Beauty and the Beast on IMAX
by Robert Kohr
Loews IMAX Lincoln Square On January First Disney will be re-releasing its acclaimed hit “Beauty and the Beast” on IMAX formatted screens. Recently Disney provided a special screening at the Loews IMAX Theater at Lincoln Square screen along with a question and answer session with some of its creators, including Don Han, Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise, Roy E. Disney, and some of the voice talent.
As expected, the film held up to its “small screen” brilliance from the early 90’s. There were some issues with bringing the original 35mm print over to the enormous 70mm IMAX print. Least of these problems were the image quality, due to the fact that “Beauty and the Beast” was the second animated film to be shot entirely digitally; the first being “Rescuers Down Under”. After being disappointed by the revamped “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” segment in “Fantasia 2000″, I was unexpectedly surprised by the stunningly crisp opening shot in “Beauty and the Beast”.
