Product Info

Studio

Walt Disney Pictures

Director

Rob Marshall

Genre

Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Rated

PG

Theatrical Release Date (NA)

May 26, 2023

Film Length

2hr 15min

Purchase From

The Little Mermaid is what one would expect from a Disney film with a happy ending and all. Originally released in 1989, its success, propelled by fun characters and a memorable Broadway-style score, helped kick off what’s become known as the Disney Renaissance, which brought the studio and audiences several modern classics throughout the 1990s. Over the last several years, Disney has been remaking their 2D animated catalog in live-action (or at least 3D) to varying levels of critical and commercial success. The Little Mermaid is the latest to receive this treatment. However, like many before it, this update doesn’t really push many boundaries to make the film something special and unique aside from it being live-action.

The Same Wave

The film follows the storyline of the 1989 film very closely with large chunks of dialogue taken directly from it. They did make a small effort to add to it in some ways that were good and some that didn’t quite hit the audience the way they probably intended. Still, overall you will still get the good feeling from it like you’d expect from most Disney films, especially if you go into it with nostalgia of the original.

Much like the original, the movie opens up with Prince Eric, played by Jonah Hauer-King (Little Women, A Dog’s Way Home), on a boat with his crew at sea, but in the new version, the crew is trying to catch or kill a mermaid. This bit of false hope given to the audience that the film will take a slightly deeper or maybe be a bit of a different spin on the original animated film is quickly squashed in a minute or two when you find out that it is indeed a dolphin they are seeing and not a mermaid. You would think the tone would stay throughout, but it goes straight into Prince Eric having compassion for sea creatures and animals in general.

Realistic Under the Sea

The movie then shows the beautiful CGI of the underwater world, which brings much joy to the film-goer as it truly is whimsical. Even down to the way the animals move and the bright colors, it is a joy to see. Then, it goes deeper into the sea and you see what you anticipate with the mermaid world showing itself. That said, Flounder (Ariel’s fish friend), and Sebastian (Ariel’s father’s servant) looked too real and could have been altered. For example, when the first visual of Sonic the Hedgehog was revealed for his first film, the blue hedgehog looked “too realistic”, causing an uproar with fans. Later, the character was modified to look closer to his original art style while keeping some realistic features. The same treatment could have been done for Ariel’s sidekicks.

Anyway, the mermaid world is about community, playfulness, and fun. It shows six of the seven of King Triton’s daughters, which as it happens represent the seven seas. They actually did deviate from the animated film, which had all white daughters, and instead chose to create diversity in the film, opting for characters that appear to be from various parts of the world: Africa, India, Asian, etc. Having such representation for many different cultures and races compared to the original was beautiful to see.

New Faces, New Changes

As the story moves forward, we meet Ariel, played by Halle Bailey (A Wrinkle in Time, Grown-ish), who did a superb job capturing the innocent, wonder and adventurous side of the character. Although there was much controversy with not only her being a black actor instead of a white one but also her not having the bright red hair everyone is used to compared to the animated film, she nailed the character. Even down to the inflection of the voice, it is clear that many of the actors had coaching of some kind. She is amazing!

We start to see the dynamic between Ariel and her father King Triton, played by Javier Bardem (Skyfall, No Country for Old Men). He’s a compassionate but protective father who rules with fear for the world above the sea since Ariel’s mother was killed by humans. He wants the best for his daughter, but he also sees that as her being safe under the sea close to home. She keeps defying him by going into areas he has forbidden, including up to the surface. In an effort to make sure she stays out of trouble and is being safe, he puts his trusted right-hand-ma… crab Sebastian, voiced by Daveed Diggs (Hamilton, Blindspotting), in charge of watching over her.

Sebastian is a caring but stern crab who both hates being a babysitter to a teenager but also is clearly a loyal servant to the sea king, doing as he is asked/told to do. He, along with Ariel’s best friend flounder, played by Jabob Tremblay, continuously try to make sure that Ariel is safe but also happy along the way, guiding her as best they can. Even when she makes choices that are clearly against the king’s wishes, and at times put herself in jeopardy, they stay by her side as true friends would.

Ariel chooses to make a deal with the sea witch Ursula, played by Melissa McCarthy (The Heat, Bridesmaids), to become human after saving Prince Eric during a shipwreck and falling in love with him at first sight. Ursula has ulterior motives to use Ariel as a way to get back at her brother King Triton after being banished from the kingdom and her community. Yes, that’s right. Ursula is not only King Triton’s sister but also Ariel’s aunt, which adds an additional layer to the story that was not in the animated version. There’s some heavy family drama about her being hurt and angry at what her brother, the king, chose to do to get his way. She uses this to convince Ariel to make a deal that could ultimately end Ariel or the king.

McCarthy plays Ursula wonderfully. Remember the intonation and voice coaching mentioned earlier with Ariel’s voice being so close to the original character? McCarthy clearly had similar coaching because her voice and the acting for Ursula was outstanding. The actor is usually known for her silly and comedic efforts, but this character pushed boundaries and expectations by showing how versatile she can be. Don’t be surprised if you see McCarthy in future roles as the ‘bad guy’ because she can do it so well.

Fish Out of Water

One of the best scenes in the movie is while Ariel is exploring being on land with Prince Eric. Yes, you certainly see the connection and romance starting to build between the two, but that isn’t the focal point when they are out exploring the kingdom. It is the beauty that is all around, not only the infamous carriage ride that Ariel tries driving. It spreads into other areas, like seeing the beauty of the land, the market with all its wonders, and of course the dancing in the marketplace as Eric and Ariel join in among the dancers as music plays. Not only is the beauty outstanding, but this is also where we see the innocence and wonder for Ariel shine the most. She finds sandals to take the place of her high heels and eats a flower that is given to her because she doesn’t know any better. It is truly charming on its own, but then the romantic part starts to evolve as well, which is sweet in only a way that Disney can accomplish.

This is one area of the movie, as well as others peppered throughout, that is unique compared to the original. They showed more and delved deeper into Prince Eric’s character with a relevant and unexpected backstory. The audience feels more for him, and his wants and goals for his future. Essentially, they show how the Prince and Ariel are very much the same in that they both have an interest in each other’s world and in adventure but have stifling parental control over their lives.

That’s right: in the live-action film, Prince Eric has a mother who also tries to guide him in a way that inevitably comes from a place of compassion and protection but comes across as controlling, just like King Triton’s parenting style.

Kiss the Girl

The music starts out pulling on the nostalgia of the original early with Ariel singing one of its songs, again with perfect intonation of the original animated character. Then, as you get further into the movie, you notice gradual changes to songs and additions like Ariel singing as part of the ‘Under the Sea’ song. Admittedly, these changes aren’t terrible, but they don’t really add value to the song either. This updating of the songs feels forced in a way that kind of takes away from it for those who had seen the original. Further into the movie, they do offer some new and original songs which add value to the story, for example, one that Prince Eric sings which gives further insight into his character. 

Interestingly, Lin-Manuel Miranda (music of Hamilton and more recently Disney’s Encanto) was brought on to help with the lyrics, even though he himself was quoted in an interview with Empire as saying, “I will sign on as a producer. But really the hat I’m wearing is Chairman of the ‘Don’t F–k it Up’ committee. And I will weigh in when I think you’re f–kin’ it up.”

Did he succeed at his goal? It’s expected that the audience will have mixed feelings on the old songs, additional lyrics, and new songs.

The Final Wave

Overall, The Little Mermaid is good but not great. Although most of the film has most of the same basic foundations and storyline, some of these additions do enhance the film while others take away from it. Essentially, it doesn’t set itself apart significantly from the 2D original other than it being live-action and the sheer beauty of (most of) the visuals. Outside of that, it is a bit lackluster when compared to the animated film that most people know and love. However, if one hasn’t seen the original, they will enjoy it on its own. It’s okay to let it be part of your world.

An early screening provided for this review.