The live-action adaptation has already drawn criticism for being “too woke.” Not only were lyrics changed from classic songs, but the casting of Halle Bailey has drawn ire and racist comments from across the internet, which Bailey was, unfortunately, prepared for.
One major criticism of the 2023 version of The Little Mermaid is that it is simply too long. The new film clocks in at 2 hours and 15 minutes, about 50 minutes longer than the original. While the live-action remake uses this time to flesh out certain characters, not all of its extended runtime is used wisely.
The live-action movie is rated PG for some scenes that depict characters in peril and themes that might be scary for younger viewers. Generally, movies rated PG are OK for children 8 years old and older. If your child is younger and can't wait to see the Disney movie, read ahead for a few scenes to keep an eye on.
On the significance of casting a Black actress as Ariel
Sherri Hope Culver: To have a Disney character who is not just a princess but a live-action, real flesh and blood person that children can be inspired by is important. This is because people of color are less likely to see themselves reflected in the media.
Things like the walking on knives detail would have been way too dark for the film's target audience of kids. On top of that, the dark ending would have gone against the film's lighthearted tone. Disney's The Little Mermaid changes were also required due to Andersen's story structure.
Scuttle is not only changed from male to female but is also now a diving bird instead of a seagull. "This was done specifically so that Ariel would only meet Scuttle underwater, because, at the start of our story, Ariel has never dared go above the surface," director Rob Marshall said in production notes.
It wasn't 'banned' per se, it was recalled. The original artwork contained a phallic-looking spire on a castle in the background. By all accounts, the resemblance was unintentional and NOT a joke slipped in by the artist. In any case, the cover was recalled by Disney and a new one was issued.
“The Little Mermaid” has bombed with moviegoers in China and South Korea amid racist critiques in some quarters over the casting of Black actress Halle Bailey as main character Ariel. Disney's live-action remake has made only $3.6 million in mainland China since opening there on May 26, according to Box Office Mojo.
The reported box office result of The Little Mermaid 2023 remake is about $560 million. On paper, these numbers look good. The film grossed over $298 million domestically and more than $263 million internationally.
One thing to note, Hans Christian Andersen left out race, skin color, and character names. For the animated movie, Disney made the little mermaid white, made her hair red, and gave her a name, Ariel.
What is the inappropriate scene in The Little Mermaid?
When Ursula turns into a human to seduce Prince Eric in one shot she rubs one of her breasts against his arm while cuddling him. At Ursula and Eric's wedding birds fly under Ursula's dress making it fly up giving a split second view of her panties.
What are critics saying about The Little Mermaid 2023?
The Little Mermaid (2023) is a mediocre film readaptation that pays tribute to the original film while also adding some new twists and depth. It is not perfect or groundbreaking, but it is good and nostalgic. However, it could have been better if it had followed the same aspects of the original.
The live-action adaptation has already drawn criticism for being “too woke.” Not only were lyrics changed from classic songs, but the casting of Halle Bailey has drawn ire and racist comments from across the internet, which Bailey was, unfortunately, prepared for.
Ariel from “The Little Mermaid” has been headcanoned as autistic, because no one who sings a song about wanting to not just learn about an interest, but literally be in that world, is neurotypical.
' The 2023 version, however, has been updated for the #MeToo era. 'Possible she want you, too/Use your words, boy, and ask her,' runs the new version. Fans are split on the changes — some say it's a reasonable update to fit shifting attitudes, others say it's unnecessary.
The Disney adaptation makes many changes to Hans Christian Andersen's original fairytale, but Ariel's age is consistent as she's depicted as a teenager in the original tale too. The decision to fix Ariel's age at 16 years old was also likely to appeal to the target audience of Disney's version of The Little Mermaid.
How much did Halle Bailey get paid for The Little Mermaid?
It's believed that Bailey made about $1.5 million for her role as Ariel in The Little Mermaid, but that number could increase depending on how well the film performs opening weekend and beyond.
According to Showbiz Galore, she was reportedly paid $1.5 million to don the tail and seashells, though some news outlets reported slightly more modest earnings of $500,000. Despite the online backlash about casting a Black Ariel, this project made Halle Bailey a household name, especially among young Disney fans.
How much money did Disney lose on The Little Mermaid 2023?
Disney's summer of 2023 has been disappointing, with $900 million in box office disappointments. The company's underperforming movies have led to a significant loss. The Little Mermaid fell short of expectations, making only $561 million with a budget of $250 million.
What did Halle Bailey say about the Little Mermaid?
"What truly strikes my heart and makes me just cry are seeing the reactions of the babies and the children and the beautiful Black, brown boys and girls who see themselves in this character, in this new version of Ariel," Bailey says. "And that honestly, is what I focus on, what makes me the happiest.
Halle Bailey, who's just 22, was cast as Ariel back in 2019. She's half of musical duo Chloe x Halle, along with her sister, and she plays Skyler Forster in the sitcom Grown-ish. Halle Berry, of course, is an entirely different actress.
Disney's live-action “The Little Mermaid” had “no agenda” when it came to the casting of Ariel, director Rob Marshall told Entertainment Weekly. The “Chicago” and “Into the Woods” director said his team auditioned “every ethnicity” for the role before landing on singer Halle Bailey.
The Big Picture. Disney's remake of The Little Mermaid is different from the original 1989 classic, but it is still recognizable and effective in appealing to a larger audience.
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The last mermaids swam in the lagoon at the end of the summer of 1967. For many years, the lagoon had little above water to draw guest interest. But when the attraction became the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, seagulls landed on the buoys, chirping their famous line from the film: “MINE!”
