When it comes to animation movies, there is none greater than Beauty and the Beast - which remains my favourite Disney movie of all time and remains a true classic when it comes to this genre of film.
Beauty and the Beast
It was back in 1992 when the film hit the big screen and it has gone on to become one of the most enduring Disney film and some of their greatest animation achievements. The movie did go on to become the first animation movie to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. While the movie didn't go on to win, it will always have a very special place in Oscar history.
Beauty and the Beast kicked of a great period for Disney in the early nineties as Aladdin and The Lion King followed and enjoyed huge box office and critical success; this trio of movies remain some of Disney's most well-loved.
Everyone has their favourite Disney movie and Beauty and the Beast really is mine because it is as enchanting now - nearly twenty five years on - as it was when I first watched it as a child.
Beauty and the Beast really is Disney at its very best as it is not only a sweeping romance and packed with a range of iconic and memorable musical numbers, but it is also a film that has a very powerful message at its core... don't judge people on what they look like, instead look at who they are.
For me, Beauty and the Beast remains a romantic, elegant, beautiful, and magical movie that is as exciting as it is touching. Add in the fact that animation is stunning and it was obvious that the studio had a major smash on their hands.
The dancing scene with Belle in her golden dress remains one of the most enduring images from the film and that sequences remains as mesmerising today as it did back in 1992.
As well as some great musical numbers and unforgettable imagery, the movie is packed with some terrific and crowd-pleasing character such as Lumiere and Maurice as well as Gaston, the villain that we all love to hate.
Beauty and the Beast charmed critics and audience upon release and went on to gross $425 million at the global box office. The movie went on to win a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. And while the film did miss out on the Best Picture Oscar, it did scoop Best Original Score and Best Original Song. Sadly, back in the early nineties there was no Best Animated Feature category like there is today.
There is something magical and wonderful about all of the classic Disney movies and yet, Beauty and the Beast is the one that holds a very special place in my heart. Over that last few years we have seen a handful of Disney movies given a live-action makeover by the studio and Beauty and the Beast in next in line.
We are going to have to wait until 2017 before it is released, but we are going to see Emma Watson, Dan Stevens & Luke Evans on board as Belle, Beast, and Gaston, Ewan McGregor, Emma Thompson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Ian McKellen, and Stanley Tucci make up the rest of the impressive cast list.
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