Hollywood seems determined to remake every successful animation movie as a live-action film featuring real, human actors. These remakes feature more advanced technology but rarely capture the original charm.
Take “The Lion King.” The original sparkled with vibrant colors and expressive faces that helped audiences connect with the characters. The 2019 remake used photorealistic CGI, and many scenes appeared less emotional.
Can you really imagine a lifelike warthog and meerkat singing “Hakuna Matata?” While the animals have their respective strengths, it’s impossible to visualize these songs being sung by real animals with beady eyes and expressionless mouths.
In the live-action “Snow White,” Disney used CGI, or computer-generated imagery, to create the dwarfs rather than relying on traditional animation or casting actors with short stature.
While the technology was intended to modernize the film, I found the CGI characters more unsettling than charming, losing much of the personality that made the original dwarfs memorable.
The decision also sparked criticism from members of the short-stature community, who argued that the change reduced opportunities for meaningful representation on screen.
Disability activist Fatima Timbo told Sky News that the choice made many people with short stature feel “erased” and missed an opportunity for authentic representation. Others worried that replacing the roles with CGI characters could result in fewer acting opportunities for actors with short stature.
Live-action remakes also frequently water down storylines which weakens the original message and themes that audiences connected with.
A change in representation
In the animated “Mulan,” an ordinary girl succeeds through determination and hard work, despite the odds. In the live-action remake, she possesses superpowers from the start. Although the change meant to make Mulan appear stronger, it altered the story’s central message that perseverance and courage can lead to greatness. The live remake suggests that greatness is innate.
There are also ethical concerns accompanying live-action productions involving animals. Organizations like PETA argue that production animals can be subjected to stressful training and situations.
Live-action supporters argue that changes can improve older stories. For example, the live-action “Aladdin” gave Princess Jasmine a larger role through her ballad, “Speechless.” The ballad explores societal pressures placed on young women who are expected to remain silent and obedient while powerful men make decisions.
The “Snow White” remake builds on feminism by straying away from the prince-saves-the-princess trope. Snow White herself is portrayed as independent, while Jonathan, the male protagonist and a bandit, becomes her ally.
Now, as much as I believe in feminism, these are exceptions to the rule. A film’s success depends not only on its message, but its storytelling and atmosphere, especially for younger audiences.
Animation isn’t a rough draft waiting for live action because no amount of technology can recreate that magic.
Shivali H. Patra is a member of the class of 2029 at Saratoga High School.
Editor’s note: This story is part of the annual Mosaic Journalism Program for Bay Area high school students, an intensive course in journalism. Students in the program report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.