5 Live-Action Adaptations With 80% & Higher RT Scores to Watch After 'How to Train Your Dragon'
Although remakes of animated movies often evoke mixed emotions, these five lived up to expectations.
One of the most highly anticipated live-action adaptations in recent years, How to Train Your Dragon, finally hit theaters on June 13. The movie follows the original almost exactly and has already become a hit, receiving 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
We decided to look back at other successful adaptations of animated projects that received approval from fans of the original.
1. 'Cinderella', 2015
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
Even after ten years, Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella remains the gold standard for live-action Disney remakes. The movie evokes nostalgia for the classic fairy tale while offering the depth of a costume drama.
Lily James portrays Cinderella not as a two-dimensional princess, but as a strong character. Richard Madden's portrayal of the prince gives him independence. Cate Blanchett's performance as the stepmother is just brilliant, as she shines in every scene, overshadowing the rest of the cast.
2. 'The Jungle Book', 2016
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Can a remake be better than the original? Jon Favreau's live-action remake of The Jungle Book, with its innovative use of motion capture and computer animation, can easily compete with the original animation.
The 2016 movie is noticeably more dramatic than the original and darker – several characters die along the way, which may scare some younger viewers.
This is worth considering when deciding whether to watch The Jungle Book with your children. However, Favreau deserves praise for leading the film in the right direction and bringing it closer to the tone of Kipling's original work.
3. 'Blade of the Immortal', 2017
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
In 2017, the renowned Japanese director Takashi Miike directed Blade of the Immortal, which is based on the manga of the same name and also has an anime adaptation. It tells the story of the ronin Manji whose body is inhabited by bloodworms that prevent him from dying.
Rin Asano, the daughter of a dojo owner killed by the Itto-ryu school member, asks Manji for help. The girl is the spitting image of Manji's deceased sister and dreams of revenge.
In his signature style, Miike embodies spectacular, fast-paced, and brutal fights, providing them with a fascinating plot that will hold your attention throughout the entire movie.
4. 'Pete's Dragon', 2016
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
Pete's Dragon is a remake of the 1977 movie of the same name. However, the live-action remake differs so greatly from the original in terms of plot, style, characters, and even genre that the two films have almost nothing in common.
However, this is actually an advantage of the remake – taking only the skeleton of the original story as a basis, the creators built their own touching, heartwarming world that you'll want to revisit.
5. 'Rurouni Kenshin', 2012
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
Many viewers remember the anime Rurouni Kenshin, which tells about the swordsman Himura Kenshin who rejects his bloody past. He wields an unusual katana, symbolizing his commitment to a peaceful path and his refusal to perpetuate violence.
Before its release, the adaptation caused concern among many fans who thought the creators might try to capitalize on the popularity of the manga and anime. However, everything turned out differently.
Not only did Keishi Otomo's movie successfully adapt the first part of the manga, it also did a good job with the fight choreography and characters.
