Hello there,
It has been a long time since I wrote a post on here. The main reason for this being that I started working in the film and television industry and I didn’t have the time. I have recently started a new position and have a little more free time so have decided to resurrect this blog!
After working in VFX for almost 2 years, I think I now have a different perspective on film and TV, especially if I have been involved with the project. I am going to start by reviewing a couple of recently released items that I have worked on and I will see whether knowing the ins and outs of a production enhances or takes away from the viewing experience.
The Little Mermaid (2023)
I am starting with the Little Mermaid which I was fortunate enough to attend a cast/crew screening of at Leicester Square. I spent a couple of days assisting on cataloguing shots so I got to see a lot of them in the early stages. My former company also did the VFX so I got to see a few early versions at showcases.
We saw the film in an IMAX screen that is the biggest I have ever experienced a film in. The quality and sound were amazing, all of the VFX on the shots really popped and it was an interesting way to watch this film.
Overall, I really enjoyed the film from the songs with a touch up from legend Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Encanto) to the fleshed-out storyline including Eric and Ariel living somewhere in the Caribbean and interacting with villagers. I know that there was some discussion around Flounder’s new appearance but once you get into the film, this detail does not distract.
I think the cast were well chosen and I really love the decision to cast a woman of colour as Ariel. The film is set somewhere that she could be a native but also mermaids aren’t real so logic didn’t need to play into the original ethnicity of the characters. This is further demonstrated with Ariel’s father and sisters. Halle Bailey captured Ariel’s innocence and wonderment at the human world as well as showing great chemistry with Jonah Hauer-King (Prince Eric) and possessing an emotive singing voice.
My favourite songs in terms of staging were Kiss the Girl and Part of Your World. The lyrics are catchy and both did some new things from the original Little Mermaid film.
I was not a big fan of the 1989 version as I thought Ariel didn’t have much of a personality and spent most of the film as demure and non-verbal. I did however enjoy the new version as I think they expanded the story and despite not speaking Halle Bailey had a very expressive face. I think casting Awkwafina as Scuttle gave the role a new spin and her voice is very recognisable for older viewers from films such as Crazy Rich Asians, Shang-Chi and Ocean’s 8. She was also a voice in Raya and the Last Dragon so younger viewers may be already familiar with her.
Seeing some of the shots in advance did not spoil or ruin the film for me, mainly as it’s a well known story and also as I only saw a very small part of the final film. I think Disney are doing a good job with their adaptations and as long as they keep updating them and adding new additions from the originals, then they will remain popular.
I gave this film 4/5. I am taking a point off as it was still a little cheesy and the fact that she had to kiss Eric to win back her voice and tail did not set a great example for young women
Happy Watching,
Robyn
