Beauty and the Beast (G, 2012)
common sense media says
The ultimate makeover story has strong, positive messages.
parents & educators say
- 35% say there are positive messages
- 27% say there are positive role models
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Beast's initial ferocity might scare younger viewers. And once kids have seen his gentle side, they may find scenes of him being hunted and stabbed by Gaston emotionally upsetting. The sequence in which a mob comes after Beast is also quite intense, and there's a fair bit of cleavage on display during the bar-set "Gaston" number. But kids mature enough for feature-length stories will find this one of the best Disney movies they could spend time with in terms of intelligence, quality, and originality -- not to mention having one of Disney's smartest, most independent heroines. Note: The movie's 2012 3D theatrical rerelease intensifies the musical numbers like "Be Our Guest" and the waltz scene in "Beauty and the Beast," but it doesn't make Beast's roars or the mob scenes too much scarier than they are in 2D.
Educational value:
Intended to entertain, not educate, but kids will take in some important lessons about appreciating others for who they are, not what they look like.
Positive role models:
Characters change for the better -- Belle sees the beautiful person inside Beast, and he sheds his anger and sacrifices his own happiness for hers. Belle is a positive role model who values intelligence, books, and individuality.
Violence & scariness:
Beast has angry outbursts at first. Fierce wolves attack the main characters. Townspeople decide to kill Beast and storm the castle in a scary, intense mob sequence. In the climactic fight, a knife-wielding character falls to his death.
Sexy stuff:
Lumiere comically flirts with a maid, with fooling around implied. Budding romance between Beast and Belle, with some mild flirting and kissing. Bosomy barmaids swoon for Gaston during the song about him -- which also includes some innuendo and references to his physical appeal.
Language:
Not applicable.
Consumerism:
Belle is a Disney Princess whose brand reaches far and wide. Expect to see Princess branding on consumer merchandise, food products, etc., as well as in books, websites, and other media.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
A raucous scene in a bar with plenty of mugs sloshing around.
More on Beauty and the Beast
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Review It
Based on 26 parent & educator reviews:
- 35% say there are positive messages
- 27% say there are positive role models
Most useful reviews by all members
EmmaLu
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Age
It is a great movie. I am a huge Disney movie lover! It will probable be scary for younger kids though.
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NoseStuckInABook
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Age
A Masterpiece
Beauty and the Beast is my all the time favorite Disney movie (which is saying something, as I love them all so much!) and I made an account here just to defend it.
First of all, Belle doesn't start loving Beast (or Prince Adam, whichever you prefer) until he stops treating her badly. Unlike some of the other Royal Disney couples, I believe Belle and Beast truly love each other, rather than the lust at first sight couples such as Snow White and her Prince and Cinderella and Charming have. If she was going to fall for that, she would have gone for Gaston. Belle is a great role model. She stands out, doesn't care what others think (great to have a kid appericting that trait young for once they get to middle school or high school), and she's not shallow. The animation is great, the music is great, it's simply...a masterpiece
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KaraLeaP
parent of 5 year old
parent of 5 year old
Age
Terrible message to send to our girls
This movie sends a terrible message to our girls. All too often we see women isolated from loved ones by their abusers, thinking if they can just love him enough, he will change into a prince. This movie encourages those incorrect beliefs. The Beast isolates and abuses Belle, but when she learns to love him, he changes into a prince. Makes me sick to think my little girl could buy into this. I gave it two stars though, because the music is fantastic, and the movie is well done. Belle was a great role model up until she succumbed to Stockholm syndrom.
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tangled
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Age
One of my most favourite movies of all time
Its sorta odd for a 13 year old to say this, but I adore this movie. The character of Belle is an excellent role model and the beast changes from a shallow man to a kind prince.
WAY better than other disney movies I found some what annoying such as Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. Gaston is the best disney villain XD.
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Smarty1999
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
Age
Nice orginal class disney movie
Beauty and the Beast is a orginal classic disney has made. It's probably my favorite disney film besides Sleeping Beauty. However, young kids might be scared on the beast in the beginning when he's always in such a bad temper. I give this movie 10 out of 10!
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Jessica Frederick
kid, 10 years old
kid, 10 years old
Age
It's one of my favorites
I think it is a very good movie, but I vast-forward through some parts. The parts aren't scary but they are not the fun.
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leftbehindcrazed8
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Age
LOOOOOOVE IT!!
AWESOME MOVIE!!!!! This is one of the best Disney movies of all time. The story line is great, as are the messages and role models of the movie. Belle sees through the Beat's looks and looks at the warmth in his heart, and the Beast starts caring for Belle. There's minor scariness, because when little kids see him at first they will be frightened when he is very mean to Belle. Gaston and his "people" come to the castle to kill the Beast, and G. eventually falls off the balcony, after he stabs Beast with a knife. EVERYONE 6+!!!!!!!!! :D
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happybatgirl
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
Age
for any kind of age
best disney movie belle best disney princess
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kumonboy45
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Age
Not bad for an old film.
I love this movie sooooo much.The music was made very good.
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twistofcain
adult
adult
Age
love it even my nice who is 3 loved it.
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rebma97
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Age
Good Disney movie
This is an entertaing film. The violence is a bit intense, and there's some stabbing and the Beast has angry outburst. His appearance may scare some kids, too. As for sex, there's the usual "true love's first kiss" and Gaston (the villain) flirts with Belle. Also, in one scene, Luminor is flirting with a maid and they're giggling behind a curtain, but it wasn't sex (they were inanimate objects). I think this this movie has better messages than most of these Disney films; don't judge a book by its cover. Beast starts being nicer and Belle is a strong, female role model because she is brave and doesn't judge people by their appearance.
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sparklyrose123
kid, 10 years old
kid, 10 years old
Age
perfect
love this movie
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Copper20
adult
adult
Age
Scared me for a very short time
Great movie, but it's kinda freaky for a 4 year old.
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4kidshater
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Age
This is the best disney movie ever. It is probally the best movie ever. I like this movie, but don't get the special edition because of the changes. This is sorrowful movie. I like it. I highly recommeded it
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arthur16morgana
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Age
belle is my second fave disneyy princesss.and this is one of my fave disney movies. i love it.
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concernedparent
adult
adult
Age
Be careful..
To most this looks like an innocent movie. It is not that simple. The message my little girl gets is that Belle can fix the angry beast. Well, I work with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence and for me.. that theme is a bit over the top. The movie does have good points, and yes not judging a book by its cover is one of them. Please, just watch it with your children. There are many scenes that Belle is abused verbally, but it is disguised as "oh, poor Beast". No. Also the candle "flirts" with the broomstick as she's saying "no", good message? I think not. I do like the movie, but I do hope that parents are watching it with children to explain further more than simply applauding Belle, tell them it also would have been fine for Belle to leave the beast when he was unkind. She did not have to stay and "fix" him. Just please, do not take this as me hating the movie or being over-sensitive, but I see women like Belle fixing their Beasts daily and it is almost horrifying to see a movie centered around a popular heroine for young girls doing the same thing. Thanks and again.. I like the movie and some of its many messages, but again I can't stress enough to watch this WITH your children.
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Cate123
parent of 5 year old
parent of 5 year old
Age
Fine movie but not perfect in messages
As KaraLea said the messages are far from perfect for young girls i Can't help but notice how it portrays a young woman despite being locked away and isolated as well as yelled and mistreated still ignores how the beast treats her and seems willing to go through all of this just to win his heart - not a good message for any young girl. However i did like that main character was headstrong and a bookworm and was not afraid to speak her mind.
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Dominicboo1
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Age
Tale as Old As Time
Belle is an excelent role model, because she sacrifices her freedom for her father's. She also sees that the Beast wasn't nearly as bad as he seemed. The songs are memorable, characters except the miserable villian Gaston are endearing, and the story is classic. To those of you who accuse our beloved Belle of Stockholm Syndrome, I must disagree, because she actually wasn't as much of a prisoner as she seemed. She chose to stay there for her father. Some drinking in a bar scene, but Gaston metions nothing helps implying that beer is the way to solve your problems. This probably was intended though.
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