Disney's Live Action The Little Mermaid

[BuddyThomas]

Okay. Full review.

As I previously said, I loved it. It is truly wonderful.

The thing that struck me the most was the cinematography. Every single scene is so beautiful to look at. Academy award nominated director Rob Marshall knew exactly what he was doing with this.

Halle is amazing. Her voice is from heaven and she is great in the part.

Jonah Hauer-King is my new husband. Phil who?

Javier Bardem is great.

Before seeing this, I had my doubts about Melissa, but she is absolutely perfect.

The new songs are a mixed bag. I thought that Wild Uncharted Waters sung by Eric was totally beautiful, and yet, someone should be put in jail for that ridiculous Scuttlebutt song. That thing definitely should never have made the cut. It is awful and embarrassing.

My only other issues with this movie have to do with the fish, the crab, and the bird.

Disney is apparently having a hard time with seagulls recently. The most annoying animated performance I have ever seen in my life was Lorraine Bracco as the voice of a seagull in the truly horrible remake of Pinocchio, but Awkwafina as Scuttle comes very close.

The flounder looks completely weird. The crab looks weird too, but Daveed Diggs really sells it, and ultimately, it works.

In the end, this movie is very emotional - children leaving the parent and moving on to their own life.

I didn't Sophie's Choice/Color Purple/Kramer vs. Kramer cry, but I admit I shed a tear or two.

This is a quality movie and I hope that you all enjoy it as much as I did.

 

[tcool123]

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.

Spoiler: Spoilers

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.

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

 

[DKampy]

Okay. Full review.

As I previously said, I loved it. It is truly wonderful.

The thing that struck me the most was the cinematography. Every single scene is so beautiful to look at. Academy award nominated director Rob Marshall knew exactly what he was doing with this.

Halle is amazing. Her voice is from heaven and she is great in the part.

Jonah Hauer-King is my new husband. Phil who?

Javier Bardem is great.

Before seeing this, I had my doubts about Melissa, but she is absolutely perfect.

The new songs are a mixed bag. I thought that Wild Uncharted Waters sung by Eric was totally beautiful, and yet, someone should be put in jail for that ridiculous Scuttlebutt song. That thing definitely should never have made the cut. It is awful and embarrassing.

My only other issues with this movie have to do with the fish, the crab, and the bird.

Disney is apparently having a hard time with seagulls recently. The most annoying animated performance I have ever seen in my life was Lorraine Bracco as the voice of a seagull in the truly horrible remake of Pinocchio, but Awkwafina as Scuttle comes very close.

The flounder looks completely weird. The crab looks weird too, but Daveed Diggs really sells it, and ultimately, it works.

In the end, this movie is very emotional - children leaving the parent and moving on to their own life.

I didn't Sophie's Choice/Color Purple/Kramer vs. Kramer cry, but I admit I shed a tear or two.

This is a quality movie and I hope that you all enjoy it as much as I did.

I am looking forward to it…my only issue is I have to wait till Sunday

 

[tcool123]

I am looking forward to it…my only issue is I have to wait till Sunday

I have to wait to rewatch it! Im already trying to find people to go with to see it in theaters, truly magical feel good time.

 

[tcool123]

Following Wednesday night previews…

View attachment 718518

Personally will be watching it tonight at 6:30 in a Dolby Theater at AMC because “heartbreak feels good in a place like this” is my backup plan for if I end up disliking the film like most of the remakes.

Following Thursday night previews…

A decent 70 seems to be sticking for critics and a phenomenal 95% for audiences has crept up. Lets see if that continues, and honestly it should stay positive as it was truly a delight

 

[Figments Friend]

I expect this film to do well.
There are not a lot of family friendly offerings lately for the big screen, and this has a ton of marketing push behind it for obvious reasons.

One thing I have noticed just from the previews / trailers that I am wondering about…
Why is Scuttle not depicted as a seagull?
The bird shown is a gannet….not a gull.
Big difference.

Just find that change a little odd.

-

 

[tcool123]

I expect this film to do well.
There are not a lot of family friendly offerings lately for the big screen, and this has a ton of marketing push behind it for obvious reasons.

One thing I have noticed just from the previews / trailers that I am wondering about…
Why is Scuttle not depicted as a seagull?
The bird shown is a gannet….not a gull.
Big difference.

Just find that change a little odd.

-

I know nothing of birds but…

Spoiler: Scuttle

Maybe it has to do with the fact that Scuttle now dives and interacts with the characters under water in the movie. It was to build up Ariel going to the surface as she doesnt even do that to visit Scuttle now, adding to the rebellious feeling that is elicited when she does go up.

 

[Figments Friend]

I know nothing of birds but…

Spoiler: Scuttle

Maybe it has to do with the fact that Scuttle now dives and interacts with the characters under water in the movie. It was to build up Ariel going to the surface as she doesnt even do that to visit Scuttle now, adding to the rebellious feeling that is elicited when she does go up.

Interesting point.
Yes, I could see that being a reason for the change for the type of bird depicted.
Gannets would be able to do this in reality, while this is not typical behavior for a seagull.

-

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Just got out as well and truly enjoyed it. Easily my favorite of the ‘Big Four’ Renaissance remakes, with Aladdin ironically number two. BatB and TLK were butchered, in comparison.

Halle Bailey crushed it as Ariel. No one can replace Jodi, but this was no Emma Watson scenario - her new song is also super catchy, mellifluous, and complementary to the original lineup.

Also, minor spoiler:

Spoiler: during the tour of the kingdom

I had no idea Jodi Benson would have a cameo but loved seeing her. Felt like a passing of the baton, if you will. Also the tropical calypso vibe during that whole scene was

 

[tcool123]

Just got out as well and truly enjoyed it. Easily my favorite of the ‘Big Four’ Renaissance remakes, with Aladdin ironically number two. BatB and TLK were butchered, in comparison.

Halle Bailey crushed it as Ariel. No one can replace Jodi, but this was no Emma Watson scenario - her new song is also super catchy, mellifluous, and complementary to the original lineup.

Also, minor spoiler:

Spoiler: during the tour of the kingdom

I had no idea Jodi Benson would have a cameo but loved seeing her. Felt like a passing of the baton, if you will. Also the tropical calypso vibe during that whole scene was

The true injsutice is that the soundtrack of the film doesn’t include much of these beautiful pieces of score, the one you mentioned in particular I sought out to listen to but to no avail as I couldn’t find it. Unless I missed it - also very possible

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

The true injsutice is that the soundtrack of the film doesn’t include much of these beautiful pieces of score, the one you mentioned in particular I sought out to listen to but to no avail as I couldn’t find it. Unless I missed it - also very possible

As I walk around listening to ‘For the First Time’ on repeat, thought the same thing - the original album was clever enough to include (nearly) the whole score. Give us those instrumentals, they were a great addition!

 

[Jedijax719]

Well, I'd say the audience has spoken and the consensus is that they love it. 95% with over 500 verified responses puts it right up there with Aladdin. It's interesting that the critic score has gone down a bit (but still fresh). It's as if some critics purposely waited until release to drop their reviews.

 

[DKampy]

So I’m not going to see it tonight it is delayed until tomorrow.

To follow forum rules I won’t post again until then.

Hope anyone who sees it tonight has a good time.

That is quite the commitment… you are going to see a movie you have no interest in… just so you can tell us how much you hate the movie

 

[Trauma]

That is quite the commitment… you are going to see a movie you have no interest in… just so you can tell us how much you hate the movie

Thanks !

I’m looking forward to it.

So far the worst reviews I have seen came from sources like the NYT HuffPost NPR etc.

If they hate something I’m usually all for it.

I may just end up loving this film.

 

[Trauma]

Off to see the movie very excited.

 

[networkpro]

I hope that it does well, with a production budget of over 250 million once you add in advertising its going to take quite a sustained box office to make a profit.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Off to see the movie very excited.

We all await with baited breath to see whether you return from the screening with a fresh outlook on life and a newfound respect for Bob Iger.

Until then, it seems early indications are that the film is doing well:

‘Little Mermaid’ Singing Loudly With $125M Memorial Day Weekend Opening – Friday Update

FRIDAY LATE AFTERNOON: As we told you, once a Disney princess film gets momentum, well, it’s wandering free at the box office. Such is the case for The Little Mermaid, which after $10.3M in p…

deadline.com

 

[Trauma]

Well what to say about the movie. I can see why it has mixed reviews.

Halle Bailey was excellent with a breakout performance that is unfortunately brought down by everything else.

For me it just doesn’t work well in live action.

Like every live action before it, it’s also a completely unnecessary cash grab.

The changes to the plot and songs were unsurprising. It wouldn’t be a modern Disney movie without eye roll inducing storytelling.

The kids in the theater where not dancing and going nuts singing at the end like what I saw at Frozen, so I think the movie won’t reach those heights.

At the end of the day a completely forgettable and unnecessary remake, featuring a breakout star that hopefully finds her way into something more creative and compelling then Disney is currently capable of.

 

[Jedijax719]

'A' on cinemascore

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[Trauma]

Looks like it’s only going to open to 180M global.

Far behind movies like Mario, Ant man, even Fast X.

It’s going to need a strong second weekend.

The good news is even if this flops I think Halle has elevated her career to movie star.

We will be hearing from her again.