tcool123
Well-Known Member
Just got out of the film! Easily 7.5/8 put of 10 in terms of the Disney Remakes.
Rest of my notes are in spoilers - just in case.
Does this movie deserve to exist beyond making money? No probably not, but is it enjoyable? Yes I sincerely think so, and I believe it did something many of the remakes did not: capture the magic of the original. While not all the magic is there it was not soulless like almost everything Lion King onwards , and the changes to the score was copliments not negatives like all of the remakes have been. I do think that there are some things presented that were better than the original but as often the case the original os preferable. HOWEVER, unlike the usual I would be okay to watch this en leu of the og
Rest of my notes are in spoilers - just in case.
Halle was great as Ariel in my opinion she brought a different perspective to the character making her more rebellious to her parents in her facial expressions it’s clear to me at times she was facing conflicts that were put upon by Triton.
Melissa McCarthy was phenomenal as Ursula the first time for one of the Renaissance era remakes that the villain felt correct she was deliciously villainous, menacing while McCarthy embrace the overtop comedy that comes with Ursula.
Awkwafina was very comedic as Skuttle with many laughs being sprung from her and her interactions with the rest of the cast.
The rest of the cast were good to great nobody gave a just okay performance, but those three were stand outs. Honorable mention to Daveed Diggs however at times his accent felt off, but overall was enjoyable.
On to the music!
The cut Daughters of Triton and moved Fathoms Below did throw the pacing off a bit until we got to the first ten minutes.
Part of Your World was phenomenal a case can be made to rival the original, kudos to Halle. The first reprise still built up the romance of the couple, but as mentioned is a scene that changes the perception of Ariel. She is more nervous and cautious of humans as she crawls around the rocks to watch Eric, and the pain, anguish and anger as she sings to him is more prevalent at the big moment with the wave splash. You could feel the conflict she felt: the love for Eric , the rules of Triton, the whole human aspect, it all came across.
Under the Sea at first I was questioning it with the dancing? turtles looking terrible reminding me of the issues faced by Lion King and Be Our Guest with the limitations of the real world. While it is not on the same level of the original they were able to capture some of the magic with some of the whimsy carried over through the scenes once the clams were dancing, the vaitous fish and ribbon eels, the glow in the dark etc. It was vibrant, colorful, full of life at times. It was different yet effective. Also can we talk about Halle’s vocals? So melodic! In love with that aspect of the song, it was nice to see Ariel interact more with the overall song.
Upon first listening to Wild Uncharted Waters I was unsure on how I felt about it. I do believe Hauer-King was a very good singer, but I wasn’t sure how it fit with the rest of the film. Out of the three new songs I feel like it had the least connection with the songs from the original. However upon reflection it is Eric’s I want song, and develops his personality further which I think is important. Ariel’s vocaliaztion being his siren song and worked throughout was a nice touch.
Poor Unfortunate Souls was phenomenal, Melissa McCarthy ate it up. I do prefer the original version due to the cut segment, but the song still has its oomph and is great to watch it play out. The CGI at times were distracting to me but it was mainly shorterm things such as smoke from the cauldron.
For the First Time was a fantastic addition to the film, and I think the incorporation of steel drums and other tropical sounding intrumentals add to the exotic feeling Ariel is feeling and the tropical enviroment of the film. It shows Ariel’s thought process of adjusting to land and is a good dive into her character. Very enjoyable song, and while it is not better than the big four songs from the original it is a solid complement.
The Tour of the Kingdom/Marketplace Score I want to highlight the score as it incorporates steel drums to enhance the tropical environment and the bright and welcoming colors in the land segments. It elevates the film, and to me builds on the world we love from the Little Mermaid.
Kiss the Girl while it played out differently I think it is more successful than the original in helping to establish the couple’s romance. Giving pauses for the couple to truly bond without a crab whispering into their ears. Reorchestrating the song to include steel drums continues the tropical enhancement that land sections of the film have. Scuttle’s introduction had me laughing alongside with the theater as it was comedic to see this disaster.
With the context of the film Scuttlebutt was legitimately enjoyable as a comedic exposition dump. Constant laughs throughout this scene from all three characters. Is it needed? No of course not, but as a replacement of Lea Poissons I think it is much more successful. The released audio track misses many of the jokes and pauses of the scene which enhances the comedic effect.
Ursula’s cut reprise is a big misfire for me, but not missed as the scene itself still carries the same weight.
Ariel’s new reprise is nice it adds to the overall impact and builds upon her as a character alongside her emotions.
I feel like the film improved the finale , and was more fitting. It was emotional seeing not just Triton but her whole family - which they were more fleshed out than in the original, waving her goodbye along the humans at the finale.
Melissa McCarthy was phenomenal as Ursula the first time for one of the Renaissance era remakes that the villain felt correct she was deliciously villainous, menacing while McCarthy embrace the overtop comedy that comes with Ursula.
Awkwafina was very comedic as Skuttle with many laughs being sprung from her and her interactions with the rest of the cast.
The rest of the cast were good to great nobody gave a just okay performance, but those three were stand outs. Honorable mention to Daveed Diggs however at times his accent felt off, but overall was enjoyable.
On to the music!
The cut Daughters of Triton and moved Fathoms Below did throw the pacing off a bit until we got to the first ten minutes.
Part of Your World was phenomenal a case can be made to rival the original, kudos to Halle. The first reprise still built up the romance of the couple, but as mentioned is a scene that changes the perception of Ariel. She is more nervous and cautious of humans as she crawls around the rocks to watch Eric, and the pain, anguish and anger as she sings to him is more prevalent at the big moment with the wave splash. You could feel the conflict she felt: the love for Eric , the rules of Triton, the whole human aspect, it all came across.
Under the Sea at first I was questioning it with the dancing? turtles looking terrible reminding me of the issues faced by Lion King and Be Our Guest with the limitations of the real world. While it is not on the same level of the original they were able to capture some of the magic with some of the whimsy carried over through the scenes once the clams were dancing, the vaitous fish and ribbon eels, the glow in the dark etc. It was vibrant, colorful, full of life at times. It was different yet effective. Also can we talk about Halle’s vocals? So melodic! In love with that aspect of the song, it was nice to see Ariel interact more with the overall song.
Upon first listening to Wild Uncharted Waters I was unsure on how I felt about it. I do believe Hauer-King was a very good singer, but I wasn’t sure how it fit with the rest of the film. Out of the three new songs I feel like it had the least connection with the songs from the original. However upon reflection it is Eric’s I want song, and develops his personality further which I think is important. Ariel’s vocaliaztion being his siren song and worked throughout was a nice touch.
Poor Unfortunate Souls was phenomenal, Melissa McCarthy ate it up. I do prefer the original version due to the cut segment, but the song still has its oomph and is great to watch it play out. The CGI at times were distracting to me but it was mainly shorterm things such as smoke from the cauldron.
For the First Time was a fantastic addition to the film, and I think the incorporation of steel drums and other tropical sounding intrumentals add to the exotic feeling Ariel is feeling and the tropical enviroment of the film. It shows Ariel’s thought process of adjusting to land and is a good dive into her character. Very enjoyable song, and while it is not better than the big four songs from the original it is a solid complement.
The Tour of the Kingdom/Marketplace Score I want to highlight the score as it incorporates steel drums to enhance the tropical environment and the bright and welcoming colors in the land segments. It elevates the film, and to me builds on the world we love from the Little Mermaid.
Kiss the Girl while it played out differently I think it is more successful than the original in helping to establish the couple’s romance. Giving pauses for the couple to truly bond without a crab whispering into their ears. Reorchestrating the song to include steel drums continues the tropical enhancement that land sections of the film have. Scuttle’s introduction had me laughing alongside with the theater as it was comedic to see this disaster.
With the context of the film Scuttlebutt was legitimately enjoyable as a comedic exposition dump. Constant laughs throughout this scene from all three characters. Is it needed? No of course not, but as a replacement of Lea Poissons I think it is much more successful. The released audio track misses many of the jokes and pauses of the scene which enhances the comedic effect.
Ursula’s cut reprise is a big misfire for me, but not missed as the scene itself still carries the same weight.
Ariel’s new reprise is nice it adds to the overall impact and builds upon her as a character alongside her emotions.
I feel like the film improved the finale , and was more fitting. It was emotional seeing not just Triton but her whole family - which they were more fleshed out than in the original, waving her goodbye along the humans at the finale.
Does this movie deserve to exist beyond making money? No probably not, but is it enjoyable? Yes I sincerely think so, and I believe it did something many of the remakes did not: capture the magic of the original. While not all the magic is there it was not soulless like almost everything Lion King onwards , and the changes to the score was copliments not negatives like all of the remakes have been. I do think that there are some things presented that were better than the original but as often the case the original os preferable. HOWEVER, unlike the usual I would be okay to watch this en leu of the og
