The visuals are charming, the score is unforgettable, and the message is practically timeless.
For all its successes, animation has always fought against the misconception that it’s a lesser medium. So, it said a lot when “Beauty and the Beast” was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. After all, no other animated movie had ever achieved that feat. There were no asterisks, no footnotes. It was simply honored as one of the best, full-stop. Even today, there’s no denying the magic of the film. The visuals are charming, the score is unforgettable, and the message is practically timeless. But, the most impressive part of “Beauty and the Beast’s” acclaimed legacy is that it deserves every single bit of it. At this point, it really is a wonderful tale as old as time.