We all have our favorite Disney animated features. They are the movies that we would stop to watch no matter what we were doing. Mine is "Beauty And The Beast". I love that animated movie! I think it is a masterpiece of movie-making. I didn't even really mind that they did a live-action remake of the film. It's not my favorite, but it's ok. How ever, it started a trend for Disney that has continued on and seems to have no end in sight. Disney live-action remake films. Do we really need more?
We love the classics!
We all love the classic Disney animated films. Who doesn't cry when Bambi's mother is killed? Who doesn't love Cinderella's transition in Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo? Those scenes touch our hearts in amazing ways. I mean, no matter how many times I see Snow White take that apple, I always want the animals to succeed in stopping her from taking a bite.
The animation in all of them is beautiful. There is nothing like seeing Alladin and Jasmine rise above the clouds on the magic carpet. And when the Blue Fairy appears in Pinocchio, it is breath-taking!
I would even add the new Disney classics into this mix. Tangled is fantastic, and we all know how popular Frozen and Frozen 2 are!
Why is Disney making live-action remakes?
For the past few years, Disney has been making live-action remakes of some of our most treasured movies. It started with Cinderella and The Jungle Book, and just moved on from there. I guess if I'm being honest it was 101 Dalmations.
I would be the first to say that I think The Jungle Book Disney live-action remake film is a lot of fun. I also think Cinderella was a great remake. Neither of them strayed too far away from the original, but they both also had some new ideas in them. Beauty And The Beast was the same way. It was enough different from the animated feature that I didn't hate it. They brought some new ideas into the fold. (Even though some of the casting was questionable.)
I believe there are a couple of reasons that Disney is doing these live-action remakes. The first being that Disney wants a new generation of children to be familiar with these stories and characters. Even though the majority of children have seen these animated movies, they didn't see them in the movie theater, and this enables Disney to make a connection with this new generation (there is nothing like seeing a movie in the theater), and it keeps these characters alive and their stories relevant. Disney has spent a lot of money putting these characters and stories in merchandise and in parks. they want to keep making that money.
Disney is also making money in the theaters with these remakes. I don't have a problem with that. Disney is a business and its business is to make money. We all enjoy handing our money over to Disney, and provide great entertainment in return! I'm also a shareholder, so I want Disney to make money!
Should Disney be making these remakes?
Now here is the real discussion.
Should Disney be making these live-action remake films?
I personally don't think that all these remakes are necessary. I know they are trying to capture this generation. And they are also trying to keep these properties relevant to a contemporary audience.
But do we really need a live-action Lion King? The original is BRILLIANT! And I actually think the broadway production is BETTER!! But the "Live-Action" remake (which was not live-action) was not great. sure the music was great, as it was the first time around. And I do love the story. However, the animation was not good. The major complaint I heard was that the eyes of the characters were expressionless. That is a huge issue! Go back and watch the original again, and look at all the emotions that the eyes have. It is part of what made the movie so amazing!
And let's discuss "Lady And The Tramp" on Disney Plus. Not great. I just really wasn't interested at all in the characters. I didn't care for them the way I do when I watch the animated dogs.
And now they are going to make a live-action "Bambi". I will be honest with you, I have no desire to see a live-action (which will also be computer-animated) version of Bambi. The original is GORGEOUS! Why do we need a remake besides to make money? It's not about art or creativity.
To me, it just feels like Disney is making a money grab. I would feel much better if they would just re-release the originals into the theaters again like they used to do. And use the money that they use to make these re-makes to make new, original content.
What do you think? Do you agree with me, or do you love the new re-makes that Disney is creating? Let me know by leaving a comment below. I would love to hear what you have to say!
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Until next time!