Songs in the live-action The Little Mermaid movie will be updated to include consent
Topics: Disney, Film and TV, Entertainment, Music
Rachel Lang
Featured Image Credit: Disney
Topics: Disney, Film and TV, Entertainment, Music
Iconic tunes from Disney's 1989 classic The Little Mermaid have been tweaked for the upcoming live-action remake.
Famous tracks such as 'Kiss the Girl' and 'Poor Unfortunate Souls' have now been altered slightly to emit a more modernized outlook for the film.
Composer Alan Menken explained to Vanity Fair the reason behind the lyric changes.
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"There are some song 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]," Menken said.
And, well, looking at the original lyrics, fair enough.
The 1989 song goes: "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."
Menken added: "We have some revisions in 'Poor Unfortunate Souls' regarding lines that might make young girls somehow feel that they shouldn't speak out of turn.
"Even though Ursula is clearly manipulating Ariel to give up her voice."
In the original song, Ursula tells Ariel: "The men up there don't like a lot of blabber. They think a girl who gossips is a bore. Yet on land it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word. And after all dear, what is idle babble for?"
The sea witch continues: "Come on, they're not all that impressed with conversation. True gentlemen avoid it when they can, but they dote and swoon and fawn on a lady who's withdrawn. It's she who holds her tongue who gets a man."
Yikes.
The updated lyrics also reflect an updated Ariel.
In an interview with Edition, the live-action actor who plays Ariel, Halle Bailey, shared her own thoughts on the accusations of sexism faced by the three-decade old original film.
"I’m really excited for my version of the film because we’ve definitely changed that perspective of just her wanting to leave the ocean for a boy,” Bailey said.
"It’s way bigger than that. It’s about herself, her purpose, her freedom, her life and what she wants."
"As women we are amazing, we are independent, we are modern, we are everything and above."
She added: "And I’m glad that Disney is updating some of those themes."
It's not the first time the studio has opted to give their 'Disney Princesses' stronger character profiles for the live-action remakes.
Live-action Belle, played by Emma Watson, had more agency and independence in the updated movie version of Beauty And The Beast after Disney made her an inventor.
The Little Mermaid drops in cinemas on 25 May 2023.