The Little Mermaid (Live-Action)

[D82]

‘The Little Mermaid’ First Reactions Praise Halle Bailey’s ‘Astonishing’ Ariel, Question if Remake Lives Up to Animated Original
https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the- ... 235603461/

[Marce82]

Hey D82...

How did you get a ticket to the preview???

Do you live in the LA area as well?

[D82]

I wish I had gotten a ticket, Marce82, but no, I found that photo on Twitter. I put the link below it. I live in Spain. I've never even been to the USA.

[Marce82]

Ah, bueno... pense que era una foto tuya.

No worries! Very cool that you keep up with this stuff so much.

I refuse to pay to see this movie in theaters... but I would go to a free screening hahaha

[Sotiris]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned already, but according to someone who read the novelization, there's no wedding for Ariel and Eric. The movie ends with them going on a sea voyage together; not even a honeymoon trip.

[Disney Duster]

I agree Ursula forbidding Ariel to cheat is unnecessary. I only thought it would've been an easy way of fixing that "plot hole" if they really wanted to do that. She having a different alphabet or simply not knowing how to write doesn't totally solve it. After all, writing is not the only method she could use to communicate. There's also pantomime, which you mentioned, drawing, etc. Anyway, if she had been able to tell Eric the truth, would he have believed she was a mermaid and had exchanged her voice for legs? And if he did, wouldn't it be more difficult for him to fall in love with her and give her a true love's kiss with the pressure of knowing all that?

But what you said made me realize something I think I'd never thought about before. I've always been under the impression Ursula can know what Ariel is doing all the time, but can she really see what she's doing when she's on land? She always uses Flotsam and Jetsam to spy on her and they can't leave the ocean. When Ursula sees Ariel and Eric are about to kiss, it's because they're at sea on a boat. I guess she thinks what Ariel has to do to stay human forever is impossible to accomplish and she doesn't need to monitor her.

Marce82, that's something I've wondered too. I guess the only thing Ariel doesn't remember is the part of the deal about her having to be kissed by Eric. She probably does think Ursula has turned her human forever in exchange of her voice. Sebastian, Flounder and Scuttle still know about the deal, though, as does the audience, so there'll still be some tension, but I think it could potentially reduce it. We'll see. I think it depends on how it's done.

Oh, yes, you have good points there, D82, and Marce82.

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned already, but according to someone who read the novelization, there's no wedding for Ariel and Eric. The movie ends with them going on a sea voyage together; not even a honeymoon trip.

That's right, kids! marriage to handsome princes is evil and only done by sea witches. Going with an unmarried guy you're attracted to on a boat for days, that's feminist and empowering!

[UmbrellaFish]

I’m just going to point out that the Renaissance films themselves were a response to criticism of the wedding scene in TLM. In the 34 years of Disney animation since the release of TLM, the only princess we see getting married at the end of her movie is Tiana and only because the narrative of that story demands Tiana and Naveen marry to break a spell.

[Prince Kido]

Just attended a press screening in Paris in original version and I was pleasantly surprised as the film is so adorable, moving and a real enchantement overall. We are on embargo until May 22th but we are allowed to express our feeling / impression (sorry for my rusty english) on social networks. I must say that I'm a fan of Animation and that despite I saw most of all the live adaptations from Disney, I didn't expect much for the Little Mermaid because the animated feature was a turn in my life and I don't like the Live versions.
But I stayed opened and it worked! It's not a perfect movie of course (which movie is?) but now I get why Halle Bailey was chosen. I can't say more but I really enjoyed it and it completes the animated version in fact. ^^

[Farerb]

Thank you, Prince Kido, I always enjoy reading your thoughts .

[PatchofBlue]

The reactions appear to be similar in tone to what we got for the Aladdin remake, which bodes well for me since that is one of like 3 1/2 remakes I've actually enjoyed.

Even for the more lukewarm reactions, seeing them measure it against the animated "masterpiece" is so gratifying. However good or bad this remake ends up being, if it helps remind the public how the 1989 film really is a treasure of storytelling, I can walk away happy.

Anyways, it's kind of weird to think that after all this waiting and speculating, we're almost there. This film has been such a long time coming. We're coming on nearly 4 years since Halle Bailey's casting was announced, but let's face it, ever since it became clear that Disney was remaking their entire catalogue, we've all been wondering what it would be like when the other shoe fell and they got around to this one.

While I know there are still a few animated films we haven't hit yet (Snow White, and like two others ...) this does kind of feel like the culmination of the entire remake parade. Like the last ten or so years of remaking the old films have been leading up to whatever it is they're going to do here with "Mermaid," and we're only a few weeks from finding out.

Don't mind me getting existential over here ...

EDIT: I mean, I guess with "Moana" joining the remake train, that does open up some more possibilities for future remakes, I guess. But it still feels like the end of a certain kind of Disney remake.

[Disney's Divinity]

Yes, I am looking forward to this one being over finally, great to know it's less than a month now. Like the PP+W thread, most discussion around these lasts a couple of weeks at best before petering out.

I had been looking forward to a TLM remake since around 2016. It was an interesting idea. I think it would've turned out better if it had been made during the 2017-20 area. Personally, I think remakes for Tangled, Moana, and BH6 could be better than the originals. TP&TF is the only remake I'm kind of looking forward to now. I think they'd screw Frozen up just like they did Mulan and TLM. Although, IDK, they're tightly controlled with that property going by its appearances on OUAT and in Kingdom Hearts 3, so maybe a remake of it would turn out to be one of the faithful ones because of it.

[Farerb]

Under the Sea clip:
https://youtu.be/FIT1hJW85K4

[UmbrellaFish]

Under the Sea clip:
https://youtu.be/FIT1hJW85K4

I’ll say this much for them, Sebastian is not that creepy looking design-wise. I would listen to that crab advocate for the benefits of an underwater lifestyle. Daveed Diggs’ Jefferson has always been a highlight of the Hamilton OBC for me, and he sounds like he has comfortably settled into Sam E Wright’s… claws? Side note, but how sad is it that so much of the original TLM cast has passed on?

I think Disney clearly has a lot of confidence in this. All the merch, all the early screenings, all the advertisements (I saw ads during the Drag Race finale and Met Gala Red Carpet). I think it will be a joy to watch… I expect missteps, I expect it to be imperfect like all the other remakes. But the cast looks very good, the music sounds like it’s been treated with respect. It will be a nice addition to the legacy started in 1989.

[Disney's Divinity]

Says Video Not Available for me.

Personally, I'm surprised how few commercials I've seen. I only saw one two weeks back during an ABC show (it was the one where Ursula has the trident in Ariel's face and McCarthy looks fairly pretty in the "You belong...to me" close-up I had commented on). Thing is, I watch 3 or 4 ABC shows and haven't seen an ad since that, much less on other networks, which is weird since it would be free advertising on ABC. All I could think is they're saving their budget for the week of release.

[Kyle]

https://twitter.com/DiscussingFilm/stat ... %2Fpage-39

[Disney Duster]

I’m just going to point out that the Renaissance films themselves were a response to criticism of the wedding scene in TLM. In the 34 years of Disney animation since the release of TLM, the only princess we see getting married at the end of her movie is Tiana and only because the narrative of that story demands Tiana and Naveen marry to break a spell.

They said in the Aladdin commentary Aladdin and Jasmine are suggested to be married by their clothing in the ending scene. Also, like, so what if other Disney films didn't have them get married? Ariel getting married to Eric is supposed to be the antidote to Ursula trying to marry him.

[Marce82]

Well, married or not, as long as the end implies they remain happily together, that is good enough for me! That change doesn't bother me.

So I watched that clip of Under The Sea... and for those who might think I am resistant to changes or new versions, or just a hater... I actually like Daveed Diggs' interpretation of the song! (I also thought he was a strong performer on Hamilton).
But I admit I have issues with the visuals in that clip:

- that is a CGI Halle Bailey half the time, not a real person (you can tell just by watching!).
- The hair movement isn't right at times: it doesn't account for the volume of her skull, plus the volume of the hair itself. Other times it doesn't move in a natural way (same with the POYW clip released). Any of us who have been under water with a person with long hair know how hair moves underwater...
- The camera won't f-ing stop moving... which is some stupid thing Cameron did with Avatar, which makes everything look more fake/like a videogame, in my opinion.
- Surprisingly, Sebastian mostly works... the design is hideous, but the animation kinda helps.

And I know people have complained that certain clips look too dark... this one looks too bright! Like the ocean floor is super close to the surface (for so much sunlight to come through)... why does it make me think of a shampoo commercial??? Anyone else?

[D82]

• A 2-disc Deluxe Edition soundtrack is available to pre-order in Japan! It'll be released there on June 9. The tracklist hasn't been revealed yet. I hope it's released in other countries as well.


• "Under the Sea" side-by-side comparison video.

I thought I wouldn't like it, but I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised by Daveed Diggs' version too. I like that he sings some parts a bit differently and made the song his own. The new version of "Kiss the Girl" is not bad either, in my opinion. And I agree Sebastian looks better in motion, Marce82.


• Speaking of Sebastian, according to Daveed Diggs it was Alan Menken's idea to have Ariel sing in "Under the Sea":

Diggs, a Tony winner for his role in Broadway’s Hamilton, sings the iconic tune “Under the Sea” in the remake. “It was terrifying at first,” he said. “The scary part was when Halle came in and sang just a couple of bars. Then [composer] Alan Menken sort of decided on the fly that she should do that in the recording. So I’m recording the song and he goes, “Halle, you should come in and do this.’ I didn’t want to do it next to her—she’s phenomenal. We ended up singing ‘Under the Sea’ together.”

Source: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/20 ... y-premiere


• According to people who saw the film yesterday, the "Poor Unfortunate Souls" reprise is not in the movie. Vanessa just hums the song in that scene.


• New promo and digital billboard ads:

https://twitter.com/sweetestdolls/statu ... 7711662080
https://twitter.com/worldagainstjos/sta ... 9133426689


• Photos and more videos from the premiere:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGX-tLTN2lk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwqP1tJVZVA


• Some new articles:

Daveed Diggs: It's Important Kids 'Of All Ethnicities' See Halle Bailey in 'Little Mermaid' (Exclusive)
Jacob Tremblay on Flounder's 'Little Mermaid' Design: 'They Knew Exactly What They Were Doing' (Exclusive)
Melissa McCarthy Explains 'The Little Mermaid' Remake's 'Modern' Message (Exclusive)
Why Javier Bardem Didn’t Go Shirtless as ‘Little Mermaid’s’ King Triton (Exclusive)
The Little Mermaid's Halle Bailey explains why Ariel's iconic hair flip was hard to pull off
Watch Disney's original Little Mermaid Ariel voice actress and live-action star Halle Bailey embrace above the sea

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned already, but according to someone who read the novelization, there's no wedding for Ariel and Eric. The movie ends with them going on a sea voyage together; not even a honeymoon trip.

It occurred to me that perhaps they didn't want to end the movie with a wedding in case there's a sequel, since they usually prefer the main characters to be single, especially if they're as young as the protagonists here.

More than one journalist who has seen the movie has also confirmed Ariel doesn't wear any ballgown in the movie; just the blue and white/pink dresses we've seen, the one made of sails, and the nightgown. I wonder why they didn't give her one.

Ah, bueno... pense que era una foto tuya.

No worries! Very cool that you keep up with this stuff so much.

I refuse to pay to see this movie in theaters... but I would go to a free screening hahaha

Ya, es normal. Solo puse la foto y no expliqué nada. No se me ocurrió que podía parecer que la foto era mía. Pero bueno, ahora ya está todo aclarado.

Thanks for the compliment.

Can I ask you why you wouldn't pay to see it in theaters? Is it because this movie in particular looks bad to you, or are you against the live-action reimaginings in general?

Personally, I'd prefer Disney wouldn't make them, but at the same time I'm curious to see how they've been adapted, how everything looks in live-action, and in this case, I'm especially looking forward to listen to the new songs. But usually I watch them just once, as it's not that pleasant an experience for me to do so, and I prefer to have the memories of the originals in my mind.

Just attended a press screening in Paris in original version and I was pleasantly surprised as the film is so adorable, moving and a real enchantement overall. We are on embargo until May 22th but we are allowed to express our feeling / impression (sorry for my rusty english) on social networks. I must say that I'm a fan of Animation and that despite I saw most of all the live adaptations from Disney, I didn't expect much for the Little Mermaid because the animated feature was a turn in my life and I don't like the Live versions.
But I stayed opened and it worked! It's not a perfect movie of course (which movie is?) but now I get why Halle Bailey was chosen. I can't say more but I really enjoyed it and it completes the animated version in fact. ^^

Thanks for sharing your first impressions with us, Prince Kido! I don't know if you can answer this, but does the film have an end credit song? And what did you think of the new songs by Menken and Miranda?

I'm so glad Halle Bailey's performance is getting so much praise. I normally don't root for these live-action remakes to do well at the box-office (even though a part of me is glad if they're successful since it means the originals are still popular), but this time I do, and it's only because of her. Seeing the backlash her casting got made me so sad, and when I search for news about the film on Twitter, there are always many tweets making fun of her; some truly disgusting. She recently admitted the backlash initially affected her and I'm not surprised by that, so I'd like her to get at least some reward for all she had to endure, and for racists not to win.

Plus, to me her casting gives this film some reason to exist, as opposed to other remakes, because of what the movie will mean for many little Black girls and the Black community in general. And as some other member said not long ago, I think White audiences needed a Black Ariel as much as them, if not more, as it's clear we need to get used to seeing people of color in roles like these. I know racebending can be problematic. I'm not saying all the people who were against her casting are necessarily racist and I respect those people's opinions, but this is how I personally feel about all this.

[PatrickvD]

I’ve said from the beginning Halle would carry the film and that it would be a star-making turn for her. Early reviews indicate this to be the case.

Also the Ariel doll is a bestseller. The go woke go broke nonsense didn’t stick.

[Lele]

Do white people need to see every white character to be blackwashed to get used to see people of color on screens, D82? We had plenty of movies with people of color, like Mulan, Moana and so on. But that isn’t enough and now white people need to be punished by blackwashing every white character?

Lol. People were crying and screaming that some background actors that we won’t even see on screen and who were used to create a crowd effect were white on Aladdin and somehow that was right and ok, but now white people "need" to have every white character blackwashed huh.

Halle Bailey was even bragging that kids won’t even know the first Ariel was white and that they will think she’s black lmao. Which is the whole purpose. I guess soon we will end with the ”cultural appropriation" folks harassing people depicting Ariel as white like she is, they way they are already doing with Annabeth Chase now. How dare white people draw a white character as white after a black girl appropriated it, because white people deserve it and white people bad?!