Robbing from Peter to Improve Paul: The Disney Edition

[Atlantica]

Maybe improving is too harsh a word … 'adding stuff they didn't originally think of' maybe? Anyway, this thread is for you to take elements from anywhere in the Disney realm - theme parks / rides / shows / Broadway & the West End / sequels / prequels / TV series / comics / musical albums / books, and to insert them into the original Disney Classic.

Whether it be a deeper character element, a set of songs, a character, a location … anything at all that you would like to add to the original film to not necessarily improve it, but to expand it.

One of mine would be this:

- Add the song 'Stories' from Beauty & the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas into the original film. I know we have the song 'Something There' that develops the romantic relationship between the two, but I feel this song would slot in beautifully to show the developing friendship in between the two. Really, I'd like to scrap the song 'Human Again' but keep the dialogue between the characters, and use 'Stories' instead. I have been a long time champion of the song, and it deserves to be heard more of, not just at Christmas time (it isn't even Christmas themed!)

….any additions anyone else has for the Classics ?

[Escapay]

Considering the fact that "Stories" is the best thing about Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas, I certainly agree with the idea of expanding the original's narrative with that song. Perhaps for a live-action version of the film, also incorporating some of the Broadway material.

Albert

[Atlantica]

Yes, I completely agree with you there; I think a live action film could certainly benefit from a smaller, more intimate moment over another show stopping tune, a la Human Again.

I would have liked, in the original Mermaid, to have Ariel's mother touched upon as was seen in Ariel's Beginning. It could have added ten-fold to the pain Triton feels, and the anger, at Ariel constantly going to the surface despite what happened to her mother.

This could also have added to Ariel's character, in both a positive and negative way. She shows such burning passion for what she knows is the place that she belongs, and can see past the death of her mother caused by humans. Or, it would make Ariel look downright stupid for hankering after something that ripped her family apart.

Either way, it could be an interesting character development.

[DancingCrab]

Personally, I would leave the whole Mother bit out of TLM. I do think that Ariel's Beginning was a missed opportunity to do a great explanation for Ursula's banishment. Such a waste.

If I were to pick something from the Broadway musical, I would probably consider "If Only" but shortened to just being sung by Ariel in her head (maybe have some of Eric's part in it still).

[Atlantica]

Really, no mother mention at all? I think it may work...they did mention it briefly in the Broadway musical as well I think?

And If Only would be a lovely inclusion as well.

[UmbrellaFish]

I love DancingCrab's suggestion of including "If Only."

I like The Beast's "If I Can't Love Her" and Eric's "Her Voice" from BATB's and TLM's respective Broadway shows, but I don't think either one would necessarily improve the movies.

I like Ariel's "One Dance" song and I wish it might have been used in the TV series or one of the sequels.

[Atlantica]

If Only would be a really lovely inclusion, no question.

I do wonder if having Anastasia with a bit of a conscience a la Twist In Time would work in the original ? Or does the original work so much as Cinderella is so abused by three complete lunatics?

[Disney_freak]

Personally, I would leave the whole Mother bit out of TLM. I do think that Ariel's Beginning was a missed opportunity to do a great explanation for Ursula's banishment. Such a waste.

I could be wrong but I'm assuming that they get Pat Carroll on board so they decided to just replace ursula in general. If I remember right she said very bad things about Return to the Sea and said she wouldn't do another sequel.

[Atlantica]

Yeah, I heard the same thing about Pat. . . Maybe they rethought their ideas for the prequel after her involvement was confirmed not to happen again.

[Atlantica]

Listening to the Broadway score for Mermaid does make me think that a song for Eric would have been a good idea. Either Her Voice or One Step Closer. But then, I'm not sure One Step Closer would fit as it relates to the story change. Her Voice would certainly work though; maybe just after he has a chat with Grimsby about Ariel being warm and caring.

[Musical Master]

I think that for a live action version of Beauty and the Beast, "Stories" and using the castle staff becoming lifeless objects forever plot from the Broadway version (that Linda Woolverton added) could make this a very nice extension of the original narrative of the movie.

[Atlantica]

It's interesting to see that people are so keen on 'Stories', something that I'm really very happy about.

I wonder if we could go as far as to say that it is the best song from any of the DTV films ?

[Sotiris]

For the stage show Mulan Jr. the song "Lesson Number One" from the sequel was added.

[Old Fish Tale]

I'd say so. I also love that song.

[thedisneyspirit]

Maybe add most of the deleted songs from Aladdin- Proud of your Boy instead of One Jump Ahead reprise, maybe have that sweet moment of "You can Count on Me", and give Jafar a proper song, of course. Prince Ali reprise is fun but Humilliate the Boy and Why Me? are more compelling as songs.

[Disney Duster]

Listening to the Broadway score for Mermaid does make me think that a song for Eric would have been a good idea. Either Her Voice or One Step Closer. But then, I'm not sure One Step Closer would fit as it relates to the story change. Her Voice would certainly work though; maybe just after he has a chat with Grimsby about Ariel being warm and caring.

What story change does "One Step Closer" refer to? And wouldn't "Her Voice" make more sense happening before Ariel makes him consider falling in love with her instead of the one who saved him and sang to him?