Beauty and the Beast "midquel" set during Belle's original stay at the Beast's castle and composed of three short stories (four in the DVD release) that suitably teach both kids and adults to forgive, love, and be kind to one another.
Belle's Magical World comes to life in three (four in the DVD release) charming fantasy adventures presented like chapters in a storybook. In The Perfect Word, the servants' clumsy attempt to mend a silly misunderstanding between Belle and the Beast leads to a lesson in forgiveness. Then, in Fifi's Folly, a romantic evening for Lumiere and Fifi snowballs into a thrilling plunge down the mountain in a runaway sleigh. In Mrs. Potts' Party, the only episode absent from the original release but added for the DVD release, bad weather makes Mrs. Potts feel under the weather so Belle and her friends plan a surprise party for her, but petty infighting puts their noble attempt to make their friend feel better in jeopardy. In Broken Wing, Belle urges the Beast to free a tiny songbird as an act of kindness. The film is enriched with gentle lessons, and short original songs seamlessly fold one tale into the next.—James Drury <[email protected]>
The Perfect Word
Belle (Paige O'Hara) and the Beast (Robby Benson) decide to have dinner together, and the Beast consults Lumiere (Jerry Orbach) for guidance. When Belle is being escorted to the dining room by Cogsworth (David Ogden Stiers), they encounter Webster (Jim Cummings), the castle's well-meaning but verbose scribe, who has been transformed into a dictionary. Belle extends an invitation to join them in the dining room, much to Cogsworth's dismay.
The Beast becomes sweaty during the meal as Belle tells him a story she has been reading to him. Even though the servants are growing cold and there is a draft of air in the room, he insists that the windows be opened. When the dictionary starts using inappropriate synonyms for Belle's insults, the Beast yells at Belle and knocks Webster off the table. After that, they both cease communicating with one another, even though Lumiere and Cogsworth try to make amends. Webster eventually feels bad about his role and, with the help of his friends, a quill called LePlume (Rob Paulsen), and a stack of papers named Crane (Jeff Bennett), he forges a letter of apology from the Beast to Belle. After seeing the letter, Belle reconciles with the Beast.
But that night, the truth is revealed, and following a frenzied pursuit around the castle, the Beast captures and exiles Webster, LePlume, and a heartbroken Crane for the forgery, sending them into the woods. After Belle goes out and returns with them, the Beast is moved by Belle's compassion and, realizing that the three had good intentions, forgives them and lets them back in. The song "Listen With Our Hearts" plays as the story's lesson is that forgiveness is simple.
Fifi's Folly
Lumiere becomes so anxious on Valentine's Day that he cleans himself excessively and asks Belle for advice. He walks with Belle in the garden and tells her what he intends to say to Fifi (Kimmy Robertson). When Fifi hears this, she thinks Belle and Lumiere are having an affair behind her back. Actually, Lumiere and Fifi have arranged a surprise snow ride around the castle grounds. In an attempt to exact revenge on Lumiere, Fifi tries to win Cogsworth over, but he does not seem to be interested.
The pot Lumiere and Fifi are sitting in slips off the balcony edge and hangs over the moat, but eventually everything is cleared up and they ride along. While hanging for dear life, Lumiere clings to Fifi and declares his love for her. Belle, Cogsworth, and several other servants come and rescue them before they fall. Lumiere and Fifi share a kiss, and everyone learns to avoid making snap judgments.
Mrs. Potts' Party
Because of the terrible weather, Mrs. Potts is feeling down, so Belle decides to throw her a surprise party to lift her spirits. By this time, Belle has begun to view Mrs. Potts as a mother figure. Belle and her friends must be careful not to wake the sleeping Beast while they are getting ready for the party. The Beast needs to sleep after spending the whole night before repairing a roof leak. But the rivalry between Lumiere and Cogsworth gets in the way. When it comes to picking Mrs. Potts' favorite flowers, picking the flavors of the cake that will be served at the party, and writing music, the two quarrel and compete. Tres (the blue mint) and Chaude (the red mint), two oven mites, also participate in the dispute by taking sides with one of the opponents.
Lumiere and Cogsworth's attempt to undermine each other's choices ultimately has repercussions. The baking cake blows up, leaving the kitchen in a complete mess. Following a reprimand from Belle, Lumiere and Cogsworth resolve to permanently put their rivalry aside and collaborate to create a small surprise for Mrs. Potts. The plan succeeds, Mrs. Potts recovers from her depression, and the sun returns. The song "A Little Thought" plays as everyone discovers the value of compromise and teamwork.
The Broken Wing
When an injured bird inadvertently flies into Belle's room, she forgets her plan and focuses more on the bird than on the lunch she had planned with the Beast. When the Beast learns this, he becomes enraged because he detests birds. He tries to catch the bird but trips over Cogsworth and hits his head hard on the ground. He no longer despises birds as a result, but his selfishness still persists, leading him to put the bird in a cage and insist that it sing for him whenever he wants, but the bird, who is clearly distressed and afraid, declines.
Cogsworth, meanwhile, treats his employees harshly and demands their respect because he believes he is losing control over them. Belle persuades the Beast to let the bird go after its wing has healed in the interim. Still too weak, the bird starts to fall, but the Beast quickly comes to its aid. In the process, Cogsworth tumbles into the garden from the balcony of the West Wing. He is unharmed and discovers that respect is something you can earn rather than demand. The Beast learns to treat people and animals with consideration, kindness, and respect after Belle and the Beast reconcile.
