Source: Disney Movies
I saw Disney’s live action version of The Little Mermaid in theaters, and it will soon be available to stream. I will start by saying that Hallie Bailey was a fantastic treat. She is the star of the movie. She encompasses the innocence, curiosity, and strength of Ariel.
Source: Walt Disney Studios Youtube Channel
The visuals of the sea are breathtaking. They did a particularly excellent job with the CGI! This brings realism to the story. It makes Ariel in the water look flawless. We see the above world things that she collects, and the story captures her obsession with humans and human things. The story starts when Ariel, looking at fireworks, sees a ship. She climbs amongst the sides where she sees the handsome Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King). Prince Eric is not the average Prince. He is a free spirit and feels that he belongs to the sea and not royalty. While this is happening, a storm comes and causes Prince Eric to fall over and Ariel, being the kind heart that she is, saves him a brings him ashore. Eric doesn’t see all of her but hears her voice.
Of that excitement, Ariel goes home and tells her friends Flounder (Jacob Tremblay) and Scuttle (Awkwafina) about all the events that occurred. Due to the events, Ariel totally forgets that she was to meet with her sisters and her father, King Triton (Javier Bardem). King Triton is not happy about Ariels constant obsession with humans and asks Sebastian (Daveed Diggs) to keep and eye out and to help protect her. There are reasons why King Triton feels this way about humans. Ariel is upset that her father doesn’t want her to go above sea or continue to collect human things.
This gives way to the big bad of the movie Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) to manipulate Ariel so that she can go above ground and be with Prince Eric. Ursula tells Ariel to give up her voice and she will make her human. Ariel, being so innocent, doesn’t realize she is being manipulated and uses Ariel to get to her brother, yes brother King Triton.
The Little Mermaid stays true to the book and the animated movie. Hallie Bailey is so talented. Every song she sang in the movie are filled with emotion and this contributed to the great performances she gave as Ariel. Jonah Hauer King voice isn’t used as much, but when it was, it is powerful! My favorite song is “Scuttlebutt”, performed by Daveed Diggs and Awkwafina. People may be surprised to hear Awkwafina rap but that is how her career started. Daveed and Manuel Lin Miranda wrote a great fun song for this mildly pivotal part of the movie. Melissa McCarthy was an excellent Ursula. She was creepy, sad, and vicious all at the same time.
The Little Mermaid was a colorful extravaganza. A beautiful array of colors under the sea. We also see a lot of color on land when we explore the market and Eric’s kingdom. The music was great and just like the animated movie fit within the story of the film. There were slow moments, but it quickly picked up. Hallie Bailey is already a star, but her portrayal of Ariel will live on forever and inspire young girls forever!