The Little Mermaid: Diamond Edition - Fall 2013

[PatrickvD]

Never give up on that one. Unless maybe when she files a restraining order.

Isn't she dating Dave Franco though?

It's funny, when I was with my last girlfriend, she and I made a list of three people each we'd still be allowed to gush about and possibly break up to be with, and when those two were reportedly together, that meant that people on both of our lists were dating. Irony, bto.

Good choice from the both of you. And those two together? That's an interesting combination. I bet Dave is just with her because he can. He'll move on to a new toy soon like his brother.

Okay back to Mermaid, sorry for going off topic.

[Jules]

I was born in 89 so missed it the first time, then saw the 97 reissue, then again in 2012 when there was a massive Disney movie celebration and countdown in London, preparing for the 50th Classic release of Tangled. They played every Disney classic, one a week for 49 weeks, until the debut of Tangled. So managed to see all my favourites on the big screen which was just plain magical.

OMG, they must have shown the package films too! Do you know if they were projected from a high quality source (i.e. 35mm film) or did they resort to DVD for the more obscure films, like Make Mine Music or Melody Time? I hope not ...

[Atlantica]

They used film, grains and all, with the original short in front of it. Is that what you meant ??

[Disney Duster]

Now, I have to say I am really surprised you like this cover Duster! How come?

Well, first this cover's pretty simple. Not too many characters (though I often like to see a lot of characters on a cover). Next, Ariel's yearning "Part of that World" pose is not just in the perfect, centered position, but it also shows a great action representing her yearning and the main subject of the movie. I guess the other cover where she's on a rock does that too, but if this one didn't have the huge fins, I would likethis one better. Finally, Ariel, Ursula, and Flounder are drawn and posed so perfectly.

[Jay]

Ursula reminds me of Yzma for some reason on the Brazilian cover.

[Jules]

They used film, grains and all, with the original short in front of it. Is that what you meant ??

Yes! That's wonderful!

[Atlantica]

Yes, it was absolutely perfect to see it like that!

It was the only film showing out of the 49 Classics that was sold out on all performances; people came to wait at the entrance of the cinema just in case people didn't appear etc.

Was beyond wonderful to see such an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the film. Made my heart feel fit to burst

[universALLove]

Finally, Ariel, Ursula, and Flounder are drawn and posed so perfectly.

Drawn perfectly? I don't mean to sound rude but are we even looking at the same picture? They look anything but perfect.

I so wish this had been the cover...
http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/ ... 0-1600.jpg

Now this is perfect (even if it is old)! I love the composition, it doesn't look too crowded yet all the key characters are there and they all look on model and how they should in the film.

[Atlantica]

That's my VHS cover ! I have seen it for coming up to 25 years now, so am a little bored of that one, but I know what you mean.

I like ones for the 97 rerelease - the one where Ariel is doing "He loves me, he loves me not" and smiling, and the one where it's the middle of Under the Sea, with all the fish pointing to Ariel and shes sitting on the rock. (I can't link as I am at work).

[Mooky]

You know how every Disney film has (or should have) at least two definite graphical/visual representation items, one artistic and one more mainstream, be it a poster or a home video cover? Well, for me, this* is TLM's definite cover that should be used for everything TLM-related.

*It's the original version of the one universALLove posted, but I prefer the way Ariel's and Eric's faces look here.

For the artistic version, I'd go for the one Disney's using on the 3D BD, so they got at least something right.

[Atlantica]

I see what you mean Mooky; though I think I prefer the silhouetted poster of Ariel, the one they used for the Broadway show as well.

That, to me, shows Ariels character perfectly, and the beauty of the film.

[universALLove]

Well, for me, this* is TLM's definite cover that should be used for everything TLM-related.

Yes, I love that one too! In fact, all of The Little Mermaid's theatrical posters are great.
I doubt it will happen but I'm really hoping/praying that the back cover of the UK Steelbook (which we haven't seen yet) has that image, the VHS variant or the one where Ariel's silhouette is sat on a rock. That's wishful thinking though , we'll probably just get a shell or something like Aladdin's, which had a lamp.

[Atlantica]

Have you got a picture of the Aladdin one ? Was that a release from earlier this year ?

[universALLove]

Have you got a picture of the Aladdin one ? Was that a release from earlier this year ?

It was available to pre-order around April/May time and then it was released a little after the regular Blu-Ray release, so it came in July (I believe). The Jungle Book and The Little Mermaid will be the same, The Jungle Book steelbook will be released a week after the regular release and The Little Mermaid's will be three weeks after the regular blu-ray release (I don't know why they are delayed slightly and not released on the same day). Here is a picture of the Aladdin steelbook front and back (it's not mine as I missed out, it's from google images)...

[Atlantica]

Ahh ok, that's pretty cool !

So annoying they used the exact same Platinum cover again ....

I can almost guarantee the TLM back cover will be a shell.

[universALLove]

I can almost guarantee the TLM back cover will be a shell.

most probably! If Aladdin got a lamp, Sleeping Beauty got a castle...



...and Beauty and the Beast got a rose...



Then I suspect Mermaid will get a shell or Ursula's shell necklace, as Ariel's voice plays a keys roll in the movie just like the lamp in Aladdin and the rose in Beauty and the Beast. If only Disney would use another theatrical poster on the back in addition to the front

[Atlantica]

Interestingly enough, in DisneyLand Paris, when you go to meet all the Princesses in their own little part of the castle, you walk by stained glass windows depicting some of the most famous of their castles. In between each window, there are glass cases containing something relating to each Princess, beautifully rendered in glass.

Snow - Apple
Cinderella - Slipper
Aurora - Crown
Belle - Rose
Jasmine - Lamp
Rapunzel - Flower

Ariel had, instead of a shell, Ursula's necklace. Which I thought was actually an odd choice ? Trying to google some images but not having any luck atm !

[Sotiris]

Here's a video of Mark Hehn drawing Ariel in promotion of the upcoming Diamond edition release of The Little Mermaid.

[Atlantica]

Now THAT is talent....how does that even happen ?? A blank page can develop a whole character and personality in under five minutes.

Why couldn't he do the coverart ?

[Mooky]

I see what you mean Mooky; though I think I prefer the silhouetted poster of Ariel, the one they used for the Broadway show as well.

That, to me, shows Ariels character perfectly, and the beauty of the film.

I actually really like that one too, it is perfect for emoting the film's sensibility.

Yes, I love that one too! In fact, all of The Little Mermaid's theatrical posters are great.

Agreed .

I doubt it will happen but I'm really hoping/praying that the back cover of the UK Steelbook (which we haven't seen yet) has that image, the VHS variant or the one where Ariel's silhouette is sat on a rock. That's wishful thinking though , we'll probably just get a shell or something like Aladdin's, which had a lamp.

If Disney weren't cheap, trashy and crazy as of lately, they could actually use different types of covers for different types of editions, something like this:
- for regular, single disc edition that aims to attract kids and soccer moms: this type of colorful cover art
- for collector's editions (2+ discs): symbolic representation of the film, through either designers' sketches, finalized concept art (like Tarzan CE), or motives/items from the film (rose for BatB, lamp for Aladdin, feathers for Pocahontas, etc.)
- for steelbooks: John Alvin-esque art or book replicas

However, I welcome any new cover art, as long as it is on model, tasteful, and with a good layout. Sadly, last one like that was Sleeping Beauty's PE cover and that was five years ago.