I agree with “Kiss the Girl” needing to be tweaked, based on the original lyrics.
I do NOT agree with changing Ursula’s song, because she’s the frickin’ VILLAIN of the piece and it was clear even in 1989 that what she was saying about men vs. women was not, you know, GOOD. The villainous character clearly knew she was spouting misogynist rhetoric then.
I do NOT agree with changing Ursula’s song, because she’s the frickin’ VILLAIN of the piece and it was clear even in 1989 that what she was saying about men vs. women was not, you know, GOOD. The villainous character clearly knew she was spouting misogynist rhetoric then.
I won't know if it bothers me until I hear it, but, as I explained, I don't think Ursula's song needs adjustment because the content of her lyrics in the first place was an indication that she was bad news. It's not as if the film itself was endorsing her words, like it definitely felt for "Kiss the Girl" (which is why I understand them tweaking those lyrics, because "possible she want you too" is NOT consent).
As a person of middle eastern descent, I'm actually more okay with "where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face" (the original lyrics for the Aladdin opening song, before they changed it... way back in the mid-90s, because WOKENESS!)
‘The Little Mermaid’ Live-Action Film Modifies Song Lyrics To Include Consent
Let me analyze this for one second. In the interview, Alan Menken states
“There are some lyric changes in ‘Kiss the Girl’ because people have gotten very sensitive about the idea that [Prince Eric] would, in any way, force himself on [Ariel],”
Looking at the lyrics on their own, I can understand the concern about consent, but is that really what is happening within the context of the movie itself? One could argue that Ariel is the forceful one in this relationship, not Eric. She falls hopelessly in love with him at first sight, gives up her voice and becomes Human just so she can be part of "his" world. When we get to the moment where 'Kiss the Girl' plays, the one person who is taking the initiative to kiss the other person... is ARIEL! She leans in close, closes her eyes and puckers up for Eric to kiss her, but he changes his mind and reels back. And at the end of the song when the moment might finally happen, Ariel once again takes the lead.
As before, context is important. Ariel is being quick on this relationship not only because she has a hard crush for Eric, but also because there are stakes involved. If she can't get this relationship to work, she'll belong to Ursula as rotting seaweed. Sebastion knows this, which makes his song 'Kiss the Girl' more about trying to save Ariel than it is about how boys should treat girls. The stakes are even in the lyrics.
She don't say a word And she won't say a word Until you kiss the girl
So will this be a good change or a bad change? I don't know yet because I haven't heard the new rendition yet. I'm certainly open to the idea of liking it more than the original. We'll see.
All good points about film context, Jeyl, but keep in mind that thanks to the new film, this song is going to make the rounds again. Soundtrack albums, sing-alongs, probably a new pop version for radio play, etc. It won't always necessarily be with the moving image which adds that important context. And the words on their own seem to be encouraging a guy to kiss a girl without waiting for consent... which is a problem, and I applaud them for recognizing it. Not surprised if some guys feel differently, but they're not, y'know... girls.
And the words on their own seem to be encouraging a guy to kiss a girl without waiting for consent... which is a problem, and I applaud them for recognizing it. Not surprised if some guys feel differently, but they're not, y'know... girls.
I don't think 'The Little Mermaid' should be a film that encourages anything. Ariel, who is only 16 years old in the original movie, sings this tune to a guy who she hasn't even properly met while he's laying on the beach unconscious.
"He's so beautiful. What would I give to live where you are? What would I pay to stay here beside you? What would I do to see you smiling at me?"
Well, if you're that serious, you abandon your family, make a deal with a witch, give up your voice, change into a different species, risk spending an eternity as a withered cave plant and fall right into said witch's plot to overthrow your father's kingdom.
Now I'm no girl, but I certainly wouldn't encourage other girls to make life-long commitments to someone at first glance the way Ariel does with Eric.
Now I'm no girl, but I certainly wouldn't encourage other girls to make life-long commitments to someone at first glance the way Ariel does with Eric.
Isn't she a mermaid, though?
Right. Isn't this a fairy tale? Besides in the original Ariel gave consent to be kissed by her body language. She moved in on him with puckered lips. But you know, I'm glad we're teaching girls the right life lessons in a story about a mermaid. Then again maybe she should've listened to her father and not gone to the surface to begin with, because he's right humans are nothing but trouble!
Now I'm no girl, but I certainly wouldn't encourage other girls to make life-long commitments to someone at first glance the way Ariel does with Eric.
Isn't she a mermaid, though?
Right. Isn't this a fairy tale? Besides in the original Ariel gave consent to be kissed by her body language. She moved in on him with puckered lips. But you know, I'm glad we're teaching girls the right life lessons in a story about a mermaid. Then again maybe she should've listened to her father and not gone to the surface to begin with, because he's right humans are nothing but trouble!
The truth is, the Little Mermaid just doesn't have that interesting of a story. Ariel basically fell for a guy and wants to be with him immediately. Having a live action film that expands complexity of the story is a good idea. The problem is, Disney no longer knows how to write stories.
Now I'm no girl, but I certainly wouldn't encourage other girls to make life-long commitments to someone at first glance the way Ariel does with Eric.
Isn't she a mermaid, though?
Right. Isn't this a fairy tale? Besides in the original Ariel gave consent to be kissed by her body language. She moved in on him with puckered lips. But you know, I'm glad we're teaching girls the right life lessons in a story about a mermaid. Then again maybe she should've listened to her father and not gone to the surface to begin with, because he's right humans are nothing but trouble!
The truth is, the Little Mermaid just doesn't have that interesting of a story. Ariel basically fell for a guy and wants to be with him immediately. Having a live action film that expands complexity of the story is a good idea. The problem is, Disney no longer knows how to write stories.
It's a romance story. Don't know how complex it needs to be. The Prince is as much infatuated with Ariel as Ariel is in the Prince. Its a story of love at first sight and people may pretend otherwise but that's young love. I'd also argue its actually quite contemporary. Ariel has agency and even saves the Prince. There's more than enough drama between Ariel, her father and the sea witch. Plus it has some banging songs. The live action film didn't have to be made, but more than that it doesn't need to be improved or updated. If people don't like romance and fairy tales then its just not for them. I agree Disney doesn't know how to write stories anymore.
Now I'm no girl, but I certainly wouldn't encourage other girls to make life-long commitments to someone at first glance the way Ariel does with Eric.
Isn't she a mermaid, though?
Right. Isn't this a fairy tale? Besides in the original Ariel gave consent to be kissed by her body language. She moved in on him with puckered lips. But you know, I'm glad we're teaching girls the right life lessons in a story about a mermaid. Then again maybe she should've listened to her father and not gone to the surface to begin with, because he's right humans are nothing but trouble!
The truth is, the Little Mermaid just doesn't have that interesting of a story. Ariel basically fell for a guy and wants to be with him immediately. Having a live action film that expands complexity of the story is a good idea. The problem is, Disney no longer knows how to write stories.
It's a romance story. Don't know how complex it needs to be. The Prince is as much infatuated with Ariel as Ariel is in the Prince. Its a story of love at first sight and people may pretend otherwise but that's young love. I'd also argue its actually quite contemporary. Ariel has agency and even saves the Prince. There's more than enough drama between Ariel, her father and the sea witch. Plus it has some banging songs. The live action film didn't have to be made, but more than that it doesn't need to be improved or updated. If people don't like romance and fairy tales then its just not for them. I agree Disney doesn't know how to write stories anymore.
Now I'm no girl, but I certainly wouldn't encourage other girls to make life-long commitments to someone at first glance the way Ariel does with Eric.
Isn't she a mermaid, though?
Right. Isn't this a fairy tale? Besides in the original Ariel gave consent to be kissed by her body language. She moved in on him with puckered lips. But you know, I'm glad we're teaching girls the right life lessons in a story about a mermaid. Then again maybe she should've listened to her father and not gone to the surface to begin with, because he's right humans are nothing but trouble!
The truth is, the Little Mermaid just doesn't have that interesting of a story. Ariel basically fell for a guy and wants to be with him immediately. Having a live action film that expands complexity of the story is a good idea. The problem is, Disney no longer knows how to write stories.
It's a romance story. Don't know how complex it needs to be. The Prince is as much infatuated with Ariel as Ariel is in the Prince. Its a story of love at first sight and people may pretend otherwise but that's young love. I'd also argue its actually quite contemporary. Ariel has agency and even saves the Prince. There's more than enough drama between Ariel, her father and the sea witch. Plus it has some banging songs. The live action film didn't have to be made, but more than that it doesn't need to be improved or updated. If people don't like romance and fairy tales then its just not for them. I agree Disney doesn't know how to write stories anymore.
I disagree. The opportunity is there in the live action versions to make it different or better. If not, what is the point? To me, they did that with The Jungle Book. But not with The Lion King remake. The idea that Simba basically grew up as a lion with zero aggression decided to go on a take-back-the-kingdom rampage because of a figure in the clouds is nonsense. Not to mention he magically became alpha male, kicking everyone's ass. I thought that was the case even when I was younger. There is a lot of story that can be flesh out or done differently. Instead, the live action was basically a weaker, less soulful version of the original. The Little Mermaid is the same. Yes, I get young love, that is a 30 min storyline. Why not improve on it? Flesh out the situations and characters. The only downside is if you don't know what you are doing. And Disney doesn't most of the time.
