Down Under Disneyana Australian Disney Forum

There's been lots of news lately about all the "live action" remakes happening. Given that there is not a single human being in the Lion King and it's likely to be all CGI can it legitimately be called a "live action" remake or is it just another animated version?


Greg

I thought the same thing.  Although I understand that there is an audience out there for live action, I'm concerned there's too big a push for too many.  I kind of prefer the animated versions!!  (ok and the stage musicals which are obviously live action so maybe I'm being hypocritical).

I've only seen one stage musical (Beauty and the Beast, way back, with Hugh Jackman) but I have a feeling they are a different medium to film and can be thought of as a different entity. Redoing the animated movies as live action does seem like having an extra bite of the cherry at first but I once had a discussion with someone about a bunch of movies that were being re-imagined at the time. 

We were specifically discussing  the remake of Psycho. He was saying that there was no way he would pay to go and see another version when the original was so good. My argument was that people go and see productions of Shakespeare plays despite them having been performed countless times before. You go to see a new take or interpretation or to see someone else performing the role. Why can't it be the same for movies.


Greg

I don't mind seeing new versions of movies - especially if it is a different medium (animated vs live action).  I'm not a big fan of remakes just for the sake of making a buck though - there have been some dodgy remakes of classic films - Ben Hur recently; The Poseidon Adventure a few years ago.  They've also just released The Magnificent Seven (although not sure how it stacks up to the original, but the box office figures aren't great).

But now HBO are releasing a ten-part TV show of Westworld which I am interested in seeing.  The original movie was great (in a 1970s way) and I'm interested in seeing a TV series version hardened up for today's audience.

So I think maybe it is a case-by-case basis for me.  I'll see the live-action-ish CGI version of Lion King, if anything just out of curiosity's sake.  I did like the new Jungle Book film - it was fun and amazing to look at.

That's certainly true, there's always an audience and recreating a movie in new technology may bring in a new and younger audience.  My concern is more too many at once (Beauty is being made, Mulan, Lion King and I thought Little Mermaid, have been spoken of, possibly gossip) - of course I also forgot that it can take 2-5 years from announcing before it's ready for release so that will spread any out.
I will admit I'm kind of looking forward to Beauty & the Beast.  I just love that musical.

Beauty and the Beast always struck me as an animated stage musical so i can kind of see it as a live action movie version of that. Mulan is definitely big screen action movie territory and i wonder if they will have singing or not. The one that worries me as live action is The Lion King, 


Greg 

I think Beauty and the Beast will be terrific - I'm really looking forward to a proper trailer at some point - it must be soon surely?

I understand your concerns about The Lion King, but I was one of those people who didn't think The Jungle Book would be that good and I really enjoyed it, so I have faith in Jon Favreau as a director.

If you haven't already seen it, go to youtube when you get the chance and have a look at the new trailer for The Lion King - it looks fantastic.

If you haven't already seen it, go to youtube when you get the chance and have a look at the new trailer for The Lion King - it looks fantastic.

It does look amazing but it also seems like a shot-for-shot remake of the original just with better animation. Is it really bringing anything new to the story that warrants going to see it?

Greg

If you haven't already seen it, go to youtube when you get the chance and have a look at the new trailer for The Lion King - it looks fantastic.

It does look amazing but it also seems like a shot-for-shot remake of the original just with better animation. Is it really bringing anything new to the story that warrants going to see it?

Greg

I'm the type to say 'why would I go see the same movie' but I'll go, I'm all talk!

I haven't seen the preview as yet, but I'm sure the CGI will give it a live action look and I'll be in the cinema singing along and gripped to the story wondering what will happen next (even though I know).  In the B&TB previews I wasn't impressed with the new versions of Cogsworth, Mrs Potts etc, however when I saw the movie I just loved it all.

I'm the type to say 'why would I go see the same movie' but I'll go, I'm all talk!

I think most of us will have to admit to that. I'll go and see it for sure.

Greg

The full trailer was launched today - I'm at work so I can't view it until I get home.  If someone could post a link, that'll be great

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TavVZMewpY


Greg

Thanks Greg - it looks pretty good, although it does seem shot-for-shot for the original

Thanks Greg - it looks pretty good, although it does seem shot-for-shot for the original

Yeah, that was my impression from the very beginning. It does look good though.

Greg