250 films, 250 reviews. This is a pretty crazy idea, but who doesn’t love a challenge? Here at Cultured Vultures we’ll be counting down the IMDb Top 250 with a review for each from one of our dedicated film writers. Everything from Goodfellas to Casablanca will be covered over the next year or so for you film lovers to enjoy. You can’t say we don’t spoil you, you lovely lot. – Ashley, Project Lead
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There is something about the classic Disney intro, that the moment I hear it my heart flutters a little, my inner child comes to the fore and immediately a youth’s sense of curiosity and adventure takes over. Beauty and the Beast is no exception to this. The moment I started to watch I was excited and content in a way that only Disney truly knows how to do.
Now admittedly, as a grown up woman and something of a self-confessed feminist, these days I do tend to find a lot to begrudge about Disney. It seems kind of unfair to pick holes  in a lot of their stories as traditionally they are fairy tales and that is to some extent out of their control, but I tend to find simpering who fall in love at first sight poor role models considering how prolific they are amongst young girls.
Belle, however, is actually a female Disney protagonist who I can really respect. She has a love of books that is admirable, kindness that is rewarded with love and friendship, and she gets to know the guy she is marrying before marrying him. Yeah, looking at you there Cinderella. She is a strong female who sticks to her guns and opinions but at the same time learns from her mistakes and oversights, and there is really a lot to love about that.
I would actually say that Beauty and the Beast is full of charming characters that are kind of hard not to enjoy. Cogsworth and Lumiere are truly the perfect comedy duo. (Is it weird to fancy a candlestick, by the way? He’s just so charming!!) Whereas Chip is just adorable, and a character that adults can love and children relate to. I kind of wish I had a nanny like Mrs Potts or just Angela Lansbury to be honest, Â and a wardrobe that could give me advice before I leave the house.
As is only to be expected from a Disney classic, the film is beautifully illustrated. Who wouldn’t want to live in the castle? It’s absolutely stunning to look at. From the ballroom to the dining room to the library… It’s exuberance at it’s finest. I particularly feel the need to give mention to the ballroom in the Beauty and the Beast sequence. The sweeping shots that show the room in all it’s grandeur and the close ups, like the one that shows the detail on the ceiling are examples of absolutely pin point perfect animation that I honestly don’t think we see enough of these days.
Then there’s the ‘costumes’ which are just divine. I’m not usually big on dresses (and yellow looks awful on me) but I would kill to wear that iconic Belle dress and dance with a lover in Beasts beautiful finery. It is visually stunning and like Disney just ripped the fairytale images in our mind right out of our heads for this one.
Of course, the other notable Disney trademark that is wonderfully and iconically executed here is its soundtrack. Yeah, yeah, Let It Go might be big now but does it have the warmth, the tenderness and longevity of the beautiful pieces in Beauty and the Beast? Notably, the Be Our Guest sequence is wickedly catchy, delightfully entertaining and full of fantastic choreography that I probably don’t need to describe as is it’s so iconic it’s probably playing in your head as I write this. I also love the sweeteness of Something There a beautiful little song in its own right but accompanied with the scenes where you see how Belle and Beast are slowly falling in love makes it one of the cosiest and most romantic scenes in animation history.
Although already mentioned, I really can’t not mention the Oscar-winning Beauty and the Beast song at this point. It is easily one of my favourite songs from Disney. It summarises the film perfectly. A cascade of romance, tenderness and elegant yet masterful storytelling.
As far as Disney goes, Beauty and the Beast is easily a favourite. Truth is if you’re looking for action and SFX and guns blazing, you won’t find it here. But, if like most people turning to Disney you’re looking for beautiful, romantic, easy going and enchanting, then Beauty and the Beast won’t fail to dazzle.
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