A fresh live action take from Disney arrived on the heels of expectations for another iconic tale. The Little Mermaid attempt sparked debate online before audiences even sat down, thanks to a controversial cast and choices that felt at odds with the original. The film landed with ratings around the mid range, prompting questions about its purpose and impact. This piece surveys the adaptation, its reception, and what it means for future Disney reimaginings.
A bit of history
The Little Mermaid first surfaced in 1989 amid a period of change for Disney, when the studio wrestled with shifting audience tastes and the economics of animation. Yet the project persisted, driven by a team of artists who believed in the story and its potential. The film quickly became a cultural touchstone and helped redefine what a modern princess could be.
Ah, there were times
Ariel stood out as a princess who asserted agency and independence, a departure from earlier Disney heroines who faced their fates with more passivity. The cartoon captured a moment when a fearless heroine could drive the plot and shape her own destiny, a stride that resonated with audiences then and continues to resonate today.
Even on static frames you can see how cool Sherry Stoner plays the character
In the original, the aquatic world was brought to life with bright expressions that conveyed emotion even when the voice acting carried the performance. Ariel’s energy shown through her facial animation helped to carry the story in ways that were memorable and vivid.
However, the other characters have also disappeared. The duet of the restless fish Flounder and the responsible crab Sebastian is one of the brightest among the cartoon characters. Ursula became an excellent villain, and her song “My Unlucky Friend” is still relevant today. Triton and Prince Eric were slightly less impressive, but fit the overall style of the story well. It is important to know and understand all this before proceeding with the analysis of a new “living” little mermaid, because comparisons are inevitable.
Storyline
The core thread remains familiar. Most of the original beats appear, even though some modern tweaks shift the tone and raise questions about motives and logic. In some moments a scene about everyday objects becomes a reminder that the story is being altered to fit a contemporary sensibility. The way certain exchanges are reinterpreted can feel disconnected from the source material.
The kingly sea figure and the island setting adapt to new contexts. A central relationship undergoes changes that change how the hero moves through the plot, and the arc of personal sacrifice evolves with those adjustments. The result is a version that honors the core ideas while inviting new interpretations, though it may invite debate among long-time fans.
How I met your mother
One notable alteration appears in how the signature is presented. Instead of a handwritten note, a biological trace is used as a token of trust. It is a small touch, yet it adds a different texture to the moment with the prince and the heroine.
Looking forward to more Disney live adaptations?
Characters
The original tale left room for ambiguity about feelings and decisions. Some readers ponder whether love at first sight is a fair measure in a world of magic and danger. The animated film explored those questions through a more straightforward emotional lens.
The main thing is not to think about where her gills are.
The live action version leans into a contemporary tone and tends to simplify some of the more nuanced questions. Ariel comes across with an earnest determination but is sometimes portrayed with a fault line that makes her choices feel less fully integrated with the story’s larger themes. This interpretation can strike some viewers as off balance, even if it remains engaging.
Halle Bailey’s portrayal adds warmth and charm and gives Ariel a sincere, likable presence. The performance is a bright cornerstone of the film, even if it doesn’t perfectly mirror the original’s charm. When the face and expressions register, the character lands with a genuine appeal that helps the audience stay connected to the journey.
The other principals land in familiar territory. Triton, brought to life by Javier Bardem, carries a strong presence but sometimes reads as less expressive. Eric’s role is a challenge in this retelling, and other performers like Sebastian and Flounder find it hard to recapture the exact zing of their animated counterparts.
Ursula, brought to the screen by Melissa McCarthy, makes a memorable impression. The wardrobe and staging help sell the witch’s power, and the musical moment she commands remains one of the film’s stronger threads.
Image
On visuals, the film delivers a glossy, polished look, yet the underwater world often appears darker than expected. The climactic clash carries weight, but the final visuals can feel muted, leaving some viewers longing for the punch of the animated sequence. The best moments sometimes come when the screen opens up to reveal color and motion in the sea’s depths.
Overall impressions are mixed. The production looks stylish, but the color grading and lighting choices occasionally dampen the sense of wonder that defined the original. When a scene shifts to bright, vibrant tones, it proves what the film can do well, yet those bursts seem sporadic within the whole.
There are sequences where the seabed comes alive with clarity, such as when Sebastian performs. These moments feel almost out of place against the darker surrounding palette and remind viewers of the original’s more vivid palette. The comparison with the classic remains a constant undercurrent throughout the experience.
Reasons for failure
As a narrative, the film lands with solid structure, and the choice to diversify the cast does not inherently derail the story. Yet many viewers feel the project lacks a core soul, a spark of magic that made the original unforgettable. The movie tends to favor crowd-pleasing moments over a cohesive emotional journey, which can leave the audience emotionally disconnecting rather than fully drawn in.
Trying to blend a fairy tale with a social message creates a tension that does not always resolve. A modern cast with a modern setting can push the story into bold territory, but it can also distance longtime fans who treasure the classic’s simplicity. In this tension lies a core critique: the film aims for broader statements at the expense of the intimate wonder that defined the original.
Recently released family favorites in animation have set high benchmarks for its cross-genre ambition. The new Little Mermaid sits at a crossroads, a commercial venture that strives for relevance but risks sacrificing the very heart that made the tale endure. Fans who crave the pure magic of the first film may find more to enjoy in rewatching the original.
Another contemporary release, Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse, demonstrates how a beloved character can flourish with fresh energy while maintaining a strong sense of identity. The comparison invites audiences to consider what makes a reimagining truly stand apart from the well-trodden path of familiar stories.
The persistent question remains: is it worth revisiting the tale when the familiar charm has to compete with a modern, issue-driven frame? If the goal is pure entertainment, the answer might be yes; if the goal is to recapture the old magic, many will keep a soft spot for the original. Those who miss fairy tales may opt to revisit classic cartoons—often gratis—and find simpler, more joyful experiences.
In sum, the 2023 version represents a solid midline effort. It holds enough momentum to stand on its own as an entry in the live-action lineup, yet it clearly signals that the studio is operating within a safe zone. Viewers curious about the latest in Disney fare should expect a film that is polished, with moments of genuine appeal, but one that may not fully satisfy fans seeking the soul of the original. A future release could either deepen the emotional core or double down on spectacle, and both paths hold potential for a stronger connection with audiences. A full verdict will come with continued viewing and subsequent comparisons.
Have you seen The Little Mermaid yet?
With no quick conclusions, the conversation continues as audiences weigh nostalgia against new interpretations.