DIRECTOR: Rob Marshall
PRODUCERS: Marc Platt & John De Luca & Lin Manuel-Miranda & Rob Marshall
WRITER: David Magee
PERFORMERS: Halle Bailey Jonah Hauer-King Jacob Tremblay Daveed Diggs Awkwafina Nova Dumezweni with Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy
Disney has been known for many classics over the years, but one such classic of great significance is The Little Mermaid which was released in 1989. At a time when the animation industry was hurting and fighting to stay in the game, that film was the film that changed everything and turned so much around that future classics were born right out of it... Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin & The Lion King, etc. Here, in a time of re-imagining and live action realism along comes this one: the long-anticipated remake of that same film that saved the Disney banner from potential extinction.
With a new perspective, a new cast and a new look, The Little Mermaid tells the same story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen and made popular by Disney in a new way. As with every live action remake from Disney, we have a new addition to the family and despite the many controversies surrounding it, the film itself is a huge surprise and not at all... a total letdown. The main part of Ariel is played by singer Halle Bailey, and she nails this part right on the head! She wasn't cast because of her race or her appearance, she was cast because of her vocal abilities and her presence from within. Her performance is so flawless and believable, you think you're watching Ariel in a whole new light! Forget about her color, forget about the comparisons between her version and the animated version... She makes this part her own and that is so much more than enough for most people. As you see her become this independent young woman, you root for her, you side with her and you don't care what anyone says. You just want to see her get the human prince of her dreams, save her kingdom and get the point across her hotheaded ruler father for a widow played by Javier Bardem.
Speaking of Bardem, this is the second-best thing he's done since the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean film for Disney, if anything, he should do more films like this. All the performances, Bailey's in particular, were incredible; but the while Bailey dominates the show... the one who steals it is Melissa McCarthy as the villainous Ursula. In every scene she's in, you are either thrilled or scared... her version in every sense pays the proper homage to the actress who voiced her in the original, the late Pat Carroll. Then there's the prince of the story: Eric, played by Jonah Hauer-King, who is a young prince in search of an adventure on the open seas and gets more than he bargained for when he is rescued at sea and vows to find his beautiful savior for a mermaid, no matter what the cost. King and Bailey have so much chemistry on screen that you completely buy into their journey as they meet, get acquainted (once our heroine is on land) and fall in love with each other. Even the climax of the film shows how much these two people will risk everything to be with each other.
The music is outstanding, thanks to the legendary Alan Menken, whose songs from many other Disney classics and the original predecessor of this one still remain the beloved tunes we never forget. With the contribution of Lin Manuel-Miranda, the excitement keeps building and building. The songs are good here, but the originals are much preferred. Bailey's version of the immortal "Part of Your World" is so spot on, you fall in love with her take immediately and by the end of it... you're in more tears than you could ever expect. King's song number was also a surprise one considering that it wasn't expected, but still manages to work and help elevate his desire to find the one who saved him and left him with a voice to remember. The new musical numbers manage to keep you excited, but the ones from the original still maintain their roots (Under the Sea still remains the same too!).
The visuals in this film really stand out! Because this takes place on land and underwater, everything had to be taken into serious account and Director Rob Marshall captured every essence of this film and it's roots very well. The underwater world was done so brilliantly you felt you were there, and you were swimming with these beings. Everywhere they went, you went with them. Whether you were on land or Under the Sea, for two hours and fourteen minutes you felt emersed into the worlds of these beings and there was no limitations. This is the stuff that films about merfolk are made of! The only concern was the part of Scuttle the sea gull. But despite the character change, Awkwafina's vocal performance was rather a good one. Bill Murray, if they stuck with the male concept, perhaps would have been a interesting choice. Still, just fine as it was.
In Conclusion, The Little Mermaid not only surpassed all expectations, but they were also exceeded beyond measure! Bailey may be just on the point of total stardom thanks to this. History has been made with her being the first African-American to portray a mermaid. The original will always be a staple in the animation world, but this one just might go down as one of the best remakes ever put to screen. Regardless of the gender issue at hand or the hate Bailey was getting because of her casting, the overall picture was worth the wait and the effort. Hands down, excellent film, well written, amazingly acted and visually stunning! If there's a sequel at hand, how long before that one will be announced so we can start prepping for that one? Ariel has been a part of our world for over three decades and now Bailey is a part of our world as well. If you love the original, go see this one! You might be surprised as to what you get out this experience. As for Bailey... JOB WELL DONE and way to do Ariel justice in live action!
MY RATING: 4 and a half out of 5