Beauty and the Beast is a morally uplifting reinterpretation of the classic 18th century fairy tale. Beautiful Belle is the target of gossip in her small French village because of her ardent love of reading. She ignores Gaston, the most handsome man in the town, who wants to marry her. Belle is put off by his egotism and small-mindedness. Meanwhile, at a faraway castle, a young prince lives in the form of a Beast because of an earlier act of selfishness. When he takes Belle's inventor father captive, she goes to the castle and volunteers to stay in her father's place. Although frightened by the Beast's temper tantrums and his fierce facade, Belle begins to see another side of him when he offers her access to all the adventures in his expansive library. Much to the delight of an enchanted clock, candelabra, and English teapot, the two look beyond appearances as they reach out to each other in love.

Thanks to the creative work of over 600 animators, computer generated background imagery, lilting songs, and cleverly realized characters, Beauty and the Beast proves to be a winning experience. Best of all, its message is one people today need to take to heart: look beyond the surface of things and believe in the transforming power of love.