Maleficent at the core of Disney’s reinvention

The theme of reinvention is no stranger to our screens and with the recent release of Maleficent, Disney are at the forefront of classic reinv

The theme of reinvention is no stranger to our screens and with the recent release of Maleficent, Disney are at the forefront of classic reinventing.

Maleficent, Disney’s reinvention of the 1959 animated Sleeping Beauty, has taken cinemas by storm with outstanding success. With a nod to the success of Wicked, Disney’s Maleficent sends the magical villain to the forefront of the film.

Angelina Jolie gives a spellbinding performance as Maleficent, cursing the royal daughter Aurora with the prick of a spinning needle.

From here, the 2014 live-action version, takes the tale in its own direction, with Maleficent caring for the child. This lavish exploration of a classic fairytale is by no means the only spell to be cast by Disney.

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Such a curious dream…

Considered the jump starter of the reinvention trend is Burton’s live-action Alice in Wonderland (2010) starring Johnny Depp. We saw nineteen year old Alice return to the mad world of Wonderland (or Underland), which we all grew to love from Disney’s 1951 animated adventure. This time Alice must come to terms with her true identity, and with the help of her old friends she meets her destiny in ending the reign of the Red Queen.

Filled with the classic characters Disney took a new twist on an old adventure with Burton’s magical vision, and found a new path for old films.

There’s no place like home

Last year, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures took inspiration from the classic Wizard of Oz, and created the magical journey of Oz: The Great and Powerful. Circus magician Oscar Diggs (James Franco) is swept away from Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, which is in turmoil between the power of three witches. With illusion and ingenuity, Oscar takes a magical transformation and restores peace to Oz.

Fairest of them all

Disney isn’t the only one to take their classics and give them a new spin. While originally a Brother’s Grimm fairy tale, Snow White is perhaps best known from Disney’s 1937 release Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Leaving dwarfs and Prince Charming’s kiss behind, the 2012 reinvention saw a grown up and gothic take in Snow White and the Hunstman.

Far from the Disney charm, this version saw the Hunstman, who was ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed, becoming her protector against the jealousy stricken queen.

If you can dream it you can do it

The future is bright for more Disney reinventions, following the success of animation to live-action adaptions. Likely the first to hit the screens will be Cinderella directed by Kenneth Branagh. Development began in 2010 following Alice in Wonderland and is expected to be released in March 2015.

Disney have promised a revisionist approach to the classic tale of the 1950 animation, with young Ella (Lily James), Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter) and a fated meeting with a prince (Richard Madden).

Also coming to life from the drawing board is Beauty and the Beast, directed by Bill Condon and starring Emma Watson, and The Jungle Book (directed by Jon Favreau).

Keep your eyes peeled for more from these Disney reinventions, and in the meantime why not rediscover one of your favourite childhood films.

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