The Little Mermaid is a 2023 live-action film that's a remake of 1989's Little Mermaid animated film. Live-action Disney remakes have gotten a lot of mixed reception. They tend to make lots of money, but they also tend to get mixed reviews. When it comes to the remakes, I've enjoyed a fair number of them. I didn't care for some of them, such as Aladdin, Lady and The Tramp and Mulan. However, there have been some remakes that I enjoyed, such as Cinderella, Dumbo and both Maleficent films. Also, the live-action Disney Alice in Wonderland films are two of my favorite films.
Mermaids are something that I've had a fascination with for years. There's just something very special about the majestic grace of mermaids. Because of that, I couldn't help avoiding feeling curious about this Little Mermaid remake. Even before the first trailer came out, the film was already receiving backlash, but that didn't stop me from being interested in the film.
The Little Mermaid focuses on Ariel, one of many daughters of King Triton. Ariel is fascinated by the human world, but Triton wants Ariel to stay away from humans because he thinks that they are monsters. Meanwhile, Prince Eric is a human that is fascinated by mermaids, but his mother, Queen Selina, thinks that mermaids are evil creatures. After Eric falls off a ship, Ariel comes to his rescue. Ariel and Eric quickly become interested in each other, but their parents are insistent on keeping them apart. Due to desperation, Ariel seeks help from Ursula. Ursula claims that she can help Ariel, but she isn't actually interested in helping Ariel. In fact, she wants to cause as much trouble as she can for Ariel and her father.
This remake follows a very similar plot to the original. However, I believe that the film still has an identity of its own. With a longer running time, there's more opportunities for storylines and characters to get developed. The parallels between Ariel and Eric are cleverly done. They're both curious, open-minded people that want to go exploring and form close bonds with different kinds of people. I'm very critical of bad romances, so I'm thankful that the romance in the film doesn't feel forced. Ariel and Eric have natural, charming chemistry that benefits the film.
Ariel is a very likable protagonist who has a nice, playful curiosity that carries the film. Halle Bailey shines as Ariel. Her singing voice is great enough to carry the film's iconic songs. There are several scenes where Ariel can't talk, so Halle Bailey has to express Ariel's emotions without words. Thankfully, she is able to do that. She and Jonah Hauer-King's Eric make a good, appealing duo. The scenes they share are very uplifting and enjoyable.
Melissa McCarthy has been in a lot of films that I haven't cared for. Most of her best work has been in the television series Gilmore Girls. However, her streak of being in films that I don't care for has been broken because of this film. A lot of the comedy films that she's been in didn't let her acting talent shine out, but she really gets to prove her gifts as a performer as Ursula. Javier Bardem gives a strong, commanding performance as the strict but well-intentioned Triton. Daveed Diggs gives a very good voice-acting performance as Sebastian. He does a fantastic job at singing Sebastian's iconic song. Awkwafina gets a lot of funny, scene-stealing moments as Scuttle. A lot of people hate Scuttle's song, but I think it's pretty funny.
The film is directed by Rob Marshall. This isn't the first Disney film that he directed. He also directed Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Mary Poppins Returns. Those films were directed very well. The Little Mermaid further proves that he's a very talented director that knows how to make uplifting, magical films.
The visuals in the film are beautiful. The film is a visual treat with great designs for the mermaids. The ocean scenes are stunning treats to look at. The high budget of the film is shown through the film's eloquent, stylish appearance. It's one of those films that's worth gazing at. Ariel, Triton, Ursula and all of Ariel's sisters are all really well adapted into a live-action format. Adapting mermaids and a sea witch into a live-action film is no easy task, but the talented crew behind this film have managed to pull it off.
Sadly, a lot of people didn't give the film a chance. They were ready to call the film bad before it even came out. Some people even made multiple videos complaining about the film before seeing it. It's unfortunate that people have hated on the film for changing the way that Ariel looks. Halle Bailey gives a wonderful performance that deserves to be celebrated rather than mocked. Her acting and singing are some of the best things about the film.
The Little Mermaid is a great remake that captures the heart, enjoyment and style of the original, while also being unique enough to stand out as something special. It's one of the better Disney live-action remakes. For those that want a fun, enchanting adventure, I highly recommend the film.
Mermaids are something that I've had a fascination with for years. There's just something very special about the majestic grace of mermaids. Because of that, I couldn't help avoiding feeling curious about this Little Mermaid remake. Even before the first trailer came out, the film was already receiving backlash, but that didn't stop me from being interested in the film.
The Little Mermaid focuses on Ariel, one of many daughters of King Triton. Ariel is fascinated by the human world, but Triton wants Ariel to stay away from humans because he thinks that they are monsters. Meanwhile, Prince Eric is a human that is fascinated by mermaids, but his mother, Queen Selina, thinks that mermaids are evil creatures. After Eric falls off a ship, Ariel comes to his rescue. Ariel and Eric quickly become interested in each other, but their parents are insistent on keeping them apart. Due to desperation, Ariel seeks help from Ursula. Ursula claims that she can help Ariel, but she isn't actually interested in helping Ariel. In fact, she wants to cause as much trouble as she can for Ariel and her father.
This remake follows a very similar plot to the original. However, I believe that the film still has an identity of its own. With a longer running time, there's more opportunities for storylines and characters to get developed. The parallels between Ariel and Eric are cleverly done. They're both curious, open-minded people that want to go exploring and form close bonds with different kinds of people. I'm very critical of bad romances, so I'm thankful that the romance in the film doesn't feel forced. Ariel and Eric have natural, charming chemistry that benefits the film.
Ariel is a very likable protagonist who has a nice, playful curiosity that carries the film. Halle Bailey shines as Ariel. Her singing voice is great enough to carry the film's iconic songs. There are several scenes where Ariel can't talk, so Halle Bailey has to express Ariel's emotions without words. Thankfully, she is able to do that. She and Jonah Hauer-King's Eric make a good, appealing duo. The scenes they share are very uplifting and enjoyable.
Melissa McCarthy has been in a lot of films that I haven't cared for. Most of her best work has been in the television series Gilmore Girls. However, her streak of being in films that I don't care for has been broken because of this film. A lot of the comedy films that she's been in didn't let her acting talent shine out, but she really gets to prove her gifts as a performer as Ursula. Javier Bardem gives a strong, commanding performance as the strict but well-intentioned Triton. Daveed Diggs gives a very good voice-acting performance as Sebastian. He does a fantastic job at singing Sebastian's iconic song. Awkwafina gets a lot of funny, scene-stealing moments as Scuttle. A lot of people hate Scuttle's song, but I think it's pretty funny.
The film is directed by Rob Marshall. This isn't the first Disney film that he directed. He also directed Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Mary Poppins Returns. Those films were directed very well. The Little Mermaid further proves that he's a very talented director that knows how to make uplifting, magical films.
The visuals in the film are beautiful. The film is a visual treat with great designs for the mermaids. The ocean scenes are stunning treats to look at. The high budget of the film is shown through the film's eloquent, stylish appearance. It's one of those films that's worth gazing at. Ariel, Triton, Ursula and all of Ariel's sisters are all really well adapted into a live-action format. Adapting mermaids and a sea witch into a live-action film is no easy task, but the talented crew behind this film have managed to pull it off.
Sadly, a lot of people didn't give the film a chance. They were ready to call the film bad before it even came out. Some people even made multiple videos complaining about the film before seeing it. It's unfortunate that people have hated on the film for changing the way that Ariel looks. Halle Bailey gives a wonderful performance that deserves to be celebrated rather than mocked. Her acting and singing are some of the best things about the film.
The Little Mermaid is a great remake that captures the heart, enjoyment and style of the original, while also being unique enough to stand out as something special. It's one of the better Disney live-action remakes. For those that want a fun, enchanting adventure, I highly recommend the film.
Mulan is considered a Disney princess and I find that ridiculous because if Mulan is a Disney princess why not Elsa and Anna? Mulan has the characteristics of a hero and a princess, but there is a reason that prevents her from being a princess.
Although she is friends with an emperor, that does not make her a princess. Either she would be a royal by birth, or she would marry a prince and earn the title of princess. Being a hero doesn't make a princess, does it? This is really silly. There are a lot of other female characters at Disney who do great heroics, but they're not even one step closer to being princesses. What a great injustice. What a pity. While I love Mulan, Mulan is overrated.
Although she is friends with an emperor, that does not make her a princess. Either she would be a royal by birth, or she would marry a prince and earn the title of princess. Being a hero doesn't make a princess, does it? This is really silly. There are a lot of other female characters at Disney who do great heroics, but they're not even one step closer to being princesses. What a great injustice. What a pity. While I love Mulan, Mulan is overrated.