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Beauty and the Beast Review

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 5+

The ultimate makeover story has strong, positive messages.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Beast's initial ferocity might scare younger viewers. And once kids have seen his gentle side, they may find scenes of him being hunted and stabbed by Gaston emotionally upsetting. The sequence in which a mob comes after Beast is also quite intense, and there's a fair bit of cleavage on display during the bar-set "Gaston" number. But kids mature enough for feature-length stories will find this one of the best Disney movies they could spend time with in terms of intelligence, quality, and originality -- not to mention having one of Disney's smartest, most independent heroines. Note: The movie's 2012 3D theatrical rerelease intensifies the musical numbers like "Be Our Guest" and the waltz scene in "Beauty and the Beast," but it doesn't make Beast's roars or the mob scenes too much scarier than they are in 2D.

  • Families can talk about Belle and Beast's first impressions of each other. What did they discover about each other as their relationship grew?
  • As one of the popular Disney Princesses, how is Belle the same as Cinderella and the Little Mermaid? How is she different?

The good stuff
  • educationalvalue true1

    Educational value: Intended to entertain, not educate, but kids will take in some important lessons about appreciating others for who they are, not what they look like.

  • message true4

    Messages: This timeless story has always revolved around the idea that it's important to see someone for who they are and not for what they look like. Also, brain wins out over brawn.

  • rolemodels true4

    Role models: Characters change for the better -- Belle sees the beautiful person inside Beast, and he sheds his anger and sacrifices his own happiness for hers. Belle is a positive role model who values intelligence, books, and individuality.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence and scariness: Beast has angry outbursts at first. Fierce wolves attack the main characters. Townspeople decide to kill Beast and storm the castle in a scary, intense mob sequence. In the climactic fight, a knife-wielding character falls to his death.

  • sex false2

    Sexy stuff: Lumiere comically flirts with a maid, with fooling around implied. Budding romance between Beast and Belle, with some mild flirting and kissing. Bosomy barmaids swoon for Gaston during the song about him -- which also includes some innuendo and references to his physical appeal.

  • language false0

    Language: Not an issue

  • consumerism false4

    Consumerism: Belle is a Disney Princess whose brand reaches far and wide. Expect to see Princess branding on consumer merchandise, food products, etc., as well as in books, websites, and other media.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false1

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: A raucous scene in a bar with plenty of mugs sloshing around.

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© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 4.692
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4

Great movie by kebturbo
I loved this movie as a child and I still love it now. I took my kids and they really enjoyed watching the movie on the big screen.

5

Beauty and the Beast review by jwargolet
My all tim favorite Disney movie! Saw it in theaters the first time around in 1991 and it was great to now be able to take my niece to enjoy it as well!

4

Job Well Done!
It was wonderful to share a movie experience with my 5 yr old that I had when I was a child - only in a fresh, new way! I wondered how she would fare with the glasses and 3D (as this was her first experience), but figured the familiarity she already had with this story would help make this even more special for the two of us. The film was wonderful! Of course, because the original was not filmed for 3D, there was some blurring here and there where the 2D transitioned into 3D. Overall, the transformation was amazing and any blurring was easy to overlook! The film really popped into life and reminded me how in love with Beauty and the Beast I was as a child - even putting me in awe of the new way old characters burst into action! I would recommend this, without hesitation, to anyone looking to share a few moments of classic Disney magic at its finest! Unbelievable - so glad I went!

4

by Pittcontact

5

by thisdisplayname

5

by wendybird007

5


Loved it! Was worried my son may not like it as it looks and sounds different from modern animated movies but he loved it and I had forgotten the story so I loved it too

4


4

by Ophelia S Buckster

5

by FidesEtRatio

Read all Beauty and the Beast reviews at Fandango
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