When Disney announced the production of a live-action remake of the beloved classic Bambi, a wave of reactions from the public soon followed.
Many expressed their weariness of the trend of reimagining childhood favorites rather than embracing new storytelling.
Following the lukewarm reception of the updated version of The Lion King, which left some feeling that the realistic portrayal of lions lacked the emotional depth of the original, the news of a modernized Bambi failed to ignite much excitement.
The recent developments surrounding the contemporary adaptation of Bambi have further fueled skepticism, particularly following comments from screenwriter Lindsey Anderson Beer.
She hinted that one of the film's most iconic and emotionally charged scenes may be toned down to make it less traumatic for young viewers:
“Not to spoil the plot, but there’s a treatment of the mom dying that I think some kids, some parents these days are more sensitive about than they were in the past.
She continued:
"And I think that’s one of the reasons that they haven’t shown it to their children.”
Lindsey Anderson Beer defended the decision to remake Bambi by pointing out that many of today's children have not experienced the classic film.
This is either due to its age, which may make it appear less appealing to contemporary audiences, or because of the emotionally distressing scene that left an indelible mark on previous generations.
While some parents may find relief in the idea of a less traumatic adaptation, a considerable number of people on X (formerly Twitter) expressed confusion.
@DiscussingFilm Disney about to ruin another classic movie— \ud835\udc13\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc23\ud835\udc22 \ud83c\udfaf (@\ud835\udc13\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc23\ud835\udc22 \ud83c\udfaf) 1695930189
@DiscussingFilm The bunny is going to be played by Awkwafina and do a rap battle— Ba Sing Se (@Ba Sing Se) 1695932417
@DiscussingFilm I wonder what this means"modernised retelling"?\n\nThey gonna change Bambi to be a moose instead?— Gordiart.eth\u2694\ufe0f (@Gordiart.eth\u2694\ufe0f) 1695929829
@DiscussingFilm \u201cModernized retelling\u201d this should be Disneys brand name now.— Mitch Stockton (@Mitch Stockton) 1695930934
@DiscussingFilm My childhood movie will not be remaked into a dumpster fire;\n\nMy childhood movie will not be remaked into a dumpster fire;\n\nMy childhood movie will not be remak-I NEED MORE COPIUM AND SCOTCH PLEASE!!!— GalloLord, actually just a wannabe Rooster (@GalloLord, actually just a wannabe Rooster) 1695947336
@DiscussingFilm Bambi gets revenge on his moms killer. \u2018Bambi: Forest Of BLOOD\u2019— Chainsaw Reacts (@Chainsaw Reacts) 1695930862
@DiscussingFilm "modernised retelling" Annnnd its already DOA.....\nWhen they say those 2 words you know its going to be absolute rubbish.— Lord Brian Urso, Lead Guitarist of Gideons Mob (@Lord Brian Urso, Lead Guitarist of Gideons Mob) 1695956083
@DiscussingFilm The original has remained relevant to generations of kids for nearly a hundred years because it conveys emotions powerfully without talking down to them.\n\nBut I can't WAIT for the powerful scene when Bambi and Thumper learn a TikTok dance!— Brooksie C. Fontaine (@Brooksie C. Fontaine) 1695935277
@DiscussingFilm A modernised Bambi? Pretty sure that story would still work today, just as it is? \ud83e\udd14— Paul-B Loves Movies (@Paul-B Loves Movies) 1695930213
@DiscussingFilm Nobody asked for this— Mathieu (@Mathieu) 1695943213
Beer remarked:
"The thing is, [Bambi] is such a gorgeous film. It's a little bit different tempo than I think modern audiences are used to."
It may be a different tempo, but it is the one audiences have danced to for decades.
