After criticism and controversy “The Little Mermaid”, she stars Halle Baileyfinally hit theaters and although many expected to see a version identical to the animated one, there were substantial changes that ended up giving it its own identity.
Eric wasn’t just Ariel’s love interest: his story proves it
In 1989, Disney introduced Prince Eric, who would end up falling in love with Ariel. In the animated film there is no mention of his past or if he has any relatives and in the new release it is the opposite as it is revealed that he was an orphan who ended up being adopted by a queen named Selina.
The male protagonist even shows a resemblance to Ariel, as he feels that his mother does not understand him and that he does not belong where he is.
This makes the bond between the two more significant as they somehow reveal themselves to be soul mates because of their similarities rather than the simple fact that they have crossed paths.
Neither Sebastian nor the other fish in the sea play instruments in the new film
It is impossible to forget how in the animated version you can see the sea animals playing various instruments, including the friendly Sebastián, who is actually a conductor.
“The Little Mermaid” from 2023 has decided to leave it behind and none of the aquatic creatures seem to create music, which is criticized by the audience.
In fact, in an interview, director Rob Marshall explained the reason for omitting this ability in the fish, which was key to the story in the late eighties.
Ariel doesn’t remember that she has to kiss Eric to become human.
In the original Disney-created plot, Ariel makes a pact with Ursula to be human and stresses that she must kiss him before the third day, which is always on the young woman’s mind.
For the live action, the antagonist puts a twist on this event because she makes Ariel forget that part of the deal, so when she arrives on the surface she arrives with no intention of making Eric fall in love.
Ursula is Ariel’s aunt
Ursula’s parentage was never explained in the animated version, and in the live-action film, it is implied that the “sea witch” is not just any villain, but rather the sister of King Triton and therefore the protagonist’s aunt.
This detail could make sense of the witch’s desire to be queen of the seas and why Ursula kept a close eye on Ariel before they first met.
A new song reflects Ariel’s feelings when she reached the surface
A recurring thing in Disney’s live action is that new songs are added to enrich the story, and this was the case with “The Little Mermaid.”
Bursting the surface and learning about Eric’s kingdom, Ariel sings in her mind the composition ‘For The First Time’, which represents her feeling when she experiences anything new to her, such as walking, breathing air or the bathroom.
Ariel is the person who saves her father, not Eric.
Let’s remember that at the end of the animated version, Prince Eric is the one who manages to defeat Úsula after obtaining the crown and the magic trident. However, in the new movie King Triton is murdered by his sister and the person who manages to bring him back to life is none other than Ariel.
What do you think of these changes to ‘The Little Mermaid’? Tell us in the comments.
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Source: univision
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
