

Most of the cast signed on to the project in 2019, which might explain the underutilization of Bridgerton’s Simone Ashley. Rob Marshall’s live-action version has been in the works since 2016. So when the waves broke against the screen alongside a quote from Hans Christian Andersen’s original tragic tale-“But a mermaid has no tears, and therefore she suffers so much more”-I was nervous: What if I love this? What if I hate it? (I’m sorry, Mom and Dad.) Like Knightley and thousands of other millennials, I’m torn.

The defiant Ariel has always been my favorite Disney character, and there was a year of my life where I watched the animated version on repeat. Maybe I should have opened this with a different disclaimer: I’ve loved The Little Mermaid since it was released on my fifth birthday. The answer, it turns out, is complicated. So how much can a live-action remake change? That’s the question that’s been rooting around in my brain since Disney announced a Little Mermaid remake. Hello.” And, try as it might over the past decade or two, Disney has never really modeled women’s empowerment their princesses are typically White, Barbie-thin, and incredibly feminine, and there’s a straight love story at the core of almost every story. Famously, actor Keira Knightley said in 2018 about the film: “I mean, the songs are great, but do not give your voice up for a man.
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In the years since the animated film’s 1989 release, critics have been vocal about the message the movie sent to young girls-one of silence, obedience, and willingness to do anything, including bargain with a sea witch, to get married. The Little Mermaid is one of Disney’s most loaded fairy tales, notably for celebrating a 16-year-old girl who gives up her voice to win a prince. This is a win for the film as Sebastian has two of the biggest numbers in the film with “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl.Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. It should be noted that Daveed Diggs does a good job taking over the voice of Sebastian that was originally supplied by Samuel E. All of the hits can be credited to Alan Menken and Howard Ashman who won two Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Song for “Under the Sea.” Their soundtrack is one of the best ever produced for a Disney production. The actress does not have the skills to pull off the wide range of emotions needed to be played with only facial expressions. A large part of the film has her silent once Aerial has given up her voice. Bailey’s rendition of “Part of Your World” is strong but never delivers the soul-grabbing passion Benson provided.Īs for Bailey’s acting skills, she was given a tough task. Her singing voice is acceptable, but no one will ever match the angelic quality of Jodi Benson’s voice work in the animated movie. The whole idea of complaining about the ethnicity of the character is ridiculous unless someone can provide proof as to the actual look of a mermaid.īailey should be judged on the talents she brings to the role. The announcement Bailey would take on the title role was met with mixed reaction. She’s got three days to get Eric to kiss her or Aerial’s father’s crown will be in jeopardy. Despite having to give up her Siren’s voice and tail, Aerial is too smitten not to go for the deal if it gives her a chance to experience life on land. The only way Ariel can follow her heart is to make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula (Melissa McCarthy). She’s always been curious about the gadgets she has found but the appeal goes much deeper while visiting the surface when she falls for Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King). The fish tale has the youngest of King Triton’s (Javier Bandem) seven daughters, Ariel (Halle Bailey), longing to be part of the world above the water. None of these changes do much good in terms of improving on the original. The script by David Magee (“Mary Poppins Returns”) has been tweaked to make Ariel (Halle Bailey) less of a damsel in distress and to include a few more musical numbers.

It’s not bad simply because it is heavily based on a story that worked before. None of the live versions have been able to match the quality of the animated tales and “The Little Mermaid” is no exception. It follows the likes of “The Lion King,” “Cinderella,” “Dumbo,” “Aladdin” and “101 Dalmatians.” This is the latest in the endless string of productions where Disney Studios has strutted and fretted live actors across the stage to semi-recreate the company’s animated films. It is why – other than greed – was it made. The real question isn’t whether the live-action version of the classic animated Disney film, “The Little Mermaid,” is worth seeing or not.
