The reimagined live-action Disney classics have become a controversial topic on the internet. Bringing favorite fairy tales to live-action is a dream come true for many and a nightmare for others. Either way, Disney’s remakes have become a guilty pleasure for many moviegoers and sometimes have more room to develop their characters and create nuance in the plot (due to modern screenwriters, longer run times, and more). aladdin added more political intrigue, The Jungle Book brought innovative CGI and cameras to the industry, and Cruella updated the soundtrack and mode. With all the praise and complaints these movies are generating, audiences are wondering what Disney will add to its next live-action movie.
The little Mermaid is a beloved animation classic for its catchy music, crisp animation and strong heroine. The film is responsible for kick-starting Disney’s Golden Age of Animation, their ’90s renaissance, and for good reason. Kids and adults alike love to sing along and watch the larger-than-life villains and determined heroes of the sea. While The little Mermaid remains a fan favorite, here are some of the ways the live-action movie can update the old story.
Ariel and Eric
Disney’s supporters and princess fans praise The little Mermaid feminist ideals (although some dismiss it as sexist). Ariel marks the beginning of a new evolution in Disney princesses and a farewell to the docile heroines in Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. Ariel is quirky and passionate. She stands up to the dominant leaders around her, both male and female. Even though Ariel took Disney princesses in the right direction, her character can still be improved in the next movie.
Though the 1989 Ariel talks loud, she arguably does little to overcome her challenges on her own. Scuttle (a male bird) breaks Ursula’s spell and Eric (the prince) defeats Ursula. Ariel manages to fulfill her dream of going to the surface and marrying Prince Eric, but why is it her only goal to marry a man?
On the other hand, Eric is a handsome, charming and strong prince, but he is often portrayed as lacking intelligence. When a woman shows up on the same shore as him, he writes her off a little too quickly. Even in The Little Mermaid II, Eric is portrayed as insensitive. He can protect his family, but he’s not the mastermind of the operation; he is essentially strength and money in a men’s uniform. While the characters were fine for an 80s cartoon, the live-action Small Mermaid has a lot of room to improve and create more equality between its main characters.
Music in The Little Mermaid
Disney hits like Part of your world and under the sea are perfect for family outings and karaoke nights. But after years of the same playlist, the 33-year-old songs are starting to get old. The simple production and lyrics struggle to hold the entire aging audience. Disney has already added depth to The little Mermaid soundtrack when they wrote new songs for the musical. Along with the old classics, the musical’s new songs highlight each character’s internal struggles.
The cast and crew have not said whether the live-action film will feature songs from the musical, but executives have said Lin-Manuel Miranda has signed up for this new project. Miranda made her name writing Broadway hits like Hamilton and In the Heights. He brought clever lyrics and rhythm to Disney moana (2016) and encanto (202). If his other works are any indication, Disney fans might get excited about his participation in this upcoming project.
Little Mermaid Plot Holes
Disney’s fun series of fairytale adventures can enchant even the skeptic. The audience will let some imagination run wild to enjoy the bigger story. It may not be realistic for mermaids to talk underwater, but creatives still want to hear what they have to say. While this works especially well in Disney cartoons from other decades and children’s movies in general, the older audience of the live-action movie might be a bit more skeptical.
There are many plot holes in the 1989 cartoon that will be hard to overlook in a live-action movie. For example, if Ariel can’t talk, why doesn’t she write Prince Eric a note explaining the situation? If Ariel could read and sign a contract, she could certainly write a simple essay. Speaking of contracts, Ursula’s contract has to be so airtight that even Trident can’t break it. But if Ursula interfered with Ariel’s efforts, the contract would be void.
Other issues include: Bot moves Eric’s statue on his own; all creatures talk except dogs and sharks; Ariel eats seafood for dinner (is that cannibalism?); Ariel is literally 16 years old and gets married three days after meeting him. Hopefully the live-action script writers have already ironed out some of these wrinkles in credibility or taste.
New Disney Technology
The color and beauty of The little Mermaid is one of the attributes that keeps the film relevant, but as technology advances, so does the cinematography and audience expectations. The sneak peek released this year at D23 already shows off a more vibrant coral reef and the ocean looks more vibrant. The move to live-action could bring new elements of realism. The ocean creatures can become real deep sea creatures instead of abstract patches of color. Overall, the special effects improvements can make mermaids and their surroundings feel more real, enveloping the audience in an immersive experience.