The trend of Disney legends hitting the upcoming live-action remake Snow White (2024) continues as a legendary lyricist enters the fray. However, his criticism seems to be much more considered.
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The first full-length animated film ever made, Snow white and the Seven dwarfs (1937), is considered an all-time classic. Not only did it change the world of cinema forever, it put the Walt Disney Company on the map, helping it become the juggernaut it is today.
Recently, this company came under fire for the choices made in the upcoming live-action remake of the groundbreaking film called Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler as the titular princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. He has cited news personalities on both sides of the political spectrum and many famous figures from Disney’s past for his casting decisions and the changes he has made to the iconic original.
More recently, the new film has been questioned by lyricist Tim Rice, who is generally unhappy with live-action Disney.
Tim Rice Thinks Disney’s Live-Action Remakes Don’t Work
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Sir Tim Rice is one of the most successful lyricists in musical theater history, collaborating with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John and Alan Menken to create classics such as Jesus Christ Superstar (1970), Evita (1976), Beauty and the Beast (1994), Ida (2000), and its stage adaptation Aladdin (2011). He also worked in several Disney films, including The Lion King (1994) and its live-action remakes Beauty and the Beast (2017), Aladdin (2019) and The Lion King (2019).
In an interview with GB NewsRice was asked about his thoughts on Disney’s live-action remakes, particularly whether Snow White represents the Walt Disney Company moving in the wrong direction. “I was very busy with king of lions, which was reconstructed. And that was an exception to most of the rules because obviously it’s a movie, a story, that doesn’t have a princess in it and it was pretty much an original story the first time around.”
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He continued, “I didn’t think the so-called live-action version worked as well as the cartoon, partly because it’s extremely difficult to do animals – even though the whole thing was constructed and, in a way, it was kind of cartoonish in itself.” of – make real looking animals have expressions. It was almost impossible. And a lot of humor seemed to come out of the film, I felt.”
Soon, the legendary lyricist shifted his focus to the upcoming Snow White, saying, “The story, as I understand it… changes so much: the characters change, the dwarves are not all dwarves. And you think, “Why call [Snow White] a remake? Why not just make a new movie with an exciting new story?” That’s a fair point, especially when you consider that Disney’s most successful movie recently, Elementary (2023), is an original story.
Tim Rice asks, “Why call it ‘Snow White’?”
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In the end, the big issue for Tim Rice came down to because Disney says Snow White it’s a remake if they change so much from it.” I think you should consider today’s views. But you shouldn’t be completely bound by them. I don’t think, for example, the 1937 version of Snow White is a bad movie now because it reflects and reflects its time. And it became honestly and wildly popular… And you can’t do that again now. Why would you want to?’
Rice continued, “My only question, in a way, is, why would I say that Snow White? Why not make a brand new movie with an exciting story? Which they may have done. I haven’t seen the movie yet. If it’s a good story, well told, it should and will automatically reflect the views of today.”
In the end, Sir Tim Rice nails it on the head. With so many changes to the original story, why call Snow White a remake of it Snow white and the Seven dwarfs? Instead of saying that this new version is a remake of the classic film that has been updated, just say that it is a reinterpretation or reimagining of the classic story. By doing the former, you’re just asking to start a fight.
What is particularly interesting is that the idea of reinterpretation has worked in the past. In 2012, audiences were greeted with a new interpretation of the Snow White story, Snow White and the Huntsman (2012). While it was much more action-packed and focused more on the Huntsman character, it was successful enough at the box office to inspire a sequel.
That being said, one can’t really judge a movie until they see it, something Rice noted several times during the interview. Really, people can’t and shouldn’t make definitive judgments about the movie until they’ve actually seen it.
Do you think Tim Rice is right about Disney Live-Action remakes? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments below!
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