Such a frustrating disappointment

Just perfect...

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Belle and Adam are throwing a Christmas party for everybody. Chip is amazed as Mrs. Potts recounts how Christmas returned to the castle. The movie flashbacks to when Belle first arrived. Christmas is coming and Belle wants to set up but the Beast refuses. Maestro Forte manipulates the Beast stoking his anger at Christmas and Belle. Belle organizes the servants to decorate the castle. It is revealed that everybody was cursed when Adam refuses to give an old beggar lady shelter during a Christmas snowstorm.This is a straight to video movie following the classic. Many of the actors returned to contribute their voices. The animation is a little inferior and Forte's CGI is noticeably out of place. Forte's big climatic ending is good visual dramatic. There are a couple of nice new songs but nothing quite as catchy. This is a definite step down from the classic but is still better than most animated video of its time.

I always rolled my eyes when people claimed the love story of the 1991 Beauty and the Beast was based upon Stockholm Syndrome (no one ever seems to aim that charge at the 1946 version, or any other version of the tale for that matter), but I would certainly believe it in this uninspired sequel.Belle took none of the Beast's attitude and temper in the original film, and it was not until the incident with the wolves that they started to get along. Here, she seems to be totally alright with him being a jerk and never stands up to him. The Beast is downright abusive, throwing her into a cold dungeon after she half-drowns in a frozen lake after trying to get him a Christmas tree. He was a jerk in the original, but certainly not cruel.The animation is ugly, the characters off-model, and the music is forgettable. The CG Tim Curry pipe organ is ghastly in design and has dated terribly.I can only thank God above that Disney no longer makes these awful midquels and sequels. This one may be among the better of the bunch, but its bastardization of the original film and cheap production make it odious to those who fell in love with the 1991 masterpiece.

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

Based on reviews of fans, I had some anticipation that this film would be one of the better Disney sequels. But, I was very disappointed with this sequel. I must admit that this direct to video sequel had its good points. I really enjoyed the song, "Stories." First of all, it was nice for Belle to have a solo considering that many Disney heroines have solo songs in their movies. One can argue that the "Belle: Reprise" is a solo for Belle. But a reprise, technically, isn't an actual song. I did think "Stories" was the key highlight in this film. Not only that, bringing the back the original cast was a smart idea, considering that most Disney sequels don't have at least one key actor/actress from the original.However, the movie did have several bad points. I was disappointed about the storyline. People complained about the story being "too dark for Christmas." I must agree with that consensus. I don't think they portrayed the "true meaning of Christmas." I honestly thought they spent too much time on Forte. I have no doubts about that. The songs were okay but not good as the original. I must give an exception for Stories. That was the only song that stood out for me. The animation was obviously "sequel-ish quality". Aside from that, I was stunned with the scene of peril towards the end. The castle nearing collapsing? I thought Disney went too far! No need for an action/adventure twist to this sequel about Christmas.The bottom line: A 4 out 10 for this disappointing sequel.A word to the parents: If you plan to buy this for a young child, be cautious and watch the film with them. There are scenes of peril and several dark scenes featuring the malevolent pipe organ. If they get too scared, at least you'll be around to console them. There is some brief language in one of the songs. So, if you're concerned about children hearing bad language, handle the situation with good and reasonable thinking.