Part 7/11:
The Ethical and Industry Debate: Why Call It Live Action?
The core criticism centers around the terminology. Many wonder: if the movie is predominantly CGI, with backgrounds, characters, and even motion that resemble the animated version, what is truly “live”? Some compare it to The Lion King (2019), which was marketed as live-action but was entirely CGI.
This has sparked a larger debate about categorization in film awards and marketing. Is it merely a branding tactic to create excitement and capitalize on nostalgia? Or is this a genuine attempt to reinvent Disney classics for a new generation? The consensus leans toward the former, with critics suggesting that Disney’s strategy aims to maximize box office returns by reusing familiar properties with minimal innovation.