Hello all!
It has been quite a few months of emotion concerning our favorite vermilion haired mermaid notably the cancelaltion of the 3-d release
And was it ever considered?
In my opinion the film was not only put in 3- d but WAS considered
To start lets go back to early September while at a trip to a local Supermarket saw a book display of coloring activity books for the film
One kinda stood out
when you say the title you can not help but think of that little seahorse But what REALLY caught my eye besides the gorgeous image was the highlighted 3-D statement
Basically the book is a simple retelling of the story w three dimensional images (glasses included) but seeing this kinda rubs in the fact that the film is not in 3-D
Later the film is COMING but second screen edition!?
We all pretty much know what second screen is now so will not have to elaborate and since I lved near two theaters playing it naturally
And I must note I do not own a i pad tablet etc,,,,,,,,,,,,,
So now we turn this into a review of the experience so here we go.........................
Got to the theater and was the only childless adult the bulk of audience was grown ups w child though I believe there were two couples romantic or otherwise
First the previews surprisingly no Frozen
The Jodi Benson comes on with instructions of what to do and to program the device only to be interrupted by URSULA........................
Then Sebastian and Flounder come on First thing I noticed there the animation is recycled from the film despite new dialouge
Then the film starts with the opening sequence The dolphins the gulls the boat cutting through the fog oh what that would have looked like in 3-d
but instead Sebastian and Flounder talking ala Mystery Science theater WHAT THE?
Since I had no I pad I knew I was missing something but at the same time I REALLY was missing something the sense of emotion and wonderment I felt so long ago when I saw the film in theater (still have the stub) not only was the exchange between the two distracting
but the pop ups on the screen were just as bad and on screen too long!
Then Ursula comes in despite her talking she does something that would be considered honorable she shuts everyone up!
at this point I was feeling frustration resentment bordering on ANGER What have they done to one of my favorite films?
Though I am not to surprised since Disney seems to have issues with this film(save that rambling for another time) but WHAT THE?
As the onscreen prompts continue we get to hear Ariel sing unaltered BUT STILL............ the feeling of warmth is lost from so any years ago.
As we go on Ursula stops the dialouge yet again and we get to the ship and Eric's Birthday party the THE FILM STOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(This would not be the first time) The film prompts you to do a puzzle I assume since I had no I pad After a minute the film restarts and as the scenes unfold more prompts etc more games steer the ship etc
THEN the scene that forever sealed my fate with this film Part of your World reprise only to have the feeling of awe wonder and romance destroyed
At this point I should point out that on screen lyrics appear on all songs in addition to the prompts and sometimes they cover the moving image be it an eye mouth etc DISTRACTING
Then we get to Triton's destruction of Ariel's grotto and the Contract of Ursula at least that did not loose much luster despite the prompts etc
And then Eric meets THE GIRL BUT as we all know he hasn't a clue. None the less he is friendly
As the film continues w bashing of little quirks we see Sebastian seeing the fate of all crabs that enter Chef Louie's Kitchen then THE FILM STOPS
AGAIN!
puzzle time
Then we go back and forth at this point the distractions have become second nature but still
Then Kiss the girl proving why this is a well made film and the moment is ruined and then
CLOUDS APPEAR Ursula talks and now ARIEL HAS JOINED IN?
(recycle animation)
Well back to the prompts etc the film rolls on Ariel discovers the Prince is getting married BUT NOT TO HER
Vanessa/Ursula relishes this The wedding boat leaves All are happy all save one little red headed girl (i know that feeling ALL too well............)
Then the wedding is stopped Ariel gets to the boat the shell is broken Eric realizes Ariel is the one...................BUT the sun sets..........................
(I remember in the theater years ago the female half of a couple was watching it with great anticipation only to have Ariel turn back into a mermaid and myself saying before Ursula too late)
We all here at this forum know the rest Ursula defeats Triton Thew lovers are seperated tanks to Ariel deep sixing the eels And Ursula unleashes her power w the tridents only to be defeated by A HUMAN
Everyone is restored but there is still a problem
Again we know the rest HAPPY ENDING!!!!!!!!! BUT EVERYONE IS TALKING OVER A CONTRAVERSIAL BUT STILL BEAUTIFUL SCENE COULD THEY NOT WAIT TO THE CREDITS FOR THE TEAM SCORES?
Also Ursula pulls a Aladdin's Genie by flipping the bottom of the screen again recycled animation
the credits roll
After all this my feelings were an assortment on confusion joy anger dumbfounded frustration and THE COUPE DE GRACE'
The point of why this is on this post
Unlike most people I watch the credits of a film starting this when 1977 Star Wars came out no xception here sometimes credits have some fun things but here
3-D Restoration credits
In other words the film as not only BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED (see end) BUT WAS FORMATTED FOR 3D! (the theater at this point was empty)
So the question is basically
WHY THE he** DID DISNEY DO WHAT THEY DID HERE?
?
They made it in three dee so why not release it that way?
THE FINAL THOUGHTS
First the films restoration can not be summed up in one word but if I had to choose it would be
BEAUTIFUL!
The color the inking the fluid movements show why this film deserves the praise it gets
The sound of the music to the basic sound effects
As another poster voiced it's Ariel
Seeing Jodi Benson as instructer was nice
BUT now the bad
The pop ups and dialouge Annoying and distracting
Obviously the I pad is needed and if you do not have one?
And Jodi Benson joining in and ruining in a matter of speaking the final scene It hurt seeing a part of Ariel being a corprate shill it really hurt
but thats show biz
One good thing to come out of the pop ups was the song lyrics were creatively displayed.
And as I said could they not do the tallies over the credits and the fact that it was supposed to be in 3-D?
Saw film again and was more enjoyable since I knew what to expect but that first time
The Wizard of OZ was also rereleased in 3-d in a word beautiful
And what Disney SHOULD have done
Disney surely could have put the money down and would have gotten the cost back
None the less WILL BE BUYING new release on home and apparently a blu ray player
But to see Ariel reaching up and down in 3-D would have been sweet
Been an Ariel fan for sometime now and more thoughts will be posted as well a other contributions