Disney eats itself as ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ devours ‘The Little Mermaid’ in one key respect

Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid is mere weeks from its release date and the studio is (finally) doling out sneak peeks and previews to whet audiences’ appetites. Unfortunately, the attempt has left me feeling as dry as a bone. Disney’s glaring VFX problem is now officially on the verge of eating itself as the comparison between Flounder in the live-action The Little Mermaid and Rocket in The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 incites backlash and calls into question how the CGI in both films could possibly stem from the same studio. 

Just today, a new character poster for Flounder was unveiled, but instead of tickling my underbelly with cuteness, it turned my hair white with fright. Looking more like he’s suffering from renal failure than plump with youth, the young tropical yellow fish is so disturbing he bares zero resemblance to the adorable animated version from the 1989 film. 

What’s more, Flounder’s shocking appearance and seemingly haphazard CGI pales in comparison to Rocket and the other animal creatures in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, as reiterated by one fan on Twitter. The recently released clip, which director James Gunn said is “completely CGI,” utilized real camera movements instead of computer-moving cameras, lending it the believability factor that’s absent from The Little Mermaid.

It’s impossible not to notice the difference. While I’m ecstatic that Marvel’s CGI might actually see a needed improvement in Vol. 3, it’s hard not to be pessimistic about The Little Mermaid’s chances of surviving above-water. 

For better or for worse, the live-action The Little Mermaid swims into theaters on May 26. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 premieres next Friday, May 5.