Current Events > They changed the lyrics in songs for the live-action Little Mermaid

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://twitter.com/variety/status/1643985661886857216?s=46&t=kblUHjD14Xk4ieJPFAQ81A

Eric now respects women and doesn't force himself on Ariel in "Kiss the Girl."

that's very considerate of him

The glaring flaw in the original film: if Ariel can't speak, she can't give consent. It's not as if she gave nonverbal cues and leaned forward to meet his kiss.

I was thinking this was going to be about changing the blackfish and the Duke of Soul. Instead, the same people that brought you Triton without offending bare male chest have also updated the lyrics to imply that a consensual kiss is even more consensual.

Thanks, nannies. The world truly needs you.

neckbeards all over the internet reading this news rn

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/2/5/8/AAUQbgAADZGq.jpg

FortuneCookie posted...

Thanks, nannies. The world truly needs you.

You're very invested in this children's movie.

They are changing Ursala's lyrics to not be as mean. It fits the trend where Disney is not letting their bad guys be bad guys now.

Media literacy seems to be getting worse and worse. I'm not sure if it's a chicken or egg problem but Disney is probably correct that a stupid review would complain "Ursala is problematic" if they didn't change it.

Turtlemayor333 posted...

It fits the trend where Disney is not letting their bad guys be bad guys now.

Blame the success of Malificent. One of Disney's villains that just radiated malice, but now she's just a poor, misunderstood soul.

Who cares. It's weird that the people who already said they won't watch the film are still looking for more things from it to get mad about.

It's not for you and that's okay.

Its just another soulless Disney 3d remake. Why does anyone care about it at all?

A_Good_Boy posted...

You're very invested in this children's movie.

I'm in support of the inclusive casting, but I am miffed at the overprotective attitudes. The attraction between Eric and Ariel was mutual and consensual. Why try and pretend that it wasn't?

Did they need to stir up a false controversy for added buzz? Or are they really that concerned that children won't understand nonverbal communicators?

Turtlemayor333 posted...

They are changing Ursala's lyrics to not be as mean. It fits the trend where Disney is not letting their bad guys be bad guys now.

Media literacy seems to be getting worse and worse. I'm not sure if it's a chicken or egg problem but Disney is probably correct that a stupid review would complain "Ursala is problematic" if they didn't change it.

Ursula has gotta be close to next in line for the "I'm a villian but actually I have a tragic past" prequel movie in the vein of Malificent or Cruella DeVille.

Also, is Disney accidentally implying that mute girls can't give consent?

A_Good_Boy posted...

You're very invested in this children's movie.

Is this also your opinion on people who discuss Nintendo games?

s0nicfan posted...

Also, is Disney accidentally implying that mute girls can't give consent?

Yep.

Deaf people and other nonspeaking people do not have consensual relationships according to Disney.

<_<

Kloe_Rinz posted...

Its just another soulless Disney 3d remake. Why does anyone care about it at all?

for real, people love to focus on the wrong things...

Damn_Underscore posted...

Is this also your opinion on people who discuss Nintendo games?

It's my opinion on a lot of things marketed to children. At some point you gotta realize that you're near middle aged and aren't the target demographic for these things anymore.

s0nicfan posted...

Also, is Disney accidentally implying that mute girls can't give consent?

Certain people really are obsessed with stripping agency from various groups, limiting their ability to consent at all. It makes a sick sort of sense, because then these people need to be protected by them so it makes them feel important and/or justifies the group's existence.

I miss the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s eras when people weren't sensitive.

EDIT: Never mind. I misread sarcasm.

Like everybody here is right: it is incredibly sensitive them to change these lyrics and it seems much ado about nothing but at the same time no ones gonna watch this shit remix anyways so who really cares.

FortuneCookie posted...

I'm in support of the inclusive casting, but I am miffed at the overprotective attitudes. The attraction between Eric and Ariel was mutual and consensual. Why try and pretend that it wasn't?

Did they need to stir up a false controversy for added buzz? Or are they really that concerned that children won't understand nonverbal communicators?

You don't even know what's changed. You're reacting to a headline and absolutely nothing else. Why not wait to see what they do with the song before you automatically declare how terrible it is?

Many posts saying who cares but media literacy generally is something that I wish more people cared about

Fortunate Son has become the theme of the 4th of July

People who haven't cared about Little Mermaid in 20+ years weigh in on Little Mermaid

More at 10 (unfortunately)

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


Most Disney movies dont have a specific target demographic.

Damn_Underscore posted...

Most Disney movies dont have a specific target demographic.

Yes they do. When their marketing and merchandise is aimed primarily at little girls then that's their target demographic.

A_Good_Boy posted...

Yes they do. When their marketing and merchandise is aimed primarily at little girls then that's their target demographic.

The movies themselves are made for families, which can be anyone.

Im sure there is plenty of Nintendo merchandise marketed for kids, because Nintendo games are made for families as well.

Ahhh CE will get its jimmies absolutely and endlessly rustled over what cartoons other people jerk it to or what wizard games they play.

But make a post about a mermaid in a topic about mermaid movie and it's "Why do you care so much bro? It not for you!"

Never change CE

Damn_Underscore posted...

The movies themselves are made for families, which can be anyone.

Im sure there is plenty of Nintendo merchandise marketed for kids, because Nintendo games are made for families as well.

The Little Mermaid is made for "families" because those families are the ones with money that need to give access to the actual target demographic to enjoy the product. Little girls typically don't have any money and can't drive to the theater to buy their own tickets. So while the Little Mermaid is accessible to a wide demographic, the actual target audience is still little girls. Where do you think the Little Mermaid branded clothing is at in the department store? Where are the toys located? Do you think it's a coincidence that you don't see little boys rocking The Little Mermaid backpacks at school? Why didn't Disney take the opinions of 40 year old men into account when they cast Halle Bailey as Ariel?

Cancel Gaston
Cancel the Chinese Army in Mulan

You don't have to try so hard, Disney. You already lost me with the casting.

"Disney movies are for little girls" sounds like something a bully would have said in the 80s tbh

The star of The Little Mermaid is a princess so it makes sense there is extra marketing for little girls. The Lion King's marketing was probably more gender-neutral, but both movies were made for the same general audience

So he doesnt force himself on her?

The change to the lyrics is ultimately harmless and doesnt change the movie at all, but did he really force himself on her in the original? I thought the entire point of that moment in the movie was Ariels frustrations of Eric not getting the message of Hey, kiss me you fool!

The_Popo posted...

The change to the lyrics is ultimately harmless and doesnt change the movie at all, but did he really force himself on her in the original? I thought the entire point of that moment in the movie was Ariels frustrations of Eric not getting the message of Hey, kiss me you fool!

Sha la la la la la
My oh my
Look's like the boy's too shy
Not gonna kiss the girl

I haven't watched a single Disney remake and won't watch this one so shrug and luckily my girl doesn't gaf about modern Disney

We got a bunch of adults at Disney here on CE who get mad that people clown these trash movies

Literally nobody saw Eric as forcing himself on Ariel.

The fact that people now see this shit in media and think it needs to be changed need to take a hard look in the mirror and figure out what their damage is that they have to project onto everything else.

If they're changing things, though, any word on whether the basic plot is still "princess jaded by her perfect life makes a deal with the devil to get what she wants, but it backfires until daddy fixes everything and then she gets everything she wanted anyway without consequence?"

Because if we're really going to "modernize" the Little Mermaid, that seems like a MUCH bigger issue than "mute girl has trouble communicating that she wants a kiss"

Damn_Underscore posted...

"Disney movies are for little girls" sounds like something a bully would have said in the 80s tbh

Or anyone with common sense. Where are the toys located at in the store? Who is standing in line to meet her at Disney World?

It ain't a grand conspiracy. The whole world isn't scheming to trick you. It's very simple: the Little Mermaid is for little girls.

It was the start of the Disney Renaissance, famously known for its quality and widely successful animated movies.

You didn't actually answer my question, do you think Nintendo games are for little kids? First of all if the answer is yes then we know to take your opinion with a grain of salt because everyone here enjoys Nintendo games. If the answer is no then why? What makes Nintendo games and Disney movies so different? And why are you using this as an insult anyway?

Turtlemayor333 posted...

They are changing Ursala's lyrics to not be as mean. It fits the trend where Disney is not letting their bad guys be bad guys now.

Media literacy seems to be getting worse and worse. I'm not sure if it's a chicken or egg problem but Disney is probably correct that a stupid review would complain "Ursala is problematic" if they didn't change it.

Wtf? They are aware they are writing villains?

I imagine its something like

Yes, you want her
Look at her, you know you do
Possible she wants you too
There is one way to ask her
It don't take a word
Not a single word
Go on and kiss the girl

This is not good advice lol

RISEofCHRISTIAN posted...

I miss the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s eras when people weren't sensitive.

People literally tried to cancel south park in the 90s

Wasnt part of the original song the boys too shy or expressing Ariels annoyance that Eric was being too much a gentleman ?

Been a long time so I could be remembering wrong, Aladdin and The Lion King were my favorites back then.

She wanted to kiss him from the beginning. She even signed a contract stating she had to kiss him to get her voice back. I for one watch the movies

RiKuToTheMiGhtY posted...

Wasnt part of the original song the boys too shy or expressing Ariels annoyance that Eric was being too much a gentleman ?

Been a long time so I could be remembering wrong, Aladdin and The Lion King were my favorites back then.

He had her trapped on a boat. He knew that if he DID try something, she wouldn't be able to say no...because of the implication. You know, she looks around and what does she see? Nothin' but open ocean. "Ahh, there's nowhere for me to run. What am I gonna do, say 'no'?"

RiKuToTheMiGhtY posted...

Wasnt part of the original song the boys too shy or expressing Ariels annoyance that Eric was being too much a gentleman ?

Yeah, but finding things "problematic" is a full time job for them so they have to find something otherwise they'd have to examine their life choices.

Jennywentnorth8 posted...

He had her trapped on a boat. He knew that if he DID try something, she wouldn't be able to say no...because of the implication. You know, she looks around and what does she see? Nothin' but open ocean. "Ahh, there's nowhere for me to run. What am I gonna do, say 'no'?"

Okay. That... that seems really dark.

Damn_Underscore posted...

It was the start of the Disney Renaissance, famously known for its quality and widely successful animated movies.

You didn't actually answer my question, do you think Nintendo games are for little kids? First of all if the answer is yes then we know to take your opinion with a grain of salt because everyone here enjoys Nintendo games. If the answer is no then why? What makes Nintendo games and Disney movies so different? And why are you using this as an insult anyway?

Your deflection to Nintendo is irrelevant because we're not talking about Nintendo, and we're not even talking about the whole of Disney's archive. We're talking about the Little Mermaid and how people that aren't even the target demographic are upset about a change of lyrics that they don't know anything about.

The little Mermaid releasing in the middle of the middle of the Disney Renaissance doesn't make it any less of a movie for little girls.

I'm pointing out your hypocrisy and once again you didn't answer my question.

Why are you so insistent that people shouldn't care about this movie because "it's for little girls"

Im really excited for my version of the film because weve definitely changed that perspective of just her wanting to leave the ocean for a boy, Bailey said last month. Its way bigger than that. Its about herself, her purpose, her freedom, her life and what she wants.

With Part of Your World coming before she sees Eric in the original, this has always been there, but that does get lost. I think it'll be an even stronger story if they clarify it, that's great.

for some people saying its for kids you guys sure argue like kids