…Ok here we go. Another live action remake of a Disney movie, another wave of closet biggots or racists want voice themselves.

I’m gonna make this my “one and done” article in regards to the Live Action version of The Little Mermaid. Like the 2014 version of Annie starring Khuvenzane Wallis, much of the “controversy” comes from the fact people of color were cast in the lead roles in this version of the movie. Hallie Bailey–not to be confused for Hallie BERRY, whose last name is spelled differently and sounds a little differently–is cast as Ariel.

I have the original 1989 movie on VHS. I own the soundtrack CD. I own the 15th Anniversary DVD which was released in 2004 and included a short storybook retelling the movie. I met fellow Massachusetts native Pat Carrol–the voice of Ursula–who recently died a few times. I saw Disney on Ice in 1990. I’ve seen every single episode of the TV series when it aired. I saw the sequel and prequel as well. There is little I do not know about either Disney’s The Little Mermaid or the source material it’s based off of.

If you think live action version of The Little Mermaid is a crazy idea, read Hans Christian Anderson’s version and enjoy being shocked. Especially with the brutally honest ending. I’ll put it like this: Because it’s Disney, the movie didn’t stop when the wedding boat pulled away. That’s where the original story stops and I won’t spoil the ending for the source material any further. Let’s just say she doesn’t get a “happy” ending. Oh and the sea witch cuts out her tongue in the source material. My point is The Little Mermaid was adapted from and is based on established work. That in and of itself has been controversial to many authors both then and since but that’s a topic for my blog on Fanfiction.

Getting to this latest “controversy” though. Alan Menken wrote Poor Unfortunate Souls and Kiss The Girl. He wants to update songs he wrote 34 years ago. I don’t see the problem. If he was adapting someone else’s songs, that would be different. He wrote the songs himself so if he wants to remake them, no one can or should complain about what he wants to do with his songs. He didn’t have to announce two iconic songs were getting new lyrics but did as a courtesy. My overall opinion on established works being updated to reflect the passage of time and changing sensitivities is as long as it’s done either by, with the permission of or at the direction of the original author (or their estate/trust if they’re dead), it’s fine.

Before I forget. I honestly do not understand why people oppose remakes and reboots. More so when done by, with the permission of or at the direction of the original creator. It doesn’t invalidate the original or first one unless explicitly said so. Last I checked, you can still find the animated versions of The Lion King digital and physical alongside the Live Action version. In some cases you can buy them together at a discounted price. I’m certainly not worried about anyone from Disney breaking into my home and confiscating or destroying my copies of The Little Mermaid just because this Live Action Version is being released. That would be absurd, I know.

 

 

 

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