"The Little Mermaid" is finally in theaters. With its live action movie, based on the 1989 animated classic, Disney is betting $200 million of its coffers on its production. Since the announcement of his cast, on July 3, 2019, controversy has been on his heels on a recurring basis day by day.
But far from the controversy, when the viewer goes to the movie theater they will be entertained and not judge the protagonist by her skin color. Well, says one. In this sense, Rob Marshall, her director, juggles to shout to the world that it is something new.
Deep into the sea, the film begins with a forceful phrase: "But a mermaid has no tears, and therefore she suffers much more." Waves crash into each other warning of the coming tidal wave.
in critical mode
Once the tape has started, the viewer simply lets himself be carried away by the actress's work and focuses on other issues to measure its scope. It captures her attention, her credibility, her connection to the cast, the chemistry she achieves with her male counterpart, or even the strength of her voice to narrate and engage the audience in a story. of love, innocence and struggle.
Halle Bailey, the actress in charge, makes her debut in these fights because she comes from being a singer and that's where her condition takes its toll. She's not bad, but she has a long way to go. Her expressiveness underwater is sparing and the director avoids closed shots that allow her emotions to be captured. In her place, Marshall constantly frames her in wide shots where her face fights for attention against the distraction of her mermaid tail. The counterbalance is achieved with the impressive vocal range of the girl (in the English version). Because there it could be said that she is the perfect mermaid, the one that she falls in love with with her singing.
Despite this, it is inevitable that the public that saw and remembers the animated version does not compare it. Especially since Disney, in its marketing strategy, seems to be the main one interested in selling the product as a live action -which revives another- pushing confusion and unleashing conflict.
From this point of view, at times, the film does evoke the adventure released in 1989. But it is far from being a carbon copy, and the simple choice of its protagonist warned it. It is also inevitable that the magic of animation is lost where a God, in this case the illustrator, designs and builds the character at will. He gives them a form that is far from reality, he caricatures them to make them exaggerated and charming. Otherwise, the actor can be characterized but can never look exactly like a cartoon. With technology on their side, the creatives draw the context of a fantasy that tries to seem rather believable. Flounder, the little fish that accompanies Ariel, is the one who this took its toll the most.
versioned version
Another element to take into account is that the story of "The Little Mermaid" is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's tale, far from being a faithful copy. Which means this time it's a (live-action) version of the (animated) version of the (book) version.
In that "versionadera" lines and structures that Disney cemented in the consciousness of the fans of the original project are lost. So much so that several of its characters are blurred and the story takes unsuspected directions.
Flat and without spark, charisma or expressiveness, his characters obey new constructions. The animated story also undergoes alterations that bury emblematic moments that gave rhythm to the plot. Today, there are simply twists that bind the story, to make it, according to its director, more current. But they are not the right decisions, it hurts whoever hurts.
In this sense, Ariel's sisters, for example, lose their voice and song to appear with hardly any speech. They are included in a contextless subplot that feels forced and hackneyed by being detached from the story.
The same goes for new characters that aren't justified in action and are just there to stretch the gum and sound politically correct. And I repeat, Bailley as Ariel engages with her voice but her inexperience as an actress takes its toll on her. When she becomes silent is undoubtedly the most exciting moment of the adventure, in which she finally clicks with the prince and with the viewer. But the problem with Eric (directed by Jonah Hauer-King) is that when they are together the few sparks that do fly don't end up igniting a blaze.
Who stand out? The characters that look more intact in the script than the original version. Such is the case of Sebastián, who is tiny and everything is noted for his good speech and excellent performance behind whoever lends his voice. Scuttle also steals the show, or the same Ursula as in the skin of Melissa McCarthy It gives the villain a comical and unhinged touch that elevates her. She is bad and calculating, she gains credibility and, over there, she not only generates terror because she also shows off new tricks that provide twists. Her interpretation of the song "Poor Unfortunate Souls" is perfect and with her return as Vanessa (directed by Jessica Alexander) she explores a sensuality and malice that end up burying Ariel.
New songs
Another novelty, which adds to those already revealed, is the update of the soundtrack. Eric leaves his flute (from the animated version) to prove that he has a voice and Ariel shines with a song at the best moment of the plot. She specifically at the moment that she is human and experiences everything that she dreamed of so much. The viewer will be moved and laugh out loud at the things that happen to her in the midst of her innocence.
Otherwise it happens with Eric and his song. Although it is an interesting ballad, in the scene there are few resources that are used and instead the emotion is lost by showing the protagonist lost in the same space. Filled with anxiety, he goes up and down a hill as if driven mad by a memory. Only at the end of the song is he seen singing on a boat, as if to finish it off and take the scene out of the monotony.
Scutle, the seagull that today is a bird that can spend more time underwater than on the surface, also sings his own theme song. It is modern and built in the form of rap. Funny and out of place, like the character himself, he achieves instant laughter with his crazy things.
Will it float or sink?
This weekend is crucial for "The Little Mermaid" as it will determine if it floats or sinks. The expectation of old and new fans is latent and it will be the only thing that moves that balance in favor or against.
It's a movie with a certain charm, but it's not the best live action Disney has ever done. Sadly it may have been memorable instead of a version of the version of the version. It will be the spectator who determines his destiny.
