There has always been a mixed response when it comes to Disney’s live action remake list. Many longtime fans are not happy with the concept of their beloved animated classics being remade, especially since most of the live-action versions have not been as well received as the originals. On the other hand, they are mostly big box office hits.
Even if they can’t live up to the original animated movies, they are often still quality movies on their own. In fact, most of them received positive feedback from both fans and critics, as well as official reviews on Screen Rant.
10 The Lion King (3 stars)
From 1994 The Lion King it’s basically holy ground when it comes to animated movies. He’s still considered the greatest of all time by many, so a live-action adaptation in 2019 was a risky move, but it turned out to be a hit that topped $ 1 billion at the global box office.
It helps that the film was directed by Jon Favreau and had the voices of BeyoncĂ©, Donald Glover, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Billy Eichner, and more. Screen Rant’s review noted that choosing to create big budget hyper-realistic CGI creations for the animals was a problem due to their lack of ability to convey emotion. It looked good because it was based on a classic but wasted various aspects.
9 Mulan (3 stars)
Most of these live action remakes have been of movies from the 50s or 60s, but some came from the 90s. The most recent of them was Mulan, with the original arrival in 1998 and the new version in 2020. This version changed the focus a bit and highlighted the action.
In that sense, it worked since Screen Rant’s review said the action and visuals were the best parts. It was also said that he did a very good job of showing the beautiful scenery of China’s environment. However, this Mulan I lost a bit of the fun parts thanks to the lack of Mushu and it doesn’t include many of the songs from the original.
8 Lady and the Tramp (3 stars)
A live-action remake never got a chance to find out how it would fare at the box office. That would be The Lady and the Tramp, which was launched alongside Disney + as one of the streaming service’s exclusives. The film featured the voices of Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux to lead the way.
Most of the audience felt that this was good and not much else. The same goes for Screen Rant’s review, who stated that the movie is cute and tells a moving story. It was appreciated that real dogs were used in large part, so it didn’t feel like it was continuous CGI. Both the voice acting and the subtle ways this was brought into the modern world were praised.
7 Cinderella (3 stars)
There may not be a more iconic fairy tale than that of Cinderella. Disney brought it to the animated big screen in 1950 and it remains one of the studio’s best films. The story has been told in many different ways throughout history, but 2015 brought a new version for Disney.
This one starred Lily James as the main character and Richard Madden as Prince Charming. Screen Rant’s review said the studio mostly played it safe with this, but that worked because longtime fans appreciate the story for what it is. While James and Madden were well received, it was Cate Blanchett who stole the show as Lady Tremaine.
6 Alice in Wonderland (3.5 stars)
One of the most difficult films to bring to life from animation had to be Alice in Wonderland. The 1951 cartoon is full of mind-blowing images, vibrant colors, and some of the weirdest things ever put into a movie designed for kids. However, Disney succeeded in 2010 and used the benefit of 3D to try and get it right.
Screen Rant’s official review of this film was likely fueled by the writer’s admitted recognition for the combination of Tim Burton, who directed, and Johnny Depp, who played the Mad Hatter. While the 3D was not considered great, the performances and visuals were a pleasure.
5 Beauty and the Beast (3.5 stars)
1991 Beauty and the Beast is another highly regarded Disney film and made history when it became the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture. Needless to say, turning it into a live-action story was a tall order, as it had a high bar to meet.
Fortunately, it mostly worked in 2017. Screen Rant’s review said it did a good job of bringing back the magic, spirit, and atmosphere of its predecessor. Most of the original story remained intact, but welcome additions were made to the backstories. The performances of Emma Watson, Luke Evans and Josh Gad were praised.
4 Aladdin (3.5 stars)
By the time 2019 rolled around, some audience members were on to the concept of reinventing the classic tales. That didn’t stop Aladdin from skyrocketing to $ 1 billion at the box office and becoming a box office hit.
Based on another classic, Aladdin he had a lot to accomplish, especially when it came to Will Smith replacing Robin Williams as the Genie. Fortunately, Screen Rant’s review noted that Smith made the role his own. While most aspects were praised in the review, the development of the villain was considered a weak point.
3 Christopher Robin (4 stars)
From 2018 Christopher robin It is one of the most interesting remakes since technically it is not a single movie. Instead, it encompasses several Winnie the pooh movies from decades ago. He took a unique approach by following an adult Robin who lost his imagination only to reunite with his old friends.
The review on Screen Rant seemed to appreciate most of the things about this movie. That included the heartwarming story, charming score, and performances by characters like Ewan McGregor and Hayley Atwell. Christoper Robin He maintained Pooh’s innocence while putting a fun spin on the concept.
two Cruella (4 stars)
The newest entry to the world of live-action Disney remakes is Cruella, released in 2021. I like Pernicious, this re-told a classic through the perspective of a villain. Some kind of prequel to 1961 101 Dalmatians, focused on the origin story of Cruella de Vil.
Right off the bat, Screen Rant’s review pointed out that Emma Stone was the “beating heart of this masterfully nuanced origin.” The film was also praised for how bold it was in telling this different kind of story and the way it took on the fashion look with brilliant costume design work.
1 The Jungle Book (4.5 stars)
In the eyes of Screen Rant critics, 2016 The jungle book is the cream of the crop when it comes to live-action Disney remakes. The 1967 original was a good option to tackle as it is beloved but does not look on the same level as others like The king’s lion or Aladdin.
That allowed him to breathe on his own. Jon Favreau was excellent as a director and the special effects team was praised for its pioneering work. The review liked the gripping drama, tense action, and world building, which created something magical.
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Reference-screenrant.com