Blu-Ray Review: Beauty and the Beast (Live-Action)

Following Disney’s latest trend of remaking some of their classic animated films in a live action format comes Beauty and the Beast. Unlike 2015’s Cinderella and 2016’s The Jungle Book, this film is less a retelling and more a remake. But with excellent performances and an expanded Alan Menken score, it’s easy to see why it was instantly beloved and still holds the number one spot at both the domestic and international box office for 2017.

While much of the film feels like a shot-for-shot remake of the animated classic, the production design chose a more ornate style for the castle, costumes, and characters. The film also expands the 84-minute film into a 2-hour spectacle with added music and expanded character backstories that enrich the film and reduce the plot holes. And while there are some strong opinions out there, the general consensus is that if you loved the animated film, there’s no reason you won’t love this version as well.

As a result of these changes, the connection that forms between Belle and Beast feels deeper. They become kindred spirits rather than a romantic case of Stockholm syndrome and the ending feels all the more joyous as a result. Emma Watson and Dan Stevens both provide winning performances that are unforgettable as Belle and Beast.

All of the classic Alan Menken and Howard Ashman songs return, with some never-before-heard alternate Ashman lyrics that didn’t make it into the animated film. Three new songs were added, all with lyrics by Tim Rice, and if “Evermore” isn’t nominated for an Academy Award, then a great injustice has been done. Menken also returned to provide the full score, which includes the melody of “Home,” a nod to the Broadway production.

Beauty and the Beast can now be yours to cherish forever with a Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital HD Combo Pack. The film is sadly unavailable on home video in 3D, but Disney might be saving that for inclusion in a later re-release like they did last year with The Jungle Book. With more bonus features than Disney typically affords even their biggest blockbusters, there’s a lot to love about this release.

Bonus Features

Three viewing modes:

  • Play Movie (2:09:16) – Original Theatrical Version
  • Play Movie with Overture (2:12:22) – Adds an intro with the “Overture” from the film’s soundtrack set to images of snow falling and close ups of the castle frozen in winter.
  • Play Movie in Sing-Along Mode (2:09:16) – Stylize on-screen lyrics help you follow along during all of the songs.

Supplemental Features:

  • Enchanted Table Read (13:31) – Highlights from the first table read with the full cast are presented, which included choreography and singing, closer to a musical theater workshop than a traditional Hollywood table read. Behind-the-scenes footage from production are also included in this feature.
  • A Beauty of a Tale (27:08) – This making-of documentary gives great insight into the production including the sets, choreography, music, casting, and visual effects.
  • The Women Behind Beauty and the Beast (5:17) – Emma Watson hosts this feature about the women who worked behind the scenes on the film, which includes many of the key roles including production design, set decorating and casting.
  • From Song to Screen: Making the Musical Sequences (13:26) – Four of the film’s songs are broken down with behind-the-scenes footage of how each was filmed. They can be played all together or individually.
    • “Belle” (3:02)
    • “Be Our Guest” (4:07)
    • “Gaston” (3:16)
    • “Beauty and the Beast” (3:00)
  • Extended Song: “Days in the Sun” (4:08) – Director Bill Condon introduces this original extended version of “Days in the Sun,” which was reshot due to test audience confusion. In this version, the mother starts the song instead of young Beast. It also features an ending where the Beast sings about missing his mother.
  • Deleted Scenes (6:23) – Eight deleted scenes are presented with a play all option or individually.
    • Introduction by Bill Condon (0:16)
    • Gaston Courts Belle (1:43) – Gaston defends Belle’s washing invention in an attempt to woo her.
    • Bread and Jam for Agathe (0:22) – Belle offes Agathe, the town spinster, some bread and jam.
    • Storming the Ice Gates (0:32) – A cut sequence of “The Mob Song.”
    • Lumiere Torches LeFou (0:48) – To save Plumette, Lumiere sets LeFou’s seat ablaze.
    • Monsieur Toilette (0:30) – LeFou encounters a possessed toilet while running from the enchanted objects.
    • Cogsworth Rescues Lumiere (0:30) – Cogsworth fires a mini-cannon at his former wife when she extinguishes Lumiere.
    • Treacle the Lasses (0:35) – The three girls who pine over Gaston get a shock when the kitchen stove fights back.
    • LeFou and Monsieur Toilette Reunite (0:29) – After the curse is lifted, LeFou meets the toilet again, this time in human form.
  • Making a Moment with Celine Dion (3:24) – The iconic Canadian singer got her big break with the title song from the animated classic and discusses returning to record the end credit version of “Days in the Sun.” Grab some tissues for this emotional interview.
  • “Beauty and the Beast” Music Video by Ariana Grande and John Legend (4:02) – The end credit duet is performed by these two talented singers. On my review copy, the audio was out of sync with the images for the entirety of this feature.
  • Making the Music Video: “Beauty and the Beast” (2:07) – Behind the scenes footage of the music video shoot is presented with interviews from John Legend and Ariana Grande.
  • Disney Song Selection (33:09) – This feature allows you to play just the songs from the film, individually or as a play all option. All of these feature on-screen lyrics from the Sing-Along Version, but “Aria” is missing.
    • “Belle” (5:38)
    • “How Does a Moment Last Forever” (Music Box) (0:52)
    • “Belle” (Reprise) (1:03)
    • “Gaston” (4:34)
    • “Be Our Guest” (4:45)
    • “Days in the Sun” (2:37)
    • “Something There” (2:36)
    • “How Does a Moment Last Forever” (Montmartre) (0:46)
    • “Beauty and the Beast” (3:11)
    • “Evermore” (2:41)
    • “The Mob Song” (2:20)
    • “Beauty and the Beast” (Finale) (2:02)

The only bonus feature on the DVD is the music video.

Video

The film looks breathtaking on Blu-Ray with lots of details in this opulent picture. The color spectrum is wide ranging, with black levels handled extremely well and the bright colors of “Be Our Guest” dazzling in this HD presentation.

Audio

The primary audio track is a 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix that puts you in the center of the action. The beautiful Menken score fills every speaker and the action moments are made all the more suspenseful when the sound effects fill the room. Other audio options include a 2.0 Descriptive Service track, plus French and Spanish 5.1 mixes. All of these options are also available on DVD, except the 7.1 English mix has been modified to a 5.1 soundtrack.

Packaging & Design

Beauty and the Beast is housed in a standard Blu-Ray case with the two discs on either side of the case. Inserts include a sealed card that reveals your digital copy/Disney Movie Rewards code and a flier for Disney Movie Club. The case is housed inside a foil embossed slipcover.

The menu features score set to clips from the film. Both discs open with ads for Cars 3 and Descendants 2. Selecting “Sneak Peeks” from the menu simply repeats these same ads.

Final Thoughts

You can relive this grand live action musical adaptation of one of Disney’s finest animated films anytime with this home video release of Beauty and the Beast. With enlightening bonus features and spectacular video and audio presentations, you can enjoy this wonderful film again and again. And if the mood strikes you, sing-along!

Alex Reif
Alex joined the Laughing Place team in 2014 and has been a lifelong Disney fan. His main beats for LP are Disney-branded movies, TV shows, books, music and toys. He recently became a member of the Television Critics Association (TCA).