You can say many people are probably getting sick of Disney reimagining their old school movies, but you can also say that about talking dog movies since those are becoming a tired trend in Hollywood. Lady and the Tramp is both of them for our pleasure. Being that this is one of the first original movies headlining Disney+, the studio’s much-expected streaming service, there could be some delight things to enjoy about this.
What’s the Story: Lady (voiced by Tessa Thompson) is a pampered Cocker Spaniel house dog that feels like she’s the center of her owners’ world, that is until the young couple Jim Dear (Thomas Mann) and Darling (Kiersey Clemons) welcome a new baby in the family. Tramp (voiced by Justin Theroux) is a fast-talking stray. As the two of them meet, they embark on an unexpected adventure and, despite their differences, grow closer and come to understand the value of home.
The 1955 original is well-known as being one of the many classic animated Disney to come out, and it’s one of the greatest love stories. I can recall if I’ve ever watched it when I was little, but I remembered watching the unwanted direct-to-video sequel that didn’t keep its magic. With that coming out, I know it will probably be cute and all, but I didn’t know how to feel about a live-action version of a movie that’s the main characters are lovable dogs. Though be unimpressed the past releases for the remakes of Dumbo, Aladdin, and The Lion King, it turns out this remake of Lady and the Tramp wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
Even though it goes through a few differences in the story, writers Andrew Bujalski (Support the Girls) and Kari Granlund does a fairly good job of not devolving away too much from what the original story was all about. You’re there to watch two adorable dogs walkabout along the town and realize that they might all for each other, and this is the type of Disney movie that director Charlie Bean (The Lego Ninjago Movie) doesn’t make certain scenes over-the-top and turn into something ridiculous. Maybe that’s because this remake didn’t cost over $100 million to make.
This unexpected journey explores what’s it like to live freely outside of the fences and take out to experience life with someone daring to share it with. Because of the familiarity with original, I feel Lady and the Tramp brings a more developed tale of romance between dogs with stand out in different classes. And if you’re wondering if they re-created the iconic spaghetti dinner scene, it’s there, and it worked. But man, watching this made me love dogs a lot than I did before. I would want to adopt a dog like Tramp. No kidding.
The voice cast is pretty solid. I enjoyed Thompson and Theroux’s work as the titular dogs more than I originally thought when I hear they were in this. Both of them are very good actors that lent themselves with ease as these voices. Better yet, this movie made me care about these two characters due to them having this likable chemistry between them. Never thought I would ever say dogs have good chemistry, but I bought it with no questions about it.
You got Sam Elliott as Trusty, the Bloodhound with his own sense of smell, Ashley Jensen throws in her Scottish traits to voice Jock, the Scottish Terrier, Benedict Wong as Bull, a bulldog, and Janelle Monáe as Peg, the Pekingese. But on a serious note, if I want a Bloodhound, I want one if it has the voice of Elliot. Am I the only one who thinks that’s amazing. Also, special props to the animal trainers that had to make sure the dogs are stayed in place and keeping the dogs safe while filming.
The moments of comedy did its job by making me laugh a few times that I didn’t think I was going to in the first place. Also, Joseph Trapanese’s music was much-needed attention for a sound that’s appropriate for the period it’s set in.
Like many of the remakes that have come out recently, there’s are some new scenes to be included. One of which is a new scene that’s the same as the Siamese Cats part, but, of course, didn’t have an offensive song like in the classic Disney movie. Did it bother me that it stayed true to the original? Since it’s been a long time viewing it, not really.
When it comes down to the problems, the CGI can be seen as a mixed bag. That was an aspect that looked questionable from the trailers. It took a while to get used to Lady and Tramp talking but then became a little better as the story continued. Though other times it’s distracting with the other animals, and it took me out occasionally. Other than that, I also felt it ran a bit too long after thinking it was going to end at a certain point. But believe me when I say there’s more to like about this than say the 101 Dalmatians re-telling that nobody really remembers.
Out of the live-action Disney remakes that have come out this year, I believable Lady and the Tramp was the most enjoyable one by far. That’s not to say it’s great, but it’s safe to say that watching this wasn’t a waste of time. It might not add a lot new, but it’s an adorable love story that got charm. It’s definitely suited better for Disney+ rather than being released in theaters, which is safe move if you ask me. You got yourself a movie with cute dogs, so try it to see if it’s good enough to be family-friendly.
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