Let there be light!
With people complaining that trailers for Disney's upcoming reimagining
of The Little Mermaid were too dark and dingy to see properly—although it's only one of a plethora of criticisms—Nicholas Barber explains why some current blockbusters are so poorly-lit.
Back in the days when films were actually shot to celluloid, there was little or no room for experimentation. These days, with realtime digital feedback, directors can dial-down the lighting to create mood. Even if it's only a bad one among audiences.
But, in his treatise, Barber overlooks one reason for the use of low lighting, which might relate to other criticisms aimed at Disney's more recent live-action remakes, and The Little Mermaid in particular. And that's to hide the lousy CGI. (pipe)