--- title: "Beauty and the Beast: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/beauty-and-the-beast/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/beauty-and-the-beast" critics_score: 89 critics_reviews: 6 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Beauty and the Beast (1991): what the critics said Critics' score 89 from 6 reviews: 6 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The consensus is warmly positive, with praise clustering around the songs, animation and strength of the characters. The reviews find a traditional fairy tale refreshed by wit, lively staging and a resourceful, bookish Belle. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s musical numbers receive particular attention, both as songs and as animated set pieces. Critics also value the storytelling’s pace and the feeling in Belle’s relationship with the Beast, finding plenty for adults as well as children. There is little substantive disagreement in the supplied reviews, and no recurring reservation emerges. The differences are chiefly in emphasis: The Independent highlights Belle’s feminist characterisation and the enchanted castle’s comic details, while Variety stresses the romance’s sincerity and its avoidance of corniness. Enthusiasm varies in degree rather than direction; even the more measured assessments describe a successful return to Disney’s traditional strengths. ## The Hollywood Reporter — Duane Byrge Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 22 November 1991. The critic delivers an ecstatic verdict, calling the film an enchantingly splendid animation that stands at the pinnacle of the art form and will cast its spell for generations. They single out the rousing musical numbers by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, lifted by visual delights and Busby Berkeley-style choreography. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/beauty-beast-1991-review-949935/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 15 November 1991. This is the most satisfying Disney animated feature in decades, wised-up yet traditional with striking visuals and a strong story that charms all ages. It excels thanks to its memorable songs and endearing characters like the Beast and Gaston. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-15-ca-1202-story.html) ## Empire — Emma Cochrane Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The 1991 film heralded Disney's return to classic form and became a landmark animated feature nominated for Best Picture. It singles out the strong characters, lively storytelling, film references and musical numbers for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/beauty-beast-review/) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 October 1992. The film is a welcome return to form for Disney as a musical cartoon with a strong, bookish heroine. It singles out the lively animation, comic details in the enchanted castle and the new feminist take on Belle for praise. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-disney-hurtles-back-to-form-1556753.html) ## Sight and Sound — Marina Warner 1 October 1991. The critic finds the Disney adaptation funny, touching and lively, communicating romantic hopefulness with panache and high spirits. It singles out the plucky, bookish heroine as a product of 70s feminism within a long literary tradition of romance. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/features/beauty-beast-belle-bete-marina-warner) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Rating Critic’s Pick. 13 November 1991. The film is a fresh and triumphant success that combines sophisticated computer animation with Broadway-style musical scoring. It updates the tale with a strong, self-reliant Belle and witty staging while honoring Disney traditions. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/13/movies/review-film-disney-s-beauty-and-the-beast-updated-in-form-and-content.html) ## Time Out — BC 16 May 2012. The review hails the film as dazzlingly good and a family treat, praising its embrace of computer-generated imagery in the ballroom sequence and the resourceful, bookish Belle who resists chauvinist advances. It singles out the touching relationship between Belle and the Beast along with the musical numbers, especially 'Be Our Guest'. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/beauty-and-the-beast-1) ## Variety — Variety Staff 1 January 1991. A lovely film ranking with Disney's best animated classics, it retells the tale with unabashed sincerity and emotional engagement while avoiding corniness. The songs integrate smoothly and the animation delivers a strikingly three-dimensional look. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1990/film/reviews/beauty-and-the-beast-3-1200428997/) ## The Playlist — The Playlist Staff Rating A. 12 January 2012. The review calls it a masterpiece with brilliant songs and heart, noting the 3D adds charm but the original's awesomeness is the draw. They single out the songs and emotional impact. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-beauty-and-the-beast-3d-is-the-same-great-movie-with-some-added-3d-charm-20120112/) ## Eye for Film — Scott Macdonald Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 15 November 2008. The critic praises the film's magical quality and peerless craftsmanship in script, story, song, and emotion. They highlight the well-paced storytelling and standout musical numbers like the title song and "Gaston." [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/beauty-and-the-beast-film-review-by-scott-macdonald) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/beauty-and-the-beast.md