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Movies exploring the mermaid theme with a fresh perspective, avoiding monotony and consistently captivating a diverse audience. Each actress taking on the role of a mermaid creates a unique image, delivering profound messages.
Movies featuring mermaids always captivate the rich imagination of filmmakers, attracting a wide audience with beautifully mysterious character designs. Unlike the traditionally beautiful mermaids with flowing red hair like waves, there is one controversial mermaid in the community of film enthusiasts.
Controversy over the 'Mermaid' with Dark Skin
The live-action The Little Mermaid is perhaps the most 'dramatic' film of the Summer 2023. Rarely does an unreleased film have such a significant impact, sparking heated debates for months with hundreds of memes, sarcastic remarks, and not-so-easy-to-hear criticisms.
Halle Bailey, the actress with dark skin portraying Ariel in the film, faced prolonged criticism for her appearance. Aiming to break down racial and appearance biases, Halle Bailey sparked debates on dark skin representation and the costly dreadlock wig used by the film studio, estimated at over 150,000 USD (around 3.5 billion VND - according to Page Six).
Disney breaks the mold in actor selection, stepping beyond the predefined concept of a princess deeply rooted in everyone's minds. Many doubted what Disney would do with this 'monument' as Princess Ariel and the music in The Little Mermaid are deeply connected to the childhood of many generations. Some comments suggest that it's not about racial differences but about 'not being attractive' and 'not relevant to being a person of color'.
Seemingly against the tide, the live-action The Little Mermaid received praise for its script, music, and Halle Bailey's performance. Halle Bailey embodied the role of Princess Ariel perfectly, even though the character might not align with the actress. The storyline remains close to the original, with almost 90% of the plot retained. The visuals, beautiful effects, and subtle allegories make it an educational experience for children. The Little Mermaid is seen as a bold but necessary step for Disney, shaping the future of the live-action genre after both successes and failures.
According to CNN, including international box office sales, The Little Mermaid grossed $185.8 million in its opening week, boasting an impressive 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Overall, the film didn't fully win over all audiences but came close to its goal. The movie's message about love, family, and the idea of 'breaking all boundaries' is emphasized throughout. The 2023 version is more proactive and powerful than the 1989 animated version. Disney's challenge lies in bringing to life a film with a well-known ending, convincing the audience through performances.
Jeon Ji Hyun becomes an icon with the mermaid role Shim Chung
From the title of 'box office queen' through the success of My Sassy Girl - the highest-grossing South Korean comedy of all time, Jeon Ji Hyun continues her success with the portrayal of a mermaid in Legend of the Blue Sea. The series achieved high ratings, receiving a 4.8/5 rating with over 7 million views. The 'Goddess' solidified her position in Kbiz as the only female star to be listed in the top 10 outstanding actors of 2016.
'Queen of the box office' Jeon Ji Hyun leaves a strong mark with her innocent yet quirky portrayal of the mermaid Shim Chung. The star was extensively prepared for the role, undertaking challenging diving courses and immersing herself in water all day. She maintains a divine beauty in the mermaid attire, exuding elegance, sophistication, and diverse transformative talent. Her endearing gestures soften the audience's hearts, and Jeon Ji Hyun's extraordinary poses and stunning images in the film create an overwhelming sensation, causing a powerful trend with each outfit worn by the 'Goddess'.
Mermaid Yeo Hee - the 'fresh breeze' in My Boyfriend Is a Gumiho 1983
Alongside renowned actors like the 'evil queen' Kim So Yeon, Kim Bum, and Lee Dong Wook, the supporting character Yeo Hee stands out in the portrayal of a mermaid in My Boyfriend Is a Gumiho 1983. Yeo Hee has dual identities: daytime as a clothing store employee and nighttime transforming into a beautiful singer at the Paradise nightclub. Her singing talent, the mermaid's strength, becomes a weapon to protect those in dreams. The mermaid has a naive personality, seeking sincere love and consistently expressing her desire to be loved by Lee Rang, but the young man remains indifferent, unable to understand the beauty's sincerity.
Taking on the role of the mermaid Yeo Hee in My Boyfriend Is a Gumiho 1983, Woo Hyun Jin surprises as it marks her debut in acting. The 90s beauty impresses with her charming appearance and well-rounded performance, not becoming a burden to her senior colleagues. Together with Kim Bum, they create many sensational scenes, including the first kiss between the fox deity and the mermaid, exciting the audience.
Beyond the mermaid, the film cleverly integrates many familiar characters from the childhoods of various generations, such as the Snail Bride and the novel 'Bá Vương Biệt Cơ' (Prince and the Pauper)...
Marian Rivera's Dreamy Beauty in The Love Story of The Little Mermaid
The Love Story of The Little Mermaid featuring Marian Rivera as Dyesebel earns tremendous acclaim in the Philippine film industry. The 'most beautiful woman in the archipelago' blends modern Western beauty with a touch of gentle Eastern charm, making her the perfect mermaid. Dyesebel, the mermaid, fiercely fights for love, abandoning her rightful place to start a life against the natural order, despite challenges and dangers.
Marian Rivera successfully crafts the character's image to a level where, even after nearly 15 years since its release, no mermaid has escaped the shadow of Dyesebel. Despite enjoying a peaceful home with her husband, the actor Dingdong Dantes, and two children, the beauty remains the face of many major brands, thanks to her beautiful and timeless appearance.
The Sea Princess Mera in Aquaman Faces Boycott
The visually stunning scenes of the vast ocean in Aquaman created waves in the international film industry. On HBO Go, the film achieved a remarkable 4.4/5 rating with numerous positive comments. In the first installment, Amber Heard impressed as the sea princess Mera, Aquaman's love interest. This role propelled the 'most beautiful woman on the planet' to new heights, establishing her as one of Hollywood's valuable stars.
However, the controversy between Amber Heard and her ex-husband Johnny Depp led to over 4.5 million people signing a petition to boycott her, demanding her removal from Aquaman 2. In the face of the boycott, Amber Heard provocatively engages with the audience by regularly sharing behind-the-scenes photos from the second installment. Many still believe her character will have limited screen time in the new film. In a recent trailer, the actress from the 80s briefly appeared in a combat scene without dialogue. Regardless, Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom promises to be a quality DC production in the near future.
Enchanting Lam Duẫn's Beauty in The Mermaid
Chau Tinh Tri, the 'king of Hong Kong comedy,' made a significant impact with his film The Mermaid, becoming the highest-grossing film in the Chinese film industry. It shattered domestic box office records with 2.43 billion CNY (382 million USD), surpassing monster-hunting films, defeating Journey to the West 2, The Monkey King 3, and contributing to a 150% increase in 2016 box office revenue compared to 2015.
Considered one of the most beautiful actresses in the '95 generation, Lam Doan captivated audiences with her portrayal of a mermaid in The Mermaid. Selected from over 120,000 actresses, Lam Doan stood out with her slender figure, flawless face, and fair skin. Despite being praised for her 'real princess, real price' appearance, some critics found limitations in her acting skills.
On March 7th, Lam Doan parted ways with Chau Tinh Tri's entertainment company after 8 years. The actress aims for independent development in the Mainland Chinese entertainment market, avoiding reliance on her former mentor's fame. The second installment of The Mermaid, filmed since 2019, is yet to be released due to content and special effects adjustments.
Movies exploring the portrayal of mermaids from fresh perspectives continue to captivate diverse audiences, despite the abundance of similar productions over the years. Each actor taking on the role of a mermaid creates a unique image, delivering profound messages.
