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by Whitt Laxson  The Little Mermaid (2023) / Walt Disney Studios Disney’s live-action remakes can be hit or miss for fans of the original animated classics. We get our hopes up for a dose of nostalgia but remain cautious of how a new version will compare. Anticipation aside, that’s still the case for what’s shaping up to be the biggest Disney revamp yet, The Little Mermaid (2023). It’s been over thirty years since Ariel’s undersea adventure marked a renaissance for Walt Disney Animation. As the Frozen of its day, 1989’s The Little Mermaid was an instant blockbuster and worldwide phenomenon. During its 1997 re-release, the Oscar-winning film became the first movie I ever saw in theaters, and subsequently, my first Disney obsession. I’ve made a lot of Mermaid memories since then, and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the original voice of Ariel, Jodi Benson. With my deep connection to the animated feature, I’ve been counting down the days to its live-action reimagining. So how could I turn down my co-worker’s invite to an early press screening?  The Little Mermaid (2023) / Walt Disney Pictures Featuring characters we know and songs we love, the new Little Mermaid comes with modern and clever updates for a contemporary audience. In a star-making performance, GRAMMY-nominated singer Halle Bailey plays the mermaid who dreams of life on land, Princess Ariel. Equally impressive is Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, a now complex character who longs for adventure at sea. Of course, to be where the people are, Ariel must strike a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, played deliciously by Melissa McCarthy. After exchanging her voice for human legs, the youngest daughter of King Triton (Javier Bardem) is off to explore the shore up above. Even with the harmless addition of three new songs, this adaptation of The Little Mermaid feels less musical and more action-adventure. It’s one of many interesting choices that longtime Mermaid fans may or may not enjoy. The same goes for the picture's overall style of muted colors, proving what works well in vibrant 2-D animation doesn’t always measure up in this new retelling. In fact, memorable scenes that pack a punch in the original are not as effective this time around. The trend of photo realistic animals fails again for Disney, especially in the designs of Sebastain (Daveed Diggs) and Flounder (Jacob Tremblay).  The Little Mermaid (2023) / Walt Disney Studios Dragged down by uneven pacing, the first half of the movie falls flat and starts to sink to the depths of the ocean. What rescues the film from drowning is a thrilling third act and the excellent pairing of leads in Bailey and Hauer-King. The buildup to this Mermaid’s finale is epic, inviting audiences to root for Ariel and Eric against a scene-stealing Vanessa (Jessica Alexander)/Ursula. Though intense for younger kids, the movie also succeeds in presenting a more mature tone. In addition to frightening and action-packed sequences, the film explores mythology and adult themes like aspiration and rebellion. Still, those elements are not balanced out with the charisma of Ursula and the humor of Awkwafina’s Scuttle. I left the live-action Little Mermaid with a lot of the same feelingss I get from watching the animated version. Like the remakes before it, Mermaid doesn’t fully capture the Disney magic of its predecessor. Instead, it delivers something fresh for a new generation and something nostalgic for the o-g fans. The significance of this film should not go unnoticed as Halle Bailey represents Black girls everywhere in a role she was born to play. Her performance, along with a handful of satisfying updates make this adventure flick a must-sea Disney event on the big screen. It now rounds out my top five list of live-action reimaginings, ranking just below Cinderella (2015), Aladdin (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2017) and The Jungle Book (2016).  The Little Mermaid / Walt Disney Studios Disney's The Little Mermaid (2023) swims into theaters May 26th and is rated PG.
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 Hocus Pocus 2 / Walt Disney Studios How do you follow up on a fan favorite movie nearly thirty years later? It seems tricky, but the folks at Disney+ are giving it a try with Hocus Pocus 2. The original was a box office flop in 1993, but thanks to cable TV airings, Hocus Pocus became a beloved Halloween tradition. Its popularity grew over time, and with the launch of Disney+, perhaps the timing was right for a long-awaited sequel. As a big fan of Hocus Pocus, I was excited to see the trailers leading up to this highly-anticipated premiere. I was also cautiously optimistic about what to expect from the film.  Hocus Pocus / Walt Disney Studios In Hocus Pocus 2, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy return as the iconic Sanderson Sisters. This time, the trio of witches get a backstory, revealing just how magical their bond has always been. Fast forward to present-day, and Winifred, Mary and Sarah are brought back to life by a Salem teen with witchy powers of her own. Hocus Pocus 2 hits the same beats as Hocus Pocus, complete with musical numbers and gags about modern-day technology. Still, there’s a fresh story to be told, and it’s not a complete copy of the original. What’s exactly the same is how our leading ladies play the characters we know and love. It’s impressive and a bit trippy to watch Midler, Parker and Najimy slip back into their roles with such ease. In some scenes, their mannerisms are spot on, sparking plenty of nostalgia for this 90’s/Y2K kid.  Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson, Hocus Pocus 2 / Walt Disney Studios Fans can expect a much lighter tone now, which falls in line with Disney’s recent trend of giving villains a layer of humanity. While I appreciate the message about sisterhood, I don’t want to have empathy for the Sanderson Sisters. As fun as they are, these witches are villains who suck the lives out of children to keep themselves young. I want to fear them and love to hate them at the same time. The original Hocus Pocus is darker and spookier, even for a kid-friendly film. They don’t quite go there in Hocus Pocus 2, which is a missed opportunity to create something equally as epic. The new story has potential, but it never leans in far enough to the element of witchcraft. Modern teen witches versus the Sanderson Sisters could have been a home run. Instead, they play it safe and keep things wholesome.  Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson, Hocus Pocus 2 / Walt Disney Studios The sequel relies heavily on nostalgia and the original cast to make for an enjoyable made-for-steaming-service movie. It doesn’t feel theatrical, but it’s stronger than the average TV flick or Disney+ original. The new cast is strong too, led by Whitney Peak (Gossip Girl) and featuring the talents of Joel Hale (Veep) and Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso). This movie getting made speaks volumes to the level of fandom Hocus Pocus truly has. I’m sure some fans will be disappointed, but it’s tough to recreate the magic of something so beloved and iconic. I view the original film as lightning in a bottle. I kept realistic expectations about Hocus Pocus 2, which helped me enjoy the movie instead of comparing it to the first. Overall, it’s harmless and won’t ruin anyone’s childhood. The new story may not live up to its own potential, but it sure is fun - and funny! Hocus Pocus 2 is now streaming on Disney+.  Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson, Hocus Pocus 2 / Walt Disney Studios by Whitt Laxson  It was the start of something new, and halfway through its first year, Disney Plus is proving where it belongs in the streaming game. With a global rollout underway, the latest numbers from Disney put the app past 50 million subscribers. For perspective, Netflix has double that amount, but it’s where D+ was projected to be in 3 years, not 6 months. Going back to November 12, 2019, my expectations were extremely high on launch day. Initially, they were met as I got wrapped up in the excitement and nostalgia. I love having access to my favorite Disney films and TV shows all in one place, at the push of a button. I’ve also been impressed by a lot of the original content. Namely High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, The Imagineering Project, Encore!, and of course, the runaway hit, The Mandalorian.  I’ve been underwhelmed by the original films so far, but they’re enjoyable as made-for-TV, family movies. The lack of original content compared to other streaming services has been a big complaint for some. I definitely think it’s a problem but hopefully one that will be fixed with time. Despite my compliments, 6 months later I would describe my relationship with Disney Plus as love/hate. Or maybe love/frustrating at times. My frustration ultimately stems from branding issues and drama involving the reboot of Lizzie McGuire. There’s been no official word on the status of the show, but after only shooting 2 episodes, it appears Disney changed course from making a grown-up Lizzie that would appeal to adult fans of the original series. Another sign D+ is sticking with a family-friendly brand is the move of Love Victor, the Love Simon spin-off, to Hulu. As an adult Disney fan who doesn’t have kids, I am disappointed by these decisions. I enjoy watching Disney classics, but I also need my fix of shows and movies made for an older audience.  I get that Disney goes hand in hand with kids and family, but it just seems a bit limiting. Especially when adults are paying the bill and when competing platforms thrive off mature content. Still, if Disney Plus wants to be the go-to streaming destination for family entertainment, it’s on the right track. Overall, I think there’s room to improve, and moving forward I want to see a more established brand. I’m excited to watch new originals when they're released and to re-live my childhood one TV show and movie at a time.  |