Beauty And The Beast The Enchanted Christmas Beast
The Storyline
"Beauty and the Beast" is a classic fairy tale that has been retold many times in various forms of media. One such retelling is "Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas," a direct-to-video animated film produced by Walt Disney Pictures. The movie takes place during the Christmas season and serves as a midquel to the original film, taking place between the Beast's transformation and Belle's declaration of love for him. In this movie, we see the Beast struggling with his past and trying to come to terms with his present, all while trying to make the holiday season special for Belle and his friends in the castle.
The Characters
The primary characters in "Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas" are the Beast, Belle, and the enchanted objects in the castle. The Beast, voiced by Robby Benson, is the former prince who was cursed by an enchantress and turned into a beast. Belle, voiced by Paige O'Hara, is the kind and intelligent young woman who falls in love with the Beast and breaks the curse. The enchanted objects in the castle include Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Chip, and others, who are all transformed household objects. In this movie, we also meet Forte, a pipe organ who is the Beast's former music teacher and serves as the main antagonist.
The Themes
"Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas" explores several themes, including forgiveness, redemption, and the importance of family and friends. The Beast is haunted by memories of his past and struggles to move on, but through his interactions with Belle and the enchanted objects, he learns the value of forgiveness and redemption. The movie also emphasizes the importance of family and friends during the holiday season, as the Beast and his friends work together to make Christmas special for Belle.
The Music
"Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas" features several original songs, including "As Long as There's Christmas," "Deck the Halls," and "Stories." The score was composed by Rachel Portman, who won an Academy Award for her work on "Emma." The songs in this movie are festive and uplifting, capturing the holiday spirit and adding to the overall charm of the story.
The Reception
"Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas" received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising the animation and music, while others criticized the plot and pacing. Despite the mixed reception, the movie has gained a cult following over the years and is beloved by many fans of the original film. It remains a popular holiday movie and is often included in Disney's holiday programming on television.
Conclusion
"Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas" is a heartwarming holiday movie that adds to the magic of the original fairy tale. The movie explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the importance of family and friends, while also featuring festive music and charming animation. While it may not be as well-known as the original film, it is a worthy addition to the "Beauty and the Beast" franchise and a delightful holiday treat for viewers of all ages.