Disney, please stop making live action

The Walt Disney Company, a household name synonymous with timeless storytelling, has been mining its vault of animated classics to produce a steady stream of live-action remakes in recent years. Films like The Lion King (2019), Aladdin (2019), and The Little Mermaid (2023) have been presented as reimaginings of their animated predecessors, promising nostalgia while attempting to update these tales for a modern audience. However, this trend raises a pressing question: should Disney continue to remake its classics, or would it be wiser to preserve the charm and integrity of the originals? Let’s explore why the latter may be the better choice.

A Tale of Two Versions: Animated Magic vs. Live-Action Ambiguity

Disney’s animated classics are masterpieces in their own right. Films like Cinderella (1950), Beauty and the Beast (1991), and The Lion King (1994) captured imaginations with groundbreaking animation, memorable music, and a sense of whimsy that defined an era. These films were not merely technical achievements; they were emotional experiences, woven with timeless themes and universal lessons. Something then as now is needed you would think in the development of a child and the family entertainment that this brings with it. These movies, though dated yes held messages that, in most cases stand up well today as they did. There are exceptions, things that even disney has come to realise should not be promited, “Songs of the south” it has decided should be lost to time but other than those all the others, although they portray women in a certain way, are mostly fine to watch though the messages should be discussed more than ignored.

The live-action remakes, while visually stunning, often lack the essence that made their animated counterparts iconic. For instance, 2019’s The Lion King, marketed as a “live-action” remake despite being entirely CGI, which in itself made it a disapointment the use of CGI when you say live action is simply poor marketing. Put this with the facts that it lost much of the emotional expressiveness that defined the original. The anthropomorphic magic of Simba and his friends was replaced with hyper-realistic animals whose inability to emote diluted the film’s emotional impact.

Similarly, Aladdin (2019) sought to modernize the story with a stronger focus on Jasmine’s agency. While this update was well-intentioned, it arguably overshadowed the ensemble dynamic that made the original a beloved classic. The live-action version also faced criticism for Will Smith’s portrayal of the Genie—a role that Robin Williams had previously immortalized with his unparalleled charisma. The changes, actually mean that the story is in the most part lost to these changes, there is no overarching love story to be followed through no strong minded value to decisions.. its a loss.

Revisiting the Messages: Do the Originals Really Need “Fixing”?

One of the justifications often given for these remakes is the need to align classic tales with contemporary values. For instance, early Disney films have been critiqued for reinforcing outdated gender roles or lacking cultural sensitivity. While it is true that some elements of these older films reflect the societal norms of their time, they are rarely so egregious as to necessitate a remake. If this were the case wouldnt there be a need to revisit the whole library of holywood movies before the 2010s? Most if not all of those films held the old values and stereotypes.

Take The Little Mermaid (1989), which has been scrutinized for Ariel’s decision to trade her voice for a chance to live on land with Prince Eric. Critics argue this sends a problematic message about self-sacrifice and identity. However, Ariel’s journey can also be seen as a metaphor for personal growth and the pursuit of one’s dreams. Nuance is key, and dismissing the original film outright ignores the layers of interpretation it offers.

Furthermore, updating these stories for modern sensibilities often comes at the cost of subtlety. For instance, 2017’s Beauty and the Beast emphasized Belle’s role as an inventor and introduced new backstories for supporting characters. While these additions aimed to make the film more progressive, they also felt overly expository, detracting from the simple elegance of the original tale.

Nostalgia Isn’t a Problem: It’s a Feature

There’s a certain irony in Disney’s insistence on remaking its classics: the originals have stood the test of time precisely because they resonate across generations. Parents and children alike have cherished the hand-drawn magic of films like Sleeping Beauty (1959) and Peter Pan (1953). These movies are cultural touchstones, capable of sparking meaningful conversations about their themes and historical context.

Watching the originals doesn’t mean endorsing every outdated value they may contain. On the contrary, it provides an opportunity to engage critically with the stories. For example, discussing the gender dynamics in Snow White (1937) can help children understand how societal values have evolved, fostering both historical awareness and empathy.

Moreover, the argument that older films aren’t “relatable” to today’s audiences underestimates the universality of their themes. Love, courage, resilience, and self-discovery—these are ideas that transcend time. By remaking these classics, Disney risks diluting their timeless appeal in an attempt to cater to contemporary trends. Surely there is an argument that rather than abandoning these old version, their values and their messages these should be studies shown and discussed, the old adage of those who dont remember history are destined to repeat it indeed seems very valid in this case.

The Art of Letting Go: Why New Stories Matter

Rather than remaking its classics, Disney could invest its resources in crafting original stories that reflect today’s values and creativity. Films like Moana (2016) and Encanto (2021) have demonstrated that Disney is still capable of producing culturally rich, forward-thinking narratives without rehashing the past.

Original stories allow for the exploration of diverse perspectives and voices that were historically underrepresented in Disney’s catalog. They also ensure that new generations can have their own touchstones—films that feel uniquely theirs, rather than reboots of their parents’ favorites.

Conclusion: Respecting the Past, Embracing the Future

Disney’s animated classics are more than just films; they are cultural artifacts that have shaped the childhoods of millions. While there is value in revisiting these stories, the current trend of live-action remakes often feels less like a celebration of the originals and more like a commercial strategy.

Instead of remaking the past, Disney could focus on preserving the magic of its classics while channeling its creativity into new ventures. The originals are not relics to be “fixed” but treasures to be appreciated for what they are—a testament to the power of storytelling. Watching them, imperfections and all, is not only acceptable but enriching. After all, magic doesn’t need a remake to shine; it simply needs to be remembered.

And we simply cant end an article on live action Disney without a comment on the upcoming release and its already controversial choices. Snow White is the upcoming release from the studio that has already been mostly re-shot since its original version. The 7 Dwarfs are gone and they were to be originally actually people but no, they are now some monstrosity of a CGI being, the message from the new version is not that of love but of female power to survive. No longer is it magical but its farcical. The star Rachel Zegler has already had to change her tone on interviews from outright hostility to the company line and not one single reviewer has a nice thing to say about it. This is just another nail in the coffin of the live action that they simply should not be doing.

Heres the trailer that has stired up the latest of the discussion on Disney and its decisions, make your own decision –