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Film reviews

The Vow

A saccharine and paint-by-numbers slice of romance, which is largely boosted by the appeal of its two leads.

Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (3D)

The under-utilised 3D adds little to this prequel, which only serves as a sore reminder of the brilliance of the original films.

Any Questions For Ben?

The talented bunch of actors ably cut through the surface gloss, but it’s tough to remain invested in the plight of the self-absorbed lead.

Shame

It starts off as brutal but arresting stuff, and the two lead performances are scorching, but disappointingly dissolves into a case of tragedy for the sake of tragedy.

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Beauty & The Beast 3D (Film)

by Annette Basile | September 01, 2010 12:16 | Edited September 01, 2010 12:24

This charming animation has stood the test of time and thankfully the 3D only serves to enhance the film’s magic.

Originally released in 1991, Disney's animated modern classic, now in 3D, won't have too much to offer contemporary school-age kids - kids that are feeding off a more sophisticated pop culture diet than their predecessors. Small children and non-cynical adults, though, will be utterly enchanted. The animation is stunningly beautiful and the storytelling fluid. Even the music - not always Disney's forte - is wonderful and keeps the plot moving, with superior melodies housed in a light operatic style.

 

Based on the French fairytale, the story's about a cursed prince (voiced by an excellent Robby Benson) who, after being turned into a scary, hairy beast, must learn to give and receive love before he can be changed back into his previously handsome self. Time is running out for the Beast - he may be stuck with the fur and claws for life, but hope arrives in Belle (Paige O'Hara), the likeable daughter of a slightly eccentric inventor. It is, of course, a romantic tale about not judging books by covers, but it's a timeless lesson that possibly can't be relayed too many times.

 

Much of the magic comes from the personified household items, which are also cursed and languish in the Beast's castle, including Angela Lansbury's talking teapot, Mrs. Potts and Jerry Orbach's French-accented candlestick, Lumiere.

Almost two decades old, this charming film has stood time's merciless test, and it's interesting to note that there's no second layer of nudge-nudge/wink-wink jokes targeted at adults.

 

Taking a film that wasn't conceived in 3D and adding the third dimension could have reduced this 20^th century classic to a 21^st century gimmick. The 3D, however, is absolutely stunning. Not all sequences lend themselves to the 3D format but those that do have incredible depth, enhancing the overall experience of an already wondrous film.