Disney live-action remakes, despite their mixed critical reception, have made a lot of money. Therefore, Disney has logically capitalized on this success by making more. However, most of these live-action remakes fall victim to similar traps.
Sometimes a Disney live-action remake may not fully understand the characters and their motivations. Other times the wrong areas are focused on. Scenes that were slow and truly allowed the emotion and weight to sink in are rushed. Superfluous elements are added that don't work towards the heart of the story. While the animated versions are shorter and simpler, they pack far more emotion.
10 One Of Lion King's Greatest Lessons Is Removed
In the 1994 version of The Lion King, Simba is still wary about having to go back and face his past even after receiving words of wisdom from the ghost of his father Mufasa. Rafiki, however, offers him some funny but well-meaning wisdom that while the past can hurt, he can decide to either run or learn from it.
The remake makes it so that not only is Mufasa's ghost only heard and never seen, but also completely removes the line of dialogue about the past. Simba immediately heads back after his father's ghost disappears, making Rafiki's satisfaction over the matter less impactful.
9 Pink Elephants On Parade Is Even More Absurd
The "Pink Elephants On Parade" song is one of the most iconic parts of the original Dumbo. It comes from Dumbo and his friend Timothy Mouse getting drunk and hallucinating. While it didn't progress the story further, it had some truly surreal and frightening animation and colors that pushed the envelope of what Disney was capable of back then.
The live-action remake has Dumbo witnessing this scene before getting ready for a show. He doesn't get drunk, but rather the whole thing is shaped from bubbles as part of the act. In the context of the act, it serves no purpose other than referencing the original movie. While Danny Elfman's score is enchanting, the whole thing feels slower.
8 The Tea Party In Alice In Wonderland Is Given An Unnecessary Twist
In Disney's original adaptation of Alice In Wonderland, when Alice stumbles upon the tea party she also winds up dealing with the insanity of everyone involved. The hilarity lies in how fun it is seeing everyone try to connect but getting no closer with each attempt.
Alice Through The Looking Glass, while not a direct remake, does feature this scene when Alice goes back in time. Although the hilarious insanity is featured briefly, it is messed up due to the twist that until Alice joined them it would never be time for tea. What made the tea party so memorable is that it was mere fun. This adds reasoning to a scene that doesn't need any.
7 Aladdin's Climax Is Far Less Engaging
The climax of Disney's original Aladdin is one of Disney's best. With Jafar having taken control of the castle and the genie, Aladdin is forced to use nothing but his wits against all the former's power. This threat increases when Jafar transforms into a giant, threatening snake.
In the remake, the giant snake is replaced with a giant parrot that pursues the heroes. So much of the creativity and excitement of seeing Aladdin hold his own is missing. Whereas the battle in the original slowly built up to Aladdin's risky gambit, here it is rushed, making the reward of seeing Aladdin without the genie feel lessened.
6 The Three Good Fairies In Maleficent Are Nothing Short Of Inept
In Disney's original Sleeping Beauty, the three fairies Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather decide to raise Princess Aurora in a cottage on their own to keep her safe from the curse. They hold off using magic for almost 16 years to hide from Maleficent's wrath.
This same thing happens in the remake, Maleficent, but with no reason, as the fairies in the remake have no understanding of her magic. Worsening things is that they unknowingly endanger the young Aurora on multiple occasions. While the fairies in the original were bumbling, they had a lot of compassion and tenderness that somewhat showed through the teenage Aurora. Here, none of those qualities shine in the fairies, and it mostly comes through Maleficent.
5 Be Prepared Is Lacking In Flair
The song "Be Prepared" in the original Lion King had a great deal of style to it and a sense of foreboding in Scar and the hyenas' plan to kill Mufasa and replace him as king. When the plan went into action and succeeded, it struck fear into the hearts of many audiences.
"Be Prepared" in the remake is far shorter and is mostly spoken rather than sung. It lacks the same poise and is one of the many reasons Mufasa's death, one of the most heartbreaking animated deaths of all time, has nowhere near the same feel as in the original.
4 Lady And The Tramp's Main Conflict Is Given Far Less Significance
The main conflict of the original Lady And The Tramp was the titular dog Lady's concern about the arrival of her owners' new baby. There was a lot of weight given to the matter, such as Lady's bewilderment at the prospect, how the others explain it to her, her curiosity when it comes, and how she is treated by comparison after.
The remake removes most of this. While Lady does indeed show curiosity about the baby, so much of the emotional impact of her curiosity and fear about the matter is glossed over. Tramp's warning about the whole thing is given no time to settle in before the baby finally arrives.
3 The Beast Has Far Less Selflessness In Giving Belle The Library
In the original Beauty and the Beast, the Beast gives Belle the library out of a desire to do something nice due to his strong feelings towards her. Sure enough, Belle truly appreciates the gesture, and it brings them one step closer together.
In the remake, the Beast merely shows Belle the library wanting to show off after the two compare their favorite books. He tells Belle it's all hers, and she is thankful, but given the lack of romantic lead-up to this scene, the gesture has far less heart to it. To top it off, he hardly cares about how she felt about the library.
2 Mulan Has No Character Flaws
Mulan (1998) established the titular character and her flaws well. She's humble and wants to do right by her parents, but her clumsiness and lack of self-confidence, particularly with the matchmaker, keep her from bringing honor to the family. By taking her father's place in the army, she learns the values of strength and discipline but still keeps her humility in the process while eventually gaining China's respect.
The Mulan remake establishes Mulan as already perfect. She's a great warrior and almost has no flaws to speak of. While she is deemed a disgrace by the matchmaker, she had nothing to do with the meeting going wrong. Rather, it is her sister that causes the mishap.
1 The Ballroom Dance In Beauty And The Beast Feels Unearned
The ballroom dance in the original Beauty and the Beast was a culmination of all the changes in Belle and Beast's relationship since she came to the castle. The buildup of the events prior and the lead to the dance, the Beast slowly overcoming his fear, and what happens afterward gives it all its heart.
Here, however, most of the romantic events fell flat due to the changes to the iconic moments of the original. It jumps right into the dance, which has some beautiful lighting and good-looking imagery but none of the passion of the original between the leads. Therefore, this scene and Beast letting Belle go afterward pack less heartbreak.