We love a good holiday movie, and in this Disney’s Beauty and the Beast The Enchanted Christmas movie review you’ll find out why is a fun watch for fans of the original. This animated sequel takes us back to the enchanted castle for a festive tale.
The movie gets a score of 13% on Rotten Tomatoes, but we think it’s still worth checking out for Belle and Beast fans. It may not live up to the magic of the first film, but it has some catchy new songs and brings back the lovable characters we know.
The story shows Belle trying to bring Christmas cheer to the castle, even though Beast hates the holiday. We get to see how their relationship grew during that first winter together.
While it’s not a new classic, it’s a cozy pick for family movie night during the holiday season.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast The Enchanted Christmas Movie Review
We love diving into the magical world of Disney sequels! Let’s talk about “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas.” This charming movie came out in 1997 as a direct-to-video release.
It’s actually a midquel, fitting snugly into the timeline of the original “Beauty and the Beast” story. The main plot happens between Belle‘s rescue from the wolves and that iconic ballroom dance we all adore.
Disney went all out with this one. They brought back the original voice cast, including Paige O’Hara as Belle and Robby Benson as the Beast. Talk about attention to detail!
We think it’s pretty cool that this movie explores the Beast’s dislike of Christmas. It adds a new layer to his character that we didn’t see in the original film.
Fun fact: This movie was a huge hit! It sold 7.6 million VHS tapes in 1997 alone. That’s a lot of holiday cheer spread around!
The story introduces some new characters too. We’re particularly fond of Forte, the grumpy pipe organ. He adds a nice twist to the tale.
Animation Quality and Artistic Style
The animation in this Christmas special has some noticeable differences from the original film. We’ll take a closer look at how it compares and explore the visuals of the enchanted castle setting.
Comparison With Original Beauty and the Beast
The animation quality in The Enchanted Christmas doesn’t quite reach the high bar set by the original Beauty and the Beast. We noticed the character movements aren’t as fluid, and facial expressions seem less detailed.
The backgrounds lack some of the richness and depth we loved in the first movie. Colors appear a bit flatter overall.
While not up to theatrical standards, the animation is still decent for a direct-to-video release. Kids likely won’t mind the difference much.
Visuals of the Enchanted Castle
The enchanted castle provides a magical winter backdrop for the story. We enjoyed seeing familiar locations decked out for Christmas.
Snowy exteriors and cozy interiors create a festive atmosphere. The animators did a nice job adding holiday decorations throughout the castle.
New character designs, like Forte the pipe organ, blend well with the existing cast. Some of the winter scenes, with snowfall and icy landscapes, are quite pretty.
While not as stunning as the original, the visuals still capture enough Disney charm to please fans of the characters and setting.
Voice Acting and Character Development
The voice acting in this holiday sequel shines, with familiar and new characters bringing depth to the story. We loved how the performances enhanced the film’s festive charm and emotional moments.
Belle’s Continued Journey
Paige O’Hara returns as Belle, delivering a warm and spirited performance. We felt her voice captured Belle’s kindness and determination perfectly. O’Hara’s singing also impressed us, especially in the cheerful new songs.
Robby Benson reprises his role as the Beast. His gruff yet vulnerable portrayal adds layers to the Beast’s inner struggle. We enjoyed how Benson’s voice acting showed the Beast’s gradual softening throughout the film.
The chemistry between O’Hara and Benson remains strong. Their scenes together were highlights for us, full of tender moments and playful banter.
New Characters’ Impact
Bernadette Peters voices Angelique, the castle’s former decorator turned Christmas angel. We found her performance delightful, bringing sass and heart to the role. Peters’ musical talents shine in her solo number.
Tim Curry’s portrayal of Forte, the pipe organ, gave us chills. His deep, menacing voice created a memorable villain. We felt Curry struck the right balance of charm and malice.
The new characters blend well with returning favorites like Lumiere and Cogsworth. We appreciated how the voice actors gave each character a distinct personality, enriching the castle’s festive atmosphere.
Plot and Storyline Critique
This holiday sequel takes some creative liberties with the original tale. We found the narrative twists intriguing, though not always seamlessly executed.
Narrative Continuity
The story is set during Belle’s time at the castle, filling in gaps from the first movie. We appreciate this clever approach. It adds depth to familiar characters and explores their relationships further.
The timing feels a bit forced, though. Belle seems too comfortable in the castle, given her initial reluctance. Her bond with the Beast develops faster than expected.
We enjoyed the new characters introduced, especially Forte the pipe organ. His villainous role adds tension and conflict to the plot.
Holiday Theme Integration
The Christmas theme is woven throughout the story nicely. We love how it drives the plot forward and creates opportunities for character growth.
Belle’s efforts to bring holiday cheer clash with the Beast’s aversion to Christmas. This conflict feels natural and adds emotional depth to their relationship.
The focus on holiday traditions is heartwarming. We especially enjoyed scenes of decorating the castle and exchanging gifts. These moments capture the spirit of the season well.
However, some holiday elements feel a bit forced. The story occasionally prioritizes Christmas references over character development.
Musical Score and Song Analyses
The musical elements in Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas bring festive cheer and warmth to this holiday spin-off. We found the original songs charming and the score consistent with the beloved original film.
Original Songs and Their Reception
The movie features several new holiday-themed songs that capture the spirit of Christmas. Angela Lansbury, David Ogden Stiers, Jerry Orbach, and Bernadette Peters lend their voices to “Deck the Halls,” adding a familiar touch. We particularly enjoyed “As Long As There’s Christmas,” which embodies the film’s hopeful message.
The upbeat “Don’t Fall in Love” provides a villainous counterpoint, while “A Cut Above the Rest” offers a playful duet. These tunes may not reach the iconic status of the original film’s songs, but they’re catchy and fun in their own right.
Score Consistency With Original Film
Rachel Portman composed the film score, maintaining continuity with the original movie’s musical themes. We noticed how she skillfully weaves in motifs from the first film, creating a sense of familiarity for fans.
The orchestration blends seamlessly with the new holiday elements, enhancing the wintery atmosphere. Portman’s work complements the animation and storytelling, supporting emotional moments and action sequences alike.
While not as memorable as Alan Menken’s original score, the music here serves its purpose well. It keeps the magical feeling of the Beast’s castle alive while adding a festive touch.
Emotional Engagement and Audience Reception
We found “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas” to be a mixed bag when it comes to emotional impact. The movie tries hard to capture the magic of the original, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark.
For kids, the film might be a fun holiday treat. It’s full of Christmas spirit and has some positive messages about friendship and generosity. These themes could resonate with young viewers and get them into the holiday mood.
However, we think older fans of the original might feel a bit let down. The story lacks the depth and charm that made the first movie so special. It’s a bit like getting socks for Christmas when you were hoping for a shiny new toy.
One surprise is that the movie is scarier than expected for a Disney holiday film. This might make it less suitable for very young children, but could add some excitement for slightly older kids.
In our view, the audience reception seems split:
- Kids: Likely to enjoy the festive fun
- Adults: Might find it lacking compared to the original
- Disney fans: Could appreciate it as a holiday addition to their collection
Marketing and Merchandising Strategies
Disney’s marketing for Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas was clever and far-reaching. They used nostalgia and holiday cheer to promote the movie and related products. Let’s look at how this film fit into Disney’s bigger plans.
Role in the Disney Franchise
We think Disney hit the mark with this holiday spin-off. They tapped into the huge popularity of the original Beauty and the Beast. By setting it at Christmas, they created a perfect excuse for new toys and decorations.
Disney stores were filled with festive Belle dolls and Beast figurines. We saw ornaments with scenes from the movie pop up everywhere. Even Mrs. Potts teapots became must-have items for fans’ Christmas tables.
The film itself was a smart move. It gave kids a reason to revisit beloved characters during the holidays. Parents who grew up with the original were eager to share it with their children.
Disney also used TV spots and mall events to promote the movie. They had actors dressed as Belle and the Beast make appearances at stores. This got kids excited and made sure the movie was on everyone’s Christmas list.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
We think “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas” is a fun holiday movie for Disney fans. It’s not as good as the original, but it has some charm.
The animation looks nice, though not as polished as theatrical releases. We enjoy seeing Belle and Beast’s relationship develop more.
Kids will probably like the new characters and songs. Adults might find it a bit simple, but it’s still cozy Christmas entertainment.
Some parts are quite dark and scary for little ones. Parents should watch with younger children.
We recommend this movie for families who love Beauty and the Beast and kids aged 6-12. It’s not a must-see, but it’s a nice addition to holiday movie nights.
Grab some hot cocoa and enjoy this wintery tale with your loved ones!
We hope you enjoyed this magical journey through Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas. If you’re eager to discover even more Disney movie magic, check out the 10 Best Holiday Movies on Disney Plus, all designed to enhance your Disney experience. You can see all of these popular family films and more on Disney Plus.