The Little Mermaid in IMAX?

The Little Merman · Post by **The Little Merman** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 6:22 pm

I'm wondering, do you guys think they will release the highly popular Little Mermaid? I mean, compared to Beauty and the Beast it is much more action-paced on a gigantic screen. But, since Disney didn't release another good possible IMAX film, Aladdin, I think it is a hopless thought..

disneywb · Post by **disneywb** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 7:28 pm

I would count it out. I think TLM got a rerelease a few years ago, and basically by moving forward the platinum schedule the timetable's been pushed forward. If they tried to show IMAX releases for everything, it would be just too much. If they did TLM, they would have a clamouring for everything else...Cinderella, Bambi, Jungle Book (maybe).
Sorry to burst your bubble.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 7:29 pm

I don't think so, because they didn't do it with Aladdin or Bambi either. Disney thinks that IMAX is not that succesfull.
Shame...

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 7:52 pm

As already said, its very unlikely. Originally, it was practically a sure-fire thing, as reportedly, the 4 big '90s films - The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King - all recieved newly "enhanced" visuals at practically the same time. So it was obvious that, initially, Disney planned to release all of them for Imax before the respective Platinum Edition DVD releases.

The plan went into motion with the Imax exhibitions of Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King in 2002 & 2003. However, the amount it costed Disney to "restore" the movies for Imax releases (plus the distribution costs) exceeded the actual box-office gross. Of course, that doesn't mean they lost tons of money - the movies were released on Platinum DVD release shortly after, which more than made up for it.

But apparently, Disney didn't think it was worth it. That's why we didn't see an Imax release for Aladdin, and most likely won't see one for The Little Mermaid.

In my opinion, I think they should just go ahead with the plan. The movies are already "restored" for Imax, and even though the re-releases don't render any profit in themselves, they serve as a good reminder to the public about the films - which is arguably, the greatest advertisement you could have for a DVD release.

MickeyMousePal · Post by **MickeyMousePal** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 9:51 pm

It would be nice to watch The Little Mermaid at the IMAX but I don't think it will be possible this time. Disney doesn't want to pay extra to put the film on the big screen (IMAX). I remember that Disney re-released the Little Mermaid back in 1999 or around that time. But at least The Little Mermaid will be on DVD in 2006.

Evil Genie Jafar · Post by **Evil Genie Jafar** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 9:56 pm

Yep. And it should be fair. No IMAX for my Aladdin, then no IMAX for The Little Mermaid either.

Besides, as already said, this movie was re-released on theaters on 1999 to "compete" with Anastasia.

PatrickvD · Post by **PatrickvD** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 3:24 am

Little Mermaid was re-released on 11-14-1997.. not 1999

MickeyMousePal · Post by **MickeyMousePal** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 9:35 am

PatrickvD Wrote:

Little Mermaid was re-released on 11-14-1997.. not 1999

I thought it was re-released in 1999 since it mark the 10th anniversary of The Little Mermaid but I do remember it did come out in 1997 thanks for pointing it out.

Wonderlicious · Post by **Wonderlicious** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 10:44 am

Jack wrote:In my opinion, I think they should just go ahead with the plan. The movies are already "restored" for Imax, and even though the re-releases don't render any profit in themselves, they serve as a good reminder to the public about the films - which is arguably, the greatest advertisement you could have for a DVD release.

I second that. Actually, they should have released Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King to normal cinemas. They look impressive at normal big screen sizes, and they're more accessible, so why not show them there and make more money?

Also, I think that Disney should re-release their platinum films to big screens, possibly for their own benefit (aka promotion of DVD sales). For example, they could reissue Lady and the Tramp next October (six or so months before the platinum release). Then if The Little Mermaid gets reissued six months later, they could advertise Lady and the Tramp now on DVD. Of course, they can also promote reissues by putting a trailer of the next big-screen re-release.

PatrickvD · Post by **PatrickvD** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 11:07 am

Wonderlicious wrote:I second that. Actually, they should have released Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King to normal cinemas. They look impressive at normal big screen sizes, and they're more accessible, so why not show them there and make more money?

Also, I think that Disney should re-release their platinum films to big screens, possibly for their own benefit (aka promotion of DVD sales). For example, they could reissue Lady and the Tramp next October (six or so months before the platinum release). Then if The Little Mermaid gets reissued six months later, they could advertise Lady and the Tramp now on DVD. Of course, they can also promote reissues by putting a trailer of the next big-screen re-release.

yeah, it's like throwing away money

I'd give anything to see all 10 of them back on the big screen. And I know I am not alone.

The Monkey's Uncle · Post by **The Monkey's Uncle** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 12:09 pm

you do NOT want to see the little mermaid on IMAX TRUST ME. Unless you want to ruin the movie for yourselves. the little mermaid wasnt made for IMAX (neither was BATB or lion king, or F2k). and since mermaid was made with cels (as opossed to CAPS), it will look even worse blown up that size.

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 12:20 pm

The Monkey's Uncle wrote:you do NOT want to see the little mermaid on IMAX TRUST ME. Unless you want to ruin the movie for yourselves. the little mermaid wasnt made for IMAX (neither was BATB or lion king, or F2k). and since mermaid was made with cels (as opossed to CAPS), it will look even worse blown up that size.

That's why they "enhanced" the animation on all the titles they were planning to release for Imax - added detail, spruced up the colors, etc. Expect the version of TLM we see on the Platinum Edition release to be the "restored" Imax version.

PatrickvD · Post by **PatrickvD** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 1:30 pm

I prefer to see them on a regular screen. IMAX movies should go to IMAX, like the Star Wars movies or the third Harry Potter.. or Spider Man 2 or Polar Express. But re-releasing on IMAX is not a good idea. regular theaters reaches a bigger audience anyway.

deathie mouse · Post by **deathie mouse** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 4:13 pm

Well i have a slighly different opinion

I've seen many 70mm blow ups and a couple of IMAX ones. If done right and with the proper steps and if the Imax projectionist is a good one (A projectionist can make any movie look like 16mm if he is careless

) the results can be as good or better than the best 35mm projection. The trick is to sit at the same viewing distance to projection image height ratio for both. IMAX projection has 10 times less the projector vibration and focusing errors for 35mm blow ups than regular 35mm projection has. Also if they make the blow up from a 4k digital scan of the original negative or directly from CAPS data the image itself might be sharper than on a 35mm print.

This applies to all 35mm films including recent ones like Matrix and others, on which their live action parts are shot in a 35mm format that has 20% less vertical height than the Disney films..

Of course the key is quality control on the IMAX (or 70mm) releases and again sitting at the proper viewing distance.

For Imax SHOT films the game is different since the negative is more that 3 times as tall as a 35mm negative so you can sit "relatively" closer to the screen where the image height covers your whole visual field of view, from your chin to your hair

and still is fine.

I do think that the re-releases should be done in 35mm prints too so they reach a bigger audience. Not everyone has an IMAX (or even a 70mm) theater in their backyard.

rodis · Post by **rodis** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 2:04 am

Jack wrote: Expect the version of TLM we see on the Platinum Edition release to be the "restored" Imax version.

Are we sure it's gonna be the IMAX version? I really really hope so. I so want to see that version! There's so much time till the release that I'm scared they'll change it by then or something.

The Monkey's Uncle · Post by **The Monkey's Uncle** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 7:17 am

i would prefer if they left the movie alone and didnt enhance everything in it personally.

eric89 · Post by **eric89** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:09 am

Would you like to see "The Little Mermaid" released in IMAX theaters? I sure would!

Enchantress · Post by **Enchantress** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 1:08 pm

I would, i missed TLK and BATB when it was showing at the IMAX, but i'd cautious of the colours being messed up like with TLK, but yeah it'd be good

.

Rach

MickeyMousePal · Post by **MickeyMousePal** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:26 pm

I would love to see The Little Mermaid at the IMAX but it might not happen like Aladdin, Bambi and Cinderella didn't go to IMAX.

goofystitch · Post by **goofystitch** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:48 pm

I would love to see it go to the IMAX, however, if it was going to, you would think it would follow suit with BATB and TLK. Both came to IMAX theaters in January and were out on DVD in October. Add campaigns were started at least 2 months before, if not more (I can't remember). So obviously, no one has heard anything about it so it won't be coming.

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