The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition DVD Press Release

[271286]

A lot of people are telling the people who is complaining about the quality of the dvd to calm down - but wait til you actually get it yourself, there is a reason to all this fuss!

[darth_deetoo]

A lot of us already have the DVD and are over the moon with it!

[xxhplinkxx]

A lot of us already have the DVD and are over the moon with it!

Not Fair!!!

[darth_deetoo]

Going to watch it again tonight actually.

[Dottie]

Here's my deal with the whole subject of these "botched" restorations. Before I started reading these topics about amonth ago, when I would watch "Beauty and the Beast" and "Cinderella," two films that the majority agrees were given very faulty restorations, I never even noticed that colors had been tampered with. I grew up on these films, but what I pay attention to is the great characters and I get lost in the story. After reading all of the posts about "Cinderella" and seeing color comparison screen caps, I was upset... then I watched the film and still didn't notice it except for one scene when the clock strikes midnight and Cinderella's dress turns bright turquoise. lol. I understand that there are many people who notice these things right off the bat, but I'm either too distracted by the film itself or not attentive enough to notice these flaws. The people who notice these things should by all means complain to Disney, because I agree that these pieces of art (imo) should not be tampered with. Restore them and clean the film, but it's wrong to go in digitally and correct colors and make the film look like it was made yesterday. They always claim that the film "looks like it did when it opened," but I do agree that in recent years, they've gone too far. From the screen caps posted on this forum, I think the restoration looks really nice in terms of clearness and color, but I haven't seen it in motion so I really have no place to comment on it yet. I think that once the film comes out, the majority of us UDers, myself included, will watch it and be overwhelmed by the story. Then a percentage of us will start a topic about how bad the restoration is, cite examples, post screen cap comparisons, and then some of us will know exactly why some people are unsatisfied with the new restoration. But until that day comes, most of us haven't seen the PE restoration and thoughts are mixed with those who have. I guess it takes a critical eye to notice these things and most people don't have it.

Couldn't explain it better. Totally agree with you, especially with your last sentence That's what I meant by using the word "expert".

So having this PE of The Little Mermaid in my hands, I can assure you that you'll still enjoy the film with this restoration, just like you did with Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast

I so agree with you two!!! It's all about the movie, the story, the characters, and NOT about the picture!! I watched my old TLM VHS today, and I saw th difference between VHS quality and DVD quality, but after some minutes I didn't even see that anymore. I just enjoyed the movie, as I always have!!
And imo the restorations of BatB (my favorite movie of all time!!!) and Cinderella were simply stunning!!(Okay, even I saw the turquoise dress) Especially BatB looked sooooo good, and I've watched that movie at least 50 times both on VHS and DVD.
I don't have one of those eyes to see what is a good picture, an amazing picture, or an awful picture.
I own a copy of the old "Father of the bride" with Liz Taylor, and everyone was complaining about the picture quality, and when I finally got the DVD I was actually stunned how good it looked, even without a good restoration. It was all sahrp and clean.
I think it'll be the same with TLM: AGAIN no one who doesn't have much of a expertise will actually see any flaws. It'll be FINE !!!!!

[darth_deetoo]

Well bear in mind that one of these reviews was from someone who claimed the restoration on Star Wars and Indiana Jones had ruined those films. I've seen other reviewers who've had nothing but praise for the restorations of those films. It's all down to personal taste, but I just feel that it's become fashionable for alot of reviewers to criticise anything that either Disney or Lucasfilm do these days, and it's starting to wear very thin.

[BATBfan1]

Well, I can't really say anything about the DVD because I don't have it lol.
But from what I can see from the screencaps the PE DVD looks a lot better than the LE.
Anything that is better than that is a plus to me.

And also, I would rather have BATB look like TLM does for the PE DVD than it does now!

[jeremy88]

yeah I think in my opinion its the overall movie, characters, story, music that make The Little Mermaid one of Disney's top animated films not the picture or sound quality. I mean I like the new restoration I think its way better then the LI one. Yeah I kinda get annoyed when the edit something or change a scene, but its not even notciable because they weren't noticable in the first place. Everyones a critique though so I guess you can't please everyone. I'll enjoy this DVD release even its the worst of the Platinum Editions(ALTHOUGH THEY COULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB WITH THE LION KING! AND NOT LIE ABOUT THAT SO CALLED "ORIGINAL THEATRICAL PRESENTATION!") After saying that I guess I am a stickler on originality but yeah my point is that if you don't like the new transfer then cool I see where your coming from, if you do then great I LIKE IT TOO!

[271286]

I think its funny that Disney removed the priest's phallos, when they've always denyed it was there... Thats pathetic...

[Kyle]

here's the thing: when people review dvds they have to review every single aspect of the dvd. the movie (characters, story etc) is usually kept separate from other categories. the main areas they review are the movie, The video, the audio, and the Extras. if there are any flaws at all, even flaws that most of you wouldn't notice, they still should mention them. of course, weather or not the flaws amount to anything depends on the reviewer. but in general, anyone who looks closely enough should be able to see flaws in a restoration. in animation, if you enjoy the artwork like you say you do, I don't see why you wouldn't want the best possible picture quality you could get.

[jeremy88]

for me personally I love animation not becuase of the picture quality it comes out in but the skill it took to make it..as in the pencil drawings and paint that make animation, not so much the quality it will come out in because the picture quality wont have anything to do with the animation and the skill it took to make it.

[darth_deetoo]

Well, I think most fans of the movie will be very pleased with this DVD. I've had it since Thursday, and I've gone through almost all of the extra's, listened to the commentary, and watched the movie twice now. Absolutely love The Little Mermaid.

[MMackenzie]

for me personally I love animation not becuase of the picture quality it comes out in but the skill it took to make it..as in the pencil drawings and paint that make animation, not so much the quality it will come out in because the picture quality wont have nothing to do with the animation and the skill it took to make it.

I love animation because of these things too, and it's precisely because the pencil lines are disappearing and ghosting and whatnot that I'm so disappointed with this transfer! The picture quality has everything to do with how good the animation itself will look.

[goofystitch]

Box Office Mojo has a new article about the El Capitan premier.

Burbank, California—The Little Mermaid's premiere at Disney's El Capitan Theatre was tops. Opening nights for these animated feature limited engagements are typically well done, and Disney again treated guests to a stimulating cast and crew discussion before the movie—which becomes available on a new DVD next week—but this time they hit a grand slam.

The panel, moderated by Beauty and the Beast and The Hunchback of Notre Dame producer Don Hahn, incorporated several DVD features, which were excerpted on the screen above the stage. The audience, filled with fans, families, and studio brass, included Roy E. Disney, son of company founder Roy O. Disney and nephew to Walt Disney. He looked very pleased to be among authentic animation admirers.

Key creators seated on stage included composer Alan Menken, co-directors John Musker and Ron Clements, singer Jodi Benson (who provided Ariel's voice), Ariel's lead animation artist Glen Keane and Sherri Stoner, who modeled for Ariel's movements. Hahn was a fine host, preparing fans for the rare opportunity to see a classic on the big screen while stoking the backstories.

Musker and Clements talked about Hans Christian Andersen's story—the mermaid dies in the original—Menken commented on the music and Keane gave an interesting take on the development of Ariel's look and movements and how somebody made a blonde Ariel doll that's still out there somewhere. They paid tribute to the late Howard Ashman, who produced the movie and co-wrote the songs, and the event definitely recalled late 1980s Disney, when The Little Mermaid's success put feature animation back on track.

Jodi Benson, voice of Ariel, performs
As the panel left the stage, Hahn introduced a surprise rendition of "Part of Your World" by Jodi Benson, accompanied on piano by Alan Menken, who also composed Beauty and the Beast, and Ariel's voice is still clear as a bell. As the lights faded for the movie, there was a hushed, palpable excitement, with a lone child calling out: "Ariel!" in anticipation.

Afterwards, the crowd moved next door to Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store, where they lapped up the exclusive Little Mermaid cotton candy ice cream sundae and collector's pin. The Flounder plush and remastered soundtrack quickly sold out and the two-week engagement, which ended on Sunday, gave The Little Mermaid the fabulous first pitch it deserved.

If you follow this link to the site, there are a few pictures to be seen.
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/features/?id=2165&p=.htm

[jeremy88]

for me personally I love animation not becuase of the picture quality it comes out in but the skill it took to make it..as in the pencil drawings and paint that make animation, not so much the quality it will come out in because the picture quality wont have nothing to do with the animation and the skill it took to make it.

I love animation because of these things too, and it's precisely because the pencil lines are disappearing and ghosting and whatnot that I'm so disappointed with this transfer! The picture quality has everything to do with how good the animation itself will look.

thats kind of annoying to know that pencil lines are ghosting away. But my point was that the picture quality allows you to see the animation better, but I still appreciate the work that it took to make that animation(like character movements, coloring that kinda thing) and those things are still very visible in the film itself otherwise there wouldnt be anything to see. Bottom line is that, its the same movie people spent time on to make animation, wheather it be grainy noisy or crystal clear I like it anyway.

[Kyle]

for me personally I love animation not becuase of the picture quality it comes out in but the skill it took to make it..as in the pencil drawings and paint that make animation, not so much the quality it will come out in because the picture quality wont have nothing to do with the animation and the skill it took to make it.

I love animation because of these things too, and it's precisely because the pencil lines are disappearing and ghosting and whatnot that I'm so disappointed with this transfer! The picture quality has everything to do with how good the animation itself will look.

exactly. its harder to enjoy the work put into the animation when the restoration isn't what it could have been. (not that I'm judging this dvd yet, just saying as a general rule of thumb)

EDIT: are we still expecting the UD review to be posted today? or will we have to wait another day er so? just curious.

[Jordan]

I've just watched the entire movie again, and still think the picture looks amazing and the restoration top-notch!!

I didn't even notice the disapearing pencil lines even trying to cencentrate and focus more on the picture quality that on the movie itself. Geez, I guess I must really be blind then, just like 90% of the people who will watch this DVD

Again, I'm not saying that changing and restoring badly a movie is good, I'm just saying that, it's not noticeable for most DVD watchers (in The Little Mermaid anyway).

[271286]

I've just watched the entire movie again, and still think the picture looks amazing and the restoration top-notch!!

I didn't even notice the disapearing pencil lines even trying to cencentrate and focus more on the picture quality that on the movie itself. Geez, I guess I must really be blind then, just like 90% of the people who will watch this DVD

Again, I'm not saying that changing and restoring badly a movie is good, I'm just saying that, it's not noticeable for most DVD watchers (in The Little Mermaid anyway).

Are you *** kidding me?! I watched it too but on my notebook, and it's so unbelievably grainy...

[BATBfan1]

I've just watched the entire movie again, and still think the picture looks amazing and the restoration top-notch!!

I didn't even notice the disapearing pencil lines even trying to cencentrate and focus more on the picture quality that on the movie itself. Geez, I guess I must really be blind then, just like 90% of the people who will watch this DVD

Again, I'm not saying that changing and restoring badly a movie is good, I'm just saying that, it's not noticeable for most DVD watchers (in The Little Mermaid anyway).

Are you *** kidding me?! I watched it too but on my notebook, and it's so unbelievably grainy...

OHHH NOOO, please don't tell me it's still grainy!!!! Please don't let it be like Dumbo!

[271286]

Are you *** kidding me?! I watched it too but on my notebook, and it's so unbelievably grainy...

OHHH NOOO, please don't tell me it's still grainy!!!! Please don't let it be like Dumbo!

I dont know how it looks on a LCD TV but i'm assuming it must be pretty much like when watching it on a lcd computerscreen.... and when I watched it on my notebook there was DEFINATELY A LOT of grain... I dont have the LE so I cant compare but this is not what I would expect of a so-called Platinum Edition - also having in mind that the movie is only from 1989... Regardless of what people think of the restoration on Cinderella - It doesnt have ANY grain... If its possible to make a movie from the 50's look that smooth it should not be that difficult to do it with a movie from the late 80's!