Beauty and The Beast returns for its 25th Anniversary in a Walt Disney Signature Collection Blu-ray release. The tale as old as time is one of my favorite Disney animated films of all-time. Marking its second time on Blu-ray, let's take a look and see what is different from its original release.
Video Quality:
You will find the same 1080p video presentation as the previous release which is still stunning. If you have never seen Beauty and The Beast on Blu-ray before then you are in for a treat. The gorgeous transfer will leave everyone from children to the biggest film fan in awe. The rich color palette captures the darkness of the forest, the warmth of the ballroom and more is absolutely pristine. The brush strokes can be seen in the background paintings and serve as a reminder of the artistry that was hand drawn animation. Still one of the very best transfers from Disney ever.
Audio Quality:
You will find the same DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack as on the previous release which is still as stunning as the video release. The audio truly surrounds you and envelopes you into the film. Dialogue is perfectly placed and you can hear every line even whispers. Every sound effect is prioritized to perfection from the clinking teacups, to the thundering crash of lightning above you, to the Beast's roar, to Belle's soft footsteps in the castle. Still an absolutely stunning audio mix.
Bonus Features:
You will find two unique cuts of the film, the original theatrical cut as well as the special extended cut. There is also a sing-along version of the theatrical cut. There new bonus features and the audio commentary is from the previously released Blu-ray. Below is a breakdown of what's included, where, and whether it's new or carryover. It should be noted that every extra on this disc is also available digitally, but not vice-versa, obviously.
On-disc bonuses:
- Always Belle (1080p, 11:32): Paige O'Hara talks about voicing Belle and what has happened in her life since then.
- Menken & Friends: 25 Years of Musical Inspiration (1080p, 19:06): Robert Lopez, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Stephen Schwartz, and Alan Menken gather to sing songs from the film.
- #1074: Walt, Fairy Tales & Beauty and the Beast (1080p, 9:36): A look back at the very first ideas for a Beauty and The Beast film.
- The Recording Sessions (1080p, 3:48): An all too brief look at the recording sessions of the voice actors that the animators used for reference.
- 25 Fun Facts About Beauty and the Beast (1080p, 5:24): Stuck in the Middle's Kayla Maisonet and Best Friends Whenever's Gus Kamp quickly run through some fun facts about the movie.
- Beauty and the Beast Sneak Peek (1080p, 1:24): An all-too-brief behind-the-scenes preview for the live-action film, coming in March 2017. Don't expect to see much that hasn't already been shown elsewhere. I was hoping for a larger look or at least the footage that was shown to us at the D23 Expo in 2015.
- Song Selection (Sing-Along Edition Only) (1080p, 22:52 total runtime): Fans can jump directly to their favorite songs from the Sing-Along version of the film. Included are Belle, Belle (Reprise), Gaston, Gaston(Reprise), Be Our Guest, Something There, Beauty and the Beast, The Mob Song, and Beauty and the Beast(Reprise).
- Audio Commentary (Extended Edition Only): Directors Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale, Producer Don Hahn, and Composer Alan Menken. This is the same track available on the previous release. See that review for more information.
- Classic Bonus Preview (1080p, 0:43): A short ad for all the features available digitally.
Below is a list of the digital-only bonus features.
* indicates that the bonus was available on the previously released Blu-ray.
Behind the Scenes
- A Transformation: Glen Keane (3:12)*
- Character Development: Lumiere (2:50)
- Camera Move Test (2:03)*
- The Transformation: Pencil Version (5:22)*
- Character Development: Mrs. Potts (2:14)
- New Digital Horizons (4:21)
- Beyond Beauty: The Untold Stories Behind The Making Of Beauty And The Beast (53:24)*
- Character Development: Beast (3:49)
- Animation Tests, Rough & Clean Ups (4:54)*
- Early Presentation Reel (2:48)*
- Character Development: Gaston (3:12)
- Will vs. Nik (3:15)
- Character Development: Cogsworth (2:53)
- Deleted Scene: Belle In The Library With Introduction By Roger Allers (9:05)*
- Deleted Song: "Human Again" (6:57)*
- Deleted Song Sequence "Human Again:" Introduction By Don Hahn (0:45)*
- Deleted Song Sequence "Human Again:" Introduction By Alan Menken (0:41)*
- Alternate Story Open With Introduction By Peter Schneider (18:57)*
Cast & Crew
- Always Belle (11:32)
- Searching For Beast's Castle (17:51)
- Acting As A Team (6:45)
Archives
- The Beauty Of Voice Acting (10:25)
- Frame By Frame: A Thumbnail Sketch Of The History Of Animation (14:18)
- #1074: Walt, Fairy Tales & Beauty And The Beast (9:35)
- Disney: A Fairy Tale (8:28)
Music & More
- Song Selection: Beauty and the Beast (Reprise) (0:49)
- Song Selection: Belle (Reprise) (1:01)
- "Beauty And The Beast" Music Video (Preformed By Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson) (4:24)*
- Jordan Sparks "Beauty And The Beast" Music Video (3:26)*
- Menken & Friends: 25 Years Of Musical Inspiration (19:05)
- Song Selection: Gaston (3:08)
- Song Selection: The Mob Song (3:27)
- Broadway Beginnings (13:07)*
- The Recording Sessions (3:47)
- Composing A Classic: A Musical Conversation With Alan Menken, Don Hahn & Richard Kraft(20:18)*
- Song Selection: Belle (5:06)
- Alternate Version: "Be Our Guest" (4:51)*
- Alternate Score: The Transformation (1:59)*
- Song Selection: Something There (1:56)
- Song Selection: Beauty and the Beast (2:47)
- Song Selection: Be Our Guest (3:40)
- Full Circle To Broadway (10:25)
- Ever A Surprise: A Portrait Of Howard Ashman (13:49)
- Song Selection: Gaston (Reprise) (1:08)
Etc.
- Beauty And The Beast With Audio Commentary (1:31:43)*
- Beauty And The Beast Work-In-Progress Edition (1:25:39)*
- Beauty And The Beast Sing-Along Edition (1:24:53)*
- Beauty And The Beast Original Theatrical Edition (1:24:53)*
- 25 Fun Facts About Beauty And The Beast (5:22)
- Beauty And The Beast Special Extended Edition (1:31:43)*
- TV Spot #1 (0:32)*
- TV Spot #3 (0:32)*
- Large Format Release Trailer (2:31)*
- TV Spot #4 (0:15)*
- TV Spot #2 (0:32)*
- Original Release Trailer (2:29)*
- Beauty And The Beast Sneak Peak (1:23)
- The Beauty Of Voice Acting (10:25)
Overall:
The 25th Anniversary edition is another fine release to celebrate one of the best animated films of all-time. If you missed the previous Blu-ray release then this is a must buy.
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