[Movie Review] Disney’s 2023 Live-action Remake of The Little Mermaid (1989) is Not That Bad

The Little Mermaid (2013) is the live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1989 animated film of the same name, itself loosely based on the 1837 fairy tale of the same title by Hans Christian Andersen. The film stars Halle Bailey in the lead role, alongside Jonah Hauer-King (Prince Eric), Daveed Diggs (Sebastian), Awkwafina (Scuttle), Jacob Tremblay (Flounder), Noma Dumezweni (Queen Selina), Art Malik (Sir Grimsby), Javier Bardem (King Triton) and Melissa McCarthy (Ursula).

The Little Mermaid follows a mermaid princess Ariel who is fascinated with the human world and makes a deal with her aunt, sea witch Ursula to trade her voice for human legs in order to impress Prince Eric, who she saved from a shipwreck before time runs out.

As with other live-action remakes of Disney classics like The Liong King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017), the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid has to deal with high expectations to stand on its own, as well as not disappoint the massive fan base built on the originals. To be honest, this is mission impossible, and thus far, none of its predecessors have managed to surpass the originals. Nonetheless, hate it or love it, these remakes are sure box office hits, with fans and new audiences still flocking to the cinema to enjoy a modern interpretation of these beloved classics.

When Bailey’s casting was announced last year, she was lambasted with a torrent of online abuse, slamming her and Disney for recasting Ariel as a Black mermaid, fueled by a mix of racism and nostalgia.

I have mixed feelings about this. I saw the racial recasting as an opportunity to update the storyline plus break free from the original. However, I understand the feeling of nostalgia too, wanting the casting to be as true to the original as possible, especially for the titular role.

After watching the remake, I am convinced that Halle Bailey’s casting was the right move, given her standout performance as Ariel. She completely captures the character’s wide-eyed curiosity, innocence, and longing for a world beyond the sea. Bailey’s voice carries the emotional weight of the film, delivering powerful renditions of the beloved songs we know and love. Her chemistry with the supporting cast, including Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, adds depth to the relationships and enhances the overall storytelling.

On the nostalgia part, the film stays true to the heart of the original story while incorporating some modern twists. It explores themes of identity, belonging, and the pursuit of dreams. The narrative delves deeper into Ariel’s journey of self-discovery and her desire to break free from the constraints of her world. The film presents a more independent and empowered version of Ariel, providing a refreshing and timely perspective that resonates with contemporary audiences.

The musical numbers are a highlight of the film, blending familiar tunes with fresh energy. The songs still evoke a sense of nostalgia, while the new arrangements and vocal performances bring a modern flair. Whether it’s the iconic “Part of Your World” or the show-stopping “Under the Sea,” the musical moments are infectious and leave a lasting impression.

The parts that could be better was the visual presentation, especially on the underwater scenes and CGI, as well as the character designs for the sea creatures. The colourful underworld world in the original does not translate well into a live-action adaptation, with many of the scenes looking a little washed out and flat. In an attempt to make the sea creatures more realistic, their adorable portrayal in the original gets lost. Look at Flounder below for instance:

All in all, the film is still not that bad and in fact, highly entertaining and enjoyable. It delivers on what it set out to achieve, just like all its other live-action predecessors, which is to provide a delightful, modern update to the originals.

The Little Mermaid is now showing in Singapore cinemas. Go catch it!