Disney's Live Action The Little Mermaid

[Heppenheimer]

Projections aside, I’m really looking forward to this film. It’s a bit puzzling to me that some here are already celebrating what they expect to be its failure. If you’re not interested in watching it, why invest so much energy in dampening the enthusiasm of those who are?

I don't want it to fail so much as I want the diminishing returns of these lazy remakes to make them no longer so tempting to produce.

Disney's live action offerings have always been rather hit or miss, much more so than the feature animation department, but at least they were usually giving us something new, be it a completely original story and concept, or an adaptation of a work of literature. Where is this generation's Treasure Island, Davey Crocket, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Swiss Family Robinson, Old Yeller, The Love Bug, The Absent Minded Professor, The Third Man on the Mountain, The Parent Trap, Mary Poppins, Polyana, Bednobs and Broomsticks, Escape to Witch Mountain, Tron, etc (I could go on and on)?

The last live action Disney film I watched that I genuinely enjoyed was Togo, which of course, was an original film based on a true story. It almost seemed like because the movie was not tied to a pre-existing legacy franchise, the producers were more free to defy expectations. The end of this film was more emotionally powerful than anything Disney has released in a long time or since.

 

[LittleBuford]

I don't want it to fail so much as I want the diminishing returns of these lazy remakes to make them no longer so tempting to produce.

Disney's live action offerings have always been rather hit or miss, much more so than the feature animation department, but at least they were usually giving us something new, be it a completely original story and concept, or an adaptation of a work of literature. Where is this generation's Treasure Island, Davey Crocket, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Swiss Family Robinson, Old Yeller, The Love Bug, The Absent Minded Professor, The Third Man on the Mountain, The Parent Trap, Mary Poppins, Polyana, Bednobs and Broomsticks, Escape to Witch Mountain, Tron, etc (I could go on and on)?

The last live action Disney film I watched that I genuinely enjoyed was Togo, which of course, was an original film based on a true story. It almost seemed like because the movie was not tied to a pre-existing legacy franchise, the producers were more free to defy expectations. The end of this film was more emotionally powerful than anything Disney has released in a long time or since.

This is all very fair. Critiques like yours aren’t really what I had in mind, because you’re being specific and measured in what you take issue with. Others, however, are looking for Disney to fail in all its new content, from remakes to entirely original ventures such as Strange World, apparently because of some generalised objection to anything that might be branded “woke”.

 

[BlakeW39]

Projections aside, I’m really looking forward to this film. It’s a bit puzzling to me that some here are already celebrating what they expect to be its failure. If you’re not interested in watching it, why invest so much energy in dampening the enthusiasm of those who are?

Trying to give a legitimate answer here.

I don't want to dampen anyone's enthusiasm for anything. If you like something... if you find joy in something that harms no one, then power to ya. I'm 100% happy for you.

That said. I value quality in art. Disney's current trends in terms of the way they treat IP in their films, streaming and parks divisions..the constant remakes, spin-offs, tie-ins, sequels, adaptations. They are all very low quality and come at the expense of good art. Good films. Good TV shows. Good parks attractions. So I do hope that Disney sees diminishing returns with releases like TLM, just because I want them to stop making things like TLM.

In terms of wokeness. I don't use that word. I'm not even sure TLM has enough substance to be woke. It's literally just a remake of the 89 film, only the main character was race swapped. I generally don't like race swaps (as a black person) because I prefer characters to be consistent across different adaptations, so their appearance, traits, personality, etc. But obviously I think a black female character young girls can connect with is fantastic so again, I hope people can find joy in this film where I personally cannot.

 

[LittleBuford]

Trying to give a legitimate answer here.

I don't want to dampen anyone's enthusiasm for anything. If you like something... if you find joy in something that harms no one, then power to ya. I'm 100% happy for you.

That said. I value quality in art. Disney's current trends in terms of the way they treat IP in their films, streaming and parks divisions..the constant remakes, spin-offs, tie-ins, sequels, adaptations. They are all very low quality and come at the expense of good art. Good films. Good TV shows. Good parks attractions. So I do hope that Disney sees diminishing returns with releases like TLM, just because I want them to stop making things like TLM.

In terms of wokeness. I don't use that word. I'm not even sure TLM has enough substance to be woke. It's literally just a remake of the 89 film, only the main character was race swapped. I generally don't like race swaps (as a black person) because I prefer characters to be consistent across different adaptations, so their appearance, traits, personality, etc. But obviously I think a black female character young girls can connect with is fantastic so again, I hope people can find joy in this film where I personally cannot.

I’m generally not a huge fan of the remakes, and none of them has measured up to the original in my view, but this one has me truly excited as a Little Mermaid superfan. I may well end up disappointed again, but I’m hoping for something really special this time.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

It’s a bit puzzling to me that some here are already celebrating what they expect to be its failure.

I want Disney to learn a lesson so that they start making good content again.

So far, most of their "learn a lesson" movies have had a built-in excuse from COVID and Disney+ ostensibly changing moviegoing habits. With the successes of Mario and Avatar, Disney has run out of excuses.

 

[LittleBuford]

I want Disney to learn a lesson so that they start making good content again.

So far, most of their "learn a lesson" movies have had a built-in excuse from COVID and Disney+ ostensibly changing moviegoing habits. With the successes of Mario and Avatar, Disney has run out of excuses.

We have no idea if this film is good or not, because it’s yet to be released.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

We have no idea if this film is good or not, because it’s yet to be released.

Things I know:

• The color palette is muddy and dark
• The designs of all three animal sidekicks are nightmare-fuel
• Awkwafina is in this movie
• The CGI looks atrocious
• The underwater effects look particularly atrocious
• They changed the lyrics to at least two classic songs to suit "modern sensibilities"
• The vocal performance on the feature song is very good

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Movies with better CGI than The Little Mermaid (2023) include Avengers: Endgame (2018), Avengers (2012), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Avatar (2009), Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006), The Fellowship of the Ring (2001).

I don't understand why everyone is okay with Disney putting out movies that look like PlayStation 3 cutscenes.

 

[LittleBuford]

Things I know:

• The color palette is muddy and dark
• The designs of all three animal sidekicks are nightmare-fuel
• Awkwafina is in this movie
• The CGI looks atrocious
• The underwater effects look particularly atrocious
• They changed the lyrics to at least two classic songs to suit "modern sensibilities"
• The vocal performance on the feature song is very good

Things you don’t—and can’t—know, because none of us do or can:

• Whether it’s a good movie
• Whether it’ll do well or not

I have no issue with people criticising Disney’s content. My own reviews of some of their recent output have been none too favourable. But for goodness’ sake, at least wait to see the bloody thing before declaring it a dud.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Things you don’t—and can’t—know, because none of us do or can:

• Whether it’s a good movie
• Whether it’ll do well or not

I have no issue with people criticising Disney’s content. My own reviews of some of their recent output have been none too favourable. But for goodness’ sake, at least wait to see the bloody thing before declaring it a dud.

I'm not declaring it a dud, I'm hoping it's a dud.

 

[LittleBuford]

I'm not declaring it a dud, I'm hoping it's a dud.

That’s even worse, because it shows that your grievances are ideological rather than based on the film’s actual merits (or lack thereof).

 

[Phroobar]

If it flops it won't be because of Halle Bailey's singing. I don't know about her acting but it shouldn't be a problem. At least they are trying to market this movie unlike Elemental.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

That’s even worse, because it shows that your grievances are ideological rather than based on the film’s actual merits.

I have no grievance with this film, ideological or otherwise.

My grievance is with the creative output of The Walt Disney Company. I want them to fail spectacularly because I want them to course-correct. I don't particularly care whether the failure comes from Mermaid or Wish or Elemental or Guardians of the Galaxy.

 

[Figgy1]

I'm not declaring it a dud, I'm hoping it's a dud.

I never hope any movie is a dud/bad. IMHO the more good movies the better and provides more for people with different tastes
That said I think it's too early for a remake of Moana(one of my all time favorites) and haven't been quiet at all about it but hope it is excellent even if it may not be exactly what I'm looking for.
Really OT but I was hoping for a sequel first

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I never hope any movie is a dud/bad. IMHO the more good movies the better and provides more for people with different tastes

Yeah I mean the best case scenario is that it's amazing and a huge success, I just don't think that's very likely.

I think the worst case scenario is where Disney keeps putting out movies that are pretty bad, but not catastrophically bad, because that encourages them to stay complacent. I think they need something catastrophically bad to kick them back into gear.

 

[Phroobar]

Disney has always had ten years of success and ten years of failure. We are just in the tock portion of the tick-tock.

 

[DKampy]

Wow… people hoping for a movie to fail.., I don’t hope for any movie to fail especially one I have not seen…all film is subjective… what may not be my cup of tea…may be some else’s…I have no interest in seeing Fast x as F&F movies are not for me, but if someone else gets enjoyment… I think that is great

 

[DCBaker]

"Disney’s live-action take of 2x Oscar nominated animated feature, The Little Mermaid, officially landed on tracking today for what looks to be a $110M 4-day opening. That will land the movie among the top eight openings for the holiday, last year Paramount’s Top Gun: Maverick scoring a record start of $160.5M."

Full article below.

‘Little Mermaid’ To Do Backflips Over Memorial Day Weekend With $110M Opening – Box Office Early Look

Box Office: 'Little Mermaid' Eyes $110M Memorial Day Weekend Opening

deadline.com

 

[BlakeW39]

Things I know:

• The color palette is muddy and dark
• The designs of all three animal sidekicks are nightmare-fuel
• Awkwafina is in this movie
• The CGI looks atrocious
• The underwater effects look particularly atrocious
• They changed the lyrics to at least two classic songs to suit "modern sensibilities"
• The vocal performance on the feature song is very good

I'm not declaring it a dud, I'm hoping it's a dud.

I have no grievance with this film, ideological or otherwise.

My grievance is with the creative output of The Walt Disney Company. I want them to fail spectacularly because I want them to course-correct. I don't particularly care whether the failure comes from Mermaid or Wish or Elemental or Guardians of the Galaxy.

Totally agree with all of this^^^^

Like I said, I do hope people enjoy this film and it gives little girls hope and all that stuff. I'm not wishing any unhappiness on anyone lol. But on the other hand, I would be truly shocked if this movie ended up having really any artistic value, and I do hope it flops at the box office. And that is for the simple fact that I want Disney to be financially punished for pushing out safe, mindless garbage and consistently taking (at least in my opinion) TWDC in the absolute WRONG direction.

 

[Californian Elitist]

For the sake of the actors, crew, writers, and others who put a lot of work into the film alone, I would never wish for this film (or any film) to fail at the box office. Wow.

Disney has been making live-action versions of their animated films for years, with no plans to stop any time soon, it seems. If people don’t like them, find other movies to watch. There will be no punishment.

It’s not that serious.