‘The Little Mermaid’ review: Disney’s latest live-action remake filled with awkward CGI, wasted potential
- Five-time Grammy nominee Halle Bailey shines as Ariel and shows real chemistry with her co-star Jonah Hauer-King in this update of the 1989 animated film
- However, the visuals left a lot to be desired, and conflicts were wrapped up too quickly and felt meaningless
Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric and Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid”. Photo: DisneyDirected by Rob Marshall, The Little Mermaid is Disney’s live-action remake of the 1989 animated classic of the same title. Controversy has surrounded the movie since its announcement in 2017, with criticism levelled at things like the film’s casting choices and use of CGI.
Despite this, the movie earned more than US$163 million globally its opening weekend. Reviews were divided; some hailed it as a magical experience, while others criticised it as an easy cash grab for Disney. While The Little Mermaid had great potential for a fresh retelling of a classic tale, it ultimately left a lot to be desired.
Halle Bailey shines in her role as Ariel, skilfully embodying the young mermaid’s longing for the human world, frustration with her father, curiosity about humans, and love for Prince Eric, played by Jonah Hauer-King. Bailey infuses Ariel with a fun innocence and naivety as she chases after her dreams and strikes a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula (Melissa McCarthy).
As a five-time Grammy nominee, Bailey’s performance of “Part of Your World” was spectacular, and the chemistry between Bailey and Hauer-King was electrifying.
Some critics argued that the new songs added to the live-action version were pointless and lacked the impact of the original soundtrack. While I agree that it was challenging to live up to the score composed by the talented Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the new tracks are a commendable attempt to depict the characters’ emotions better and flesh out the story.
The new song for Ariel is an excellent example of how the new music enhanced the story. It illustrates Ariel’s initial excitement when she first comes to land, her uncertainty about her decision, and her frustration at losing her voice. Another tune that stands out tells us more about Prince Eric as he expresses his love for the sea and the mysterious girl who saved his life. However, the rap performed by Scuttle, while well-executed by Awkwafina, detracts from the scene’s emotional impact.
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The CGI and visuals of the undersea world were disappointing, with the dull and uncoloured snips shown in trailers persisting in the final movie. Attempts to make the “Under the Sea” sequence more vibrant and engaging fell flat and were ultimately underwhelming. The sea appeared as if it were constantly covered in a layer of dust, detracting from the overall viewing experience. While the CGI department aimed for realism, their half-hearted commitment resulted in sea creatures that looked freakishly cartoonish. Additionally, all of the mermaids had claylike skin and awkward tail movements.
Overall, the film had a lot of potential that it ultimately wasted. The movie set up clear conflicts that could have led to carefully crafted stories of forgiveness, understanding, and love. Unfortunately, these points were not fully explored and were resolved too quickly. As a result, the ending felt somewhat meaningless, and the audience couldn’t wait to leave after the 135-minute run time, far longer than the original animated version, which clocked in at a more palatable 83 minutes.
While the film did not feel as much like a cash grab as previous live-action adaptations, it still fell short of expectation. Disney must recognise that nostalgia alone is not enough to carry a film. Without the heart and soul of the original movies, nostalgia will remain a mere longing for a magical experience that is forever in the past and unfulfilled in the present.