2019 is the year which belongs to Disney. Not only are they on the heels of the historic Star Wars saga coming to a close for the first time in nearly 45 years. But they’ve experienced victory in dethroning Avatar this past summer with Avengers: Endgame & now hold the record for the highest grossing film. They’ve had multiple films hit the coveted one-billion-dollar mark at the box office in Aladdin, The Lion King & Captain Marvel. No doubt that Frozen II and the aforementioned The Rise of Skywalker are that far behind. The house of mouse just launched their own streaming service with Disney+. And if all of that isn’t enough, they have also remade some of the biggest films in their arsenal with Dumbo, Aladdin, the Lion King and now,  Lady and The Tramp.

Lady is one of the launch titles with their streaming service. The film updates the 1955 classic to a modern audience and brings the canine romance movie into the live action arena. Lady tells the story of the posh puppy, Lady (Tessa Thompson), who befriends and kindles a romance with The Tramp (Justin Theroux). While canine portion of the film has a bit more strength than its human counterpart – its’ not saying much. The first act builds up its leading canines fairly well. Splitting its time between the posh lifestyle of Lady. Lady comes from a loving home who is housed by Jim Dear (Thomas Mann) & Darling (Kiersey Clemons). Along the way, we’re introduced to the villainous Aunt Sarah (Yvette Nicole Brown) & Elliot the Dog Catcher (Adrian Martinez). While the film as a whole has a timeless charm to it. That charm quickly runs out for his human counterparts, however. Mann, Clemons, Brown and Martinez, while all equal leads, feel like a caricature of 1930’s Hollywood. The acting is terribly over the top as it clashes with the tone, the movie is aiming to establish.

While its’ house of mouse brother in The Lion King fell largely short due to its lack of emotional response, Lady is slightly a step up. Pursuing the realism of actual dogs, the filmmakers crush the attention with their canine stars. In the mastery of detail, Lady is successful at crafting its emotional backbone. Not just the romantic aspect but its deep themes of identity and depression. While the filmmakers and animators are responsible, in large part, for the emotional foundation of Lady – its equally its voice cast as well. Thompson and Theroux equally deliver charming and deeply satisfying performances of the star dogs.

Overall, Lady and the Tramp (2019), is a mixed breed, to say the least. Its human counterparts in Thomas Mann, Kiersey Clemons, Yvette Nicole Brown & Adrian Martinez feel lackluster. Their performances are consistently challenging the tone of the movie as every performance feels over the top. Though, the animation of the film in its canine stars is magnificent. Lady succeeds where its house of mouse brother in The Lion King failed – successfully establishing emotion. These dogs know the tricks of charm, deep themes and a charming love story. Proving that Lady has some tricks up her sleeve. Its voice cast in Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux is equally to praise. Lady and the Tramp tries to be as posh as its star but ends up more like its stray.

RORSCHACH RATING

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