As a seasoned movie enthusiast who’s seen more films than I care to count, I must say that these remakes have left me scratching my head more often than not. The latest iteration of Pinocchio, with its blend of live-action and CGI, is no exception. Honest John, the cringiest character in the film, is a sight for sore eyes, and his song about Pinocchio being an “influencer” only adds to the discomfort. I’ve seen better jokes on TikTok!
In this current time, there’s no escaping the fact that Disney live-action adaptations are all around us, whether we embrace them or find them less than charming. For many years, Disney has been associated with creating some of history’s most memorable animated films. These movies, either based on pre-existing works or born from original concepts, have left an indelible mark on popular culture. Given the high stakes involved in launching fresh stories, it appears that Disney is resorting to reimagining its old favorites with live actors as the storytellers.
This has not always been met with positive reactions. The consensus is: but do we need this? If it’s telling the exact same story with little changes, or, conversely, grand changes that remove the heart of the original, why do it? Live-action remakes are often viewed with a harsher lens because of this. While some of the criticism may be exaggerated, there have been a handful of cringe-worthy scenes people won’t let slide. Whether it’s poor directing or bad writing, here are some of the most cringey scenes from Disney’s live-action remakes.
10 Beauty and the Beast (2017)
LeFou’s Dance Scene
In the announcement for the Disney remake of “Beauty and the Beast,” I found myself leaning towards cautious optimism. Emma Watson, renowned from her days in the “Harry Potter” series, seemed like she could bring Belle to life perfectly. Upon its release, I felt she delivered acceptably, though her singing could’ve been stronger. However, it was a secondary character that truly captured my attention. Josh Gad, who played LeFou, the loyal sidekick of the villain Gaston, stole the show for me. He was Gaston’s devotee, catering to his every need.
The Tone of the Scene Is the Problem
In the movie scene featuring a musical number named after the villain, there seems to be implied subtext suggesting that LeFou might be gay and in love with Gaston. LeFou expresses his admiration for Gaston through embraces and praise during this song. Towards the end, LeFou is seen briefly dancing with another man, hinting at a possible romantic interest beyond Gaston. While having an LGBTQ+ character is not problematic, many viewers found the way Disney handled LeFou’s character throughout the movie to be overly pandering and awkward, as if they were hesitant to fully explore this aspect of his personality. This scene in particular was seen as cringeworthy due to these reasons.
9 Mulan (2020)
Young Mulan Chasing the Chicken
The reimagined version of the film Mulan stirred up debates right from its inception. Initially slated for release in 2020, it seemed like numerous obstacles were lined up to hamper its success. Even before any trailers were unveiled, fans’ apprehensions grew after learning about the various alterations planned for the storyline compared to the original movie. Removing certain characters and redefining roles of others had people questioning how it would all pan out. What left most people particularly puzzled was Mulan herself, a character beloved for her strength, determination, and compassion. It seemed almost unimaginable that Disney could go wrong with such an iconic figure.
Losing the Heart of the Story From the Start
Even though circumstances may seem challenging, determination often paves the way. In the initial scene, we find young Mulan in hot pursuit of a mischievous chicken through a bustling market. What follows is an agile display of parkour-inspired movements as she leaps, swings, and runs across rooftops to capture her quarry. The original story conveyed that Mulan was an ordinary girl who transcended limitations through perseverance. If Mulan had been a prodigy from the start, the iconic “I’ll Make a Man Out Of You” sequence wouldn’t carry the same impact. By making this choice, the character development becomes more ordinary, the main hurdles of the story become less significant, and the movie transforms into something resembling a pseudo-superhero production.
8 Aladdin (2019)
Jafar Turning Into a Genie
Amidst the abundance of princess-centric films, Aladdin has consistently distinguished itself as one of the rare prince-focused movies. The 1992 animated version is renowned for its stunning animation and Robin Williams’ hilarious portrayal of Genie. When Will Smith was chosen to play the role, there were mixed feelings, but when pictures emerged of Smith in the Genie costume, fans became quite apprehensive. However, Smith delivered a commendable performance, choosing to create his unique interpretation of Genie, while also acknowledging and respecting the original version without attempting to eclipse it.
The Villian Causes Second-Hand Embarrassment
In contrast to what might initially be expected, it was not a Genie scene that stood out as the most cringe-worthy in this live-action remake, but rather one featuring Jafar. Disney villains often lack depth and complexity (although there are exceptions, such as when Disney decides to explore their origin stories). However, Jafar was entirely one-dimensional, embodying pure evil without any redeeming qualities. He was like a cartoon character, with his mustache twirling and hunger for power. This is clearly demonstrated in the climax where he becomes nearly hysterical upon learning that someone might be more powerful than him. Instead of creating tension, this scene becomes a moment of unintentional comedy, at best.
7 Maleficent (2014)
Maleficent Gives the True Love’s Kiss
Discussing villain backstories designed to make us empathize with once-feared antagonists leads us to the topic of Maleficent. Angelina Jolie takes on the title character, who in this version, curses Princess Aurora, portrayed by Elle Fanning. Some villain origin stories are criticized for making villains less menacing, softening their initial terrifying aspects. Others find it intriguing to delve deeper into their minds. Maleficent represents a blend of these perspectives. Although the film’s storyline isn’t entirely essential, Jolie’s acting performance makes it an enjoyable watch, despite other aspects that could have been stronger.
The Change Is So Cheesy It Hurts
Yet even Jolie couldn’t save the ending from being saccharine, cheesy, and cringe. As many fairytales do, true love’s kiss was meant to break Aurora’s curse and wake her from her slumber. When the prince (whom she just met) kisses her, it doesn’t work. Thinking it’s over and that Aurora is dead, Maleficent kisses her on the forehead and slowly walks away. Lo and behold! Aurora’s eyes open. While we can appreciate Disney not relying on the “prince the princess met two seconds ago is her eternal love” trope, this was all too expected and not at all satisfying at such a critical point in the film.
6 Cinderella (2015)
The Royal Ball
Over the years, the classic story of Cinderella has been reimagined for live-action multiple times, with both Disney and other studios taking a crack at it. In 2015, Lily James took on the iconic role of the young woman who was treated unfairly by her stepmother and stepsisters. She shared the screen with Cate Blanchett and Richard Madden in this production directed by Kenneth Branagh. Despite some negative feedback towards other princess remakes, audiences found a lot to love about this adaptation. Many appreciated how it managed to maintain the essence of what made the original animated version so enchanting while updating certain aspects to feel more contemporary.
The Crucial Scene to Their Love Story Left Much to Be Desired
However, there is one scene that Branagh didn’t quite nail. The first look is one of the most important scenes in a romance. And after being magically transformed by a fairy godmother, Cinderella’s entrance into the ball is even more special. While Madden, who played the prince, did a solid job overall, this scene left a lot to be desired. Some considered his reaction to Ella to be a case of over-acting, with a literal open jaw and wide eyes. The ensuing cliché romantic lines and stiff dancing while everyone silently stares couldn’t be saved even with the exquisite set design.
5 The Little Mermaid (2023)
“The Scuttlebutt”
In 2023, when The Little Mermaid made its way to the big screen, I found myself with much to demonstrate. Some members of the public voiced their discontent over the casting choice of Halle Bailey as Ariel, while others questioned if an almost two-and-a-half hour runtime was justified. Nevertheless, Halle’s vocals garnered widespread acclaim for her renditions of timeless tunes like “Part Of Your World.” Even Prince Eric, portrayed by Jonah Hauer-King, had his own solo number. Although it wasn’t one of the standout tracks, it served as a pleasant addition to the soundtrack.
The Song Is Not Catchy & Mildly Irritating
As a movie critic, I must admit that “The Scuttlebutt,” sung by the chatty seabird Scuttle (voiced brilliantly by Awkwafina), didn’t quite hit the mark for me. In fact, many of the scenes with Scuttle could easily have made it onto my list of misses. The bird’s humor, while intended to be witty, often fell flat, and this was particularly evident during “The Scuttlebutt.”
4 Cruella (2021)
The Death of Cruella’s Mom
The live-action remake of the movie “Cruella” caught many Disney enthusiasts off guard. Despite no apparent surge in interest for the 101 Dalmatians series or the character Cruella de Vil, there was an undeniable sense of anticipation. With Emma Stone assuming the lead role, the film promised to delve into how Cruella’s heart turned cruel and her unusual affection for fashion and disdain for dappled pups. The 1970s London backdrop was beautifully recreated, and Stone delivered a strong performance that captured de Vil’s essence perfectly – with an authentic British accent and delightfully over-the-top flair suited to the character.
We Shouldn’t Be Laughing
Although the movie received positive reviews, some viewers felt that Disney’s portrayal of Cruella dulled the enjoyment. They found her motivation for hating dalmatians to be preposterous. In a scene set at a manor, ferocious dalmatians charged towards Cruella’s mother, who was precariously positioned on a balcony close to a cliff during a storm. The backdrop flashed with lightning, and Cruella watched in distress as her mother screamed and fell into the turbulent waters. This scene, as dramatic as it appears, elicited more laughter than intended by the filmmakers.
3 Pinocchio (2022)
Honest John Meeting Pinocchio
In some adaptations, it can be challenging to categorize: are they traditional live-action films or something more innovative? For instance, in the remake of Pinocchio, human actors like Tom Hanks as Geppetto coexist with computer-generated imagery (CGI), such as Pinocchio himself. The original tale follows a wooden puppet yearning to become real, and audiences encounter numerous characters throughout his transformation into a boy. Among these, the most unsettling character is Honest John, a “charming” red fox.
The Song and Scene Aren’t That Funny
The trouble with many “live-action” remakes that feature animals is that they sit in this weird space of looking too fake to be real, but also too real to be fake. That’s not what makes this scene hard to watch (well, not the only thing). When Honest John launches into song and makes a joke about Pinocchio being an “influencer,” viewers know then they had better buckle in for some cringe. What follows is a Chris Pine joke, so by that point, the audience wouldn’t be surprised if he whips out a “YOLO” or some other in-world reference to “relate to the kids.”
2 The Jungle Book (2016)
Water Truce
Disney struggles with their ambition to remake many of their old productions and dealing with certain content from their classic films that may not be as relevant today. In response, they’ve included content warnings for problematic elements in movies streamed on Disney+. For instance, The Jungle Book was selected for a remake, blending live-action actors and computer-generated imagery to create the animals and jungle environment. Mowgli, the main character, is a young boy who was raised by animals after being orphaned, and he grapples with growing up while Shere Khan, a menacing tiger, poses a threat in the background.
A Fearful Scene Fell Flat
The challenge of acting convincingly in a film with extensive CGI use cannot be overstated. At times, actors find themselves interacting with silent props or speaking to nothing at all, which is a tough task for any performer, even the most experienced ones. For instance, during the water truce scene in the movie, it’s understandable if young Mowgli seemed less fearful of Shere Khan than intended. The strange and seemingly out-of-place animal voices might have contributed to this lack of believability, causing both Mowgli and us, as viewers, to feel a sense of detachment from the scene.
1 Dumbo (2019)
Mad Mama Elephant
In 2019, I followed the circus production of Dumbo, directed by Tim Burton. The lovable elephant was all set to make his grand debut, but it was crucial for him to conceal his unique, floppy ears. After all, who would expect an adorable baby elephant with extraordinary ears at a regular circus? However, when his special feature was unveiled, the crowd started showering him with peanuts instead of applause. Dumbo’s mother courageously intervened, making her presence known before being momentarily pacified.
The Entire Scene Felt Forced
This calm doesn’t last long as one of the handlers, Rufus, intentionally baits her into getting more upset. He cracks his whip before scurrying under the stands and cackling while he watches his evil plan unfold. We, as avid movie watchers, know a big moment needed to happen to set the rest of the plot in motion, but it all felt so forced. From the audience’s reaction to Dumbo to Rufus’ over-the-top villainy combined with stupidity that eventually gets him killed. It was a bit too on the nose to affect viewers emotionally.
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2024-08-12 03:02