The Little Mermaid Post Outtakes

Now that I’ve done the formal film response, I have a few additional thoughts/questions/potential plot holes about the movie that I didn't include in my original post.

Ariel has a twin.  Purple seashells and everything:

This is right before the concert, when she is supposedly out collecting stuff at the shipwreck.

What’s up with Flotsam and Jetsam’s eyes?  They function as a crystal ball for Ursula.  How did that happen/what did Ursula do to them to make it happen?

Flounder is a shapeshifter:

Speaking of Flounder, how did Flounder move the statue into Ariel’s grotto?  He’s not that big, and odds are that very few people in the kingdom would be very keen on helping him do something that King Triton most certainly would not approve of.

Also, why did Grimsby commission a giant statue of Eric for his birthday? It doesn't seem like something he would be that into (especially based on his reaction to it).

In “Part of Your World,” Ariel names a whole bunch of human objects/words.  These are also words that are not used in the mermaid world (since she tends to say things like “What do you call it?” when using them).  Her only source of info about the human world is Scuttle, who actually knows nothing.  So where did she get the correct information?

Ursula’s cave looks like a creepy sea dragon:

Also, she enslaved a whole lot of merpeople:  Why does Ariel think it’s a remotely good idea to walk in there?  Or does the rest of the kingdom not know that Ursula has been systematically kidnapping people?  If so, do they just have a list of mystery disappearances?

Does Ariel not have a last name?  Also, she obviously knows how to write (and read) English. The contract wasn't in a different mermaid language.  Why didn’t she write Eric a letter explaining her whole predicament?  A lot of issues could have been avoided.

King Triton’s description of humans as “spineless, savage, harpooning, fish-eaters” reminds me a lot of the response Chief Powhatan has to the English in Pocahontas.  Now that I think about it, in both movies, the teenage daughter saves the life of and falls in love with someone from the group her father fears.  Interesting.  

It also bugged me when Triton tells the little seahorse servant to “[l]et no one in this kingdom rest until she’s safe at home!”, and then goes and sits on his throne.  If he’s so distraught, he should go help look, not just sit and do nothing.

That's about it for my thoughts on this movie. It's still a good movie, but it does leave a few questions unanswered.

In honor of Valentine's Day, I am posting this article from a Disney blog on my Disney blog.

https://ohmy.disney.com/movies/2017/02/14/25-pieces-of-gorgeous-disney-movie-couples-concept-art/

The Little Mermaid Film Response

Tonight’s movie is The Little Mermaid.  Some of my thoughts before watching.  I watched this movie quite a bit as a kid.  I have memories of watching the singalongs of the songs in the bonus features of the DVD (particularly “Under the Sea” because that song is great).  Also I thought it would be fun to be a mermaid for a bit (maybe I still do).  Time to see if it’s as good as I remember.  Also, shout-out to Alan Menken for being the composer of most of my childhood (and also a lot of the music I enjoy now).

Now for some thoughts after finishing the movie:

First of all, Sebastian puts up with a whole lot during this movie.  

His actual title is “court composer”.  The poor guy never signed up for any of this.  As he says himself, he “should be writing symphonies, not tagging along after some headstrong teenager” (which, if you think about it, explains why his first response to a problem is to perform a song. See also "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl").  I think he and Zazu from The Lion King would get along well.  They could vent to each other after the annoying royal children they are forced to (attempt to) supervise.

Also, he and Grimsby have basically the same job but for two different people.  And it goes equally well for both of them.  For reference:

“You really delight in these sadistic strains on my blood pressure, don’t you?” - Grimsby, to Eric

and

“My nerves are shot! This is a catastrophe!”- Sebastian, about Ariel.

I want to know more about Ursula’s backstory.  Near the start of the movie, she informs the audience that “[i[n my day, we had fantastical feasts, when I lived in the palace.”  This obviously implies a pretty interesting scenario where Ursula did something pretty bad to get kicked out by Triton.  I also know that the Broadway musical makes her Triton’s sister, which was a concept that was going to be in the movie, but got cut from the final product.

I would also like to say a few words in defense of this story.  I know a lot of people talk about Ariel as being a bad female role model because she completely changes who she to get the man.  But the other thing that has to be considered is the fact that she wanted to be human long before Eric.  This is the whole focus of “Part of Your World,” a song which happens before she has even laid eyes on Eric.  Eric is kind of the straw that broke the camel’s back.  Does he play a major role in her decision to talk to Ursula? Yes.  But is he the only factor? No.  Still, Ariel does (literally) change her tune a bit after meeting him:

“What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand?” (“Part of Your World”- pre-Eric)

vs.

“What would I do to see you smiling at me?” (“Part of Your World- Reprise”- post-Eric)

So, yeah, it’s fair to say he very much pushed her to go from simply imagining life as a human to deciding to seek out a way to live on land, with him specifically.  But I don’t think it’s fair to say Ariel just suddenly decided she change everything about herself after meeting him.  

Now, examining the idea of gender roles from another angle, let’s look at Ursula.  If any character represents society’s objectification of women, it’s her.  She takes full advantage of societal standards, particularly regarding physical appearance, in order to manipulate people.

Furthermore, she is the one to take away Ariel’s voice and her free will with her sketchy contract.  She also informs Ariel that “[o]n land it’s much preferred for ladies not to say a word,” and “[i]t’s she who holds her tongue who gets her man!”  She derives her power from taking it away from others, specifically those who don’t fit where society wants them.

Overall, I’d say it was a fun movie.  The music is great, and there were a lot of moments that made me laugh.  But it also deals with some bigger issues, like the way society judges people, specifically women, and how people change in order to fit society’s mold.

Cinderella Live Blog

Okay, I’m going to try out this live-blogging thing everyone’s been talking about.  I’m starting with Cinderella.  I haven’t seen this movie in a couple years, so it should be fun to say what I remember.  

The opening credits song is kinda pretty.  Disney doesn’t really do these kinds of opening sequences in its newer films.  Now the credits just go at the end.

I appreciate the birds and the mice on the book.  

“... rich in romance and tradition.”  What does that mean, exactly?

See in the original story, Cinderella got her name because she slept in the ashes.  It was a nickname given by her stepsisters.  I’m not sure why Cinderella is going by that name while she’s still living with her father.

Aww, baby Bruno.  Also the horse, whose name escapes me at the moment.

They even look angry as children.  Even kitten Lucifer looks mean.  

She doesn’t even look that affected by her husband’s death.  Poor Cindy is the only one who seems sad about this. Even if she’s that mean, you think the stepmother or the young sisters would be at least slightly upset.  

“... her own two awkward daughters.”  The narrator is quite honest.  Also “vain and selfish stepsisters.”

This poor mouse.  I hope he gets this sorted out.  

I also love how the kid mice notice their mom getting angry, so they mimic her facial expression.  That’s really cute.

See, because Cinderella was nice to everyone, she got to use an indoor shower long before the technology existed.  Kudos to her.

I love that Cinderella has a stock of mouse clothes ready for these occasions.

I never understood how “Gus” came out of Octavius.  There’s no g anywhere in that name.  

Lucifer has a nicer bed than Cinderella.

Look offended Bruno is at the idea of getting along with Lucifer.  Even Cinderella can’t think of good things about him.

Poor Gus-Gus has had a tough day.  He’s been in this house like 2 hours and almost been eaten multiple times already.  

We were talking about how villains tend to be associated with darkness.  I think this counts.  

Lucifer’s certainly enjoying Cinderella’s punishment.

Except the part where he gets a bath:

The king is a bit too obsessed with his son getting married.  All he cares about is having grandkids.  (Also looking at the idea of gender roles, the king seems to this is the main purpose of marriage.  I’m not sure if that’s fair to whoever he hopes his son picks. Is this the "romance and tradition" mentioned in the intro? Doesn't seem very romantic to me.).

The king really doesn’t think his son is going to suspect that his dad is trying to set him up with someone?  The plan is literally to make the prince stand in front of hundreds of pretty girls.  

This sequence is cool.  Not totally sure how she is managing to sing multiple parts by herself, but  that’s movie magic, I guess.  

Lucifer you jerk.  Look at his smug face.

Stepmother: “Above all, self-control.” Cinderella *knocks on door* Stepmother *slams piano keys*

“Every eligible maiden” is a really weird request.  What defines eligible? Age? Appearance? Who knows?

“I said if” maniacal laugh.  That’s not creepy.  

“Cinderelly, Cinderelly, night and day it’s Cinderelly.”  This might be my favorite song in the movie.  

Speaking of gender roles, apparently guy mice aren’t allowed to sew.  

How convenient that the stepsisters throw away the exact two pieces the mice need.

Great Lucifer pic:

I guess now they’re allowed to help with sewing.

“Happy birthday!” Oh Gus. You're so adorable!

Family resemblance is strong here.

Did they really need to shred the dress after getting back the necklace and sash that she used?

I love how the Fairy Godmother is talking about a magic wand, and yet everyone is shocked when she pulls it out using magic.  I mean, that’s nothing compared to what’s about to happen.

“Bibbidi Boppidi Boo” is a fun song too.

Lucifer you deserved this:

I like how Fairy Godmother managed to get through a whole song without noticing Cinderella’s dress.  

Prince Charming is obviously enjoying the party.  He is also one of the group of Disney princes who doesn’t actually have a real name.

His face just screams, “Are you kidding me?”

I love the Duke sarcastically predicting exactly what actually happens.

“The Prince, I haven’t met the Prince.”  Flimsy excuse Cinderella.

To be fair though, the Prince doesn’t know her name either.  You two wandered around the garden for like two hours, how did you not at least introduce yourselves?

Awww.

I feel like the Duke puts up with a lot during this movie.

This was uncalled for:

Losing the shoe again.  Very clever.

I like how everything comes full circle in the end:

(still not totally sure of the horse's name though).

Overall, the movie is pretty cute.  If you haven't noticed, I seem to pay a lot more attention to the animal characters than the humans, but I mean the mice are adorable.  We don't see a whole lot of development in really any of the characters, but the original fairy tale also is pretty simple.  I also feel like it is slightly problematic to get engaged to someone before asking their name.  Otherwise, it's an enjoyable film.

Since I've been talking about Mary Poppins this week, here's this week's quote for the week (from the Broadway musical):

Close runner-up for this week's quote (from the movie):

Mary Poppins is Returning

So some of you may have heard (or if you haven’t heard yet, you’re about to) that Disney is making a live-action Mary Poppins sequel!  It’s called Mary Poppins Returns, and it will follow a grown-up Jane and Michael Banks and their children as they receive some help from a magical nanny.  As someone who enjoyed the original movie as a kid (and still enjoys watching it) this should be very exciting news.  However, I have some mixed feelings about how this movie will turn out.   

Mary Poppins and Bert in a parade at Disneyland.

There are a lot of things about this movie I am excited for.  First and foremost, the special effects should be interesting, to say the least.  When the original movie was made in the 1960’s Walt Disney used all of the tricks and effects he could to make it magical.  I’m intrigued to see what they can do with over fifty years’ worth of improved technology.  With modern computers, CGI, and other effects, I’m sure that there is a lot they are able to do that simply wasn’t possible for the first movie.  Even so, I hope that the new movie is just whimsical and magical as the original.  I mean, there’s just something about cartoon penguins and farm animals that isn’t the same with computer animation.

 

Another thing that should be fun to watch is the casting.  To be totally honest, I’m a little (maybe a lot) sad that Mary won’t be played by Julie Andrews because Julie Andrews is pretty much amazing in everything.  I don’t know much about Emily Blunt, who will be taking on the role.  Still, Andrews herself said that she thinks Blunt will be “practically perfect,” so I guess that should be good enough for me.  Equally exciting, Lin Manuel Miranda will be playing Jack, a lamplighter (I guess there’s no Bert in this sequel…), so those of us (myself included) who enjoyed Moana and Hamilton will get to see more of his work.  Speaking of Bert, Dick van Dyke will have a cameo in this movie, playing Mr. Dawes Jr., who runs Fidelity Fiduciary Bank.  For reference, this was the bank where Mr. Banks (I’m feel like P.L. Travers must have done that on purpose) worked in the first movie, and Dick van Dyke, aside from being Bert, played Mr. Dawes Sr., so I feel like this cameo is a very appropriate reference to the first movie.  I haven’t heard if Julie Andrews will make an appearance as well, but I think that would be fun too.

The other main reservation I have about this movie relates to the circumstances surrounding the original movie.  P.L. Travers (who wrote the original Mary Poppins books) was incredibly reluctant to give Disney the rights to make the film, and ultimately, she was not particularly happy with the final product.  This is because Disney made some changes to the character of Mary (i.e., made her sweeter, nicer, and essentially more “Disney-fied”).  This is why none of her other books were made into movies, and why she was very hesitant to give Disney permission to adapt Mary Poppins into a Broadway musical.  So I am a bit concerned that this movie might be something that the character’s creator would not have wanted to be made.  Or maybe it’s a chance for Disney to fix the mistakes it made in the original.  We’ll have to wait and see.

So Mary Poppins Returns is shaping up to be an interesting movie.  I hope that it lives up to the legacy of the original movie.  As we hear more about it, I’ll be able to answer a lot of the questions I have, but until then “spit-spot”!

I noticed this again when I went to see Moana last weekend, so I'd like to give a shout-out to Disney's coffee guy, Carlos Benavides:

In Tangled: 

In Frozen:

In Big Hero 6:

In Moana: