Disney Animations Get a Live Action Makeover

Have you noticed the trend of Disney live-action remakes? In the last couple of years, there have been a number of new films that have been adapted from a variety of original Disney animated movies. Some are fantastic and others don’t come close to the magic and sincerity of the original films. However, at the end of the day, that decision is yours - you decide which version you prefer. This article will review several of them and compare the original animated version and the live-action remake.

One of the first remakes that come to mind is Alice in Wonderland. The 1951 original centres more around Alice and her adventure through Wonderland, whereas the 2010 remake shifts its focus to share the spotlight with the Mad Hatter. Alice takes a much smaller role in the new film; it is quite likely that you will remember the other characters more than Alice. Keep in mind that Tim Burton directed the remake which explains why a dark Gothic twist is added to the plot. If you not familiar with Tim Burton’s work, he is known for his dark, Gothic and eccentric styled films. The 2010 version is conceived as a sequel to the original movie. In terms of the fantasy world that it created, the remake is a combination of the original Disney film and the original illustration of the Alice in Wonderland novel. The remake earned two Academy Awards, for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. The film was also nominated for Best Visual Effects. So if anything, this 2010 remake of Alice in Wonderland will be remembered for its excellent visual interpretation.

Sleeping Beauty

The 1959 original Sleeping Beauty film is completely focused on the Disney princess. In the 2014 remake, now entitled Maleficent, the storyline is still based on the original, but now extends its focus to the villain of the film, Maleficent. The beauty and charm of the remake released in 2014 lies in the fact that the plot focuses on showcasing the good in everyone, to prove that even evil villains have a heart. At times, Maleficent shows us completely new parts of the story; at others, we are reminded of the previous parts of the original. In terms of appearance, Maleficent looks similar in both films as she dons a black costume with two black horns on her head and carries a magical staff (where her crow usually lands).

One of the apparent differences is that the remake shows you the background story of Maleficent, whereas the original just lets Maleficent appear out of nowhere with no mention of her history. There are a number of changes, all of which revolve around Maleficent, painting her  in more detail, and throwing light on things you were probably not aware of in the original film. As for Sleeping Beauty, she is portrayed in a similar light in both films, both relating to physical features and personality. One big difference you will notice in the remake is that Sleeping Beauty is brought to life not by the charming prince, but rather by Maleficent.

The Jungle Book

The Jungle Book 2016 remake of the 1967 original is one of the successful Disney movie remakes. This live-action interpretation was so successful because it was able to combine the technological advances and visual effects of modern day cinema, while still incorporating all the important features of the original book and 1967 animated film. The remake successfully respected elements of nostalgia and created a balance, which resulted in an exciting film that definitely raked in the money ($966 million by the latest count). The live-action element creates the characters in a more realistic light to show how animals actually live and survive in the jungle, therefore infusing a more serious and realistic tone. In the 1967 original we were not informed about Mowgli’s background, whereas the remake tells his family history. Mowgli is the main character in the story, a man-cub who lives in the jungle and regards its wild creatures as his friends. The remake seems to be a definite must-see!

Beauty and the Beast

The 2017 remake of Beauty and the Beast is for the most part very similar to the 1991 original, though there are not some notable differences as well. In the original, Belle’s mother does not play a role; in the remake both of her parents are featured. In the remake, the Beast has an enchanted book that allows him to transport himself anywhere in the world. Belle uses this book to understand her mother’s passing. This scene also gives Belle some depth to allow her to better understand the Beast; the latter is provided with a deeper backstory. Another very interesting feature in the remake is the portrayal of Belle as an inventor, similar to her father. This very fact has raised the topic of the underlying message of feminism. We also witness the first gay moment in a Disney film. LeFou’s affection for Gaston has always been apparent, even in the original 1991 version; however, his sexuality was not directly addressed.

This is just a little summary of a few well-known Disney remakes. There are more that have been done (such as 101 Dalmatians and Cinderella), and many are in the pipeline:  Mulan, Lion King, Dumbo, Aladdin...  Look out for them!