Lady and the Tramp has been a classic Disney animated movie for decades. It had two memorable songs and an iconic, romantic scene that has been replicated even in non-Disney films. Because the original animated feature was near perfection, I was a bit skeptical when Disney announced a live-action version for the Disney+ streaming service. Would it be worth making a new film based upon one that has captivated hearts for so long?
Let’s find out…
Let’s first examine the characters. Dogs can be adorable. Featuring dogs in a romantic relationship can take the cuteness to a new level. But, talking live-action dogs have sometimes not translated well in film. It’s often either a poor CG job, or it looks like poor dubbing to mouth movement.
In this film, the integration of computer-generated dogs to real-life scenes was amazing! Though the uncanny valley (our own natural detection of what is computer generated) did clue me in to which dogs were CGI, though it was still hard to tell. The computer animators did a wonderful job of recreating the twitches of dogs to blend the real with the animated.
Tessa Thompson expertly voiced Lady and gave her a naïveté while also a bit of attitude to counter Tramp’s wiles. The dog casting of Tramp threw me off at first with his darker tone than the animated movie, but Justin Theroux’s great take on voicing a dog with a past won me over in the end.
Theroux brought warmth when it was needed and kept that edge of street smarts when it was appropriate to the voice of Tramp. Janelle Monáe stole the show with her characterization of Peg, but more on her big song in a bit. Getting back to the others, Sam Elliott was the perfect casting for Trusty. It felt like old reliable, yet was a new take on the hound. He’s gruff, but with heart and sounds like a seasoned veteran. Jackie, a female version of the classic Jacque, is something I’m still getting used to, but not because of Ashley Jensen’s performance.
With the humans, Thomas Mann and Kersey Clemons embodied Jim Dear and Darling at the first scene. Having them from the very start helps ground the movie in the original as they have a very family feel performance. Yvette Nicole Brown as Aunt Sarah was a great casting choice. She is stern, but not uncaring. My favorite was Adrian Martinez as the dog catcher. Adrian Martinez delivered a comedic and menacing performance. He’s the perfect foil to Tramp, but an enjoyable one.
The songs and soundtrack were suitable renditions of the originals, with a couple of new additions thrown into the mix. The “Siamese Cat Song” was replaced along with the cats actually being Siamese. But we don’t need or want this film to be a take by take replacement of the original. The new song makes a worthy effort, though not as memorable as the classic tune. What stands out is “Bella Notte” and “He’s a Tramp.” Fans can rest easy with the beloved romantic ballads, as they retain the flavor of the original while bringing a slightly updated flair. I especially enjoyed “He’s a Tramp” with a jazzy update. It flowed well with a show-stopping performance featuring the great talent of Monáe. It was, however, the one scene where the CGI of the dogs was glaring to me. But, the song makes up for it. The movie brings homages to the original soundtrack with pieces that are lifted from the animated film.
The live-action update also sets the story in a different place than the original film. It’s in the Southern United States this time around, but allows for a deeper characterization. The new setting also allows for a diverse cast with a wider range of music. The sets and costumes are much more lavish and have a nostalgic Americana to it. There’s optimism in the way this town is being portrayed that copies the old production in a fresh way. I thought having this new American place also helps set it apart from the original as well.
As for the story, though I love the animated film and have grown up watching it several times, I will admit that it felt episodic to me. The live-action version felt much more coherent and expanded on story elements that felt too vague in the original. That’s not saying that I had huge problems with the original, but I had always wanted to know more about the story of Tramp, and more interaction between Lady and her family. The new film offers not quite as big of a jump from the posh Lady liking the brash Tramp. This film expands on those elements, though not in a way that causes moans for taking poetic license. It all fits very well.
Walt Disney based his animated film on a short story in a magazine. This Disney+ film expands on a classic animated tale in the same way the animated expanded on a short tale. It isn’t trying to be a carbon copy of the cartoon and does a great job at setting itself apart from more than some of the other live-action films of late. This is an endearing and quality film that surprised me. So, was it worth making a live-action update? Yes, it was! For dog lovers, for classic Disney movie lovers, and even new fans this is a movie that is going to captivate hearts with a classic tale all over again!
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Are you looking forward to “Lady and the Tramp,” a re-telling of the classic animated movie? Have you subscribed or will you be subscribing to the Disney+ streaming service? Let us know in the comments!
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