Product ReviewsBeauty and the Beast (DVD, 2002, 2-Disc Set, Special Edition)

My wife loved it

By now, you have already formed your own opinion about this movie so I won't review the film itself. Rather, this review is on the 2-disc special edition that Disney vaulted years ago (but that doesn't stop ebayers, thank goodness).

The digital transfer is visually brighter and more crisp than previous versions of the film. For HD buffs, this is as good as it gets until Disney releases blu-ray editions. The sound is mixed well, also.

The special features are the standard junk that Disney puts on all of their dvds: impossibly boring and easy games for the kids, personality tests, and the occasional behind-the-scenes bit that lauds the process of creating the film while simultaneously telling you nothing. This particular film's treatment includes 3 versions of the film: the theatrical, the extended, and the work-in-progress cuts. The dvd automatically defaults to the extended cut, which involves one new musical number which does nothing to further the film and you could easily skip those 5 minutes and miss nothing. The work-in-progress cut is for hard-core disney-philes who need to watch everything Disney has every done. For standard viewers, this is to be skipped.

Overall, I was not impressed with this dvd, but I was never a fan of the film in the first place. My wife, who thinks the world of this movie, was intrigued by the extended cut (but not enthralled) and bored by the special features. But just having this movie on dvd is enough for her, hence the higher rating. She was totally impressed with the digital transfer, which is something she rarely even notices, let alone comments upon.Read full review...

Romance at its finest

Indeed, Beauty and the Beast is an old story (some date it from 1700s and others tell of even earlier hints of it). Yet, it is a classic tale, nonetheless. I love the way Walt Disney (the old Walt Disney, not the present one) took there time in getting this classic story into its present format. Mr. Disney tried but he and his crew were not satisfied with the early results and, therefore, shelved the concept for later revisit. Well, one of Walt's later family members did revisit it -- and the timing and technology were perfect for reattempting this timeless classic. They did a wonderful job. It has become one of the most romantic sagas even if it is in cartoon form. They did a superb job. Highly recommended. You and your kids will thrill to watch this one. This even has scenes not in the original release. A+ all the way. Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: second.sale

Definitive

New versions don't have nearly as much engagement, with this version, it has the Special Edition, Experimental edition and Theatrical Edition as well as a disc for just bonus features and commentaries and games, it should really be called the "Definitive Edition".Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: second.sale

Nice DVD

The Special Edition of Walt Disney’s Beauty and the Beast was the one movie I once ignored to buy long ago , then purchased it from blockbuster before getting rid of it to a thrift store. Now I decided that I want it back once again, all because of the west wing game. But the behind the scenes, making of as well as the introduction of artwork is more than what I purchased.

However, on Disc one, the main menu part where I press play to start the movie, the picture freezes a little before I skip and then the picture plays for sure. Glad it’s still working in one piece, though. So glad I could find this movie then elsewhere: special edition; 2002 was the one I kept looking for and nowhere else. Thank you for holding it on to me.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: turtle4less

Beauty and the Beast dvd

I rated good because the dvd was in good condition and worked great. However, I didn't rate excellent because I believe this was a copied or imported version, instead of the original Disney version. There are two scenes in the movie that the words are on the screen and you can't take them off. I believe they were removed from most scenes. It also gave you an option at the beginning of selecting another language, of one I'd never scene. The covering also looked like it was not made from Disney, because it is not shiny, where all Disney dvd's are glossy looking. The cover looks kind of dull. Like I said though, the dvd works great and my daughter loves it.Read full review...

Beauty and the Beast

The box was perfect and the inserts were included as described. The movie was also exactly as described. The only dissapointment was that there were glue marks were the blockbuster or whater sticker would have been located in the center of the DVD. Mine also came with a scratch on it that was circular meaning it would have been caused from playin it. My take on this is that is was a rental DVD that did not get a lot of use so it looked really close to new. I was able to buff out the scratch almost making it invisible. There is no way to remove the glue marks from the center of the DVD. I was in a crunch to get the DVD in time for Christmas and I did. My daughter was very happy and thats all that really matters.Read full review...

Beauty and the Beast - great movie, mediocre DVD?

The movie is one of my favorite Disney animated features, but the main DVD of this set is a bit disappointing. It seems like they tried to cram too much (i.e., too many versions of the feature) onto the disc, but had to sacrifice significant picture quality to make the file sizes small enough to do so. There are significant and noticeable amounts of pixellation and artifact throughout the feature.Read full review...

Great movie for all ages, timeless classic

Beauty and the BEast is one of the many wonderful Disney movies ever made. Heart felt story line, wonderfully funny characters, and fun songs to sing along with. Perfect movie for all ages!

BEWARE OF FAKE COPIES! SINGLE DISC MOVIES FROM OVER SEAS ARE NOT REAL, THEY ARE CHOPPY AND DO NOT PLAY ON MANY DVD PLAYERS. ALSO WHEN YOU BUY A DVD AND RECEIVE IT CHECK THE BACK OF THE DISC. IF THE DISC IS SILVER IT'S REAL, IF THE DISC IS GOLD IT IS ANOTHER FAKE COPY AND MAY HAVE TROUBLE PLAYING. REAL DISNEY DVDS SELL FOR $25-$100, DO NOT BUY $0.99 DVDS WITH $5.00 SHIPPING. If you are looking for a rare dvd then it will cost more like a rare dvd should. USE CAUTION WHEN BUYING MOVIES ON eBAYRead full review...

Sadly in the Vault-o-Walt -- BUT GREAT!!!!

The film that officially signaled Disney's animation renaissance (following The Little Mermaid) and the only animated feature to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination, Beauty and the Beast remains the yardstick by which all other animated films should be measured. It relates the story of Belle, a bookworm with a dotty inventor for a father; when he inadvertently offends the Beast (a prince whose heart is too hard to love anyone besides himself), Belle boldly takes her father's place, imprisoned in the Beast's gloomy mansion. Naturally, Belle teaches the Beast to love. What makes this such a dazzler, besides the amazingly accomplished animation and the winning coterie of supporting characters (the Beast's mansion is overrun by quipping, dancing household items) is the array of beautiful and hilarious songs by composer Alan Menken and the late, lamented lyricist Howard Ashman. (The title song won the 1991 Best Song Oscar, and Menken's score scored a trophy as well.) The downright funniest song is "Gaston," a lout's paean to himself (including the immortal line, "I use antlers in all of my de-co-ra-ting"). "Be Our Guest" is transformed into an inspired Busby Berkeley homage. Since Ashman's passing, animated musicals haven't quite reached the same exhilarating level of wit, sophistication, and pure joy. --David Kronke --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
-- From Amazon.com's DescriptionRead full review...

Beauty and the Beast - Love the message, love the film

The timeless tale of Belle, the beautiful and intelligent girl kept prisoner in the castle of a mysterious beast who must somehow win her love if he is to regain his princely form. Features the voices of Robby Benson, Angela Lansbury and David Ogden Stiers. Academy Award Nominations: 6, including Best Picture, Best Song ("Be Our Guest"), Best Song ("Belle"). Academy Awards: Best Song ("Beauty and the Beast"). MY REVIEW***** EXCELLENT - It is as relevant now as ever. The message this movie sends is true and timeless, and the movie has a strong, captivating story to go with it. It has been one of my favorite movies since I was a child. In my 20's now, I have rediscovered it, and love it as much as ever. You can watch it with children, and keep being entertained time after time. It gets a bit violent toward the end, but nothing a little fast forwarding won't cure when watching it with the younger members of your family. It really has a duel message. The first being that one should be good and kind or they will be seen as a beast, and the second being that it is what's inside that counts, and one can't judge a book by its cover. Being that it is a children's film, I would normally rate this a "Good" rather than "Excellent" because of the violence in the feature that may be unnecessary and difficult to watch for some children. However, if one likes this film in spite of that, it is perfect for them. I have decided to rate it "Excellent" in spite of the violence, because this new edition features plenty of games, and special features that are more than enough to make up for what a child may be lacking from the film. For me, personally, I love this film because I am a disabled man. As a disabled individual, I am thankful for this movie, and its message for teaching generation after generation of people that its OK to be different.Read full review...