Disney’s Having an Identity Crisis…

Wherein we discuss Disney's Live Action Remakes and whether they show signs of a studio lost at sea wanting to be part of our world...

0:00 Intro
4:36 Why Remakes?
9:23 Who Is This For?
16:00 Conclusion

[Lex_brooke]

It really bugs me when people argue that Ariel gave up anything for a man, she was longing to explore the surface world and Eric was just the catalyst that allowed that to happen. I was *very much* a little mermaid child growing up, and I never once felt that Ariel sacrificed anything wholly for a man. It was as much about trying to find herself and become her own person as it was a love story

[Merina]

Great thoughtful video. Love your Disney analysis!

[cazza]

I don't think I've watched one of your videos before. Marvellous outro music

[claremarie]

Especially with how unbelievably gorgeous and moving films like Coco and Moana have been, I don’t want remakes. I want something new that takes advantage of how creative and talented people in the industry are.

[Linaker]

Anyone else’s childhood comfort film Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat??😅

[amelie.]

perfect timing as I went to the cinema to watch Little Mermaid yesterday

[brandonbaggaley]

The animals should have taken the route of Aslan from Narnia. The way Lion King (2019) animated the characters damages the emotional impact of the movie.

[Louisepentland]

I can't wait for our trip to WDW. Also, this was SO well researched and thought out and said. Love you xxx

[natbatrat-de]

i am SO exhausted at disney live action remakes but also i cannot wait for the snow white movie written by greta gerwig

[willbesprog]

Here’s the thing. To me, these live action remakes go in the same category of Disney film as their other live action films. When someone asks “what’s your favourite Disney film?”, my immediate response is “animated or live action?” because they’re different genres, therefore need different answers and approaches. And how anyone thinks that I’m going to choose a remake over the original Pirates films is beyond me 😂😅

[FruitWhisperer]

I watched the Chip and Dale movie the other day not having grown up watching the series and I really couldn't figure out who it was for. It's gritty and pokes fun at the characters so would fans of the show like it? Would kids care about these characters that they don't really get to know? I had no idea what was going on lol
I will say that I do watch some of the live actions more than the originals. I love the new Cruella movie lol

[MissFlurry.]

I'd love an Atlantis live action though

[jotunfalls]

What bugs me is that there’s really no reason to remake the renaissance movies except to make money. These movies were already amazing (beauty and the beast, the little mermaid, the lion king) and instead of improving them they get worse. At least when they remade their older movies (Cinderella, sleeping beauty) they could improve them and expand on the stories (because, to me older Disney movies although nostalgic are flawed)

[Grymbaldknight]

This was a very balanced insight. I've got a couple of points to add:

--- 1) Disney has diluted its core brand with the acquisition of its new "partners". This isn't inherently a problem, but Disney has let its identity get blurred by failing to distinguish between its brands.

This has been most evident with Pixar, as Disney's core animations are now also CGI-based and deviating from traditional fairytales. The concepts of "Disney film" and "Pixar film" used to be very distinct, but now have become the same thing - both visually and narratively. This is damaging for both brands.

--- 2) Disney seems to have some level of disdain for its own history, and perhaps traditional storytelling in general. It's true enough that a film from 80 years ago will probably be "problematic" by today's moral standards... but they also contain a lot of positive, archetypal messages. The issue is that Disney's push to remake all of their own films "for modern audiences" throw the baby out with the bathwater. In an effort to remove all "outdated" content from their own history, they're sucking the soul out of their storytelling.

Traditional fairytales exist and remain popular for a reason. They express fundamental truths about human existence - romance, morality, courage, creativity, and so on. Traditional stories explore these archetypal aspects of the human spirit, and resonate with people because they're essentially "telling the truth" about the human experience. Disney has always tapped into this, combining it with animation and music to produce dazzling yet soulful experiences.

Modern Disney has departed from this, in an effort to throw off the "shackles of old-fashioned social norms"... despite the fact that the Disney brand is built on this traditional idealism. This has left most of Disney's modern works feeling "soulless" - not just because they're cash-grab remakes, but because they've ditched the human element which made them so touching and inspiring in the first place.

Disney is rooted in cliche... but cliche is well-known and well-used for very good reason. In attempting to avoid cliche and "subvert expectations", modern Disney is just uprooting itself, and failing to connect with audiences as it does so.

[pisto]

Daniel claiming he hasn't seen Little Mermaid while ALSO giving off MAJOR Ursula vibes 💜

[andrewmartin]

These films are for people who lie awake every night since the release of the animated original wondering if they'd have enjoyed it more if the fish were photorealistic.

[Cakingit]

Was the yelling of “Devine” on purpose as a reference to the drag queen who inspired Ursula?

[YearSoul]

Halle Bailey (and Melissa Mcarthy) really saved this Live adaptation because they were truly in character. Halle's voice is Magic, and the way she emotes in singing and in her expressions with having no dialogue. She is the Disney magic we miss. (We of Me= Disney adult, multiple trips to Disneyworld and Disney Club Membership).They could've given her unrealistically blue waters and a cartoonish 'cute' flounder. I felt the same for Lion King...I didn't want to see actual lions. With Donald Glover as Simba or Emma Watson in "Beauty and the Beast" - those films did not possess the Disney magic to carry a Disney film. Live Action "Mulan" took out the singing - although animated "Mulan" has some of Disney's best songs (ever). I'd confidently argue that Halle Bailey is the best Live Action Disney lead to date.

Your video was so great. And I agree with everything. The Disney Vault thing was such a scam (that worked) to have commercials promising that it was the last time to own Aladdin or Mulan - I had to go with it. Live Action movies from Disney that weren't previously animated from DComs (Smart House, Cheetah Girls) on tv to "Hocus Pocus", "First Kid", "Air Bud" and "The Parent Trap" in theaters - Disney clearly had a precedent on how their non-animated stuff could look and feel. The Disney Live action remakes should just feel like those but with bigger budgets (like when Lizzie Mcguire show and High School Musical" got movies in theaters. It should not be trying to compete with the less brighter fantasies of a "Lord of the Rings" or "Maze Runner". I think that's what we want... talking cute animals, and colorful sets and costume on a bigger than tv budget. They're selling us "what if Game of Thrones" was rated G. That's who it's 'for'...

[rhyslgriffiths]

There is a very good Disney documentary called "Waking Sleeping Beauty" about the Disney renaissance. Also, great vid, excellent points. As someone who grew up a Disney child, these live action films just feel like Karaoke versions. No matter how good the singers are, it just isn't the original.

[CazAvery]

I tend to find as an adult when I think 'Disney movie' I think of the Disney-Pixar films - Up (ignore the sobbing), Inside Out, Soul, Coco, Zootopia, the Toy Story films etc. I think the fact they're still bright and animated really does help.