The Little Mermaid & Spider-Verse

Disney's 1989 animated film "The Little Mermaid" was an instant classic and so it is not surprising that the studio has now released a live-action remake of it. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano share their mixed response to it. For one thing, so much of it is computer-generated that there is more animation than genuine live action here. Also, while they like the performance by Halle Bailey as the mermaid Ariel, they have various reservations about the storyline. Marie and Mike also talk about the animated "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," about which they have, yet again, a mixed response. They like the relatable quality in the film's 15-year-old protagonist, but think the plot is overly busy.