Disney's Live Action The Little Mermaid

[Trauma]

N

No one said this will win best picture or anything… The most I saw was a best song nomination… and I do agree it’s a possibility as it is a great song

People are watching the movie domestically as it has held up well with great word of mouth, but that is besides the point… if you think this has zero cultural impact then you have not been paying attention to social media

I don’t care if it had a cultural impact or not so I’m not arguing with you here, but I would recommend not looking to social media for a reflection of reality.

It is one of the farthest things from it.

 

[DKampy]

I don’t care if it had a cultural impact or not so I’m not arguing with you here, but I would recommend not looking to social media for a reflection of reality.

It is one of the farthest things from it.

I also have reality too… from the amount of black girls I saw at my showing excited for this Ariel

 

[MisterPenguin]

Some of Disney’s most impactful and enduring films failed to make a profit upon their release, so these statements are untrue (or not necessarily true).

Indeed.

Disney has other metrics to determine a property's profitability and continued attention such as interest in the parks for M&Gs, merch sales, viewership on D+/Hulu.

It's why Tiana kept getting a more substantial 'footprint' in the parks year after year despite her original movie doing only 'meh.'

Likewise, if someone likes a new Disney movie and wants to see it represented in the parks and it isn't... it's because all those other metrics show lack of interest in the general population and no further profit to be gained.

So, there's the normal "Hollywood" determination of a film's success, and then there is the continued franchising determination of a film's success. They're not always the same.

 

[Tha Realest]

Indeed.

Disney has other metrics to determine a property's profitability and continued attention such as interest in the parks for M&Gs, merch sales, viewership on D+/Hulu.

It's why Tiana kept getting a more substantial 'footprint' in the parks year after year despite her original movie doing only 'meh.'

Likewise, if someone likes a new Disney movie and wants to see it represented in the parks and it isn't... it's because all those other metrics show lack of interest in the general population and no further profit to be gained.

So, there's the normal "Hollywood" determination of a film's success, and then there is the continued franchising determination of a film's success. They're not always the same.

Ariel remains an enduring sales force to be reckoned with!

 

[Trauma]

I also have reality too… from the amount of black girls I saw at my showing excited for this Ariel

There ya go that’s a reality !

 

[Trauma]

Indeed.

Disney has other metrics to determine a property's profitability and continued attention such as interest in the parks for M&Gs, merch sales, viewership on D+/Hulu.

It's why Tiana kept getting a more substantial 'footprint' in the parks year after year despite her original movie doing only 'meh.'

Likewise, if someone likes a new Disney movie and wants to see it represented in the parks and it isn't... it's because all those other metrics show lack of interest in the general population and no further profit to be gained.

So, there's the normal "Hollywood" determination of a film's success, and then there is the continued franchising determination of a film's success. They're not always the same.

Can you link to me some evidence of the massive Tiana merch sales ?

 

[GimpYancIent]

Indeed.

Disney has other metrics to determine a property's profitability and continued attention such as interest in the parks for M&Gs, merch sales, viewership on D+/Hulu.

It's why Tiana kept getting a more substantial 'footprint' in the parks year after year despite her original movie doing only 'meh.'

Likewise, if someone likes a new Disney movie and wants to see it represented in the parks and it isn't... it's because all those other metrics show lack of interest in the general population and no further profit to be gained.

So, there's the normal "Hollywood" determination of a film's success, and then there is the continued franchising determination of a film's success. They're not always the same.

Speaking of merchandise sales looks like it won't be until the Halloween then Christmas time to actually see the impact of TLM live action on movement of merchandise.

 

[Tha Realest]

Speaking of merchandise sales looks like it won't be until the Halloween then Christmas time to actually see the impact on TLM live action on movement of merchandise.

Why is that?

 

[MisterPenguin]

Can you link to me some evidence of the massive Tiana merch sales ?

It just be overwhelming considering it led to the destruction of one of the greatest themed attractions of all time.

I used merch sales as an example for the overall principle. I don't have those figures and neither do you. I don't speculate and then present it as fact as is so common around here.

What is fact, the part you cherry picked your way around, is that year after year Tiana's presence has grown in the parks (and cruise lines). Remember how Disney is just a money grubbing corporation that is only motivated by profit? What do you think is Disney's motivation for keep on doubling and tripling down on Tiana? Would they do that if it didn't mean more profit?

 

[GimpYancIent]

Why is that?

TLM merchandise moved well before this live action remake it will take a little time to actually see the impact made by the live action version.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Speaking of merchandise sales looks like it won't be until the Halloween then Christmas time to actually see the impact of TLM live action on movement of merchandise.

Is that TP's kid's costume at the door algorithm?

 

[GimpYancIent]

Is that TP's kid's costume at the door algorithm?

Hey! It's a very strong indicator of popularity, seeing is believing.

 

[Trauma]

I used merch sales as an example for the overall principle. I don't have those figures and neither do you. I don't speculate and then present it as fact as is so common around here.

What is fact, the part you cherry picked your way around, is that year after year Tiana's presence has grown in the parks (and cruise lines). Remember how Disney is just a money grubbing corporation that is only motivated by profit? What do you think is Disney's motivation for keep on doubling and tripling down on Tiana?

Thank you for your response. You make a good point.

I’m not cherry picking here.

Is it possible they are making these decisions thinking they will be profitable and they are wrong?

Iger himself was bragging how happy shareholders where gonna be with the Mermaid box office.

I have no problem with more Tiana in the parks. I’m not happy she is taking over Splash that’s for sure. If they built a new E ticket with her in it, I would have been in the LL paying my $21 a person to ride.

I guess without the data we don’t really know what’s going on.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

People can like or dislike moments of a movie without that being social commentary.

They can love a movie overall, and still have small moments that they dislike within it (and again without that dislike meaning social commentary).

Classic animation relied on all kinds of shortcuts. The LM had a number of them.

Visual short cuts- like bad guys that are all angles. Bad guys are often depicted in dark colors, plus sometimes physical disfigurement.

Animation also employed story shortcuts. One of the best examples of this, that comes to mind is the classic Grinch. One example within the story is Max's loyalty. As horrible as the Grinch is at the start of the story, Max still adores him. Why? Max is an optimist? an uber-loyal dog? or maybe Max sees potential in the Grinch? Maybe all of the above?

Our mind fills in the blanks. So even though we have visuals...a classic animation also left something to our imagination. Sometimes less is more.

Sometimes though, those shortcuts do = a social commentary. This is exactly what our society is re-examining.

It is right in the name- Scar! Did you for 1 second think Scar was the hero of the Lion King?

But what about real people who live with scars?

Sometimes storytelling is better when we have to fill in some blanks, but other times visual shortcuts/storytelling shortcuts = real life harm.

 

[Phroobar]

If merchandise sold is a great indicator of a movie success then Wakanda Forever was the crappiest movie ever. That stuff is still sitting even at clearance.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

N

No one said this will win best picture or anything… The most I saw was a best song nomination… and I do agree it’s a possibility as it is a great song

People are watching the movie domestically as it has held up well with great word of mouth, but that is besides the point… if you think this has zero cultural impact then you have not been paying attention to social media

How do you rate “good word of mouth” other than the dailies?

Cause they don’t agree. Maybe it’ll get a bump this weekend? Then you have a claim. Don’t right now

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Can you link to me some evidence of the massive Tiana merch sales ?

It just be overwhelming considering it led to the destruction of one of the greatest themed attractions of all time.

I think tiana merch sales are good…indications of that…

But it’s been forever and they really pushed it. Just not giving up on PATF.

A property that seems strong with less effort is Moana


Now this little mermaid? No indication whatsoever that sales are strong. None.

I’ve never seen so many handfuls of straw than talk about this one remake over the last few weeks…
It’s crazy town.

Hasn’t been this off the hook since the last time someone disputed iger’s claims that Disney parks are “luxury now”

 

[Angel Ariel]

Maybe I didn’t phrase it properly who knows.

I just feel like the it included unnecessary social commentary that makes the story more convoluted.

Maybe social commentary isn’t the right term?

"I’m really excited for my version of the film because we’ve definitely changed that perspective of just her wanting to leave the ocean for a boy." Explaining it further, Halle said: "It’s way bigger than that. It’s about herself, her purpose, her freedom, her life and what she wants."

Halle ended her comments by saying: "As women we are amazing, we are independent, we are modern, we are everything and above. And I’m glad that Disney is updating some of those themes."

That’s what the actress says about it.

I’m not trying to confuse you it just reads like social commentary to me ?

The animated movie was always about more than leaving the ocean for a boy. But the shortcuts made in plot made it easy for people to dismiss it as that. The additions to the live action make it harder for people to write off in that manner.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Some of Disney’s most impactful and enduring films failed to make a profit upon their release, so these statements are untrue (or not necessarily true).

…such as?

And before we shake that tree…please…pretty please pick something that isn’t 75 years old and from a completely different consumer/economic reality?

Like sleeping beauty might as well been shown on mars compared to today

 

[Trauma]

The animated movie was always about more than leaving the ocean for a boy. But the shortcuts made in plot made it easy for people to dismiss it as that. The additions to the live action make it harder for people to write off in that manner.

Again if I don’t phrase things properly don’t think I’m taking you out of context.

I find the additions and accompanying explanations of motivations to leave the ocean beyond the boy, make the plot convoluted and longer than necessary.

I don’t see a problem with her just leaving the ocean for a boy.

Maybe you do and that’s certainly fair.