Growing up in the late-2000s, Disney held a significant place in my childhood. From annual visits to Disneyland to a cherished collection of DVDs, even my Halloween costumes revolved around my favorite characters. However, nothing defines my youth more than Disney movies. Whether singing along to “The Lion King” soundtrack on the way to Basketball practice or having movie marathons with my brother, the animated classics became a part of my identity.
Yet, Disney’s recent production has taken a turn for the worse. The culprit? Live-action remakes.
Disney sells nostalgia. Sequel films and anniversary celebrations are constructed in an attempt to recapture some of that Disney magic from our childhood. But the one essential idea that Disney doesn’t seem to register is that we aren’t children anymore. Disney remains stuck in the past, desperately chasing that reminiscent high.
In the pursuit of revamping their beloved animated classics, Disney has fallen short of recapturing the magic that made these films timeless. The original movies hold a special place in the hearts of many, which is why the live-action remakes spark so much criticism for their lack of nostalgia. Any attempt to recreate the same level of emotional impact has fallen short, leaving Disney fanatics unfulfilled and disappointed.
These live-action remakes seem to only care about one thing: money. Disney utilizes people’s desire to recapture their adolescence by encouraging them to buy movie tickets for a subpar version of a film they’ve already seen. It seems Walt Disney Studios would rather recycle old content than take creative risks to produce new stories.
The excessive reliance on CGI is understandable, most of the movies adapted portray inanimate objects or animals that require CGI. However, watching a hyper-realistic singing lion or a dancing 19th-century wardrobe is just uncomfortable. The live-action adaptations lack the charm of the original animations and lose a little bit of that Disney magic.
While I may not be the biggest live-action fan, I will credit Disney for incorporating more diversity into their films. Disney, historically, has not had the best track record for inclusivity and representation. Much of the source material from the original films is considered sexist, racist and inappropriate. Yet, many directors and influential creators have altered the lyrics, characteristics, and messaging of their live-action counterparts to be more conscious of their material.
While inclusivity has been at the forefront among live-action films, why alter a classic when you can create a new story to emphasize different types of people and backgrounds? I love the representation, but Disney, be more creative. Develop new characters and stories that are built around those different cultures rather than just altering the appearance of the lead.
My advice to Disney: Why fix what’s not broken? Despite a few blips in its past, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the animated movies. The original fairy tale adaptations are filled with a sense of wonder and imagination that to this day remains unparalleled.
Regardless of the cast, budget, score or production, the live-action films seem to be nothing more than a marketing ploy to exploit devoted fan bases and commercialize nostalgia. Yet, with over a dozen remakes confirmed to be in development, Disney shows no signs of stopping. So, while I may not like it, I can only hope for one thing: Disney, please don’t mess up Hercules.
