Disney’s live-action remakes occupy a peculiar position in popular culture. Critics and fans of the original animated classics often agree that these films are derivative and lack the heart and soul of the originals, showing little to no significant deviation. Despite this, they consistently achieve substantial box office success, with several even surpassing $1 billion globally.
Many reasons exist for disliking the remakes, but a prevalent one is their inability to honor the legacy of the originals. Those films were groundbreaking in storytelling and technical achievements in animation, while the live-action versions often rely on nostalgia and popular trends, serving as cinematic junk food: enjoyable in the moment but lacking lasting value.
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‘The Jungle Book’ (2016)
Image via Disney
The 1967 animated adaptation of The Jungle Book was the last film produced during Walt Disney’s lifetime and is known for how little of Rudyard Kipling's book remained after adaptation. Nevertheless, the movie is beloved by Disney fans due to its exceptional character animation during a period when Disney was cutting costs, iconic songs, and outstanding voice performances from actors like Sebastian Cabot, Phil Harris, and George Sanders. Disney’s first live-action remake from 1994 was also based on The Jungle Book, featuring Jason Scott Lee, but they attempted another version in 2016, promising it would be more faithful to the original book.
The Jungle Book is indeed closer to the book’s darker tone and includes omitted characters, yet it falters in a crucial aspect. The film opts for Mowgli to remain in the jungle instead of going to the Man Village, undermining the bittersweet coming-of-age theme. Rather than embracing his human identity and leaving his childhood home to discover his true self, Mowgli’s journey concludes in metaphorical stagnation and destruction, as half of the jungle burns down during the climax.
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‘Alice in Wonderland’ (2011)
The 1951 film Alice in Wonderland initially flopped but later became a classic through re-releases, recognized as one of the best adaptations of Lewis Carroll’s work. The film maintained a consistent tone of a young girl using logic to navigate a nonsensical world despite omitting many key scenes and characters. In 2010, Tim Burton directed a sequel/reimagining that marked the start of Disney’s live-action reboot trend.
The film’s major flaw lies in its attempt to ground Wonderland in logic and consistency through political rivalries and prophecies that compel Alice into action rather than her own curiosity. Furthermore, Mia Wasikowska’s portrayal of Alice comes off as flat and lacking the charm and inquisitiveness present in Kathryn Beaumont’s original performance.
8
‘Peter Pan & Wendy’ (2023)
Peter Pan was a story dear to Walt Disney’s heart but could not be released until 1953 due to legal rights and World War II. While some elements have aged poorly, it remains one of the best adaptations of J. M. Barrie’s work—a fun action-adventure movie with plenty of laughs and an important moral about growing up. However, when remaking it as Peter Pan & Wendy, Disney produced one of its most soulless live-action remakes.
This version drains all magic from Neverland with muted colors and attempts to inject moral ambiguity into what should be a fun adventure story. The uninspired action sequences further undermine credibility when Wendy can easily fend off multiple pirates at once. Additionally, Wendy’s characterization shifts from a nurturing figure undergoing a coming-of-age arc to an entitled brat.
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‘Lady and the Tramp’ (2019)
