PatrickvD wrote:a re-tooling never hurt The Jungle Book, The Emperor's New Groove or Ratatouille. And I don't hear anyone complaining about the changes being made to Rapunzel since Lasseter took over.
And exactly WHAT do we know about Chris Sanders' version of this film.
And exactly WHAT do we know about the pre-retooled versions of the movies you mentioned? Who exactly decided what did and didn't work?
Lots of films were retooled - even Disney animation alone you've missed out Pocahontas, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast (remember, that was to be live action at one point).
For all we know it was an extremely troubled project. Keep in mind Sanders co-directed Lilo, he didn't do it alone. For all we know he was having the same kind of story problems Glen Keane was having and wasn't willing to give in to Lasseter's demands. Much like Pinkava couldn't work out problems with Ratatouille.
Also, the current director was assigned for a reason. The Pixar people were impressed with the work that Williams did on his animated short. this way of working with new directors has only failed Pixar once (Ratatouille)
Having story problems, but unwilling to accept help? Well, logically it doesn't seem particularly correct does it? Most people welcome ideas - even if they don't act on them directly, because suggestions normally get creative wheels turning.
Or it had a reputation for "problems" because Sanders simply ignored requests from studio heads designed to sell more toys or whatever. That's not unlikely being as Sanders was left to his own devices making Lilo and Stitch. I believe the creators OVERRULLED Disney Marketing's wishes with their Lilo and Stitch teaser trailers. So its all the more ironic that they managed to create the most recognisable and merchandised character from WDFA in the past 10 years on their own.
And if they were genuine "story problems" why outright reject help? Unless Lasseter's "help" was (in Sanders' mind) a total betrayal of his original concept.
Either way, no matter which side you butter the bread, it appears the vision of one Disney's most original creators over the past 20+ years has been "flushed away". People who expect eccentric, challenging and exciting films should feel betrayed, and I believe justified in their mourning. Because from the outside looking in, it appears the "retooling" has simply made the film more generic.
i might see it if you're saying it's not another film about fart\burp jokes like Madagscar or Flushed Away.
