La bella y la bestia

Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons. Actually appreciate it even more through young adults eyes, due to having more knowledge of it, various animation styles, studios, directors and how it all works.

'Beauty and the Beast' is not one of Friz Freleng's, a director who did many great cartoons and a director held in high admiration by me, best, not being one of his funniest, wittiest or freshest. For relatively early Freleng, 'Beauty and the Beast' is worth watching though he would do much better later. It is never what one would call properly hilarious (but is never unfunny), Freleng's later efforts show more evenness and confidence in directing and the story.

It is quite thin in terms of story and the structure is basically an excuse to string the events along. It is not terribly imaginative and occasionally momentum is not always there.

Not all the characters are given enough time or personality to properly shine.

However, many of the characters are fun, Humpty Dumpty in particular, and the protagonist is appealing.

The cartoon has a lot of very amusing moments, especially with Humpty Dumpty and the ducks, some variety and there is a good deal of liveliness. The conflict is nicely done and while there is a good deal of cuteness and charm the sentimentality doesn't kick in too much.

Animation is very good, it's fluid in movement, crisp in shading, vibrant and very meticulous in detail. The music is lovely on the ears, lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, not only adding to the action but also enhancing it.

Overall, worth watching. 7/10 Bethany Cox