We already had a better Scuttle song from the Broadway version. Hell, we also had a better Eric song from the Broadway version, now that I think about it.
@@katherinealvarez9216 Why not? That is how the New Matilda movie was turned into a musical was the songs from Broadway. Why compose entirely new songs that may or may not be a hit when you have existing songs that have already been tested with audiences? Honestly seems like Lin Manuel Miranda wanted to flex his songwriting skills with these songs when better ones already exist.
I don't know if I'm overthinking this, but trying to have it both ways - a cast that ignores race and ethnicity to this extent, and a historical setting that involved racial/ethnic oppression and violence - gives me strong Bridgerton vibes. Especially the royalty piece. You just can't have it both ways. Whitewashing history is already becoming a huge issue in classrooms, and to me there is a real concern that these kinds of stories can unintentionally muddy the waters and even potentially support the alt-right narrative that "it wasn't so bad," even if the stories have fantasy elements.
I remember after halles casting I'm like "Disney doesn't have the stones to double down and make Eric black" then when I saw he was adopted with a black mother off the coast of the islands I was more frustrated that it felt like a shoe horned attempt at the RnH Cinderella vibe but not going all the way like you mentioned
I remember back when Halle Bailey was first cast and someone argued she couldn't be black because the story was Danish, someone countered by saying it could be based in the Caribbean, to which the obvious question is, "So there was a mermaid slave trade??". Trying to set fantasy films in the real world comes with so many pitfalls, and it feels like Disney is trying so hard to win all sides, not realising that it only takes minimal scrutiny for it all logic to fall apart. As another commenter said, it feels like Bridgerton again where colorblind casting creates issues the writers clearly didn't consider. (Also, I feel like a good example of colorblind casting is David Copperfield with Dev Patel, but I'm happy to be corrected.)
I liked the story changes they made, overall and Ariel and Eric were much more developed. I thought Ariel's voice was so perfect. Dead on. And she was everything Ariel should be. That said, I think the director needed to bring out stronger performances from the actors in the underwater scenes. I know they were in all sorts of green screen boxes, probably shot from the neck up but when even Javier Bardem was stiff, I knew it wasn't on the actors themselves. And Disney's assault on FX budgets did this movie dirty. I know my animation background makes me notice more, but I cringed a lot in the underwater scenes. So much weird stretching and the constrained hair looking like it was held back with merfolk hairspray... I really missed the beautiful fluidity of the original but the artists can't give us that without the time and funding.
Hot take: It would have been more expansive if it were not just "3 days" but instead "3 moons" (3 months). Sure it's lower stakes, but they could have expanded the courting of Ariel and Eric that way. Also Ariel could have explored life on land more thoroughly as shown in the animation.
I had been saying for months that this movie gave me Brandy and Whitney Cinderella vibes. I really enjoyed this movie, it’s honestly probably been my favorite live action remake thus far. I’m able to suspend my disbelief when it comes to colorblind casting, especially in the fantasy genre, but it does get a little dicey when it comes to real life historical references
One thing I very much dislike about this movie is how they portrayed sabastians voice, again say their Caribbean but not being specific just giving them a sing song accent. Alot of Caribbean characters if not made Jamaican are still given a Jamaican accent.
They messed up the plot of Aladdin by explicitly stating that the first wish-granting was illusory, while also stating that the genie actually could repeal the royal marriage law. It was confusing before but now it makes even less sense.
Readus, can you do a critic of Nimona and what it has to say about fascism? In specific how it lists each and every one of the 14 features of eternal fascism as detailed by Umberto Eco in his 1995 thesis. ❤
i would love to see him talk about this while also touching on the fact that the creator has an issue with consistently putting white savior tropes in his stories and how that can affect the message of said movie etc.
I hated uncharted waters when I first saw it - but after watching it a few times (everyday with my daughter 🤦🏾♀️😭) I think it’s a sweet sense of building their longing for each other 🤷🏾♀️🤷🏾♀️ love the chemistry building just wished Ursula felt more like a big bad …. Potential bad influence idk she feels meh in this movie especially during the final fight scene she died so calm.. ALSO everything is so damn DARK I excepted underwater to look lively
I honestly enjoyed Little Mermaid, Halle Bailey killed it and I love her and Eric. But yes, it has all the problems that most (all) the remakes have. Its interesting that you mentioned Pocahontas, I didn't make that connection and I do wonder. I made a connection with Brady's Cinderella with the color blind casting and the intimate moments it has. So yes, this was the year I liked 2 live action remakes. I don't know if that'll ever happen again.
I'll be honest: I was so shocked that the movie's changes actually benefited the story. We've spent most of these live actions seeing reactionary change after reactionary change like don't start me on Beauty and the Beast. It's so sad that this was the movie people drew the line at over a casting choice that elevated the film in the first place. I will say the motive change benefited Ariel so much imo. I think people just don't want to admit that the original positioned Ariel as single minded and obsessed over Eric to the point of making obvious mistakes like trusting Ursula, who isn't given any reason for her to trust her so it reflected poorly on Ariel. The motive and familial connection gave way to an improvement.
I enjoyed the concept of it being a former French or Spanish colonial or something, since it's very clear that it's Caribbean but doesn't really give us much to work with in the outside world. Ariel and Eric paralleling each other was a nice contrast to the cartoon film. Overall, I honestly loved the costuming a lot. Disney really doesn't have the nards to focus on actual class issues or clothing but you kind of get a minor feel for it here. So far, I enjoyed this one and Aladdin for having some attempts to make them a better revision.
After the second time she mentioned that ONE human killed her mother, the idea crossed my mind. But it was when Queen Selina talked to Eric after the Ursula fight that I realized what was going on.
What strikes me is how easily they could have set this in a completely fictional world. It might have resolved, or at least minimized, this issue. Worldbuilding like that is a lot of work, but a company like Disney can afford it.
I loved that they gave Eric a song. I DO wish, however, that some effort to make it musically fit the rest of the compositionally tapestry better. The Scuttlebutt was definitely fun, but in no way did I think it needed to be there.
I did enjoy the live action movie, I really like how Eric and Ariel are brought closer through their love of collecting things. I liked the sentiments of Eric's song, but I didn't like the way it was composed, it felt like it didn't fit with the other songs in the movie. I didn't see it in theaters because the underwater scenes make me feel very uncomfortable (I think it has to do with the way they made the hair move and I can't tell if it's uncanny valley or slight motion sickness) but I watched it at home twice the first weekend it was on Disney+. That being said, I did almost accidentally watch it in theaters because my local theater didn't switch the reel from The Little Mermaid to Across the Spider-Verse like they were supposed to. It was hilarious watching the ocean waves appear on the screen in a packed crowd of hard core fans expecting spider man, since it was the Thursday night opening screening.
Loved it! I watched it twice at the theater. Ariel's new song about her first time on land was so beautiful, it reminded me of the first time I traveled alone The only thing I disliked was Ursula: the animated one is one of my favorite Disney villains, while the live action one was really boring
I'm a bit of a die-hard fan of The Little Mermaid, and I just heard your opinion on the Prince Eric song, and I'd like to voice my own opinion. But before I get started, I would like to say that although I disagree with you on some points, I can understand and value your point of view. That being said, I'd like to say that I actually LIKE the song and the placement of it within the movie. In addition, I, personally, can hear the classical composition of the influence of Allan Meinkin (I hope I spelled his name right) within the song, as well as the modern influence with a slight twist that definitively hallmarks the hand of Lynn Manuel-Miranda (I hope I spelled his name correctly as well) within the piece. I thought it was a PERFECT marriage of talent that created the song. Actually, I'd liken it to the same type, but different flavor, of magic that occurred between Meinkin and Howard Ashman to create the music for the original The Little Mermaid.
I enjoyed the new version as damn solid and overall the additions I didn't quite mind. And I say this as someone who is a Danish American and also traumatized as a child by a "book accurate" cartoon movie of the Little Mermaid back when the original came out. I did like that Eric got a whole song and a vast expansion of his character to be a more compelling love interest. The change to the deal that Ariel doesn't even realize she has to kiss him was a fun update to the situation. But I do have to agree, while it was NICE seeing a sort of "Caribbean Culture untouched by slavery/racism", it's desire to be linked to the real world while not acknowledging these parts of history all at the same time making the motivator of the story about prejudice was kinda damn dizzying. And about my only forgiveness for Scuttlebutt is that it was awful on purpose. Especially having Daveed Diggs jump in just for the last verse, so you could have a direct A/B comparison. REALLY get how awful every part of her rapping was.
@@dorte3791 I didn't say scared, I said traumatized. The level of cruelty visited upon Ariel is quite significant, and for no damn reason. Most 9 yr olds aren't keen on the torture of random, innocent ladies.
@@dorte3791 uhyggelig (neuter uhyggeligt, plural and definite singular attributive uhyggelige) scary, gruesome, chilling, uncanny And I have Danish family, we were raised with Danish values, we live in America. Not a complex concept.
@@hartthorn sounds like the typical American “my grandmas best friend was danish so I’m actually also Danish”. I guses the term uhyggelig can’t be translated into English…same as hygge
I haven't seen the film yet, but part of me thinks that this may be a situation of good intentions minus proper research and consideration equals unfortunate implications and outcomes. The good intention? "Color-Blind" Casting (which is never truly 100% color-blind) used to promote diversity and give actors and performers of color access to more roles and jobs in film and on the stage, but the poor understanding and consideration of real world history and not paying attention to racial casting choices and story changes resulting in the problems you mentioned. EDIT: I forgot that "Unfortunate Implications" is a TV Trope. 😂 The flavor image on the website is that Vogue Magazine cover of LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen.
I would have loved to see Michelle Buteau or Yvette Nicole Brown considered as Ursula castings. Also Queen Latifa did a great job with the broadcast musical.
I still haven’t seen the new one. Halle Bailey looks to have done a great job and if YMS said it was anything over 3 especially as a remake, is praise enough of that. My only beef with the trailer (what I’ve seen) was the national anthem style alteration of “Part of your World”. Her voice is well on point though. This video has me actually eager to check it out, despite, well, we all know the mehhh additions. - While nothing immediately comes to mind for the questions at the end, I screamed ‘Oh COME ON!!!’ when you brought up the Prince Eric being adopted addition. I also thought Lizzo would have been amazing as Ursula. Bet she coulda sung the notes Melissa Mcarthy couldnt hit too. I saw that you’re on a break now, so rest up, I’ve got plenty of ‘homework’ to catch up on.
I see where you are going with this, but here's the thing, although several locations from the film share names with real life locations this story takes place in a fictional world, this is proven In one of the books released called : A Guide To Merfolk, real fun read. The map is different geographiclly and there are really only seven seas in this world unlike ours with like 50 so the history does'nt have to line up with each other, while they do have black servants they also do have white servants doing the same job. Speaking of seas all the daughters are suppose to represent the seas they were concieved in/meant to rule. Them being different races gives off high fantasy vibes really since several times in the book Triton is reffered to as "The Sea God" it makes sense that the seven offsprings from this all powerful being who embody the seven seas would each embody a sea.
Very interesting analysis, I hadn't considered that connection. I definitely agree this was one of the better live action remakes, I had a good time with it, but I think you're right in that another look at the real world implications would have been for the best.
I personally loved it, I have a French creole Background (Guadeloupe Caribbean island) and if you are not aware back in the day and for some even today will tell you have a massive issue with colourism, so to see them not making it a race thing and have a good balance of ethnicity made me appreciate this movie even more and this is definitely the version of the movie I will want my kids to watch over the original one who lack of diversity (still a good anime dont take me wrong) , I get it the Queen of the island doesn't make sense but on the bigger picture view why not ! back in a day it would have made a lot of polemic but today we have Sandra Mason (president of Barbados), They gave Ariel so much emotional maturity which even if she was gifted emotionally wouldn't even be logical as you will have to have a few big disappointment and experience in life to be fully self aware to even understand the depth of compassion so I will just call it educational for the viewer ! she understand that there is way more than look and race (humain race) to a person, but still we all have watch the movie and we are still here debating about skin colour race and more....
I'm not a fan of live action remakes. I liked Disney's Pocahontas. That being said, I think a more realistic telling of the true story would be interesting, though I doubt Disney would tell it.
I was never that fond of the animated Little Mermaid. Don't get me wrong, animation, music, design, all fantastic and extremely well put together. But the core of the story was one I couldn't personally relation to. My reading of the animated Little Mermaid is a story about, fundamentally, growing up. Ariel is, metaphorically, seeking adulthood and everyone around her desires to hold her back and keep her a child. Snow White is effectively about the same idea, and these ideas never resonated with me as I never personally felt that struggle. But I have always very much liked the original story by HCA. A story of acceptance and the frustrations about never receiving it no matter how hard you try is just so much more powerful to me, so I do appreciate this new Little Mermaid film went in that direction. I can appreciate a lot about the new film, the music, the acting, the set design, the CGI when it works well (sometimes it looks kinda boxy in the underwater scenes, I don't know how else to describe it, like I can see the pixels or something). But it still just didn't do it for me. I think I would need drastic changes to the whole of the narrative to get what I want out of it, but that's just a me thing.
I'm super biased for sure because I didn't really care about the original Disney TLM. And when I heard Halle sing I was all in. And then I went to see in it theaters it was just me and a bunch of other black girls so it was almost a spiritual experience. I got Brandy's Cinderella vibes from the casting (and that is my only Cinderella, I destroyed that VHS from all the replays) I was surprised when Eric got a song, and there was one shot where I was wondering if there were about to give King Triton a song and I'm glad that they didn't, but also I would visit the universe where he did sing. I agree with what you said in the video, but I also was just happy to be there that I wish they would have left any real world anything out of it because I came for the fantasy.
it's been so long since i've watched a disney pocahontas. i didn't remember the sign language besides the greeting. omfg. are there sign language analysis vids of those movies? i need to watch Twin Rabbit's video again.....
I tried to like this, but the CGI just took me right out. I think there's a lot of good there, but everyone underwater just looked either uncomfortable or plastic.
Eh I didn’t enjoy it much, I thought the whole production was kind of subpar, so I was surprised to find out how much they spent on this movie. I would’ve loved something more like Rodger & Hammerstein Cinderella but this movie wasn’t very musical theater like, and while Hallie is a lovely singer I don’t think she’s a musical theater singer nor a great actress (at least in this movie). I think they focused too much on being real which lead to it being not as fantastical as a fairytale implies, and it wasn’t smart enough about being realistic like Ever After was, but it’s not the worst remake or film.
In fantasy stories, with different species races, and don’t have the baggage of REAL history, is it okay to have plots that address actual social problems? Or would that automatically be interpreted as demeaning or childish? … I could deal with childishness, if it means that people would talk about the actual issues instead of devolving into insults that halt ANY discussion ever … I’m looking for ideas to help but maybe it’s just idealistic nonsense I’m going on about? I don’t know.
I mean she gave almost exactly the same vibe og Ariel did while singing. In my opinion atleast I guess that’s probably while she made it imo. After watching it with my own kid it felt like almost the same movie to me without much analysis honestly. Except Ursula’s human form was hotter in live action than Ariel imo 😂
4:47 I do want to add, though, that this story can both subtextually discuss queer themes, and *also* textually be about heteronormative themes that might not be the best for children's concept of the self. There isn't actually a contradiction.
I enjoyed it and was bored with it-honestly, I just really wish it was its own thing instead of a live action remake. I ADORED Ariel and Eric. The two of them had a lot of chemistry and I had the most fun watching them explore the island together… oddly enough, the parts under the sea were the parts I was most bored with. I just wanted to watch this prince and mermaid who mutually longed for more and were kept on a short leash by their parents be cute together. I loved that they had a lot in common and just WORKED. The parts under the sea were kind of dull and un-engaging by comparison
loved Halle’s performance in this, and i feel neutral or dislike the rest. i would rewatch a version where Scuttlebutt and Eric’s song are cut out tho.
Oh come on movies will lead to lower morals, less thinking, zombie citizens! Think of the children! ;) Ive seen chunks of the film by now and Im just not impressed. I feel its at "The Core" levels of sheer nonsense carried by people acting their heart out.
No, but seriously; who decided to approve "The Scuttlebutt?"
I don't know, but they honestly should have been told no.
That said, For The First Time was a good addition.
We already had a better Scuttle song from the Broadway version.
Hell, we also had a better Eric song from the Broadway version, now that I think about it.
@@gooderambles so...they should have gotten some songs from the Broadway version?
@@katherinealvarez9216 Why not? That is how the New Matilda movie was turned into a musical was the songs from Broadway. Why compose entirely new songs that may or may not be a hit when you have existing songs that have already been tested with audiences? Honestly seems like Lin Manuel Miranda wanted to flex his songwriting skills with these songs when better ones already exist.
@@SailorMya I'm not disagreeing. I really did like For The First Time.
I'm still surprised they didn't cast a drag queen to play Ursula as she was based on one & would've been voiced by one had Divine not passed away.
That would have been awesome but sadly we know how a lot of conservative Disney fans would react to that.
I don't know if I'm overthinking this, but trying to have it both ways - a cast that ignores race and ethnicity to this extent, and a historical setting that involved racial/ethnic oppression and violence - gives me strong Bridgerton vibes. Especially the royalty piece. You just can't have it both ways. Whitewashing history is already becoming a huge issue in classrooms, and to me there is a real concern that these kinds of stories can unintentionally muddy the waters and even potentially support the alt-right narrative that "it wasn't so bad," even if the stories have fantasy elements.
💯
You had an out Bridgerton! Either take it or give us a full alternate history!
I remember after halles casting I'm like "Disney doesn't have the stones to double down and make Eric black" then when I saw he was adopted with a black mother off the coast of the islands I was more frustrated that it felt like a shoe horned attempt at the RnH Cinderella vibe but not going all the way like you mentioned
I remember back when Halle Bailey was first cast and someone argued she couldn't be black because the story was Danish, someone countered by saying it could be based in the Caribbean, to which the obvious question is, "So there was a mermaid slave trade??". Trying to set fantasy films in the real world comes with so many pitfalls, and it feels like Disney is trying so hard to win all sides, not realising that it only takes minimal scrutiny for it all logic to fall apart. As another commenter said, it feels like Bridgerton again where colorblind casting creates issues the writers clearly didn't consider. (Also, I feel like a good example of colorblind casting is David Copperfield with Dev Patel, but I'm happy to be corrected.)
I liked the story changes they made, overall and Ariel and Eric were much more developed. I thought Ariel's voice was so perfect. Dead on. And she was everything Ariel should be. That said, I think the director needed to bring out stronger performances from the actors in the underwater scenes. I know they were in all sorts of green screen boxes, probably shot from the neck up but when even Javier Bardem was stiff, I knew it wasn't on the actors themselves. And Disney's assault on FX budgets did this movie dirty. I know my animation background makes me notice more, but I cringed a lot in the underwater scenes. So much weird stretching and the constrained hair looking like it was held back with merfolk hairspray... I really missed the beautiful fluidity of the original but the artists can't give us that without the time and funding.
There's a deleted scene of King Triton singing and it was so bland.
Hot take: It would have been more expansive if it were not just "3 days" but instead "3 moons" (3 months). Sure it's lower stakes, but they could have expanded the courting of Ariel and Eric that way. Also Ariel could have explored life on land more thoroughly as shown in the animation.
I had been saying for months that this movie gave me Brandy and Whitney Cinderella vibes. I really enjoyed this movie, it’s honestly probably been my favorite live action remake thus far. I’m able to suspend my disbelief when it comes to colorblind casting, especially in the fantasy genre, but it does get a little dicey when it comes to real life historical references
It's a poor man's version
I prefer the 1989 animated version, but Halle Bailey is beautiful & has an amazing voice. Melissa McCarthy is a hilarious actor.
Personally I'd prefer fairy tales ignore real world history and locations, in the same way they ignore the absence of soap.
Vanessa's reprise was literally the best part of the original movie. I see you.
One thing I very much dislike about this movie is how they portrayed sabastians voice, again say their Caribbean but not being specific just giving them a sing song accent. Alot of Caribbean characters if not made Jamaican are still given a Jamaican accent.
They messed up the plot of Aladdin by explicitly stating that the first wish-granting was illusory, while also stating that the genie actually could repeal the royal marriage law. It was confusing before but now it makes even less sense.
She really is such a fantastic Ariel and she was giving her all, despite the problems with the direction and script. 😢
Readus, can you do a critic of Nimona and what it has to say about fascism? In specific how it lists each and every one of the 14 features of eternal fascism as detailed by Umberto Eco in his 1995 thesis. ❤
i would love to see him talk about this while also touching on the fact that the creator has an issue with consistently putting white savior tropes in his stories and how that can affect the message of said movie etc.
I hated uncharted waters when I first saw it - but after watching it a few times (everyday with my daughter 🤦🏾♀️😭) I think it’s a sweet sense of building their longing for each other 🤷🏾♀️🤷🏾♀️ love the chemistry building just wished Ursula felt more like a big bad …. Potential bad influence idk she feels meh in this movie especially during the final fight scene she died so calm.. ALSO everything is so damn DARK I excepted underwater to look lively
I usually like Melissa McCarthy chewing the scenery, but I do wish she got to be more sinister than silly. She is capable of being a scary villain.
I honestly enjoyed Little Mermaid, Halle Bailey killed it and I love her and Eric.
But yes, it has all the problems that most (all) the remakes have. Its interesting that you mentioned Pocahontas, I didn't make that connection and I do wonder.
I made a connection with Brady's Cinderella with the color blind casting and the intimate moments it has.
So yes, this was the year I liked 2 live action remakes. I don't know if that'll ever happen again.
I'll be honest: I was so shocked that the movie's changes actually benefited the story. We've spent most of these live actions seeing reactionary change after reactionary change like don't start me on Beauty and the Beast. It's so sad that this was the movie people drew the line at over a casting choice that elevated the film in the first place. I will say the motive change benefited Ariel so much imo. I think people just don't want to admit that the original positioned Ariel as single minded and obsessed over Eric to the point of making obvious mistakes like trusting Ursula, who isn't given any reason for her to trust her so it reflected poorly on Ariel. The motive and familial connection gave way to an improvement.
I enjoyed the concept of it being a former French or Spanish colonial or something, since it's very clear that it's Caribbean but doesn't really give us much to work with in the outside world. Ariel and Eric paralleling each other was a nice contrast to the cartoon film. Overall, I honestly loved the costuming a lot. Disney really doesn't have the nards to focus on actual class issues or clothing but you kind of get a minor feel for it here. So far, I enjoyed this one and Aladdin for having some attempts to make them a better revision.
great video! I never even thought about the pochahontas connection
After the second time she mentioned that ONE human killed her mother, the idea crossed my mind. But it was when Queen Selina talked to Eric after the Ursula fight that I realized what was going on.
What strikes me is how easily they could have set this in a completely fictional world. It might have resolved, or at least minimized, this issue.
Worldbuilding like that is a lot of work, but a company like Disney can afford it.
I loved that they gave Eric a song. I DO wish, however, that some effort to make it musically fit the rest of the compositionally tapestry better. The Scuttlebutt was definitely fun, but in no way did I think it needed to be there.
I did enjoy the live action movie, I really like how Eric and Ariel are brought closer through their love of collecting things. I liked the sentiments of Eric's song, but I didn't like the way it was composed, it felt like it didn't fit with the other songs in the movie.
I didn't see it in theaters because the underwater scenes make me feel very uncomfortable (I think it has to do with the way they made the hair move and I can't tell if it's uncanny valley or slight motion sickness) but I watched it at home twice the first weekend it was on Disney+.
That being said, I did almost accidentally watch it in theaters because my local theater didn't switch the reel from The Little Mermaid to Across the Spider-Verse like they were supposed to. It was hilarious watching the ocean waves appear on the screen in a packed crowd of hard core fans expecting spider man, since it was the Thursday night opening screening.
Loved it! I watched it twice at the theater. Ariel's new song about her first time on land was so beautiful, it reminded me of the first time I traveled alone
The only thing I disliked was Ursula: the animated one is one of my favorite Disney villains, while the live action one was really boring
I'm thinking they should have made this one a musical mob boss, so I do agree.
I'm a bit of a die-hard fan of The Little Mermaid, and I just heard your opinion on the Prince Eric song, and I'd like to voice my own opinion. But before I get started, I would like to say that although I disagree with you on some points, I can understand and value your point of view. That being said, I'd like to say that I actually LIKE the song and the placement of it within the movie. In addition, I, personally, can hear the classical composition of the influence of Allan Meinkin (I hope I spelled his name right) within the song, as well as the modern influence with a slight twist that definitively hallmarks the hand of Lynn Manuel-Miranda (I hope I spelled his name correctly as well) within the piece. I thought it was a PERFECT marriage of talent that created the song. Actually, I'd liken it to the same type, but different flavor, of magic that occurred between Meinkin and Howard Ashman to create the music for the original The Little Mermaid.
I enjoyed the new version as damn solid and overall the additions I didn't quite mind. And I say this as someone who is a Danish American and also traumatized as a child by a "book accurate" cartoon movie of the Little Mermaid back when the original came out.
I did like that Eric got a whole song and a vast expansion of his character to be a more compelling love interest. The change to the deal that Ariel doesn't even realize she has to kiss him was a fun update to the situation.
But I do have to agree, while it was NICE seeing a sort of "Caribbean Culture untouched by slavery/racism", it's desire to be linked to the real world while not acknowledging these parts of history all at the same time making the motivator of the story about prejudice was kinda damn dizzying.
And about my only forgiveness for Scuttlebutt is that it was awful on purpose. Especially having Daveed Diggs jump in just for the last verse, so you could have a direct A/B comparison. REALLY get how awful every part of her rapping was.
Den originale er jo overhovedet ikke uhyggelig nu må du fandme ta´ dig sammen
@@dorte3791 I didn't say scared, I said traumatized. The level of cruelty visited upon Ariel is quite significant, and for no damn reason. Most 9 yr olds aren't keen on the torture of random, innocent ladies.
@@hartthornI also never claimed you were scared? Also wdym “danish American”
@@dorte3791 uhyggelig (neuter uhyggeligt, plural and definite singular attributive uhyggelige)
scary, gruesome, chilling, uncanny
And I have Danish family, we were raised with Danish values, we live in America. Not a complex concept.
@@hartthorn sounds like the typical American “my grandmas best friend was danish so I’m actually also Danish”. I guses the term uhyggelig can’t be translated into English…same as hygge
I haven't seen the film yet, but part of me thinks that this may be a situation of good intentions minus proper research and consideration equals unfortunate implications and outcomes. The good intention? "Color-Blind" Casting (which is never truly 100% color-blind) used to promote diversity and give actors and performers of color access to more roles and jobs in film and on the stage, but the poor understanding and consideration of real world history and not paying attention to racial casting choices and story changes resulting in the problems you mentioned. EDIT: I forgot that "Unfortunate Implications" is a TV Trope. 😂 The flavor image on the website is that Vogue Magazine cover of LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen.
I would have loved to see Michelle Buteau or Yvette Nicole Brown considered as Ursula castings.
Also Queen Latifa did a great job with the broadcast musical.
I still haven’t seen the new one. Halle Bailey looks to have done a great job and if YMS said it was anything over 3 especially as a remake, is praise enough of that. My only beef with the trailer (what I’ve seen) was the national anthem style alteration of “Part of your World”. Her voice is well on point though.
This video has me actually eager to check it out, despite, well, we all know the mehhh additions.
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While nothing immediately comes to mind for the questions at the end, I screamed ‘Oh COME ON!!!’ when you brought up the Prince Eric being adopted addition.
I also thought Lizzo would have been amazing as Ursula. Bet she coulda sung the notes Melissa Mcarthy couldnt hit too.
I saw that you’re on a break now, so rest up, I’ve got plenty of ‘homework’ to catch up on.
I see where you are going with this, but here's the thing, although several locations from the film share names with real life locations this story takes place in a fictional world, this is proven In one of the books released called : A Guide To Merfolk, real fun read. The map is different geographiclly and there are really only seven seas in this world unlike ours with like 50 so the history does'nt have to line up with each other, while they do have black servants they also do have white servants doing the same job. Speaking of seas all the daughters are suppose to represent the seas they were concieved in/meant to rule. Them being different races gives off high fantasy vibes really since several times in the book Triton is reffered to as "The Sea God" it makes sense that the seven offsprings from this all powerful being who embody the seven seas would each embody a sea.
Very interesting analysis, I hadn't considered that connection.
I definitely agree this was one of the better live action remakes, I had a good time with it, but I think you're right in that another look at the real world implications would have been for the best.
I personally loved it, I have a French creole Background (Guadeloupe Caribbean island) and if you are not aware back in the day and for some even today will tell you have a massive issue with colourism, so to see them not making it a race thing and have a good balance of ethnicity made me appreciate this movie even more and this is definitely the version of the movie I will want my kids to watch over the original one who lack of diversity (still a good anime dont take me wrong) , I get it the Queen of the island doesn't make sense but on the bigger picture view why not ! back in a day it would have made a lot of polemic but today we have Sandra Mason (president of Barbados), They gave Ariel so much emotional maturity which even if she was gifted emotionally wouldn't even be logical as you will have to have a few big disappointment and experience in life to be fully self aware to even understand the depth of compassion so I will just call it educational for the viewer ! she understand that there is way more than look and race (humain race) to a person, but still we all have watch the movie and we are still here debating about skin colour race and more....
So was the island a former slave port like Hispaniola? Or is it a colony of an African Kingdom?
I'm not a fan of live action remakes. I liked Disney's Pocahontas. That being said, I think a more realistic telling of the true story would be interesting, though I doubt Disney would tell it.
I was never that fond of the animated Little Mermaid. Don't get me wrong, animation, music, design, all fantastic and extremely well put together. But the core of the story was one I couldn't personally relation to. My reading of the animated Little Mermaid is a story about, fundamentally, growing up. Ariel is, metaphorically, seeking adulthood and everyone around her desires to hold her back and keep her a child. Snow White is effectively about the same idea, and these ideas never resonated with me as I never personally felt that struggle. But I have always very much liked the original story by HCA. A story of acceptance and the frustrations about never receiving it no matter how hard you try is just so much more powerful to me, so I do appreciate this new Little Mermaid film went in that direction. I can appreciate a lot about the new film, the music, the acting, the set design, the CGI when it works well (sometimes it looks kinda boxy in the underwater scenes, I don't know how else to describe it, like I can see the pixels or something). But it still just didn't do it for me. I think I would need drastic changes to the whole of the narrative to get what I want out of it, but that's just a me thing.
I just didn't like it because the music from the Disney cartoon was literally world changing, and this was...not even close.
I still haven't seen it.
I'm super biased for sure because I didn't really care about the original Disney TLM.
And when I heard Halle sing I was all in. And then I went to see in it theaters it was just me and a bunch of other black girls so it was almost a spiritual experience.
I got Brandy's Cinderella vibes from the casting (and that is my only Cinderella, I destroyed that VHS from all the replays)
I was surprised when Eric got a song, and there was one shot where I was wondering if there were about to give King Triton a song and I'm glad that they didn't, but also I would visit the universe where he did sing.
I agree with what you said in the video, but I also was just happy to be there that I wish they would have left any real world anything out of it because I came for the fantasy.
Great video as always! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I'm sorry how is the longing line a reference to HCA's queerness?
it's been so long since i've watched a disney pocahontas. i didn't remember the sign language besides the greeting. omfg. are there sign language analysis vids of those movies? i need to watch Twin Rabbit's video again.....
I tried to like this, but the CGI just took me right out. I think there's a lot of good there, but everyone underwater just looked either uncomfortable or plastic.
Eh I didn’t enjoy it much, I thought the whole production was kind of subpar, so I was surprised to find out how much they spent on this movie. I would’ve loved something more like Rodger & Hammerstein Cinderella but this movie wasn’t very musical theater like, and while Hallie is a lovely singer I don’t think she’s a musical theater singer nor a great actress (at least in this movie). I think they focused too much on being real which lead to it being not as fantastical as a fairytale implies, and it wasn’t smart enough about being realistic like Ever After was, but it’s not the worst remake or film.
In fantasy stories, with different species races, and don’t have the baggage of REAL history, is it okay to have plots that address actual social problems? Or would that automatically be interpreted as demeaning or childish?
… I could deal with childishness, if it means that people would talk about the actual issues instead of devolving into insults that halt ANY discussion ever …
I’m looking for ideas to help but maybe it’s just idealistic nonsense I’m going on about? I don’t know.
Your analyses are the best on TH-cam. I love your vids!
I mean she gave almost exactly the same vibe og Ariel did while singing. In my opinion atleast I guess that’s probably while she made it imo. After watching it with my own kid it felt like almost the same movie to me without much analysis honestly. Except Ursula’s human form was hotter in live action than Ariel imo 😂
Well put, as always!
4:47 I do want to add, though, that this story can both subtextually discuss queer themes, and *also* textually be about heteronormative themes that might not be the best for children's concept of the self. There isn't actually a contradiction.
I enjoyed it and was bored with it-honestly, I just really wish it was its own thing instead of a live action remake. I ADORED Ariel and Eric. The two of them had a lot of chemistry and I had the most fun watching them explore the island together… oddly enough, the parts under the sea were the parts I was most bored with. I just wanted to watch this prince and mermaid who mutually longed for more and were kept on a short leash by their parents be cute together. I loved that they had a lot in common and just WORKED. The parts under the sea were kind of dull and un-engaging by comparison
loved Halle’s performance in this, and i feel neutral or dislike the rest. i would rewatch a version where Scuttlebutt and Eric’s song are cut out tho.
I loved the movie
Oh come on movies will lead to lower morals, less thinking, zombie citizens! Think of the children! ;)
Ive seen chunks of the film by now and Im just not impressed. I feel its at "The Core" levels of sheer nonsense carried by people acting their heart out.