Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Magical World

Review

Common Sense Media says

Collection of so-so enchanted tales is redeemed by Belle.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this Disney direct-to-DVD spin-off of the classic Beauty and the Beast is a collection of four separate stories. Beast can be kind one moment and full of rage the next, but ultimately Belle's generous manner always persuades him to redeem himself. There are a few moments when Beast is mean that may frighten the youngest viewers, but for the most part the various shorts feature the castle's enchanted characters and are fine for older preschoolers. Each of the vignettes offers a different lesson about forgiveness, friendship, and love.

  • Educational value0
    Except for the lesson that a bird would rather be free than caged, these stories are purely for entertainment.
  • Positive messages3
    Each of the segments provides a different positive message, from the importance of forgiveness to the reminder that a good friend should try to cheer up their close pals to the lesson that it's never wise to let jealousy control your feelings.
  • Positive role models3
    Belle is, as always, selfless, sweet, and kind -- not to mention intelligent and willing to stand up to Beast for what she believes is important. She thinks of others around the castle, even though she's the one who's imprisoned there. Beast's beastlier moments are balanced out by his ultimate willingness to correct his wrongs and ask for forgiveness.
  • Violence & scariness2
    Beast loses his temper more than once and can be frightening, like when he pushes Webster off the table or when he growls or yells at Belle. Fifi and Lumiere almost take a dangerous fall before being rescued. Beast refuses to release a caged bird.
  • Sexy stuff1
    Flirting between Lumiere and Fifi, who's jealous of the relationship between Lumiere and Belle. The entire "Fifi's Folly" segment is filled with romantic overtones and jealousy before the couple reconciles. Belle and Beast also have a romantic subtext to their relationship.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism4
    Any of Disney's straight-to-video offerings are made to extend the original movie's popularity and merchandising tie-ins.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

This direct-to-DVD special includes four short tales that highlight different enchanted characters in Beast's castle. The vignettes include "The Perfect World," which shows how a dinner conversation between Beast (voiced by Robby Benson) and Belle (Paige O'Hara) escalates into a fight; "Fifi's Folly" is about how Fifi (Kimmy Robertson) thinks Lumiere (Jerry Orbach) has forgotten their anniversary and is smitten with Belle; "Mrs. Potts' Party" follows Belle as she plans a surprise party to cheer up a depressed Mrs. Potts (Anne Rogers); and "The Broken Wing" focuses on an injured bird that Belle is nursing to health but winds up locked in a cage by the Beast.

Is it any good?

 

BELLE'S MAGICAL WORLD is feature length at 92 minutes, but it's a collection of four different tales rather than one, and the short stories don't have anything do with each other. Viewers expecting the same level of animation, storytelling, or musicality as the original will be disappointed by the budget look of this installment, which takes place after Enchanted Christmas but before the spell is broken at the end of the original.
 

Since several key members of the original cast return, it's a treat to hear O'Hara, Benson, Orbach, and Cogsworth's David Ogden Stiers (among others) voice their beloved characters again. None of the stories is particularly memorable, but they're all amusing enough to delight Belle fans, who will also appreciate that O'Hara's lovely singing voice is highlighted in two original songs. Belle is one of the best Disney princesses, because she's not waiting around for a prince to save her -- she's the one who will eventually save the Beast; her charming personality and kind spirit save this otherwise forgettable quartet of friendship tales.

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the movie's focus on relationships. How does each short story highlight a different relationship and what it needs to overcome?

  • What is "The Perfect World" segment's lesson in forgiveness? Why must an apology be from the heart? Can Belle tell the difference between Beast's real apology and the fake one?

  • Do these straight-to-DVD movies live up to the original's standards? What's the appeal if they aren't as good as the first one? When you love a character, does it make you want to buy stuff with his or her face or name on it?

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
Kid, 12 years old
January 17, 2012
AGE
2
 
Any age
Not so educational, many positive messages, flirting between Lumiere and Fifi, no product placement, great movie.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (4) | Had useful details (4) | Read my mind (5)
Flag as inappropriate 
See all user reviews
This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
Topics:princesses and fairies, music and sing-along
Studio:Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Cast:Jerry Orbach, Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:92 minutes
DVD release date:November 22, 2011
MPAA rating:G
This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.

Register now to save reviews and advice articles to your personal lists!

About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

More princess tales
For kids who love princesses
Browse more movies
 

vote now

Will you see Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Magical World?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it