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Disney is re-releasing The Little Mermaid into theaters on Friday, September 20th, in a new version that is apparently designed for people who think the original film doesn’t hold up on its own merits.

In this new release, called The Little Mermaid: Second Screen Live, attendees have to download an iPad app and bring their iPads to the theater to distract them from what’s happening on the screen. Audiences are encouarged to ignore the careful plotting of the story, the nuances of the character animation, and the development of the characters’ personalities, and instead play games, answer trivia, solve puzzles, perform sing-a-longs, and compete with other audience members. In fact, they’re asked to pretty much do anything but actually watch The Little Mermaid.

The announcer in the promo says, “Bring your Apple iPad and see The Little Mermaid on the big screen like you never have before.” That part is true because I’m pretty sure nobody has ever seen The Little Mermaid by purposely holding a hunk of metal in front of them to obscure the film:

Disney promises that, “Moviegoing has never been so much fun.” So far, the Internet disagrees, and Disney has disabled comments on its YouTube promo. To experience the future of moviegoing and see bits and pieces of The Little Mermaid in a theater filled with moviegoers tapping away on their iPads, visit the Second Screen Live website.

Amid Amidi

Amid Amidi is Cartoon Brew's Publisher and Editor-at-large.

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