live action vs animation?

[MrGoat]

Somebody please correct me/move my post to the appropriate thread, whatever- I would have sworn I saw a thread just like this -about Mulan I think?- the other day, but can't find it now. So...

I'm a huge fan of Disney animation, so as you might imagine, I'm not particularly interested in live-action remakes. They're happening, ok, life goes on, I can still enjoy the originals.

But I watch the Black Cauldron and can't help but remember the source material, and those books are so good! So many great stories to be told there, and so many ignored or left out. I actually think they could successfully re-make that as live-action, but I think it would be much better served by doing a streaming version, telling the whole story over the course of a season or two (or more).

At any rate, as I said, I think it would survive the re-make, maybe even make it more successful (not that difficult...). Then they should make a dark ride for it!

Anyone else have ideas about extended, streaming versions of Disney films or properties? It's not just me, is it?

[YellowTugStrap]

I really think Disney should start to slow down on the live action adaptations and start making animated features more frequently. I don't think they should completely stop; there's clearly a market for the live action, a very successful on at that. It's just that they get so much backlash and are churned out with such little care, it's starting to really hurt their image. I was talking with a friend and she said she thought they were making these films so people would appreciate the older films more and go out and buy them. At first, I thought that was crazy, but now I kind of feel that way? I saved up a bit so I could get the thirty-dollar Mulan on Disney+, and I ended up turning it off and watching the original.

That being said, I do think that it's noble that Disney is trying to fix the "issues" with their older films. Erasing the crows from Dumbo, having Cinderella and her prince get to know each other rather than love at first sight, casting more poc in lady and the tramp, etc. And I like some of them! I really enjoy the live action Cinderella and the first Maleficent film. And, while it has it's issues, I still enjoyed the Lady and the tramp one a little bit. However, they've made so many, these are the exceptions. I think part of the reasons I enjoyed Cinderella and Maleficent was because they made significant changes to the source material, so while it was a remake, it's told from a new perspective with new scenes. And the new additions in these films made sense as well.

I do think some movies should get this treatment. Black Cauldron is a GREAT example of that. if they put a lot of effort into it, they really improve that movie and may be able to bring it to the parks! I'm also pumped for the new Little Mermaid, and I've always thought a Rodger Rabbit remake would be cool, with all of the new technology for animation, they can make so many improvements to the look of the film. But they all must be done with care! I really hope they keep the live action on the streaming service and out of the theaters, because I'm getting a little burnt out by the sheer amount of these things every year!

[Co Foo]

I like the idea of the live action films as long as the re-telling is substantial enough to make it feel like a different movie. I don't have a lot of need for a remake of the same story, but with live actors. If the changes are marginal then I don't really get it.

[pattimarie]

Somebody please correct me/move my post to the appropriate thread, whatever- I would have sworn I saw a thread just like this -about Mulan I think?- the other day, but can't find it now. So...

I'm a huge fan of Disney animation, so as you might imagine, I'm not particularly interested in live-action remakes. They're happening, ok, life goes on, I can still enjoy the originals.

But I watch the Black Cauldron and can't help but remember the source material, and those books are so good! So many great stories to be told there, and so many ignored or left out. I actually think they could successfully re-make that as live-action, but I think it would be much better served by doing a streaming version, telling the whole story over the course of a season or two (or more).

At any rate, as I said, I think it would survive the re-make, maybe even make it more successful (not that difficult...). Then they should make a dark ride for it!

Anyone else have ideas about extended, streaming versions of Disney films or properties? It's not just me, is it?

I'm glad you brought up the Black Cauldron. Those were some of my favorite books as a kid, and very instrumental in my understanding of classic mythology. I read them before Star Wars came out, and recognized the hero's story being retold in Star Wars immediately. The scene where Luke sees himself in the cave with Yoda was my favoritepart of the Lloyd Alexander books. Alexander didn't make it up--it's a classic tale in mythology--it's yourself you have to deal with, not an enemy. I reacted violently, however, to the scene where Taran and Eilonwy (the girl character) pull the sword from the knight in the cave. In Alexader's book--Eilonwy pulled it, proving she was worthy. In the cartoon, Taran did. I was shocked that in that time period they pulled gender rank. I thought those days were over by then.

What does this have to do with Mulan? I think Back Cauldron would have been a better live action movie. I haven't seen Mulan yet, but maybe it just makes a better animated movie. However, I would have said the same about Aladdin, and I was pleasantly surprised about liking that so much. I liked the parts that were similar--including the music, and I liked the smaller parts that were different-even the new lyrics to some of the songs. I guess you can't judge a whole category of films--each one will be different. I did originally think that live action was a bad idea, but the results have convinced me otherwise. It's a money grab no doubt, but some will actually be good, and maybe others won't. Can't wait to see Mulan and what category that will go in.

[Eagleman]

Disney animations is lot better
than turning them into live action.....which have made story lest appealing !
IMO

[Co Foo]

I don't see this as an either/or kind of thing. I look at live action and animation as two totally separate media, so it just depends on the tone and story you're trying to tell.

Disney animated films are practically the pop culture embodiment of happy whimsical entertainment. If you want to tell a story with a more serious, life-like tone you would go with a live action film. There's a reason that they cut Mushu from this Mulan production because that would have felt really strange and out of place.

[whoever]

Pirates of the Caribbean was the last GREAT live action IP. Honestly all others have fallen flat by comparison. I have high hopes for Jungle Cruise but I'm getting worried. I'm not sure you can have both honestly, but the Animated Clone Wars/Rebels franchises dovetailed in nicely with the live action films. Look at the continuous failed live action Peter Pan remakes, whereas the Tinkerbelle set of animations has killed it. I'm just not convinced that live action remakes can ever evoke the feeling or love as the original animations.

[MrGoat]

I don't see this as an either/or kind of thing. I look at live action and animation as two totally separate media, so it just depends on the tone and story you're trying to tell.

Disney animated films are practically the pop culture embodiment of happy whimsical entertainment. If you want to tell a story with a more serious, life-like tone you would go with a live action film. There's a reason that they cut Mushu from this Mulan production because that would have felt really strange and out of place.

This is really true! We're kinda into Star Trek, so we've been watching "Lower Decks," the cartoon about those less-important crew members we never see. It's a fun show, but we've realized that Lower Decks could never be a 'live action' show any more than Deep Space Nine (or whatever) could be a successful animated show. The humor/drama just would not translate. It's interesting how different media kind of demand different kinds of content.

[Eagleman]

I can not Get Into
a Good Animation and being turn into a Live Action !
IMO
Live Action ,It not the same....even worst.

[micromind]

Some movies excel with a combination of both animation and live acting.....Bedknobs And Broomsticks come to mind.

The idea of altering an existing movie in order to make it politically correct or even worse, to appease some sort of hate group, absolutely sickens me.

[savarese04]

I really think Disney should start to slow down on the live action adaptations and start making animated features more frequently.

I think the problem with this, as much as I also prefer animation, is that it’s massively more time consuming to produce a quality animated film than a live-action movie. If you haven’t yet, watch the making of Frozen 2 on Disney+. Regardless of how you feel about Frozen, it’s a great look at how films are made now and will certainly dispel the notion that computers make producing animation that much faster than hand drawn.

[Mr Wiggins]

I think the problem with this, as much as I also prefer animation, is that it’s massively more time consuming to produce a quality animated film than a live-action movie. If you haven’t yet, watch the making of Frozen 2 on Disney+. Regardless of how you feel about Frozen, it’s a great look at how films are made now and will certainly dispel the notion that computers make producing animation that much faster than hand drawn.

Exactly. Too, there isn't anywhere near the number of top animation producers, directors, story artists and animators as live action's equivalent producers, directors, writers and actors. Increasing a studio's output of high quality feature-length animated films is a major balancing act that requires ramp-up time and reliable funding.

[DisneySpaceAce]

The Chronicles of Prydain would make an excellent live action series, have each season be one book.

[ChaseTheDream]

The Chronicles of Prydain would make an excellent live action series, have each season be one book.

I would actually love this! The problem I have with the live-action remakes is that they've been remaking films that are already masterpieces. They don't NEED to be remade; they're wonderful the way they are.

The Black Cauldron, on the other hand...well, there's a reason it isn't up there among the classics. Granted, I read the books first, so my opinion is biased. But I feel there's SO much room for improvement. For one thing, the characters in the books were memorable and quirky; and in the Disney movie they felt hollow and bland. And if Disney were to do it as a series, they could take time to really tell the story. In this case, it wouldn't be a "remake" so much as a closer adaptation of the source material. Which I think would be wonderful!