從童話文本到真人電影:分析迪士尼電影改編中人物角色轉向與社會文化意涵

Abstract

迪士尼作為當代動畫電影的領頭羊，透過改編傳統文學與童話文本，賦予童話角色形象，動畫補足了文字，創造出一個個家喻戶曉的IP，同時也定義了人們對文本中童話角色形象的想像。經過時代的更迭，人文背景與社會思想已然改變，傳統文本下產出的內容也受到了當代思潮的批判，因此迪士尼後期透過改變角色形象，加入現代思維，以新的文化描繪角度，讓膾炙人口的原創作品有新的改變。近代迪士尼更是將原創動畫電影逐漸改編為真人版，也因為選角、劇情的顛覆，常造成閱聽人的認知不協調，進一步造成觀影評價的反彈。本研究透過內容分析法，探究「迪士尼真人版重製電影」如何與過去之「迪士尼經典動畫電影」、以及「傳統童話文本」三者在敘事結構與角色形象上作對話與抗衡，分析其異同之處。其次分析迪士尼電影過去由傳統童話文本改編至動畫，到今由動畫改編至真人電影的人物角色形象的轉向過程，並透過理論的爬梳，觀察各時期的演變、轉折、改編內容與當代社會意涵之關聯性。研究發現，隨著時代變遷，迪士尼在角色設計上呈現出從單一族群向多元族裔的轉變，尤其在精靈等非人類角色中更為顯著，顯示其對全球化與文化多樣性的重視。此外，女性角色的塑造也經歷重大轉變，從早期的被動形象轉向具自主意識與多面性的角色，強調個人成長、領導力和社會責任，符合現代價值觀的需求。敘事結構上，迪士尼從傳統的「幸福結局」轉向更注重個體自我實現與多元價值，反映出當代社會對自由、平等與多樣性的認同。儘管如此，這些改編作品在文化再現與商業化策略上仍面臨文化帝國主義的挑戰，部分作品被視為市場操控的工具，並引發種族與文化的爭議。綜合而言，迪士尼的角色轉向不僅是視覺與敘事的改變，也揭示了其在全球化與文化敏感性間尋求平衡的商業策略與文化調整過程。

As the leader in contemporary animated films, Disney has redefined fairy tale characters by adapting traditional literature and fairy tales, filling in the gaps left by text with animation and creating iconic IPs that are widely recognized. These adaptations have also shaped how audiences envision these characters. Over time, as societal ideologies and cultural values have evolved, traditional texts have been critiqued, prompting Disney to modify these characters and introduce modern perspectives. More recently, Disney has adapted original animated films into live-action remakes, which, due to casting choices and narrative changes, have often led to cognitive dissonance among audiences, resulting in mixed reactions.This study employs content analysis to explore how"Disney live-action remakes" engage with and contrast against the "classic Disney animated films" and "traditional fairy tale texts" in terms of narrative structure and character design. The study also examines the evolution of character transformations from traditional fairy tales to animation, and more recently to live-action films, analyzing the changes, turning points, and their connection to contemporary societal values. The research finds that over time, Disney's character design has evolved from a homogeneous, predominantly white portrayal to a more diverse representation, especially in non-human characters like fairies, highlighting Disney’s commitment to globalization and cultural diversity. Additionally, female characters have undergone significant changes, shifting from passive figures to more autonomous and multi-dimensional characters, emphasizing personal growth, leadership, and social responsibility in line with modern values. In terms of narrative structure, Disney has moved from traditional"happily-ever-after" endings to focusing more on individual self-realization and diverse values, reflecting contemporary society's recognition of freedom, equality, and diversity. However, these adaptations still face challenges in cultural representation and commercialization strategies, with some works criticized as market-driven tools that spark debates over race and culture. Overall, Disney's character evolution reflects not only changes in visual style and narrative but also deep adjustments in its business strategy and cultural sensitivity, navigating the balance between globalization and cultural awareness.