The Little Mermaid – The Little Mermaid 2023 at first glance closely follows Disney’s 1989 hit animated version, but in fact, many details from small to large have been changed, added and removed to complement the movie’s content. depth and variety.
Eric is adopted
The 2023 version of The Little Mermaid gave Eric a deeper background and story, but made him the adopted son of the royal family. Eric is a child who survived a shipwreck, was adopted by Queen Selina and became the heir to the kingdom.
Ariel was not personally helped by Eric
When she got her feet, Ariel rose to the surface and accidentally got caught in a fisherman’s net. Thinking she was the victim of a shipwreck, this person took her to the castle to ask for help, and there she met Eric. In the 1989 animated version, the mermaid Ariel was pulled ashore by Sebastian and Flounder and accidentally met Eric.
Three new songs
The 2023 Mermaid version has 3 brand new songs in addition to the classics. The first song, performed by Halle Bailey, is Ariel’s “thoughts” at the castle due to her inability to speak. Prince Eric’s second song, about his desire to be free. The last song is a rap by Scuttle and Sebastian when he tells Ariel that Eric is getting married.
Lyrics changed
The song “Kiss The Girl” in the scene where Ariel and Eric are sailing has been changed the lyrics. Instead of “Maybe she wants you too, then there’s only one way. Not words, but go ahead and kiss her”, the lyrics were changed to “Use words and ask her, boy And if the time is right and right now, go ahead and kiss her” to show the importance of the concept of consent in a relationship, that Eric should ask Ariel and not force it.
Ariel is not naive in front of Eric
Ariel in the 1989 cartoon also had the embarrassing act of combing her hair with a fork, but in front of Eric. In this new version, she does the same thing in front of everyone in the market (which is also not in the cartoon).
Eric has the same hobby as Ariel
Eric loves ocean adventures, and in The Little Mermaid 2023 he also has a hobby of collecting things belonging to the ocean. This detail is similar to Ariel, except that Ariel collects human objects, taken from sunken ships.
Triton and Ursula are relatives
This detail was added to the 2023 movie instead of making Ursula just a sea witch imprisoned by Triton, the purpose of which was to deepen the feud between the two.
Ariel didn’t sign the agreement
Instead of signing the contract with a pen, Ariel used blood to confirm her agreement with Ursula. According to the director’s explanation, Ariel may not be able to write because she is a mermaid.
There are no “poor unfortunate souls”
Ursula’s lair is empty of plankton, which are mermaids cursed for failing to trade with her. In the new film, the victims were all killed off, leaving their bodies scattered everywhere.
Two weddings
Prince Eric’s two weddings were cut from The Little Mermaid 2023. The first was the “missing” wedding with Vanessa on the boat, then it was destroyed by Scuttle and the animals. Ariel had to ask Flounder to pull her out to sea, and Sebastian went to report to Triton. In the new movie, Vanessa and Eric are still unmarried, and she breaks the necklace containing Ariel’s voice after arguing with the heroine at the castle.
After that, the wedding scene of Eric and Ariel on the boat was also removed, replaced with the detail of the two sailing together to explore the new world.
Chef Louis lost his role
The most unfortunate character to be cut in The Little Mermaid 2023 is the “zinc beard” chef Louis. In the animated version, he works in the castle’s kitchen and has a funny chase with Sebastian the crab.
Ariel kills Ursula with her own hands
The final battle scene with the giant Ursula is almost preserved, except for one detail. Instead of letting Eric steer the bow into Ursula, this responsibility belongs to Ariel in the new movie.
Create many different characters
These are the first changes, and also the most controversial changes since The Little Mermaid got the first trailers. From Ariel to Sebastian crab or Flounder fish, the appearance is completely different from the cartoon. In particular, the Scuttle bird has been changed both gender and species, from a gull to an osprey to be able to stay underwater for a long time.
In addition, Ariel’s mermaid sisters have also been changed in scale color, name and ethnic diversity. Instead of having names that start with the letter A, Ariel’s sisters in the 2023 movie have names that end with the letter A.
Photo: Disney
