While this film, originally released in 1997, at first fit (at least in theory) in between the wolf attack and “Something There” scenes of Beauty and the Beast, upon viewing the film again, after the much-vaulted, extended ‘Special Edition’ of the original film, it now has fallen out of the continuity due to this newer version of the original story. Call it the ‘Comic Book Conundrum’, wherein the storylines for such long-running comics as Superman and Batman have become so convoluted, it’s next to impossible for the writers to maintain any logical cohesiveness throughout the years. The same applies here, for in the restored “Human Again” scene (which would, in the revisionist version, have occurred after the events of Enchanted Christmas), it is seen that the Beast cannot read, or at least not very well (an original subplot for the movie that was eventually dropped, but then restored to the Broadway version).

But watching Enchanted Christmas again, there’s the Beast, reading Belle’s Christmas present, a storybook she wrote, with apparently little trouble. This is the turning point for Beast’s feelings toward Belle, how he sees through her words the type of loving person she is; just a little bit of plot that can’t be easily ignored, I would say.

And while this ‘midquel’ originally fleshed out such story points as these (Beast and Belle’s growing relationship) that were necessarily glossed over in the original film, and gave more back story to the Beast (in a clever flashback to his faithful encounter with the Enchantress), it is now more akin to one of those ‘imaginary stories’ that said comic book writers are fond of: What If … How the Beast Stole Christmas?

Bonus Feature Highlight: What to Watch … :

• In the ‘interactive’ behind-the-scenes featurette Click the Mouse, viewers can take side trips during the usual ‘making of’ footage into separate segments further detailing the subjects being addressed in the main feature. These include rare glimpses into the orchestra and chorus recording the songs, and a cute bit on how the actors interact with the younger fans of Beauty and the Beast. Curious that so much footage was filmed on the making of this film, but even more curious is that the character animators are not named on screen, but the assistant animators are …
• Always wanted a crackling fireplace at Christmastime, but the warm climes of your hometown never allowed it? Well, look no further then the Enchanted Environment option on this disc, which provides two different computer generated views of the Beast’s castle fireplace (complete with garland and rose bell jar) accompanied by optional tracks featuring sound effects and/or music box-style traditional Christmas carols (including “Toyland” from Babes in Toyland). Perfect background for your holiday parties and an unexpected treat.
• As with the Beauty and the Beast Platinum Edition and the Newsies Collector’s Edition DVDs from earlier this year, this disc comes with an optional Sing-Along feature; activate it, and you can sing along with the movie. Let’s hope that Disney continues to add this to their upcoming releases, thus necessitating the deletion of those tired Sing-Along Songs with their grainy prints and poor audio ...

… and What to Skip:

• That is, unless you know how to read music, for the Forte’s Challenge DVD game is a toughie. Players help Fife defeat Forte by playing Christmas carols on his keyboard; you must match the music note for note or bring the whole castle down.
• Curse that Mariah Carey, for her eardrum piercing vibrato has tainted just about every new female singer to follow her, as evidenced by this quartet of would-be songstresses, known as PLAY, in their music video for “As Long As There’s Christmas”. This version of the song can also be found on the Radio Disney Holiday Jams 2 CD.

Toon Talk Trivia:

• Bernadette Peters recreated the role of the wicked stepmother in the Wonderful World of Disney television remake of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella in 1997, the same year Enchanted Christmas premiered. She put on a French accent again later that same year in Fox’s Anastasia, which also featured her Christmas co-star Angela Lansbury.
• Tim Curry played Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island, is the voice of S.I.R. in the Alien Encounter attraction at the Magic Kingdom, and has lent his distinctive vocals to a myriad of characters in several Disney television series, including The Mighty Ducks, Quack Pack, Gargoyles, Aladdin, Tale Spin, The Little Mermaid, Teamo Supremo, Teacher’s Pet, Dinosaurs and Darkwing Duck. He also co-starred with Peters in the original film version of Annie, where they played larcenous lovebirds Rooster and Lily.
• Paul Reubens, the artist formerly known as Pee-Wee, can be heard as REX in the Star Tours theme park attraction, and also voiced Lock in Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and Max in Flight of the Navigator.
• Hayley Joel Osment stepped into the role of Chip for the sequel, a feat he will do again as Mowgli in the upcoming The Jungle Book 2. Earlier this year, he was heard as Barry Barrington in The Country Bears and Zephyr in The Hunchback of Notre Dame II.
• Peabo Bryson returned to sing the end title version of “As Long As There’s Christmas” with Roberta Flack. He served similar duties for the end title versions of the title song for Beauty and the Beast and “A Whole New World” for Aladdin.

• Treasure Planet, Disney’s 42^nd animated feature film, premieres in both regular theaters and on IMAX/Large Screen venues on November 27^th.
• Christmas comes early, on December 3^rd to be exact, for Disney Home Video fans: the DVD debut of Lilo and Stitch and the ‘second wave’ of Walt Disney Treasure DVDs (Mickey Mouse in Black and White, The Complete Goofy and Behind the Scenes at the Walt Disney Studio) all go on sale.
• Also just in time for Christmas shopping and stocking stuffing, the Toon Talk CD Round-Up returns with a special holiday edition, featuring the new CD soundtracks for Lilo & Stitch, The Happiest Millionaire, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Country Bears, Treasure Planet and more.
• The perfect Disney Christmas gift:  The Lion King roars onto IMAX and other large screen theaters on Christmas Day.
• Toon in for the Toon Talk Top 10 - The Best of 2002.

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-- Kirby C. Holt

Kirby, a former Walt Disney World Resort Cast Member (and Trivia Champ), is a lifelong Disney fan and film buff. He is also an avid list maker and chronic ellipsis user ...

Took Talk: Disney Film & Video Reviews by Kirby C. Holt is posted whenever there's something new to review.

The opinions expressed by our Kirby C. Holt, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.

-- Posted November 18, 2002