Customer Reviews

Beauty And The Beast (Special Edition)

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although I tend to watch action/adventure and science fiction films more than I do kid-friendly family fare, I do on occasion like to tap into my more sentimental side and watch a Walt Disney film. Not that I have many in my home video library; I only own Fantasia (1940) and Beauty and the Beast (1991). Both are wonderfully rendered in visual and musical terms, but I was so taken by Alan Menken's music and the late Howard Ashman's lyrics for Beauty and the Beast that I bought the original soundtrack album a few days after watching the first animated film seriously considered for a Best Picture nomination.

Beauty and the Beast was the crowning achievement for the Menken and Ashman team, surpassing 1989's The Little Mermaid, and it would be their final collaboration, for Ashman died shortly after completing the lyrics. But the success of both film and the soundtrack album is proof of the timelessness and general appeal of Beauty and the Beast's songs.

Starting with Menken's darkly-tinged underscore for David Ogden Stiers' voiceover introduction in Prologue (Track 1), the music starts casting its magical spell on the listener, then with deftness worthy of a David Copperfield or David Blaine, the marvelous opening number Belle introduces us to the beautiful protagonist (voice of Paige O'Hara) and to the various inhabitants of the small French village where Belle, a young maiden who lives with her father Maurice, a widower who also likes to believe he's a great inventor. She's a typical Disney heroine -- a forward-thinking lass who yearns to venture in the great wide somewhere and be more than she is in her society -- but O'Hara's voice is so lovely and the role so wonderfully written that the stereotypes are transcended. The opening number also introduces us to the vain, handsome, yet slimy Gaston (voice of Richard White), the village heartthrob and super-macho hunter extraordinaire who is determined to make Belle his wife.
(His song, Gaston [track 4] is not only revelatory about his personality quirks as a egotist without equal, but is a fine showcase for White's wonderful baritone voice.)

In addition to the aforementioned tracks, Ashman and Menken's best songs -- if I had to choose just three -- are:



Be Our Guest, one of the big showstopper tunes and one of the best. Jerry Orbach of Law & Order fame joins forces with Angela Lansbury (Murder, She Wrote) in a rousing Busby Berkeley-inspired number that gives new meaning to the term Dinner Theater

Something There (track 7), heard when the Beast (voice of Robby Benson) and Belle realize that they are, despite their differences and circumstances, falling in love. It's a very appealing song simply because it's so universal; those of us who have had any experiences at relationships -- even the illusory Internet romances that seem to be in vogue as of late can easily relate to Something There's theme of realizing that, yes, I feel something surpringly and wonderful for someone else.

Beauty and the Beast (track 9), Angela Lansbury's beautiful rendition of the film's best known single sums up the themes of the movie (love conquers even vast differences, love is timeless) in a wonderful and understated way.

With the exception of The Mob Song (track 8) and a final choral rendition of Beauty and the Beast at the coda of Transformation (track 14), the balance of the movie's music is instrumental underscore for action scenes (The Beast Lets Belle Go [track 12]; Battle on the Tower [13]) as the film heads toward the resolution of the Belle-Beast-Gaston triangle.

For many Celine Dion fans, the highlight of this CD will be her duet with Peabo Bryson in the end credits reprise of the title song. It's a more 1990s contemporary version, but it fits nicely, and for Dion fans it's a must-hear, since it was one of her early English-language recordings.

I don't listen to this album very often, but when I do, the music carries me to a time and place where life was not as complicated, love triumphed over adversity, and everything was possible as long as you wished upon a star...and dared to dream boldly.

Although Disney has always succeeded in creating wonderful musical moments and some of the best soundtracks ever released, the musical score for BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is their best to date, and I doubt they'll ever be able to top it. The songs perfectly introduce the characters ("Belle," "Gaston," and reprises) and set the mood for the rest of the show. If Disney had made BEAUTY AND THE BEAST in the 2000's instead of 1991, chances are that it would have been more of an action film then a musical (look at Disney's recent "Dinosaur" and "Atlantis," among others.) If this was the case with BEAUTY, the film would have been truly lost in every sense of the word. The music here carries the picture, and does so expertly. I love the movie and the music with all my heart. Why, then, did I give this CD only three stars? Simply because I expected more from the album itself as a Special Edition release.

This is exactly like the original 1991 release except for the addition of "Human Again" and some demos tacked onto the end. This should have been rearranged so that the album blends score and song in the order that it appears in the film, and then put the demos on. But with this release -- and also the original -- the vocal songs aren't even presented in order. Why "The Mob Song" is presented here BEFORE "Beauty and the Beast" is beyond me.

Another flaw is the "deluexe packaging." Mine has completely fallen apart, and I've been extremely careful with such a great soundtrack. Beware the packaging!

On the plus side for the Special Edition is "Human Again," originally written for but never used in the 1991 animated feature. When Disney decided to transform the movie into a Broadway musical, a number of new songs were written to extend the show's length to the time required for a Broadway performance. In addition to all the newly created songs, this one was dusted off and used as well, and it became an instant hit with audiences and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST fans everywhere. With this in mind, the song was fully animated and interrigated into the film when it was reformatted for its January 2002 IMAX giant screen theater release. The song is sung by all of the film's original cast members, and it is a joy to have it part of the cinematic version of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and its soundtrack.

All in all this is wonderful music -- much better then the Broadway cast album; if you get one of the two, make it this one -- but the album is poorly organized. I'd reccomend this instead of the 1991 version just for "Human Again," but other then that and the demos there really isn't that much difference.

From "Snow White" to "The Little Mermaid" Disney has always had something going for it, but, baby, the folks at Disney have completely outdone themselves with "Beauty and the Beast"--both the movie AND the soundtrack. As Disney's ONLY heroine who NEVER frolicked with any cutesy animals (OK, she frolicked with cutesy tupperware, but that's not the same thing), and as a woman who READS (!), Belle just rocks, and Paige O'Hara, with her sweet, perky voice brings all the qualities you love about her onscreen back to life in the soundtrack. The other members of the cast are excellent. Robby Benson as the Beast--I had no idea he had such a soulful, beautiful voice. I can think of no better Mrs. Potts than Angela Lansbury, and Jerry Orbach, David Ogden-Stiers, Jessie Corti, and Richard White are equally wonderful. The songs are completely enchanting--WHY did Howard Ashman have to die?? He and Alan Menken were such an amazing team! The lyrics are never corny, but range from the glowingly sweet (the title song) to rousing and exciting ("Be Our Guest") to just plain hilarious ("Gaston"). Both the movie and the soundtrack are beautiful and an important addition to any soundtrack collection.

This is the re-issue of Disney's 1991 animated film soundtrack of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, to coincide with the Jan 2002 re-release of the film in Imax Theatres!

The "Special" thing about this cd is the reinsertion of the song "Human Again" into the film where it belongs, right after Beast and Belle become friends during "Something There"! Angela Lansbury, Jerry Orbach, Joanne Worley and David Ogden Stiers sing there parts, and Paige O'Hara and Robbie Benson have the reading dialogue where she teaches him to read Romeo and Juliet, in "Human Again".

The question that is not answered is whether or not the song was dug up out of the Disney files from the original footage in 1991, or was it recorded and made especially for the re-release. None the less, it's a great addition to, what I think, is one of Disney's greatest animated musicals of all time.

Also, as a bonus, is a demo-cut of "Be Our Guest" and "Beauty and the Beast". As well as the orginal end score, "The Death of the Beast."

The cd booklet is in full color with glorious pictures from the film as well as complete lyrics, including the film's version of "Human Again" which slightly varys from the Broadway's Production!! And a nifty sleeve cover with the new Poster Logo for the film!

A great cd for Disney and Musical Theatre fans alike! Highly recommended!

I never really cared for the Little Mermaid, but I liked the songs nevertheless. But I was more of a fan of Beauty and the Beast. I found the songs, acting, and animation a joy to watch. And it was around that time that I wanted to be a Disney Animator.

Well..that's not going to happen anytime soon.

Beauty and the Beast is in my opinion the best out of the three Ashman/Menken collaborations. It has such an amazing adult and kid broadway feel to it that it was meant to be both on stage and screen.

Prologue--David Orgen Steirs (spl?...he plays Coggsworth as well as a few other Disney characters) has an amazing timing and voice. Also a great singing voice. His narration is great and it really captures you into the story.

Belle--This song was so amazing. I really liked the whole "three groups" singing at the same time idea when I was little. Gaston, chasing after Belle... Belle, off in her own little world... the towns people not giving a dang about Gaston, but focusing their time on critiquing Belle and how she doesn't seem to fit in their society. Page O'Hara has an amazing voice... not many people know that she was the original Belle on Broadway, only for a short time though.

Belle (Reprise)--This really shows who Belle is and it's such a powerful scene to see on screen (the instrumental part in the middle where the camera pans out over the fields and woods), it shows you how big her dreams are.

Be Our Guest--Jerry Orbach has an amazing stage voice, I mean I actually thought he played off a nice fake French accent. He never gets out of it and he never lets you down throughout this song. Though I don't think how they brought this song on Broadway was good at all...I don't think it sounds all that grand. I think it's meant more for the movie. And Angela Landsburry, I think of Miss. Lovett (Sweeney Todd) when I hear her voice or when I hear her singing from Bedknobs and Broomsticks. She is a great singer and the song's lyrics are phenominal.

Gaston--This has to be an amazing adult song. I never really "understood" it when I was a child, now hearing it when I am older, it's great. I think Ashman really let his lyrics fly in this song and I think it's one of his best.

Gaston (Reprise)--"Lafou I'm afraid I've been thinking... A dangerous pastime! I know!", whoever doesn't crack up at that makes me surprised. It's basically dissing Gaston and how his looks are more than his brains. It gives hint to his "evil plot", and also allows the vilian to have another bit of the spotlight.

Something There--Is a great song between Belle and the Beast. It was one of my favorites when I was young. It shows how Belle is starting to have a change of heart about the Beast. It's also showing that the Beast is starting to have a change of heart towards Belle.

Human Again--...I guess because I heard this being sung on the Broadway cast, I like the Broadway one better. I like what the Beast and Belle were reading before (King Arthur) than Romeo and Juliet. Also the animation was too crappy looking. But the song itself was amazing and on cd is much more better. I think they somewhat excell more than the broadway cast in some aspects. It'd been nice to have heard it when it was originally inserted in the movie.

Beauty and the Beast--Angela Landsburry sings this song as if she was singing to a grandaughter or a child. In the movie she is singing this to chip, I thought when hearing it she was singing it to me. I'd listen to this song when I was going to bed because it was like a bedtime story. It's sweet, touching and pretty.

The Mob Song--I love this song, it's powerful and simply thrilling. To hear Gaston going to kill the Beast, Belle wanting to save him, and the Beast simply not carring anymore (knowing well enough he may live a beast forever and never return to his human self).

Beauty and the Beast (Reprise)--I love how this song is the reprise.

Beauty and the Beast (Credits Duet)--Celine Dion and Peybo were nice choices for this song. I think they sang it well and it was arranged quite nicely. (On the DVD, when putting it on sing-along, watch the credits. It's hilarious watching kids trying to sing the "ooohs" and "ahhhhs" of Celine Dion.)

Alan Menken has an upbeat score, but next to Hunchback I think this is one of his best. I just adore the "The Beast Lets Belle Go" and "The Battle on the Tower". I love the Battle on the Tower, esp. the music being played while Gaston is walking among the statues searching for the beast, taunting him.

I do like the original death music for the beast. I am glad they included this on the soundtrack, because hearing it on the SE DVD during the credits is pretty. Transformation is another nice piece of music and before I heard the alt. track, I really liked that piece.

In the end I love this soundtrack. It has amazing singers, songs, and soundtrack pieces. This was nominated for an Academy Award for best movie, obviously because it was something different than The Little Mermaid. It really appealed to adults and I think this was the begining of Disney movies for kids and adults. All in all, the original soundtrack is a good buy too. But this works as well. :)

My fiancee took me to see the IMAX version of Beauty and the Beast in Baltimore on Valentine's Day this year. I had seen the movie years ago many times and although I never owned the soundtrack, my roommates in college did, so I knew every word. Seeing the movie on the HUGE screen was really a treat and brought an entire new life to the film I remembered.

I was not sure if my fiancee would like the film, but I knew he would tell me if he didn't. After the movie while we were driving home, he couldn't stop humming all the songs. I gave him the Broadway soundtrack to listen to instead since that was the only one I had. That soundtrack is good, but with all the extra verses and voices that do not recall the movie characters, it was more difficult to enjoy.

I went to a local music store to purchase the CD and I was totally shocked by this special edition which included "Human Again" which was in the IMAX version of the film, and 2 tracks which chronicle the development of "Be our Guest" and "Beauty and the Beast". I surprised him with this soundtrack and it has been in his car for about 1 week already.... he comes home humming some of the songs.

Well, you've got to figure that if someone who was skeptical of the entire Disney movie idea now can't stop singing "Be our Guest", it must be a magical soundtrack. This movie has a great plot and terrific animation, but it would not have been nearly as successful without the amazing music.

The song that was added to this soundtrack and the IMAX movie was "Human Again".... well, truthfully, I could take it or leave it. Not a bad song, not really necessary. Feel free to disagree with that though.

If you love Disney movies and soundtracks.....GET THIS ONE, if you don't have the original already!

WOW. Alan Menkin is at his finest in this soundtrack. I could listen to this soundtrack for ages. The movie and the music are perfect together... take one away the entire structure falls. I especially loved Beauty and the Beast (the one when Mrs. Potts is singing), Transformation, and Be Our Guest. This soundtrack is Disney's gold momment...however Disney's musical Renaissance started to decline after Beauty and the Beast. This soundtrack is the best of the best. When you listen to this music, you will be transported into the world of Beauty and the Beast.

This is the one. If there was one Menken soundtrack I would recomend above all others, it would be this one. It's easily the best in both score and songs

The CD starts off with 'Prologue'. The music is here is wonderful, and while there is a storyteller on top, it's still a beautiful piece of music that I wouldn't want to live without. 'Belle' is probably one of the best songs I've ever heard. Great melody, great orestrations, great lyrics, great everything. The rest of the songs are wonderful too, from the humorous waltz of 'Gaston', to the playful Can-Can of 'Be My Guest', to the wonderful ballade 'Beauty and the Beast'. Every one of the songs has everything that makes a good song.

And what of the score? Well, it's great as well. 'West Wing' even contains more of the wonderful 'Prologue' music, and 'Transformation' is a wonderful choral version of 'Beauty and the Beast', and makes for a grand finale. As usual with Menken, the songs are all integrated nicely into the score, which makes for a highly coherent listening experiance.

The final track is the pop version of 'Beauty and the Beast'. It's done very well as far as pop songs go. And unlike the later Lion King pop songs, the lyrics are actually the same.

Overall, you can't go wrong with this. The singing is great, the instrumentations are great, wonderful melodies, and there's just a certain spark to it that makes you put a smile on your face.

This wonderful CD has fifteen tunes drawn straight from Disney's hit movie, Beauty and the Beast. The prologue includes the poem-like story of the Beast, and then the CD launches into the songs. They're all here (though not in the order that they were in the movie, sadly), even five instrumental tunes that were in the background during exciting scenes.

The paperwork for the CD is minimal, with no "extras" or anything to recommend it. But, the music is great, making this CD a great purchase for anyone who has to take car rides with kids (like me). Highly recommended!

Being a Beauty and the Beast fan for well FOREVER, I really enjoyed this C.D. The songs were at their best (as always), the cast still going strong, and even the demos and work-tapes were fun to listen to! Listening to the demos and work-tapes sucked me into the creative process and all the hard work that it took to make this wonderful film. Howard Ashman, or the "guy" singing on the demos (who did NOT have a bad Cockney accent, by the way) was truly a pleasure to listen to. I love this C.D., and any person who loves Beauty and the Beast will too!