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Post by Wiltony on May 26, 2023 13:04:39 GMT -5
SPOILER WARNING
I saw the new Little Mermaid movie last night and thought I'd share my thoughts on it. I saw the original movie when I was 10. My first crush was on Ariel, I know all the music, and have fond memories of it. Despite the poor track record of Disney's live-action remakes not being anywhere near as good as their original counterparts, I went into this screening optimistic and determined to really give it a chance. I was eager and excited for it to be a great movie! In the end, however, the cons far outweighed the pros and I left disappointed, though it wasn't all bad.
- Halle Bailey (Ariel) does a pretty good job. She's adorable, and a pretty good actress. She was the strongest part of this film. She's definitely a good singer and can show up for those "big" notes, but I didn't like the style choices she made (or was directed to make) on the songs, especially "Part of your World" where a lot of the words and phrases sounded clipped or cut-off.
- Lots of very realistic CGI, but after seeing the new Avatar movie, we know what can be done with underwater scenes and this movie fell well short of the kind of quality I'd hoped for. - Some story changes had a net zero affect for me. Some good, some bad, some were completely bizarre and I have no idea why they made them.
- The live-action animals/friends (like scuttle, flounder, and sebastian) were just terrible. It's unbelievably tragic how much story is lost when there are no expressions on the characters, because it's literally just a talking fish or crab that is completely unable to emote. - The swimming mer-people reminded me *way* too much of the "mermaid commercial" scene in the movie Zoolander. They swim so similarly; it made me laugh and was really distracting. - The new songs were just bad. There's no mincing words on this one. Sorry, but Lin Manuel Miranda does not have the Midas Touch. He's had his heydey, and now it's time to put him out to pasture and get some new song-writing blood. - The changes to the existing songs were also bad. For instance, in both "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl," there used to be a big ensemble and chorus backing the lead vocals, but they changed both of them to be just a duet and a trio, respectively. The new versions come across as muted and dry compared to the original versions. - I'm pretty sure the actor that played King Triton *did* have the ability to emote and make facial expressions, but he didn't use them apparently. He was SO bland and disappointing. The worst actor in the cast, unfortunately.
- The movie overall was passionless. It didn't draw me in, and I wasn't invested in anyone's stories. It mostly felt like a stage play where someone is just reciting lines but doesn't understand their motivation. It was too long.
Rating: 2/5
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Post by capeokw56 on May 26, 2023 17:39:14 GMT -5
I haven't seen it and don't plan on it. Honestly, I'm tired of movies being re-made. Don't they have enough Imagineers to come up with something original... or at least a sequel? I'm not just referring to Disney either, the lack of good movies coming out of Hollywood is truly disappointing.
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Post by a1000monkeys on May 26, 2023 17:48:10 GMT -5
If I had young kids or grandkids to take I would go see it but as it is I'm content to wait until it comes to Disney+.
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Post by dlwdwdvc on May 26, 2023 19:01:58 GMT -5
I have my tickets for AMC Disney Springs but plan to cancel for a refund.
Just lost all desire to see this movie and I was really excited & really planned to see this movie.
Too much trailers and “ media” … I guess it will have a successful Opening Weekend without me.
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Post by WDWGoof on May 26, 2023 19:23:22 GMT -5
No desire to see it. Not a fan of them changing the music.
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Post by pooh bears mom on May 26, 2023 21:37:31 GMT -5
Thank you for the thoughtful review. I will not go see it. It is a big mistake to try to put live action or cgi as a replacement for animation. Live action cannot and does not capture the emotion a d expressions of animation. So tired of live action remakes. C'mon disney be creative again.
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Post by bakerworld on May 27, 2023 7:29:19 GMT -5
I just saw a portion of the 'people' version of Pete's Dragon. It bothered me so I turned it off.
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Post by helenabear on May 27, 2023 7:48:24 GMT -5
- The new songs were just bad. There's no mincing words on this one. Sorry, but Lin Manuel Miranda does not have the Midas Touch. He's had his heydey, and now it's time to put him out to pasture and get some new song-writing That was insanely harsh given it was Alan Menken who actually wrote the songs... Miranda just did some lyrics. I still don't suggest sending Menken to pasture like you suggested to Miranda (and heck no, hey dey is not done for him) I liked a few of the songs myself (just listen to music). Love Halle Bailey so she is literally the only reason why I'll watch for free some day. All said I do not have plans to watch soon and outside of Halle expect almost nothing. Awkwafina just feels wrong in her roll. The prince is a decent singer but underwhelms me and seeing Vanessa how she looks? Really stupid. |
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Post by Ellie54 on May 27, 2023 8:01:52 GMT -5
Hello everyone,
Was not planning on watching BUT I am a huge fan of Melissa McCarthy, so she is the reason I might go see it.
Ellie
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Post by Wiltony on May 27, 2023 10:25:04 GMT -5
- The new songs were just bad. There's no mincing words on this one. Sorry, but Lin Manuel Miranda does not have the Midas Touch. He's had his heydey, and now it's time to put him out to pasture and get some new song-writing That was insanely harsh given it was Alan Menken who actually wrote the songs... Miranda just did some lyrics. I absolutely loved some of Lin Manuel Miranda's past stuff, and obviously Alan Menken too. But I'm not giving either of them a pass. The new music was just bad.
"Scuttlebutt" was another "I'm going to shoehorn a rap in here at all costs" attempt by LMM that no one had the courage to tell him was just straight up horrible.
I think LMM has been given carte blanche at Disney due to some past successes and they need...to...stop.
Here is Rolling Stone's take that supports my opinion:
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Post by BWV Dreamin on May 27, 2023 10:39:18 GMT -5
I’ve been so disappointed with the newer movies I don’t even want to waste my time watching them.
The last movie I really enjoyed was the remake of Aladdin with Will Smith. After that, nothin!!
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Post by helenabear on May 27, 2023 12:48:38 GMT -5
That was insanely harsh given it was Alan Menken who actually wrote the songs... Miranda just did some lyrics. I absolutely loved some of Lin Manuel Miranda's past stuff, and obviously Alan Menken too. But I'm not giving either of them a pass. The new music was just bad.
"Scuttlebutt" was another "I'm going to shoehorn a rap in here at all costs" attempt by LMM that no one had the courage to tell him was just straight up horrible.
I think LMM has been given carte blanche at Disney due to some past successes and they need...to...stop. Here is Rolling Stone's take that supports my opinion: Again Alan Menken wrote the songs. Being a lyricist is not the same as song writer. Your dislike is definitely going towards the wrong persons here. Alan Menken is the guy you're unhappy with not Lin-Manuel Miranda. Not sure why you keep bringing him up. The article was correct that Miranda was the lyricist, but Menken wrote the song. Can't read too much because paywall. FTR I am probably not the one who cares much about Rolling Stones has to say about a more modern song (https://www.mjvibe.com/the-rolling-stones-magazine-is-irrelevant-so-why-caring-about-their-articles/). I've listened to scuttlebutt and it's cute. Nothing fancy but a nice Caribbean song with some (omg) rap. Which I listen to both anyway. The little I read sounded like a "get off my lawn" different strokes. Whole point, Miranda didn't write the music. Only lyrics. |
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Post by john2247 on May 27, 2023 14:15:13 GMT -5
I haven't seen it and don't plan on it. Honestly, I'm tired of movies being re-made. Don't they have enough Imagineers to come up with something original... or at least a sequel? I'm not just referring to Disney either, the lack of good movies coming out of Hollywood is truly disappointing. I tend to agree with you, but my wife thought "80 for Brady" was wonderful. |
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Post by Brian5581 on May 28, 2023 4:54:45 GMT -5
Looking forward to viewing and forming my own opinions, as always.
Of course I'll be just fine simply viewing Halle Bailey for 2+ hours...
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Post by brp on May 28, 2023 10:40:43 GMT -5
Hello everyone, Was not planning on watching BUT I am a huge fan of Melissa McCarthy, so she is the reason I might go see it. Ellie Yup. We'll likely wait until it is streaming somewhere that we subscribe to, and McCarthy is the reason. Meh otherwise, just like much of what Disney is putting out now.
Cheers.
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