My Review of the live action remake of Little Mermaid.

My review of Little Mermaid.

So I saw Disney's live action remake of Little Mermaid and heres my review of it...It was pretty good. Now don't get me wrong the film had issues but overall it's a good film. It's way better than that garbage Peter Pan and Wendy ugh. The film had some good moments and I can't lie I loved some of the musical numbers except for Awkwafina's song because my god that was cringe and one of my friends said Howard Ashman would roll in his grave if he heard that song. I think he would because wow it's a terrible song to listen to.

Now, the cast in the film all did an excellent job except Awkwafina. 

Hailey Bailey: I found she did an excellent job as Ariel and she had a great singing vice too. Now I know there was a lot of controversy with her being cast as Ariel. Many people wanted an actual ginger actor to play the role of Ariel, and I get it. I believe filmmakers and writers should respect the source material and cast an actor that looks like the character it's based on. However, she did a good job playing Ariel, and I hope Hailey has a successful career in Hollywood. She didn't deserve all that hate she got when she got casted. Don't hate the actor respect them for them for doing their job, the character they play you can hate them and complain about how they were written in the film or show. That's fine just don't hate the actor for doing their job.  

The rest of the cast was good like Jonah Hauer King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Barden as Triton, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, and Awkwafina as Scully. 

Honestly, they didn't have to gender-swap Scully. They should have made a new character, and Javier Barden didn't do a good job as Trition. I love Javier; he's a great actor, but he wasn't right for the role of Triton.

Plus, this film clearly shows Triton is a player because his daughters have different moms. 

However, Melissa McCarthy was as good as Ursula, and they revealed that she and Triton are siblings. 

I liked Daveed Diggs as Sebastian; he nailed it and is also a great rapper. As well I liked the actor who played Prince Eric.

Now the visuals of the film was good but I hated how Sebastian and Flounder looked weird and not good. I mean they just looked creepy and it was on the same level with the live action Lion King remake. As well the kingdom under the sea is not as magical as the animated one. Like all live action remakes this film still lacks the same magic as the animated one. Except for Jungle Book and Cinderella. 

Now we still get the classical songs from the film and some new ones that are good except for Scully's.  

Hailey does do a great job singing Part of Your World but Kiss the Girl I fail to understand why that song is problematic wasn't Ariel who was trying to kiss Eric not the other way around. As well they change most of the story by revealing that Ariel forgot she has to kiss Eric to stay human. 

There are some new songs in the film that are pretty good and I had fun time hearing them. As well new characters like Eric has a mom and he's adopted too. 

I still feel like the animated one is better story wise. I mean I didn't like the climax of the live action because I felt like the animated film did a better job because it was more fun and epic. I wasn't fan of them changing the ending of Eric killing Ursula to Ariel being the one to kill her. I personally I liked that animated one better because Eric saving Ariel and killing Ursula showed Triton that not all humans are bad. Now, if I were making this film I would have both Ariel and Eric defeat Ursula like he crashes the boat into Ursula and she grabs his father's Triton and kills Ursula once and for all. 

As well I would have kept Flounder and Sebastian saving Eric from Ursula's eels. 

Now overall do I think it's a bad film? No I still think the movie has a lot of problems like most Disney remakes like I've written before we are just tired of these remakes. 

There was stuff I liked like some actors in the film did a good job and some of the new songs or remake songs were good. This could have been better written film but lets face it we are sick of these remakes from Disney. 

I give a 7.5 out of 10.

If you like this film that's fine and if you don't like it thats fine too. 

This is just a fun movie and that's all it needs to be.

 

ELF Review

 

My Elf Review 

So to get ready for Christmas here is my review of one of my favourite christmas films. Elf starting Will Ferrell. This movie is now 20 years old and it's still funny to this day. The film is about Buddy a human raised by elves and was adopted by an elf named Papa Elf played Bob Newhart and he learns he's actually human and his real father lives in New York and his mother put him up for adoption and sadly she died.

Buddy goes to New York to find his real father and we see him interact with his step mom and little brother. As well Buddy falls in love with a woman named Jovie who encourages her to sing and I still find it funny that Buddy didn't know she was naked in the shower yet he has used a shower before. 

The film has some very funny moments and 20 years later some of those scenes are now memes. 

You see what I mean. 

The whole cast in this film all do a great job like the late James Caan, Zoey Deschanel, Bob Newhart, Mary Steenburen, Peter Dinklage, and Ed Asner as Santa Clause. The whole cast of this film all do a great job. Everyone perfect casting. 

The film has some funny moments like when Buddy meets the mall Santa I was laughing my ass off in that scene. Will Ferrell was just born to play this role and he was once asked if he would do a sequel and he said no because he wants it to be a Christmas Classic. I agree, Elf is better off as a christmas classic. 

I also found it funny when he thinks Peter Dinklage's character is an elf but I don't think a scene like that would fly by today's standards. I still love that line "He must be a South Pole Elf?" 

This film still holds up today and I still love it 20 years later.

I give Elf an 8 out of 10 and remember Christmas Spirit is about believing. Let me know what you think of this christmas classic. 

Merry Christmas to all my viewers!

Oliver and Company Review

 

My review of Oliver and Company Review

To celebrate this film's 35th anniversary, here is my review of Oliver and Company. I love this film. I watched it when I was a kid, and it's a good adaptation of Oliver Twist, except for the twist: he's a cat. The film is about Oliver trying to find a home and a family because the movie's opening is one of the saddest. All of the kittens get adopted, and he doesn't. It is sad. It will make him shed a tear. Oliver meets Dodger, voiced by music legend Billy Joel. Dodger is one of the best characters in this film because he acts like a dad to Oliver. Also, meet Tito, whose voice actor went on to voice one of the hyenas in Lion King, Rita Dodger's girlfriend, Francis, and Eisten. The film's story also includes a homeless guy named Fagin, who has paid debt to a mob boss named Skies, the bad guy in the film.

The movie has excellent animation and great songs like Why I Should Worry.

That song is the best in the whole film, and when I went to New York, I played it because it fits New York City. Also, Streets of Gold is a good song. 

Oliver gets adopted by a little girl named Jenny, who calls him Oliver. She has a dog named Georgetta, who doesn't like Oliver because she is spoiled. 

The film had some fun, dark, and intense moments, and the big climax was good.

The cast of this film all did a great job voicing their characters, and the characters in this film are all loveable. I mean, who doesn't love dogs?

The film's ending is delightful because Oliver gets a family from both sides, from the lower and higher classes. Also, the ending song is excellent and good to listen to. 

Also, this film cameos of other Disney characters from different films.

Jac, Trusty, and Peg.

Pongo makes a cameo, too.

Overall, I love this film and consider it part of the Disney Resistance Era. 

It has good animation, great songs, and great characters. As well it brought back musicals to Disney films. 

So this film to me is part of the Disney Resistance, just like I consider Emperor's New Grove part of the Renaissance. 

I give Oliver and Company a 7 out of 10.

It's hard to believe it's now 35 years old, but it's still a fun movie for the whole family. 

Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Movie Fan Cast

Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Movie Fan Cast and Ideas

To celebrate 25 years of this fantastic game, I'm doing a live-action movie, Fan Cast and Ideas. I know I did an animated one, but this is live-action, and I think Ocarina is the right storyline to adapt on the big screen. If I were to adapt it, I would make a three-parter film series like Lord of the Rings, but my cousin said they should look at the new Dungeons and Dragons movie that came out this year for inspiration, too. That's actually a great idea because that movie was good. 

The first film covers the child arc and ends with Link getting the Master Sword. The second film has Link learning about his past; he goes to the Forest, Fire, and Water Temples. It ends with him seeing Kakariko Village in flames. The third and final film has him going to the Shadow Temple and Spirit Temple and finally going to rescue Zelda and face Ganondorf. That's how I would do it, and I would make it a fantasy, adventure, comedy, and drama film series. 

So heres my fan cast and for kid actors I'm just going to go with unknowns to play a young Link, Zelda, Malon, Saria, Ruto, and Mido. Although I've heard ideas of casting the new Percy Jackson actor as Link and he would be a good choice I'm not going to lie. 

So here is my fan cast for Zelda Ocraina of Time and I'm going to use some of the cast I did in my animated film fan cast. 

Tanner Buchanan as Link

I'm sticking with Tanner as Link because he looks the part, and he looks good green. In the film, Link would speak, but this is because of the mangas. I would look at the mangas for inspiration on how Link would talk. However, one thing I keep in the dungeons and temples: Link remains quiet because he likes to stay focused on a quest and not get distracted. In the film, Link was raised by the Koriki, but unlike the other Koriki, he never got a fairy, unlike the others, and is mocked for it. However, his friend Saria is there for him and tells him he will get a fairy soon. Link, of course, sets out on a quest after saving the Deku Tree, and he tells him he needs to protect the spiritual stones from an evil man who wants the power to unlock the sacred realm. Link would meet Zelda early in the film, and we would see a romance grow between the two. Link learns more about his past, and he realizes he's actually Hyilan and that his father was a royal knight and his mother was a noble lady. The two of them died saving him from Ganondorf, as they knew their son had the triforce of courage. Link's shield that he gets as an adult instead of buying it at a store, he gets from Impa, and she tells him it belonged to his father and it's only fitting his son inherits it. Link's story should also be a coming of age, and he represents true courage. 

Isabel May as Princess Zelda 

Princess Zelda, I recast since I heard that Milly never wants to do another fantasy. So I cast Isabel May because she's gotten a lot of praise lately since 1883. In the film, Zelda meets Link early in the movie, like in the manga. Zelda has Link go on a quest to retrieve the two remaining spiritual stones before Ganondorf does. In the film, we see Zelda's relationship with her, who is the King of Hyrule, and how Impa filled as a mother figure in her life after her mom died. Now, we would see Zelda escaping Hyrule Castle after Ganondorf attacks, and yes, we would see the actress play Shielk as well. Link and Zelda do have a romance, and she does grow to love Link, but sadly, they don't end up together. Still, Zelda plays an active role in helping Link through her wisdom and as Shielk until Link learns Shielk is Zelda. 

Anthony Starr as Ganondorf 

I recast Ganondorf again, this time with Boys star Anthony Starr. Anthony could pull it off because he's as good as Homelander. Unlike Bowser from the Mario Bros movie, Ganondorf can't be goofy. Ganondorf needs to be this dangerous man who will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants. He's cunning, scary, and a twisted villain who's power-hungry. However, we learn Ganondorf actually just wanted to give the Geurdo tribe a better home as he is the only male of the tribe. The Gerudo Tribe is mainly of women, and one male is born every hundred years. Ganondorf seeks to take over Hyrule, but he's not doing it for his people but for his power. Ganondorf is also the one who killed Link's parents. He killed Link's father in a duel and injured his mother, who barely escaped him.  

Ayo Edebiri as Navi 

I stuck to Ayo for Navi because she's incredible in The Bear. Make Navi less annoying than she was in the game. However, although she is annoying in the first film, she becomes likable in the next two films.

 

Ken Watanabe as The Deku Tree 

I kept Ken as the Deku Tree because he has the right voice for the Deku Tree. The Deku Tree serve as a father figure to Link as a child and he was there for Link when he needed it. 

Richard Armitage as King Rhoam of Hyrule

So I decided to keep Richard Armitage but recast him as Zelda's father, unlike the Ocriana of Time game. King Rhoam plays a role in the film, and we see his relationship with his daughter Zelda. He's also shown to be a good king and an example of an absolute ruler. He's basically the opposite of Ganondorf. 

Gemma Chan as Impa

Impa is Zelda's guardian and is a member of the Sheikah, a group of guardians who protect the royal family. Impa is a skilled ninja and swordswoman, and she has some magic, too. Impa is not only a guardian for Zelda, but she also serves as a mother figure to Zelda. Since Zelda lost her mother when she was very young. She and Link meet in Kakariko village again, and she gives him a shield that belonged to his father. Impa even trains Link in combat and in some magic, too. 

  

Sophia Lillis as Malon 

Malon is the daughter of Talon, the owner of Lon Lon Ranch, and she became friends with Link when she was a kid. They meet after her dad helps Link during a thunderstorm, and all three go to Hyrule Town. She even helps Link break into the castle. She has a horse named Epona, whom Link meets and bonds with. Malon, Link, and Epona bond as they sing Epona's Song. As an adult, her father was kicked out of the Lon Lon Ranch, and Mr. Ingo, her father's greedy business partner, took it over. She's forced to work for Ingo and hopes to take back her father's ranch and someday meet a handsome knight. It's also hinted that she has a crush on Link, and I know Link loves Zelda, but by the end, Link likely ends up with Malon after he goes back in time. I see it happening because Malon is a very likable character.

Nick Frost as Talon 

I kept Nick Frost because he looks like Talon and brings comedy to the films. He's a loveable, hardworking, but lazy dad whom we all want to have. Talon is the first Hyilan to meet Link, and he even saves Link during a rain storm once Link leaves the Lost Woods. I made up that idea because it would be interesting. 

 Mackenzie Crook as Ingo 

I kept the same guy, and Mackenzie is a solid choice for the role. He looks the part, and he's a funny actor too. Ingo is a greedy, not hardworking guy. He eventually takes over the Lon Lon Ranch with Ganondorf's help and gives him the fastest horses. Epona escapes him, Link challenges him to a race, and he beats him. Ingo tries to trap Link for Ganondorf's minions. Link, Malon, Epona, and he even saves Ingo because although he's a greedy bastard, Link wouldn't let him suffer a horrible fate. It's also revealed Ingo was under the control of Twinrova. He eventually makes it right with Talon and Malon and promises to make up for the horrible things he did to them. 

Nonso Anozie as Chief Darunia 

I kept Nonso because he was excellent in Sweet Tooth. Chief Darunia is the leader of the Goron Tribes, and in the film, his people are being eaten by a Dodongo, a dragon created by Ganondorf, after he refused to give up the spiritual stone. Not only that, the Gorons are still getting food because Dodongo has taken over the cavern of their food. Gorons eat rocks... particular types of rocks. It doesn't make sense because there are rocks everywhere on Death Mountain. Darunia is an authoritarian and strong leader, but he loves music, especially from Koroki village. He would also have a son named Link after saving his people. 

Madeleine Madden as Princess Ruto 

I recast Princess Ruto with Madeleine Madden. You might know her from the Wheel of Time series. In the first film, Princess Ruto is a bit of a brat and often gets into trouble. However, she does want to help Lord Jabu-Jabu, who is sick with a parasite. However, after Link saves her and helps Jabu-Jabu, the Guardian of the Zoro, she gives him the spiritual stone, which is also an engagement ring. However, Link doesn't know what an engagement ring is, and he's in for a shock when he learns what it is. 

Toby Jones as King Zora 

King Zora is a fat Zora, but he is still a fine ruler and sincerely cares about his daughter and his people. He also met with Ganondorf, who wanted the spiritual stone. He refused like the Deku Tree and Chief Daurina, so Ganondorf cursed Jabu-Jabu, their whale guardian, with a parasite. 

Graham McTavish as Rauru 

Rauru is the Sage of Time. He is an owl who helps Link get to the Zora Domain. He reveals to Link that he is actually Hyilan and keeps Link safe for seven years after he pulls the Master Sword. I recast Rauru with Graham McTavish. 

Hannah John Karmen as Nabooru 

Nabooru is a Gerudo who doesn't support Ganondorf and believes her people are wrong to support him. She meets Link, and they work together to stop Kotake and Koume. We see some Gerudo beside her against Ganondorf. It just shows that only some people support their leader. I recast Nabooru with Hannah John Karmen. 

Glenn Close as Kotake and Kate Mulgrew as Koume 

Kotake and Koume are Ganondorf's witches and surrogate mothers. When they fuse together, they give birth to Twinrova. Kate Mulgrew and Glenn Close play these two witches. I've seen them play two evil witches, so they are good choices. 

William Moseley as Link's father, Sir Arn. 

Link's parents would be in the film, and they play a significant role in this film. I did recast both parents. Link's father, Arn, is from the manga. Link's dad was a Hylian royal knight, and we see he was one of the best swordsmen in Hyrule. Arn and his wife Medilia had a son they named Link, and they learned he had the Triforce of Courage. Ganondorf knew of this and attacked their home, wanting to kill Link. Arn had his wife escape, and he held his son in his arms and "Be brave, my son." Arn fights Ganondorf and his monsters, but sadly, he loses. Before Ganondorf kills him, Arn looks at him and sees his son wielding the master sword and facing off against Ganondorf. Arn knows his son will get the master sword and save Hyrule. 

He was also friends with Impa, who has his shield from his knight days as a memento. Impa eventually gives Link his father's shield, and Link vows to avenge his parents and remember them by carrying his father's shield. 

Tamsin Egerton as Link's Mother, Lady Medilia 

Medilia is Link's mother and a lady of the royal knights. She loved her husband and her son Link. When Ganondorf attacked their home, she escaped and said goodbye to her husband and kissed him one last time. She went to the Lost Woods but was injured by one of Ganondorf's monsters. She managed to get to Korki village and begged the Deku Tree to protect her son and keep him safe. She died but died saving her son. Both Link's parents are shown to be bravest because of their love for their son. 

So that's my cast for the live action Zelda Movie and I would talk ideas but if you want to see my ideas just check out my other Zelda Movie Fan Cast and Ideas that was for animated film. Heres a link to the ideas I had in mind for a Zelda Movie. 

https://joshsmediareview.blogspot.com/2023/04/legend-of-zelda-animated-movie-fan-cast.html

Happy 25th Anniversity to 

The Legend of Zelda 

Ocarina of Time

That's my cast for the live-action Zelda movie. I would talk about my ideas, but if you want to see them, check out my other Zelda movie fan cast and ideas for an animated film. Here's a link to the ideas I had in mind for a Zelda movie.