In recent years, live-action adaptations of beloved animated properties have become a risky business for Hollywood studios. The latest casualty in this trend is Disney’s Snow White live-action remake, which has faced overwhelming criticism even before its release.
This disaster has surpassed the infamy of Dragon Ball Evolution, previously considered one of the worst anime adaptations in Western cinema, and has caused production companies to think twice before attempting to bring anime properties to life.
The Snow White Debacle
Disney’s attempt to reimagine its classic 1937 animated film has been met with widespread backlash from fans and critics alike. The first look image featuring CGI dwarves sparked immediate controversy, with many questioning Disney’s creative decisions.
The studio faced criticism for potentially altering the source material too drastically, including reports of removing “and the Seven Dwarfs” from the title and reimagining the characters as magical creatures. However, the decision to keep the dwarves while using CGI has proven to be a misstep, dividing fans and creating social media debates .
The film’s visual presentation has been described as an “eyesore,” with critics comparing it to a “glitchy AI-generated nightmare” that lacks the charm and vibrancy expected from a Disney production . The character portrayals have also drawn criticism, particularly regarding the modernization attempts that have failed to resonate with audiences.
The controversy surrounding the film has been so significant that it has overshadowed any potential positive reception it might have received.
Dragon Ball Evolution’s Legacy
The Dragon Ball live-action adaptation, released in 2009, has long been regarded as one of the worst examples of Western studios failing to capture the essence of anime properties. The film’s attempt to westernize the beloved manga and anime series resulted in a product that disappointed both fans and critics. Its poor box office performance and negative reception became a cautionary tale for future anime adaptations.
The film’s failure was attributed to several factors, including:
Unfaithful character portrayals: The movie drastically altered the personalities and appearances of beloved characters. Goku was depicted as a high school student, Chi-Chi as a martial arts school girl, and Piccolo as a vampire-like villain inspired by The Matrix.
Omission of crucial characters: The film ignored important characters from the original series, most notably Krillin, whose absence significantly impacted the story’s dynamics.
Poor action sequences: The fight scenes were lackluster and failed to capture the epic scale of battles from the anime. The movie’s action paled in comparison to the city-destroying, mountain-shattering conflicts fans expected.
Weak special effects: Despite being one of the few “good” aspects, the special effects were still criticized as subpar, with energy blasts appearing particularly weak.
Rushed storytelling: The plot progression felt hurried, with characters suddenly appearing and joining forces without proper development or motivation.
Departure from source material: The movie deviated significantly from the original Dragon Ball story, losing much of the charm, humor, and world-building that made the anime and manga popular.
Inappropriate format choice: Many critics argue that attempting to adapt Dragon Ball into a live-action format was a fundamental mistake. The unique style and fantastical elements of the series are difficult to translate realistically to live-action.
Despite some attempts to create sequels or reboots, Dragon Ball Evolution’s reputation has remained a significant hurdle for any studio considering bringing anime properties to Western audiences, but One piece live-action by Netflix could be the revival that anime industry needs for anime live-action.
The Impact on Western Productions
The Snow White disaster has intensified the hesitation that Western production companies already felt after the Dragon Ball Evolution failure. Studios are now more cautious about investing in anime adaptations, recognizing the unique challenges these properties present.
The cultural nuances, established fan bases, and specific artistic styles of anime require a delicate approach that many Western studios struggle to replicate.
The failure of Snow White has highlighted several key concerns:
- CGI Dwarfs: The decision to use CGI for the seven dwarfs instead of casting actors with dwarfism has been widely criticized. The CGI characters appear unnatural and unsettling, described as having “dead eyes” and resembling “garden gnomes”.
- Casting Controversy: The choice of Rachel Zegler as Snow White sparked debate due to her Latina background and previous anti-Trump remarks. Similarly, Gal Gadot’s casting as the Evil Queen faced criticism for her support of Zionism.
- Departure from Original Story: The film’s attempt to modernize the story has resulted in significant changes that many viewers feel deviate too far from the beloved original tale.
- Poor Critical Reception: The movie has received middling reviews, with a 47% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, one of the worst for a Disney live-action remake.
- Inconsistent Representation: The film features a live-action little person among the bandits but uses CGI for the seven dwarfs, creating a bizarre inconsistency.
- Lackluster Plot: Critics have described the story as uninspired, with Snow White’s character arc feeling forced and uninteresting.
- Production Issues: The film faced numerous challenges during production, including reported conflicts among cast members and debates over character representation.
As a result, Western production companies are adopting a more measured approach to anime adaptations, often seeking greater collaboration with Japanese creators and investing more time in developing scripts that honor the source material while appealing to Western audiences.
While Dragon Ball Evolution set a low bar for anime adaptations, Disney’s Snow White live-action remake has demonstrated that even established studios with significant resources can struggle with reimagining beloved properties.
The combined impact of these failures has created a climate of caution in Hollywood, where studios are more likely to proceed with caution when considering anime adaptations. Until a studio can successfully navigate the challenges of bringing anime properties to life in a way that satisfies both fans and general audiences, the shadow of these disasters will continue to loom over potential future projects.
