The essence of The Walt Disney Company is founded in storytelling. Starting with the very first days of Walt working hard to bring his animation to an audience, Disney has had an ability like no other to captivate its fans with stories from all over the globe. Whether telling tales of fantasy or sharing real-life traditions from the community, the vast range of stories that Disney brings to the screen has dramatically affected our awareness of the world and changed our perception of what entertainment needs to be. In some cases, single movies have reshaped the way we look at relationships. Frozen, for example, redefined the boundaries of what makes a Princess movie, with the characters who share a love for one another portraying a sisterly bond rather than a romantic relationship. Disney movies might be thought of for children, but they are incredibly powerful.
Over the years, Disney’s decision to embrace the live-action movement has been widely criticized. Some do not agree with how their favorite tales are being transformed from the pages of animation, and others are critical of the subsequent volume of these re-imagined works rather than the continued creation of new entertainment. No matter how you look at it, they get a bad rap, which I’ve always struggled to see the merit in. Not only are the works of Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid some of the most beautiful examples of cinema I’ve ever seen, but they succeeded in bringing those classic Disney tales into a new ear, extending that magic with an even more diverse reaching power.
The next story on the list for the live-action adaptation treatment, Snow White, has been in the works for some time. Faught with controversy, it’s seen multiple delays, but the film is finally expected to arrive in early 2025, and honestly, I am excited. Even though Snow White is, to many, a Disney classic, it was one of the early movies from The Walt Disney Company that never resonated with me. Much like some of the stories I grew up with in the ’80s and ’90s have now been reimagined to appeal to a younger audience, I can’t help but feel as though this is my chance to have this experience for myself with a movie that I’ve never really connected with. Could this be my opportunity to be a part of that next generation enjoying an older Disney story? I’ve been watching the trailer for a few weeks now, and at the risk of it being an unpopular opinion, I’m excited.
I grew up in the girl power era, where stories of damsels in distress were on the way out, being replaced with more capable role models. I watched the trailer above and found more than just the enchanting design and familiar storyline engaging. There will no doubt be the expected threats of murder, mayhem, and jealousy, true to the original storyline, though I do look forward to seeing it in a more modern format that can appeal to new generations of Disney fans. While I could appreciate the other remakes, both for their beauty and the expansion of their audience, I never felt as though I was the focus of that intended extension. As a lover of their originals, I find the newly-framed stories to ring just as true for me as the first iterations, both beautiful and unique in their own ways. This time, I have the chance to see a Disney story in a new light and connect with it in a way I never did before, which excites me.
Let me know your thoughts. Are you looking forward to seeing Snow White next year? For those who say the story didn’t need retelling, remember that this new version will not replace the original, nor did any of the live-action adaptations that have come before it; it will merely offer an alternative mode of enjoyment. In either camp, I’m curious if you share a similar experience in the earlier remakes, not offering your sole connection point to a particular story. Were any of them your first experience connecting with that Disney movie? And if so, did that change how you felt about the dual approach of original animation-turned-live-action?
Zoë Wood is a travel writer from Sydney, Australia. Since her first visit to Disneyland at the age of 6, she has spent her years frequently visiting Disney Parks and traveling around the world.
Join Zoë as she lets you in on all the tips, tricks, anecdotes, and embarrassments that arise from her family adventures.
