Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas

Forte is a way better villain than Gaston. It would of been better if they made this a 30min short than a movie.

The thing that really hurts this sequel (other than the lackluster work from all the normally superb voice actors, and deflated story) is the fact that this is OBVIOUSLY an afterthought of a sequel. The main villain, as well as some additional characters, were not even mentioned in passing in the 1991 film. There is really no need for this movie at all.

The only exceptional thing about this sequel is Tim Curry's excellent voice-over work, and the CGI imaging of his character, even if it is misplaced alongside the traditional animation. I'd say skip this altogether if you really enjoy the classic 1991 feature, as I do.

It was in Disneyworld where I first came across this direct to video sequel for Beauty and the Beast. Being a fan of the first movie and a Disney fan in general, I bought it. I wondered how the prince turned into a beast again. Finally I put it in the hotel VCR and started watching. The Enchanted Christmas is not near as half as good as the first movie. I felt it was a real shame that Dinsey made this sequel as it some how slightly ruined the first Beauty and the Beast. I will hand it to Dinsey for getting -most- the original voices back. But still this movie did not have that charm that Disney movies should have. One huge let-down was the awful soundtrack. Besides "As Long As There's Christmas" I didn't think highly of any of the other songs. Forte was such a dull villain, I could actually hate Gaston but Forte was more annoying than evil. However the computer animation of him was not bad at all but didn't really blend in with the animation. The voices were good but the characters were just so dull in this movie. Lumiere, Cogswarth and Mrs. Potts didn't have that funny charm they had in Beauty and the Beast. Haley Joel Osment, I will admit did a good job as Chip- all the cast members did splendid jobs, but the characters were still not lively like in the first, the songs were dull and the story was the biggest let down. Why Disney feel they have to make a sequel to all their classics is beyond me... well money I suppose but what ever happened to 'the sake of the art'? I mean Picasso didn't make The Blue Period II: The Return of Depression, now did he?

I watch this every year at Christmas, and I never grow tired of it. It is not as good as the wonderful original, but is actually one of the better DTV efforts, along with The King of Thieves. It is nowhere near as bad as some people have said, and one commentator gave it a low score solely on its continuity errors. Of course it has some, then again, so does every single movie in existence, even the original Beauty and the Beast. It is true that some of the animation falls a little flat,(most of it though is crisp, clean and smooth) especially with the dark backgrounds, but I liked the fact that it is darker than the original, and not at all mean spirited. Mostly the animation isn't bad at all, but I do think the computer animation stuck out like a sore thumb. The songs are well above average, and the score by Rachel Portman is beautiful. My favourite song is As long As There's Christmas, and Stories is charming. The other songs aren't as memorable, but bring a great character to the original storyline, about Belle (who was slightly changed) trying to bring Christmas to the Beast, and overcoming the many obstacles including the pipe organ Forte. The voice overs were generally very good indeed. Fife is a tad annoying, but totally bearable. Lumiere and Cogsworth are funny here, and I really admire the late Jerry Orbach. Haley Joel Osment was cute as Chip, and Angela Lansbury makes a welcome return as Mrs Potts, as well as Belle and the Beast. The real treat is in the newcomers though. Bernadette Peters is wonderful as the reluctant Angelique, and Tim Curry does an exceptional Annie-nominated voice over as Forte, song included. A perfect Christmas treat for Disney fans. 7/10 Bethany Cox

When I first heard that a sequel to BATB was to come, I was surprised: how is it possible that the Prince is the Beast again? But when I saw the film, I found it quite good - it was nice to see something new happening in the castle. And I liked the "nature of a beast" which the enchanted Prince seemed to have more than in the original story. I must confess that Forte was really frightening! And the best in the whole movie was the coming of the Enchantress and the transformation of the Prince into the Beast. Yes, I really liked the film very much.