When Disney releases a classic on DVD, they put out much more than a movie. Hitting stores tomorrow, the two-disc Beauty and the Beast: Special Edition is jam-packed with extra features including behind-the-scenes peeks, interactive games and a never-before-seen sequence featuring the new song Human Again.
Beauty and The Beast: Special Edition is the second of Disney’s Platinum Edition DVDs. The first, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, got rave reviews for its groundbreaking use of interactive menus and the scope of its content. Likewise, this latest release offers entertainment for days and is being touted as the first "experimental" DVD.
Three versions of the film are included: the special edition with the new footage and digital enhancements, the original theatrical edition and a work-in-progress version featuring animation in the early stages.
Having watched the movie, viewers can then become part of the story with a variety of interactive experiences designed to immerse the user in the world of Belle and friends. There’s even a karaoke sing-along track that puts the words on screen so everyone can join in, as well as characters and 3D environments that respond to viewer input.
Interactive menus are divided into four environments: Mrs. Potts, Chip’s Adventure, Cogsworth & Lumiere’s Library and The Secret West Wing.
While Chip’s adventure is geared toward younger audiences, Mrs. Potts promises to serve up fun for all ages with celebrity interviews about the making of the film and a music video performed by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson. Cogsworth and Lumiere shed light on the technical side of the process of making an animated feature and The Secret West Wing is an adventure game that challenges players to reach the rose before the last petal falls and break the spell.
Beauty and the Beast: Special Edition will be available for a limited time only at the suggested retail price of $29.99. A VHS version will retail for $24.00 S.R.P.
