For those of you who aren't aware by now, Disney is about to release a new live-action version of The Little Mermaid, on May 26, 2023. There has been a lot of discussion about this movie on social media lately. Some people are excited to see it and some are not. Here is why I think you should go see it.
First of all, we all remember the original movie, and it was a great movie. It was the movie that ushered in the Disney Renaissance that lasted an entire decade. It started with The Little Mermaid in 1989 and ended with Tarzan in 1999. Along the way there were so many good movies, from Beauty and the Beast to The Lion King and more. This isn't about replacing the original movie. It will always be great.
This new version is being released close to 34 years later. It will find an all new audience, who wasn't alive when the original was released. This gives them a chance to see a newly released Little Mermaid for themselves. Yes, there will some updates and changes, but those are there for this new audience, who grew up in a different time and expects something a little different in their movies. So this version gives the older audience an opportunity to enjoy the movie with the younger audience who will be seeing it for the first time. I know some people are put off by the idea of a Black mermaid, but I don't agree with that. In 1989, nobody thought Ariel would have red hair, as this was the era when movies like Splash showed mermaids as being blonde. Going against 'tradition' is not always a bad thing. Updating stories to reflect a more modern audience, as the original Little Mermaid did, can sometimes create new and better traditions.
On top of that, the movie has an all-star cast, with Halley Bailey as The Little Mermaid, Melissa McCarty as Ursula and Javier Bardem as King Triton. I think this cast will do an excellent job, and honor those who voiced the original movie years ago. One thing I am looking forward to in particular are the addition of the new songs, which are written by Alan Menken (who co-wrote the original songs) and the very talented Lin Manuel Miranda. Anyone who has seen Hamilton or In the Heights will be very excited about that.
So in conclusion, I understand there are concerns about this new version, but I also think there is an opportunity to broaden the audience and expand interest in a much-loved Disney classic. I think this movie is going to do very well, and I hope to see it on opening weekend. Maybe it will be nominated for Best Picture to make up for the Oscar snub of Beauty and the Beast, but I won't know if it's that good until I see it.
Until then, see you at the movies!
First of all, we all remember the original movie, and it was a great movie. It was the movie that ushered in the Disney Renaissance that lasted an entire decade. It started with The Little Mermaid in 1989 and ended with Tarzan in 1999. Along the way there were so many good movies, from Beauty and the Beast to The Lion King and more. This isn't about replacing the original movie. It will always be great.
This new version is being released close to 34 years later. It will find an all new audience, who wasn't alive when the original was released. This gives them a chance to see a newly released Little Mermaid for themselves. Yes, there will some updates and changes, but those are there for this new audience, who grew up in a different time and expects something a little different in their movies. So this version gives the older audience an opportunity to enjoy the movie with the younger audience who will be seeing it for the first time. I know some people are put off by the idea of a Black mermaid, but I don't agree with that. In 1989, nobody thought Ariel would have red hair, as this was the era when movies like Splash showed mermaids as being blonde. Going against 'tradition' is not always a bad thing. Updating stories to reflect a more modern audience, as the original Little Mermaid did, can sometimes create new and better traditions.
On top of that, the movie has an all-star cast, with Halley Bailey as The Little Mermaid, Melissa McCarty as Ursula and Javier Bardem as King Triton. I think this cast will do an excellent job, and honor those who voiced the original movie years ago. One thing I am looking forward to in particular are the addition of the new songs, which are written by Alan Menken (who co-wrote the original songs) and the very talented Lin Manuel Miranda. Anyone who has seen Hamilton or In the Heights will be very excited about that.
So in conclusion, I understand there are concerns about this new version, but I also think there is an opportunity to broaden the audience and expand interest in a much-loved Disney classic. I think this movie is going to do very well, and I hope to see it on opening weekend. Maybe it will be nominated for Best Picture to make up for the Oscar snub of Beauty and the Beast, but I won't know if it's that good until I see it.
Until then, see you at the movies!