CASHMONEY MOVIES: Is ‘Beauty and the Beast’ 3D worth the money?

It’s hard to find a new movie that isn’t playing in 3D these days. In fact, it’s become such a popular moneymaker that I’m surprised movies still advertise the 3D instead of assuming people know (this will happen soon enough).

Anyway, ever since the release of “Avatar” in 2009, the third dimension has taken over the film industry. But this year, a new strategy is beginning to take its course — 3D re-releases. With such films as “Star Wars,” “Titanic,” and “Finding Nemo” being re-released on the silver screen later this year (in that order), the time has come to ask the question, “Is seeing these old films in 3D really worth the money?”

This weekend showcased the opening of the first 3D re-release of 2012, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” Was I willing to pay the extra cash to see a film that I could simply watch at home? Of course! Why? For starters, it’s my favorite animated Disney film and I never had the privilege of seeing it on the big screen.

This is the best quality of these upcoming re-releases. It allows people to experience a film they love in a way they have never experienced before at a movie theater. This alone is worth the money; but in case you aren’t convinced, “Beauty and the Beast” boasts digitally restored visuals, providing a more colorful, descriptive and high-quality picture. The sound is also restored and when played on the powerful movie theater speakers, it’s hard not to sing along.

Now if you didn’t like the movie when it first came out, this will obviously be a waste of money. The filmmakers didn’t add anything new (story-wise) to make the film different. In fact, they actually removed the new song that was placed in the recent Blu-Ray/DVD release, making this movie exactly as it was when it was first released except for a few minor visual changes.

Also, if you describe your attitude toward the film as “Alright” “Worth the nine bucks” or any other mediocre term — RED FLAG! Only pay to see these re-released films if you absolutely love it, otherwise it will be a waste of money.

So it’s simple, if you loved the film the first time, then see it again, especially if you never saw it at the theater. “Beauty and the Beast” was the same magical masterpiece that it was when I first saw it, and in 3D I got to experience it all on a whole new level.

I eagerly anticipate the upcoming re-releases that 2012 is bringing our way (STAR WARS!) and will gladly pay to see some of the most famous works of Hollywood in the third dimension.

Liam Cash is a junior at Seven Rivers Christian School in Lecanto. For more from his blog, “Cashmoney Movies,” visit http://cashmoneymovies.blogspot.com.