Why do Disney sequels fail?
15 years ago, Disney released "Enchanted", a live-action film that focused on deconstructing storybook-romance stereotypes—such as that of 'love at first sight'.
It was vibrant, charming and refreshing in every aspect. This movie's new princess formula led to other successful movies like "The Princess and the Frog", "Tangled", and many more. Movies led by inspiring characters or based on fairy tales usually tend to stand the test of time and as a result have some level of cultural gravity.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
But when it comes to sequels and remakes, can the audience trust Disney to not only reconnect them to those stories but also elevate them into something refreshing and new?
Disney has become notorious for churning out live action remakes of classic tales. Too often, they regurgitate the beloved storylines—that have already amassed a huge audience—and pepper in catchy tunes and famous actors, without reshaping the characters or the plot.
"Disenchanted" is a product of this money-making trend. Part of Enchanted's beauty was the ability to transform the fantastical into the everyday of Giselle's animated world, over the chaotic New York city backdrop.
Unfortunately, the sequel is far from cohesive as it crams too much into the story, in a way that is neither engaging nor fun. The songs are not as breathtaking, and the emotional finale isn't as powerful.
Moving the focus to the wicked stepmother narrative and the mother-daughter bond would have been a terrific advancement from the previous movie. However, "Disenchanted" does not build on Giselle and Morgan's relationship to the point where it emotionally connects.
Similarly, last year's live-action musical adaptation of "Cinderella" and this year's "Hocus Pocus 2" desperately tried to fit in with modern times, but ended up being a hodgepodge of unappealing scenes.
Despite the extravagant musical numbers and costumes, both films were quite lacklustre. They did not have any lacking in the areas of acting, singing, or directing. Sadly, they ultimately amount to nothing more than an echo of the animated originals.
Following this trend, makers of the 2019 reboot of "Aladdin" sadly could not capture the splendour and star power of the animated version into this one. Will Smith as genie was entertaining, but it is not easy to fill the shoes of Robin Williams in his quirky and hilariously animated version.
"The Lion King" reboot heralded excitement from fans, especially when it was announced that Beyonce and Donald Glover would be a part of the cast. However, the animation is so painstakingly lifeless that it saps the characters of their individuality.
Scar is now just a CGI-reproduced lion instead of a literary villain, seething with rage. The magic of the hand-drawn art, that once infused Disney animation with delight from its earliest films, is forsaken and so, the same emotions could not be expressed by even the most fantastic of vocal performances.
Other than the film being live-action, they barely changed anything else, which is essentially plagiarism.
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is another classic that pales in comparison to its 2002 sequel. The 1994 movie offered children a pacific introduction to the gloomy Victor Hugo novel through stunning animation, that expertly reconstructed the intricate architecture of Notre Dame. Paired with unforgettable music, that serves as an informative commentary on each character's values, and ingenious storytelling.
On the other hand, the overall plot of the sequel was tedious and shifted largely from the main themes. The mediocre pop songs gave the impression that they were recorded by amateur singers and producers. In every sense, this movie fell short of expectations.
The main issue with these movies is their inability to live up to the reputation of the originals. The studio entices the audience with nostalgia-driven leitmotifs with the motive of turning the film into a cash-grab. This is not only a disservice to the fans but also the source material.
Since fantasy is the cornerstone of stories like these, it's pointless to turn them into live-action films. It restricts imaginative thinking and stylistic choices.
In a nutshell, Disney filmmakers have found a terrible niche in retelling seasoned stories, in an attempt to pander to the interest of moviegoers. Sadly, aside from some easy box-office cash, these movies have failed to deliver on any level.
Comments