The history of the animated feature is a tale almost as alluring as the films that have been artfully brought to life on the silver screen. Even though Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is considered a legend among legends, it almost put The Walt Disney Company out of business. Toy Story was considered a fool’s endeavor from the get go, as the Hollywood elite never dreamed audiences would sit through an animated film constructed by computer. And then there’s the crowning achievement of Disney Animation’s renaissance: the timeless classic Beauty and the Beast. Once again, the Mouse was counted out by critics and some fans alike. Luckily fate (mixed with a healthy dose of Disney magic) changed that tune dramatically.
The very first animated feature film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, Beauty and the Beast arrives on Blu-ray today in a pristine package that’s a complete meal worthy of the film’s legacy.
This article appears in Sep 30 – Oct 6, 2010.