REVIEW: A mature and muted ‘Little Mermaid’ satisfies with splashy third act; a must-sea Disney event

by Whitt Laxson

The Little Mermaid (2023) / Walt Disney Studios

Disney’s live-action remakes can be hit or miss for fans of the original animated classics. We get our hopes up for a dose of nostalgia but remain cautious of how a new version will compare. Anticipation aside, that’s still the case for what’s shaping up to be the biggest Disney revamp yet, The Little Mermaid (2023). 
         
It’s been over thirty years since Ariel’s undersea adventure marked a renaissance for Walt Disney Animation. As the Frozen of its day, 1989’s The Little Mermaid was an instant blockbuster and worldwide phenomenon. During its 1997 re-release, the Oscar-winning film became the first movie I ever saw in theaters, and subsequently, my first Disney obsession. I’ve made a lot of Mermaid memories since then, and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the original voice of Ariel, Jodi Benson. With my deep connection to the animated feature, I’ve been counting down the days to its live-action reimagining. So how could I turn down my co-worker’s invite to an early press screening?  

The Little Mermaid (2023) / Walt Disney Pictures

Featuring characters we know and songs we love, the new Little Mermaid comes with modern and clever updates for a contemporary audience. In a star-making performance, GRAMMY-nominated singer Halle Bailey plays the mermaid who dreams of life on land, Princess Ariel. Equally impressive is Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, a now complex character who longs for adventure at sea. Of course, to be where the people are, Ariel must strike a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, played deliciously by Melissa McCarthy. After exchanging her voice for human legs, the youngest daughter of King Triton (Javier Bardem) is off to explore the shore up above. 

Even with the harmless addition of three new songs, this adaptation of The Little Mermaid feels less musical and more action-adventure. It’s one of many interesting choices that longtime Mermaid fans may or may not enjoy. The same goes for the picture's overall style of muted colors, proving what works well in vibrant 2-D animation doesn’t always measure up in this new retelling. In fact, memorable scenes that pack a punch in the original are not as effective this time around. The trend of photo realistic animals fails again for Disney, especially in the designs of Sebastain (Daveed Diggs) and Flounder (Jacob Tremblay). 

The Little Mermaid (2023) / Walt Disney Studios

Dragged down by uneven pacing, the first half of the movie falls flat and starts to sink to the depths of the ocean. What rescues the film from drowning is a thrilling third act and the excellent pairing of leads in Bailey and Hauer-King. The buildup to this Mermaid’s finale is epic, inviting audiences to root for Ariel and Eric against a scene-stealing Vanessa (Jessica Alexander)/Ursula. Though intense for younger kids, the movie also succeeds in presenting a more mature tone. In addition to frightening and action-packed sequences, the film explores mythology and adult themes like aspiration and rebellion. Still, those elements are not balanced out with the charisma of Ursula and the humor of Awkwafina’s Scuttle. 

I left the live-action Little Mermaid with a lot of the same feelingss I get from watching the animated version. Like the remakes before it, Mermaid doesn’t fully capture the Disney magic of its predecessor. Instead, it delivers something fresh for a new generation and something nostalgic for the o-g fans. The significance of this film should not go unnoticed as Halle Bailey represents Black girls everywhere in a role she was born to play. Her performance, along with a handful of satisfying updates make this adventure flick a must-sea Disney event on the big screen. It now rounds out my top five list of live-action reimaginings, ranking just below Cinderella (2015), Aladdin (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2017) and The Jungle Book (2016).

The Little Mermaid / Walt Disney Studios

Disney's The Little Mermaid (2023) swims into theaters May 26th and is rated PG.

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