There’s something quintessentially romantic about Beauty and the Beast. A classically gothic castle, hidden for years just beyond the limits of a small French town – cursed with a spell that has transformed each of its inhabitants. A pretty, imaginative young girl, thrust upon this magic castle and trapped until she falls in love with a monster.

I love the tone; the happy French town, Gaston’s fire-warmed common room, and the castle’s dark, haunted wings. Beauty and the Beast is perhaps most successful at capturing the romantic essence of the fantasy world, but it’s also an enjoyable story. The characters are sharp and funny and narrative moves forward quickly. In classic Disney fashion, the music is good and finally performed.

I was surprised how much animation has progressed in a decade, because, looking back, the animation frequently feels rough and crude. Despite its defects, however, Beauty and the Beast is still beautifully drawn and warmly colored.

I appreciate the way the Beast’s change of heart comes about. I think there’s something to be said for his learning that he can’t get everything the way he wants – especially when it comes to winning the affection of another. Even when he’s pretending to be genteel, his ulterior motives come across too quickly. Not until he truly becomes sincere does he truly obtain Belle’s love.

Though simply done and superficially told, Beauty and the Beast successfully sends a message that’s probably geared more towards adults than their children. In any case, it’s one we’ll all enjoy. From dancing teapots to tavern brawls to a love story told in a classic French castle, Beauty and the Beast is a magical adventure that truly earns its place among Disney’s classics.