Day 25: Beauty and The Beast

The Grey Stuff IS Delicious: We watch Beauty and The Beast!

1. What movie did you watch?
Beauty and The Beast. The film is based on the traditional French fairytale by Jeanne- Marie Leprince de Beaumont. There were attempts by Disney to adapt the fairy tale in the 1930s and later in the 50s but it didn't happen. During the film's creation, the animation was done using a mix of traditional animation, CAPS technology, and CGI, which allowed animators to place the characters and backgrounds on different planes. Alan Menken and Howard Ashman produced the the motion picture soundtrack, which won the Academy Award, but sadly Ashman passed away from AIDS complications eight months before the movie's release and it's dedicated to him. The movie was released in 1991 to critical acclaim and it was the first animated film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. Fun fact: In 1994, Beauty and the Beast became the first Disney film to be adapted into a stage musical on Broadway. 

2. Have you seen it before/ how long has it been since you last saw it?
Maddie: Again, this is a classic, so of course I've seen it before, but not in about a year or so probably. The last I vividly remember seeing it was about there or four years ago when Disney re-released it in 3D and I went to see it.
Alexis: It's probably been a little over a year since I've seen it, which is shocking for me.

3. What memories did it recall?
Maddie: Probably really recently when I went to Walt Disney World over Spring Break and got to eat in the Beast's Castle at the Be Our Guest restaurant. It was so cool and fun! also, Belle's village was amazing and seeing Gaston was hilarious!

Alexis: So this is actually tied for my favorite Disney movie of all time (tied with the original Winnie the Pooh), and it's definitely my favorite Disney princess film. The most prominent childhood memory I have of this movie is arguing with my sister over it. My grandmother only owned two Disney movies, and whenever we went there, we would inevitably watch one before bed. She would always want The Little Mermaid, and I would always fight to watch Beauty and the Beast. In the end we watched them pretty equally but I always felt a surge of victory when we watched my favorite! Also, my dad is very good at imitating Gaston's singing voice, so I always think of him and laugh at those parts.

4. What did you think of it?
Maddie: I loved it, duh! There are just so many great moments in the movie and the animation is just so beautiful. Also THE MUSIC IS AMAZING. "Belle" is one of my favorite I Want songs (the song at the beginning of the movie or musical where the hero/heroine sing about what they want out of life a la "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid).

Alexis: I adored it, I could watch this movie a thousand more times and still love it just as much. I have always felt connected to Belle, and I love her intelligence and passion. All of the songs and characters are amazing, and the animation is wonderful. I remember my dad telling me that he and my mom took his young cousins to see this movie when it first came out in theaters, and everyone who saw it was blown away by the mix of CGI and classic animation, especially in the famous ballroom scene because most people had never seen anything like it before.

5. Favorite moment:
Maddie: I guess this is less of a moment but more of a thing or theme, but Belle's love of reading is so amazing. As a little girl to see a princess who values knowledge was so key.

Alexis: I love the entire movie, there's not a single part that I don't like or think is dull. I think if I had to pick a favorite moment, I would say the ballroom scene. I know it's super cliche, but it's famous for a reason! The animation is stunning, and the waltz is so romantic. And then there's the song. The original Beauty and The Beast sung by Angela Lansbury is beautiful, it's one of my favorite Disney songs!

6. Any other comments:
Maddie: Can we talk about how much Once Upon a Time has warped this story in the weirdest way? Belle is a great character no matter what world she is in (even with her accent) but Rumpelstiltskin being the Beast is just... either way I ship it.

Alexis: One of my favorite moments that I've experienced at Disney World was when I actually got to try "the grey stuff" and yes, it was delicious! 

Taken at the Be Our Guest Restaurant at Disney World

 

Until next time, here's one of our favorite gifs,

Day 24: The Rescuers Down Under

Taking a trip down under with The Rescuers: Our 24th Movie!

1. What movie did you watch?
The Rescuers Down Under. The film is a sequel to the 1977 movie The Rescuers, which is based on a book series. The movie is notable for being the first animated Disney movie to use the new computerized CAPS process, which is a digital paint and ink tool that replaced the traditional practice of hand- painting cells. The film also has many moments created using CGI technology, such as the opening sequence. [Not so]Fun fact: This movie is the least successful film of the Disney Renaissance. 

2. Have you seen it before/ how long has it been since you last saw it?
Maddie: I haven't seen it since I was a little girl. I didn't watch it often because it upset me how mistreated the animals were. I was also never big into the rescuers- I know I saw this movie before I saw the original.
Alexis: It's probably been 10 years since I've seen it. I watched it a lot as a kid but after we got rid of our VHS player I had no way to watch it until now (thank you, Netflix).

3. What memories did it recall?
Maddie: It really reminds of the documentary, Waking Sleeping Beauty, which chronicles the Disney Renaissance. There is a section about this movie and how it was a proving ground for CGI and because the movie flopped Disney didn't want to invest in the technology- if only they had known.
Alexis: It totally brought back memories of my animal-obsessed childhood. I was an avid watcher of The Crocodile Hunter, and I wanted to go to Australia before I even understood how long it takes to get there. I knew the names of all the Australian animals in the movie, and I was already aware of poachers and how awful they are. The animal and conservation focus of this movie made it perfect for little 6 year old Alexis, and I wanted to be Cody so badly! 

4. What did you think of it?
Maddie: I enjoyed it, but it's by no means one of my favorites. I really appreciate the camera work and the conservationist message, though.

Alexis: I really liked it! Like Maddie mentioned, I think it has a very important message and it portrays it well to children. The animation is also great, even if they did use CGI a little too much. All the animals are so cute and nicely drawn, it makes the movie very visually appealing!

5. Favorite moment:
Maddie: My favorite moment is when Marahuté flies with Cody, it's a great bonding moment and she is just amazingly animated.

Alexis: I actually agree with Maddie, those scenes are also my favorite! The first time that Cody flies on Marahuté after rescuing her is the best, and I always wanted to do that when I was little! 

6. Any other comments:
Maddie: Joanna is the actual worst. Not even Mcleach likes her. And I don't blame him.

Alexis: I still want to visit Australia.