The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition DVD Press Release

[TheSequelOfDisney]

I know that it's kinda off topic, but Jodi Benson hasn't been casted yet in TLMIII, according to IMDb.com. I hope she's returning as Ariel. Maybe the film hasn't casted anyone yet?

[Pluto Region1]

It would be really great if you see it on theater because it's such a great movie. How come you've never watched it- I mean, with it's popularity and achievements? I assume that you're gonna love it!

If they play it at El Capitan, I'll be going to see it there, that's for sure! I've really enjoyed seeing what I could at the theater (Cars, Dumbo, L&T, Chicken Little)

I've never seen most of the Disney classic animation movies (unless seen as a little kid and I just don't remember). I've only become a Disney animation fan, and aware of the Disney animation being available on DVD, since discovering UD last fall. (And once again, a hearty thanks to UD and you forum members for the continuing education on Disney).

So now that I am a fan, I've not watched most of the classics (which I could rent) due to ongoing job/school time constraints. Sure there's times here or there were I could slip in a movie. I guess the answer is it hasn't been a high priority (there's always something more important that needs to be done) and trying to watch a DVD at say 9pm, after a 12 or 14-hour work day, is not what I would call optimal. One of these days (hopefully) I'll watch them when I can truly enjoy them and not feel rushed or guilty because I should be doing something more important. BTW, I've been busy buying Disney DVDs since last fall, but they sit here unopened. Of all the Disney animation thus far, this is what I've sat down to watch at home: Monsters, Incredibles, Nemo, Bambi, Snow White, Brother Bear, Mulan I and II. As you can see, it's just a small handful and I've got a long way to go!

Yes, exactly. I was talking about very specific frames where some part of the background seems a bit rushed and I also gave examples.
Also, it's almost unoticeable for casual viewers but I just watched this film about a gazillion times in my lifetime so I was able to spot these. Character animation in the film is more than perfect IMO.

Ok, well as MerXAN pointed out, it is possible that those scenes that appear to be "unfinished" or "rushed" perhaps were done that way intentionally since it was taking place under water. Were any out of water "land" scenes showing similar muddiness? Then again, how will we ever know?. Unless when they did the prep work for the IMAX screening, they were intentionally fixing stuff like what you've point out.... Does anyone know what exactly was fixed when they did the IMAX work? This might prove your point if they were going in and cleaning up backgrounds.

[Drawken]

This is a bit on the topic of unfinished animation.
The first thing I noticed when watching TLM, about two days ago, is how off-model Ariel looks when she sings to Eric on shore, she has ALWAYS looked weird to me, even when I was a kid. It might be considered disrespectful to some, but I personally would like them to fix it so she looks more like herself.
I thought everything else in the movie was great, until I got to the wedding scene on the boat.
The thing I noticed the most was how empty the boat was. One is when scuttle and the rest are diving toward the boat, no Vanessa, no Eric, no Priest, no guests. When Sebastian is running from the cook all over the boat, no one. When Tritan lifts himself out of the water to kiss Ariel, again there is no one in sight. I'm hoping they will fill in the emptiness.
There are also two instances, One, Ariel and Eric are in the rowboat going into the lagoon, and Two, the wedding boat going out to sea. Both are just static pictures 'floating' along, no movement of the characters on board.
-----
I found nothing wrong with any of the backgrounds, though some were blurry and bare, as some said, I didn't see anything wrong with it. I personally wouldn't know what to fill the bareness with. It's the ocean, and the ocean IS water, which is a huge mass of blues and black, so that's what I expect to see.
-----
This is the ONLY gift box I would have bought, and they aren't making one. That's sad. It's Disney's loss. Little Mermaid has always been more special to me than any of the other movies, BATB coming in second, which didn't get a giftbox either. Go figure.
-----
I can't wait 'til October to see it in the proper perspective and see the restoration.

[Disney Duster]

Well, I've been working on these for a while, but now I can finally show you what I would change to The Little Mermaid Platinum Edition Cover:


As you can see, I changed the ship in the top right to Prince Eric's palace. I also put Ariel a little more in the center, since I found her too far to the right. Then, I lessoned the clutter on the bottom by removing King Triton, since he isn't that huge a character in the movie. I also gave Ursula a change in pose!


Later, I thought that Ursula was too small and didn't take up enough space, so I put her original artwork in, only giving her a slightly different size and placement.

I'm proud of both of them, but I think I like the second one better. Either way, now it doesn't look like Flounder replaced Flotsam and Jetsam!

Anyone like them? Dislike them? Anyone's thoughts?

[crunkcourt]

Overall I'd be happy if this was the artwork for the DVD. I like the palace idea, but it looks like it's floating in the middle of the water, so maybe the ship would be better.

[Disneykid]

I really like the second one. Even though I absolutely love the official cover, the one problem I have with it isn't that I think the bottom is cluttered; it's that the bottom is unbalanced. On the official cover, you have Sebastian in the middle, Ursula on the left, Triton on the right, and then Flounder is squeezed in between Ursula and Sebastian. I think dropping Triton and putting Flounder in his place is the best solution. If Disney wants to keep all of those characters, then the other solution I have is for Flounder to be placed next to Triton and Flotsam and Jetsam next to Ursula. At least that way the cover wouldn't be skewing too far to the left like it currently does, but then the people who find it too cluttered already wouldn't like the addition of Flotsam and Jetsam...

Anyway, excellent job, Disney Duster! The castle in the background is a nice touch, and actually makes a bit more sense than the ship. If Ariel is in her Part of Your World Reprise pose, the ship is destroyed, and she's by Eric's castle instead.

[BATBfan1]

Overall I'd be happy if this was the artwork for the DVD. I like the palace idea, but it looks like it's floating in the middle of the water, so maybe the ship would be better.

Yes, I agree with you here but however the Castle does look nicer for some reason lol.

I LOVE the second one and I would also love for Disney to do it like that but here's to wishing lol.

[MerXAN]

Anyone like them? Dislike them? Anyone's thoughts?

I do like the castle but it does look like floating.

Why don't you put Triton at the back of Flounder? It would fill the huge space.

[Pasta67]

Great covers, Disney Duster! My favorite has to be the second one; the cover is much less cramped without Triton, and the castle is a much better way of representing "the world above" than the ship was. I always felt that Triton was more "back cover" material, and I actually like your cover better than Disney's. Great job!

[Enchantress]

Great covers, Disney Duster! My favorite has to be the second one; the cover is much less cramped without Triton, and the castle is a much better way of representing "the world above" than the ship was. I always felt that Triton was more "back cover" material, and I actually like your cover better than Disney's. Great job!

I agree with Pasta, I'd prefer the castle to the ship anyday, it has more meaning!

[Disney Duster]

THANK YOU everyone for your comments! You guys really know how to make someone happy and feel they did good work.

Disneykid, I absolutely see what you mean about the cover being unbalanced, and after MerXAN suggested I have King Triton behind flounder, I took a look at the official cover and I think I could work something out, even though some people also feel King Triton shouldn't be on the front, which I would with.

Also, I think I can do something about the floating castle.

So I might just make another post of covers using everyone's ideas, but only if I have the time and feel that it's worth it. I like doing it, and I think it's nice to see if people's ideas would be possible. If I can, I'll make another cover post...when I can. Of course, one of the reasons I like doing it because some people give me great feedback, like you guys, so thanks again!

Oh, and Pasta67, once again what you wrote in your signature is quite funny, but I must ask where you heard "Dat's a spicy meat 'a ball!" I've heard that before, and wondered if there was some show or movie it was from.

[crunkcourt]

I say keep the cover ideas coming. You might consider doing one for Cars since a lot of us aren't happy with the current cover they have.

[rodis]

How long before the actual release do we usually get the first review? I'm thinking about a month... Am I right? I can't wait... I want some screencaptures and now!

[Disneykid]

How long before the actual release do we usually get the first review? I'm thinking about a month... Am I right? I can't wait... I want some screencaptures and now!

Actually, later than that. I think we'll see the first review of the DVD about mid-September - two weeks before the DVD release. That's about when Disney releases their screener copies for reviewers, I believe.

[AwallaceUNC]

If they play it at El Capitan, I'll be going to see it there, that's for sure! I've really enjoyed seeing what I could at the theater (Cars, Dumbo, L&T, Chicken Little)

If you get a chance to go again by September, I really recommend checking out POTC:DMC. I just saw it at the El Capitan two nights ago and the show they put on for it is just amazing.

Disney Duster, as others have said, your 2nd cover is great and I also prefer it to the official one. The castle looks great there. Great idea.

-Aaron

[Luke]

If you get a chance to go again by September, I really recommend checking out POTC:DMC. I just saw it at the El Capitan two nights ago and the show they put on for it is just amazing.

Pluto already did see <i>Pirates</i> there and in grand fashion!

[AwallaceUNC]

Pluto already did see <i>Pirates</i> there and in grand fashion!

Oh duh! I remember seeing that but I was thinking it was in Disneyland for some reason. As I found out when I got to CA, the big blur that I thought the cities of CA to be was quite skewed!

-Aaron

[MerXAN]

Actually, later than that. I think we'll see the first review of the DVD about mid-September - two weeks before the DVD release. That's about when Disney releases their screener copies for reviewers, I believe.

Grrrrrrrr!!! Mid-September?!!!!! That's torture! It'll take that long? I'm sunk! I want it now!!!!:evil:

[2099net]

Oh Dear This is no Aladdin.

00:18:06:12 THE MAKING OF THE LITTLE MERMAID
00:00:42:07 DISC 2 PREVIEW
00:03:19:22 KISS THE GIRL - POP VIDEO
00:02:14:02 ORIGINAL THEATRICAL TRAILER
00:08:31:11 DELETED SCENE NO. 3 - POOR UNFORTUNATE SOULS
00:02:28:16 DELETED SCENE NO.1 - FATHOMS BELOW
00:02:57:00 DELETED SCENE NO.7 - SILENCE IS GOLDEN(AUDIO ONLY)
00:00:25:07 INTRO TO DELETED SCENES
00:00:31:13 MATCH GIRL INTRO
00:02:36:01 EARLY PRESENTATION REEL
00:01:03:24 EASTER EGG NO.1 - RON & JOHN DRAW EACH OTHER
00:06:19:23 THE LITTLE MATCHGIRL
00:08:38:24 STORM WARNING: THE LITTLE MERMAID SPECIAL EFFECTS UNIT
00:01:40:08 EASTER EGG NO.3 - LIVE ACTION
00:01:50:08 DELETED SCENE NO.4 - SEBASTIAN LOST IN THE CASTLE
00:06:51:09 DELETED SCENE NO.6 - FIGHT WITH URSULA
00:00:30:15 EASTER EGG NO.6 - THE SECRET MERMAID HANDSHAKE
00:01:41:23 DELETED SCENE NO.2 - BACKSTAGE WITH SEBASTIAN

That's 70 mins so far. But the "making of" seems trivial at 18 minutes, and I don't expect this to have many unrevealed featurettes attached.

[DisneyVillains]

If you look at the menus that were released a couple weeks ago, the one with "Tresures Untold" has a run time of 45:25 mins listed. I am not sure what the 18 min making of is referring to.