This article was originally published in print in the Swan Hill Guardian on November 1, 2019.
IN the past couple of years, many classic animated films have been turned into live action releases.
This has made me wonder if these films should shy away from their animation origins, or if going live is the way to go.
The only one I’ve seen recently was The Lion King, which I know wasn’t exactly “live”, but the “pioneering film making techniques” made the characters (animals) seem so realistic.
And who can’t go past the catchy tunes featured in the film?
As someone who grew up watching many of the films that have been transformed, it takes a little piece away of my childhood memories watching the films.
In the case of The Lion King, although there were funny moments from the characters Pumbaa (voiced by comedic actor Seth Rogen) and Timon (Billy Eichner), I prefer the animated version.
This may have been partly due to the fact that the children in the cinema at the time I watched were being noisy, making it hard to concentrate on the film.
Other remade films released this year were Tim Burton’s Dumbo and Aladdin, with Will Smith replacing Robin Williams as genie.
In previous years, 101 Dalmatians, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Winnie the Pooh, Beauty and the Beast and The Jungle Book have all been given the live action treatment.
Next year, a new version of Mulan will be released and filming will commence on a remake of The Little Mermaid.
I’ve seen some of these films and believe the real-life versions were way better than the originals, but I feel like with others, like The Lion King, should remain in their original form, as animations.
One upside, though, of remaking these films is that it brings with it a whole new audience to the classics we all grew up with and have probably watched many times.
Just like any other remake, whether animation or not, new actors and actresses are given the chance to take on the roles and the younger generations are essentially given their own versions of the originals to fall in love with and cherish.
To our readers, what’s been your favourite film that’s been remade into a live action and why?
Lillian Altman 