I walked into the theater with giddy excitement like a little kid. The Little Mermaid was my all-time favorite Disney movie as a kid, Ariel being my favorite princess. I watched that movie and its sequel films more times than I can count. Because of this, I’ve been very anxious for the live-action film to release. My local theater had an early showing on May 25th, and I was there, ready to relive my favorite movie moments in a new way.
There’s so much to unpack in this film that I’m not quite sure where to begin. First of all, the film stays true to the original story much more than I thought it would. Sure, they tweak a few things, add a couple songs, and alter some little details – but overall, I was super pleased that I still recognized Ariel as a character and saw the majority of the original work readapted.
They even threw Jodi Benson (the original voice of Ariel) in there as a cameo! When she came on screen, I audibly gasped and said (probably a little too loud) “THAT’S JODI BENSON!”
Phenomenal Singing
Halle Bailey blew my expectations out of the water. I knew she could sing. What we had already heard of her voice was amazing. But…wow. Part of Your World was phenomenal…and the REPRISE?!? Oh my goodness. Heartbreakingly beautiful.
“Risking it all, only to fall
Back where I started
Back near the shore, back to before
You took my hand
Betcha on land, they understand
And they don’t strand you brokenhearted.”
Like, WHAT?!? Lin Manuel Miranda is over here making me SOB. I also loved that they gave Ariel a singing part in Out of the Sea! It’s only backing vocals but it added so much to the song! I prefer this new version of that song to the original just for her additions!
The only added song that I’m not 100% sold on yet is The Scuttlebutt. It’s catchy, but it felt too silly for an otherwise fairly serious/dramatic movie. But then again, I know this movie is technically for kids so I’ll let it slide (I would still jam to it if it came on, too.)
Stunning Visuals
The visuals for this movie were just as stunning as Halle’s amazing voice. I can see why it took so long to make – it was so detailed. At one point I thought to myself, “I really feel like I’m swimming with her.” The camera work, the CGI, the costumes, just wow.
I also loved how they did Halle’s tail; it seemed so realistic.
Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric
Jonah Hauer-King was a great cast for Prince Eric. At first, I wasn’t so sure about him, but his on-screen chemistry with Halle and the new song they gave him (Wild Uncharted Waters) really made him stand out. The scene where they are looking at his maps together is one of my favorite scenes he’s in.
Melissa McCarthy as Ursula
Of course, Melissa McCarthy killed it. She’s hysterical. She was a great choice for Ursula. My only criticism of anything related to Ursula was that I feel like the scene where we’re in Ursula’s lair (you know, giving up our voice and whatnot) is a little dark and kind of hard to see.
I understand we’re supposed to be at the bottom of the ocean but I still need to be able to see what’s going on. But maybe it was just me!
The Daughters of Triton
The Daughters of Triton were nice to see in the film, and while many think they deserved more screen time, I think they served their purpose. Disney could still remake The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning in live-action to give us more screen time with them, as they are more heavily touched upon in that movie.
I don’t think it would have made any sense to include them much more in this movie. This is Ariel’s story, not the story of the whole family, That deserves its own movie, which I would love to see as well!
Sebastian and Flounder
Sebastian and Flounder were fairly well done for this film as well. Flounder was adorable and his voice actor did a great job. Sebastian looked great but Daveed Diggs didn’t completely sell me with the accent – I felt like he kept losing the accent halfway through sentences. Again, that might just be me! But I love Daveed Diggs; he’s been fantastic in every other project I’ve seen him in.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this movie is the best live-action Disney adaptation they’ve done so far in my opinion. I left the theater singing all the songs and reliving my childhood. Halle Bailey truly encapsulated the essence of Ariel. They couldn’t have cast someone more phenomenal for the role. Whoever plays the next Disney Princess in a live-action has big shoes to fill!
5 out of 5 Stars!
Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid starring Halle Bailey is now playing in theatres worldwide.
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