To anyone who had their so-called “doubts” about Halle Bailey’s Ariel, please sit down and have Ursula remove some voices; make room for the real fans to give Disney’s latest movie the standing ovation it deserves. The Little Mermaid live-action remake is a heartfelt, action-packed tidal wave that caters to both new and veteran audiences. Is it perfect? No, but it accomplishes something difficult. The movie modernizes—yet stays true to—the 1989 classic while weaving in small elements from Hans Christian Andersen’s original, heartbreaking story. 

Bailey’s Ariel is the only mermaid under the sea who is curious to learn more about the human world. With her strict father, King Triton (Javier Bardem), aggressively prohibiting her from exploring the unknown, the young mermaid simply can’t suppress her curiosity. After saving 21-year-old Prince Eric’s (Jonah Hauer-King) life from a major shipwreck, Ariel is tempted by Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) to give human life a shot at the cost of her divine “siren song” voice. 

With a gripping beginning and an ending that truly pulls at viewers’ heartstrings, the 2023 Little Mermaid live-action does not disappoint, even as the cast was forced to tolerate the racist criticism and “woke” accusations that some hurled at them online. 

A Heartfelt Homage 

Right from the start, the audience sees Andersen’s quote from his original 1837 piece: “But a mermaid has no tears; therefore, she suffers so much more.” The Little Mermaid truly incorporates as many subtle tributes as it can to the fairytale author and Disney’s 1989 classic. 

Bailey’s Ariel noticeably doesn’t shed tears throughout most of the movie, which viewers presume is because she is underwater. However, the ending reveals that it’s something more than just water; tears are actually a rarity for a mermaid, according to the legend. They can sing beautifully and swim carefree, but perhaps Ariel is really looking for pure emotion in the “above world” rather than just adventure. What if she wants these complicated layers that we call “personalities?” This is precisely what the 2023 flick makes audiences contemplate. 

Apart from tears, viewers are also reminded of the mermaid’s original reputation, something that Disney fans didn’t see in the 1989 film. Ariel’s powerful “siren song” is a trait that other stories (i.e. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) have captured as the “siren’s” spell-binding influence that she has over sailors. The audience meets Eric on his ship as his crew is trying to spear a mermaid. So, it’s clear that the humans and sea creatures have a terrible history. 

The Little Mermaid, of course, nods to its animated predecessor by including many recognizable songs and lines (“Flounder, don’t be such a guppy”). But one of the most noticeable tributes was the inclusion of the original Ariel, Jodi Benson, who portrays a market vendor that sees Bailey’s Ariel use a fork (a.k.a “Dinglehopper”) as a comb. It’s a sweet and funny moment because we’re looking at the two Ariels standing together. It’s a brilliant acknowledgement of how newer generations can respect the legacy left behind by older ones and vice versa. 

Perfectly Portrayed  

As expected, Bailey is simply incredible. Her “Part of Your World” captures Ariel’s innocence, bravery, and tenacity. As she closes out the final verse, it’s easy for an audience to fall silent while viewers hang on the edges of their seats, waiting for her to carry out the final note. The actress can move an audience to tears, but not just because of her voice; it’s also due to how she embodies Ariel’s wide-eyed, curious, and passionate spirit. 

Simply put, Bailey is Ariel, and yet she does not step on Benson’s original portrayal. The new Disney princess rather brings her own version to the table while respecting Benson’s iconic character. 

As for McCarthy, the Hollywood favorite balances comedy with rage perfectly, creating an equilibrium of both in her performance. It’s hard not to laugh at McCarthy’s subtly hilarious snippets, and it’s even more difficult not to be scared of her Ursula. In short, McCarthy’s portrayal is effortless. She is the new face of Disney’s entire brand, proving that while we can’t cheer on the villains all the time, we can at least appreciate their stories on screen. 

In terms of comedy, Awkwafina’s Scuttle and Daveed Diggs’ Sebastian are the ideal comic relief this film needs. The characters butt heads in almost every scene, and the actors’ voice portrayals truly modernize and improve the original movie’s big-mouthed seagull and disgruntled, loyal crab. In fact, the two are even funnier than the 1989 classic. 

Last but not least, Hauer-King had a difficult task approaching Eric. He was initially known as the prince who does nothing while Ariel keeps saving him. Hauer-King’s Eric, though, carries a more notable chivalry and an even more respectable passion. How could someone not fall for his youthful charm and smile just like Ariel does?