Disney recently released two of its most talked-about films of the year: “Snow White,” a live-action remake of the 1937 animated classic, and “Captain America: Brave New World,” the latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Snow White” stars Rachel Zegler in the main role and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, offering a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale. Meanwhile, “Captain America: Brave New World” follows Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie, as he steps into the role of Captain America.

For many students, Disney was a major part of their childhood, whether through animated classics or action-packed Marvel movies. Disney has been known for creating beloved stories intended to stand the test of time. Today, the company’s magic is not quite the same with its changing stories, new characters, remakes and reboots.

“I think Disney should try to lessen the realism in their movies. Instead of trying to relate to children (like in ‘Turning Red’), Disney should focus on creating a beautiful fantasy world to get lost in. After all, most people watch movies as an escape and cartoons have the most room for creativity,” junior Anastasia Kostakos said. “Older Disney movies such as ‘Tinker Bell’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ evoke a sense of joy and wonder that children really need right now, and are unable to get because all the media they’re provided with is just the negativity from their own lives thrown back at them. I’m grateful that as a child, I was able to experience both movies that made me laugh and forget life (such as ‘Zootopia’) and movies that made me feel seen and heard (such as ‘Inside Out’).”

There has been a trend among Marvel fans who have found the post-Endgame era to be a hit-or-miss. While the franchise still draws in massive audiences, some feel that the magic of the earlier creations has faded. However, it seems “Brave New World” might have done just enough to bring back some excitement, at least for some.

“I have not seen ‘Snow White,’ but I did go to see ‘Captain America’ in theaters and can say I was pleasantly surprised. As a very big Marvel fan, I have been disappointed for quite some time in most of the movies since ‘Endgame’ and did not have very high hopes for this movie. I would not say it was one of the best in the franchise, but it was entertaining enough that I did not regret going to the theater,” math teacher Mr. Brusca said.

Disney, as a whole, has also seen its fair share of praise and criticism. Disney has been known to appeal to a large audience, from children and their parents to just adults and teenagers who enjoy some Disney magic. Although it can be argued that the company is relying too heavily on familiar franchises, others see it as a positive evolution of the franchise.

“Disney owns Marvel now, and that’s always a fun watch and I don’t mind reruns or remakes of shows and films. I like looking out for the differences, like between all the Spiderman shows. Plus I’d say there is some content on there for everyone to enjoy whether it’s action or comedy or something for little babies,” junior Jad Abkoush said.

As Disney redefines its legacy with each new release, audience members will likely continue to discuss their opinions of the company and its media.