Live-Action The Little Mermaid

[DarthSkywalker]

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

If one reads the "Fresh" reviews for this film, they read more as "This film is pretty bad and doesn't work, but Halle Bailey is amazing in it. Fresh."

Even if true, the lead being great is a big positive and I've seen singular performances carry films before. Certainly much better than a disaster like Beauty and the Beast Remake.

 

[Sithborg]

Even if true, the lead being great is a big positive and I've seen singular performances carry films before. Certainly much better than a disaster like Beauty and the Beast Remake.

Its what saved Venom.

 

[Drizzle]

Even if true, the lead being great is a big positive and I've seen singular performances carry films before. Certainly much better than a disaster like Beauty and the Beast Remake.

That one is actually on the better end of the spectrum when it comes to the Disney remakes. Pinocchio was a disaster.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

That one is actually on the better end of the spectrum when it comes to the Disney remakes. Pinocchio was a disaster.

I was referring specifically to the lead actress. In a musical it is kind of important to get a lead that can actually sing.

 

[TheVileOne]

Credit where credit is due, I do think Halle Bailey is the best part of the movie, and yes, she can actually sing which is important.

Apparently, Javier Bardem had a song for the film that got cut. His performance in the film is so lowkey and so low energy, it wouldn't surprise me if that is why. Bardem is a great actor but this was one of the most underwhelming performances of his career.

 

[Incarnadine]

I was wondering how the reviews would be for this.

The reviews on RT make for interesting reading and seem mostly consistent.
Only a few reviews really like it or hate it, the vast majority seem middling regardless of whether the review is fresh or rotten.

I do find the large disconnect between the groups of reviewers odd. Top Critics have it at 47% vs. 67% for all critic reviews and "verified" audience reviews are at 95% vs. all audience reviews at 48% (pretty massive spread there).

This movie isn't really in my wheelhouse, although I'll probably give it a watch once it hits Disney+ for free, I'm mostly just curious about reviews and boxoffice for the big blockbusters.

 

[Drizzle]

I was referring specifically to the lead actress. In a musical it is kind of important to get a lead that can actually sing.

Oh. Yeah, that was major stunt casting trying to get that Harry Potter nostalgia in there too. They knew what they were doing there. They could have gotten an experienced singer but it also could have been worse. I thought she at least gave a decent performance regardless so I overlooked it, similar to Russell Crowe in Les Miserables.

 

[Mysteryman]

So, No Post Credit scene, Right?

 

[Primal Slayer]

Just got done watching it and overall I enjoyed it. Is it as good as the OG? No. But definitely one of the better Disney adaptions.

Here is the thing about this film imo....they GUTTED the underwater scenes to the point that I didnt blame Ariel for wanting to not be a mermaid. For some reason only 2 sea creatures and whatever new bird Scuttle is are the only ones capable of talking? That is where the film primarily lost points. We saw very minimal mermaids, any Merfolk who wasnt Ariel had nothing to do, and the biggest crime....Ursula/Triton are siblings again but they dont ELABORATE ON IT AT ALLLLLLL. They added a whole extra hour to this film and they don't give us what we've wanted for the past 30 years.

Now the human world? They did a great job at expanding them. They added more characters, they made it lively as hell. Everything that lacked under the sea, thrived on land. Eric is MAJORLY expanded. He now has a mother. One of the women who gossips gets more lines than any of Ariels sisters.

I loved Halle as Ariel and I dont think anyone can watch this film and validity complain about her not being white. She embodied every aspect of the character which is very important when you racebend.

Melissa as Ursula was also really fun and deserved way more screen time. The actress who plays Vanessa had very little screen time but boy did she play Vanessa and own every second of her screentime she was given.

Javier was flat as hell as Triton most of the time and Id say the worst animated to live action adaption character in this film.

I am 50/50 on the changes. I liked half of them, disliked the other half.

Spoiler

The animators did a fantastic job of having Vanessa turn into Ursula on the ship in the animated film. It's lowkey scary how she just rips out of the dress. In the film, they take the safe route and have Vanessa engulfed in a cloud of smoke when she transforms.

That entire scene in general, the sea life really come together to combat Vanessa but all of that is lost here and its just Scuttle/Ariel battling Vanessa. It's a meh change.

Ursula ready to add Ariel to her garden and having Triton instead take her place was much more meaningful in the animated film. In the live action we have Triton show up, blast Ursula, fail, gives up his triton and Flopsom/Jetsom electrocute him to death? That wasnt fully clear, he went poof but somehow is de-poofed by the triton? And in the animated film we see with Ursula dead, her curse over her garden is gone and those urchin things turn back into mermaids. Doesnt exist in the live action film. In fact...we dont know if Ursula is even dead. She's stabbed and sinks under water. Last we see of her.

Swapping out Vanessas little song for the humming they did here....not nearly as iconic.

In the film, Ariel is caught by a fishermen when she is turned human and he brings her to the palace. I would have rathered they keep Eric be the one who finds her and brings her home since it just seemed strange how they would bring this random girl to the palace and be like "hey girl who this guy found. Our home is your home" But Erics treasure trove of his own was nice.

Even though having Eric be adopted in this film added nothing to his character, I liked all the other additions they gave him.

Oh and they ROBBED Ariel of her GORGEOUS seafoam dress! None of her dresses are in this film

Overall Id give it a solid 7/10. They played it a bit to safe which was disappointing and a film about a mermaid...give us MERMAIDS.

 

[Lily Adler]

Remember Harry Styles was going to be Eric at one point.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I was referring specifically to the lead actress. In a musical it is kind of important to get a lead that can actually sing.

Arguably the best tv and film musicals:





They cast Watson because she embodied Belle as a character. Is she the best singer? No. Overall, they kept it in her range for the most part. The idea that her casting is a disaster is not reflected in the reviews or the box office. Which was plenty leggy after a big opening.

 

[psylockolussus]

I thought this was as meh as Beauty and the Beast. Like the visuals look great, the film screams big budget but the story is just blah. I was bored.

Ariel's sisters were interesting though. Like if this was Ariel and Her siX Mermaid Sisters - that would have been way more interesting.

 

[Lily Adler]

Can we get Halle a new Disney Princess, please? Like whatever their next Disney musical film is, get her for that role.

 

[Albright]

Awkwafina's Scuttlebutt Song in Little Mermaid Gets Mixed Reactions From Fans

Scuttlebutt? Does she has a celery-arm and Patrick Duffy as a leg?

 

[Primal Slayer]

This isn't in the movie but it should've been;
In the merfolk guide its revealed that Ursula had a hand in Athenas death. Ursula would pose as her and attack boats. Athena being very much like her mother attempted to save a human and ended up dead herself

Awkwafina's Scuttlebutt Song in Little Mermaid Gets Mixed Reactions From Fans

Scuttlebutt? Does she has a celery-arm and Patrick Duffy as a leg?

It did get laughs in my theater. I think its one of those....better seen in the movie than ever just listened to. But wasn't needed.

 

[Kane52630]

Saw it yesterday and I'm surprised that I enjoyed it. It's no Jungle Book but it's better that the trailers made it out to be. It felt cohesive and well-edited and the CG didn't feel as bad when you see it on an IMAX screen. Halle Bailey was what made this movie.

 

[CB Fan]

This isn't in the movie but it should've been;
In the merfolk guide its revealed that Ursula had a hand in Athenas death. Ursula would pose as her and attack boats. Athena being very much like her mother attempted to save a human and ended up dead herself



It did get laughs in my theater. I think its one of those....better seen in the movie than ever just listened to. But wasn't needed.

I laughed at it.

They could do an animated Disney+ series with info in that book and I’d be here for it.

Saw this again and still really dig it. I just wish my favorite movies (Beauty and the Beast) live action version was done better. I tried watching that last night and turned it off by Belles second song.

 

[Silvermoth]

I just came back from seeing it and I loved every second. It was perfect for imax and all the cast were on point. I have no idea what the critics are talking about, it wasn’t colourless at all. Can’t wait to listen to the soundtrack. I actually wouldn’t mind a sequel

 

[Snow Queen]

I was enjoying this more than expected... then the original songs happened. One of them got me laughing, but not for the reasons they might want. The underwater stuff looked noticeably better than I recall the trailers, but it went from serviceable to not good for me when it got to land. Overall... it's a movie.

 

[TheVileOne]

Just got done watching it and overall I enjoyed it. Is it as good as the OG? No. But definitely one of the better Disney adaptions.

Here is the thing about this film imo....they GUTTED the underwater scenes to the point that I didnt blame Ariel for wanting to not be a mermaid. For some reason only 2 sea creatures and whatever new bird Scuttle is are the only ones capable of talking? That is where the film primarily lost points. We saw very minimal mermaids, any Merfolk who wasnt Ariel had nothing to do, and the biggest crime....Ursula/Triton are siblings again but they dont ELABORATE ON IT AT ALLLLLLL. They added a whole extra hour to this film and they don't give us what we've wanted for the past 30 years.

Now the human world? They did a great job at expanding them. They added more characters, they made it lively as hell. Everything that lacked under the sea, thrived on land. Eric is MAJORLY expanded. He now has a mother. One of the women who gossips gets more lines than any of Ariels sisters.

I loved Halle as Ariel and I dont think anyone can watch this film and validity complain about her not being white. She embodied every aspect of the character which is very important when you racebend.

Melissa as Ursula was also really fun and deserved way more screen time. The actress who plays Vanessa had very little screen time but boy did she play Vanessa and own every second of her screentime she was given.

Javier was flat as hell as Triton most of the time and Id say the worst animated to live action adaption character in this film.

I am 50/50 on the changes. I liked half of them, disliked the other half.

Spoiler

The animators did a fantastic job of having Vanessa turn into Ursula on the ship in the animated film. It's lowkey scary how she just rips out of the dress. In the film, they take the safe route and have Vanessa engulfed in a cloud of smoke when she transforms.

That entire scene in general, the sea life really come together to combat Vanessa but all of that is lost here and its just Scuttle/Ariel battling Vanessa. It's a meh change.

Ursula ready to add Ariel to her garden and having Triton instead take her place was much more meaningful in the animated film. In the live action we have Triton show up, blast Ursula, fail, gives up his triton and Flopsom/Jetsom electrocute him to death? That wasnt fully clear, he went poof but somehow is de-poofed by the triton? And in the animated film we see with Ursula dead, her curse over her garden is gone and those urchin things turn back into mermaids. Doesnt exist in the live action film. In fact...we dont know if Ursula is even dead. She's stabbed and sinks under water. Last we see of her.

Swapping out Vanessas little song for the humming they did here....not nearly as iconic.

In the film, Ariel is caught by a fishermen when she is turned human and he brings her to the palace. I would have rathered they keep Eric be the one who finds her and brings her home since it just seemed strange how they would bring this random girl to the palace and be like "hey girl who this guy found. Our home is your home" But Erics treasure trove of his own was nice.

Even though having Eric be adopted in this film added nothing to his character, I liked all the other additions they gave him.

Oh and they ROBBED Ariel of her GORGEOUS seafoam dress! None of her dresses are in this film

Overall Id give it a solid 7/10. They played it a bit to safe which was disappointing and a film about a mermaid...give us MERMAIDS.

If you are going to make the undersea world look so dull and boring, why even adapt the story at all?

 

[TheVileOne]

I laughed at it.

They could do an animated Disney+ series with info in that book and I’d be here for it.

Saw this again and still really dig it. I just wish my favorite movies (Beauty and the Beast) live action version was done better. I tried watching that last night and turned it off by Belles second song.

I like Emma Watson, she's not a bad Belle, she's just not a good singer. And credit to her, she tried. And the movie was a success. But sometimes I think there are instances where it's OK to dub a singing voice, and this would've been one of those times.

I don't get it is why they do musicals like this and don't cast actors who can sing well. Like in Les Miserables. Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway did their parts, but most everyone else was a letdown.

 

[Lasirius]

I enjoyed it! Was pleasant enough.

 

[Silvermoth]

Remember Harry Styles was going to be Eric at one point.

yeah I’m so glad this didn’t happen

 

[CaptainWagner]

Went with friends who wanted to see it. Probably the best cast of any of these movies since Cinderella. They do a darn fine job at carrying the film, but they're ultimately still stuck in a framework that's just as soulless as the majority of the Disney remakes.

Marshall just has no idea how to work with these CGI environments. The physical scenes on the island were mostly fine, but the direction underwater was totally aimless.