, and the Work in Progress Edition. The latter was originally shown as a teaser and presents the complete movie in various stages of animation, ranging from black-and-white sketches to finished product. It is a fascinating view for those who like to know how movies like this are constructed. The first disc also contains a sing-along track, a lively audio commentary featuring the two directors, producer, and composer, as well as games that start on disc one, but are completed on disc two.

The second DVD contains four different paths. Entering "Cogsworth and Lumiere’s Library" allows you to see backstage scenes with the real actors who voiced the roles, a section on the origins of the story, an alternate version of "Be Our Guest," and much more. Click on "Mrs. Pots’ Engaging Treats" and discover "The Story Behind the Story," play Mrs. Pots’ "Personality Game," or enjoy a music video with Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson. Choose "Chip’s Fun and Games" as your path and find a discussion on Disney animation, "Chip’s Musical Challenge Game," and a spirited video by Jump 5. If you have remembered your code from disc one, you can also enter "The Secret West Wing" and play the "Break the Spell Adventure Game."

These extras are all worthwhile and surely lots of fun, but the main feature, in all three of its versions, looks and sounds so wonderful, that the extras become mere frosting on a very substantial cake. Disney claims this release as the "First Ever Digital Presentation Using High-Definition Transfer Technology." On seeing the sharp, steady images, replete with vibrant color that never ripples or overloads, you are most likely to agree with me that this is a reproduction that stands out. The sound is rich and full, the music is atmospheric, and the dialogue is as clear as the literary bell. Surround is used well and the overall sound design complements to perfection what is happening on screen.

This DVD set provides great family fare. The feature is one of the few of the past 15 years worthy of keeping company with Snow White, Bambi, and Cinderella. It painlessly teaches a simple lesson: Beauty is more than skin deep. We are going into the fall/winter holidays, which provide rare opportunities for families to be together. I can think of no better focal point to spark and complement familial closeness than this magical release.

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