Last week I had the pleasure of seeing one of the very finest of Disney movies, Beauty and the Beast, on the big screen again. Though something I have seen on comments on various sites has dumbfounded me: Some people are complaining about classic movies being re-released….

Now, when people complain about the extra prices just for some 3D glasses for seldom-utilized 3D effects, I can understand that (though with that said, I have yet to see a movie be released in 3D that wasn’t also released in the traditional 2D, making the complaints seem void). But some people are complaining that Hollywood (or Disney, or anyone else responsible for re-releases) are lazy and uncreative for simply reissuing  old movies again.

But I have to wonder, what is so bad about beloved movies like Beauty and the Beast making a comeback to the big screen? People argue that so many people have seen the movie countless times, but I argue how often have they seen it on the big screen? Re-releasing old movies doesn’t get in the way of releasing new ones (all they do is reissue and re-market it) for the people who love the movie, so that they can watch it in the best possible capacity, which is, of course, the silver screen.

Now, when it comes to the 3D effects themselves, I’m not exactly their biggest supporter. Too many movies these days (meaning practically every movie these days) slaps on the whole 3D thing for the sake of the extra box-office numbers, and (sadly) it seems to work. People think the whole 3D thing somehow immerses you more into the movie, but it’s usually used for two or three obligatory “finger pointing” moments in movies. There are a few select times when 3D has been well-implemented (such as Avatar and the recent Hugo), but few movies are actually made for 3D.

And obviously, being released in 1991, Beauty and the Beast was not made for 3D, and the 3D effects Disney has come up with for it add nothing to it. Perhaps these 3D effects are made more for CG animated films and their fancy technologies. Hand-drawn animated films, with their timeless beauty and striking artistry, are best seen through one’s own eyes instead of through distracting lenses. CG films go better with gimmicks.

Though there is a little bonus in seeing Beauty and the Beast in its 3D form in Tangled Ever After, a fun short film based on the characters from Disney’s Tangled (though, sadly it focuses on the sidekick characters. I know every Disney fan would hate me for this, but I feel Disney’s overemphasis on sidekicks is often a drawback). Of course, it is eclipsed by the fact that it precedes one of the best Disney movies ever, but it’s a treat nonetheless.

Though I’m getting sidetracked now. The point is that, I’m no fan of this recent 3D craze (with that said, I feel Nintendo’s 3DS handheld has been doing the concept justice), nor do I see myself seeing a movie solely for the 3D any time soon. But, if this 3D craze means classic movies will return to theaters (the only method of viewing that truly does justice to great films) than I’m for it.

I am a staunch advocate for re-releasing movies into theaters, I in no way see it as a laziness, but more of a treat for those who are fans of the movies being re-released. And if movies lack creativity these days, well, at least these re-releases remind us of the days when they still had it.