As Disney’s live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” has finally been unveiled, reviews are pouring in at a rapid pace.
On May 8th (local time), the premiere of “The Little Mermaid” live-action was held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, LA. Subsequently, the first reactions of critics who watched the movie have been released.
A film critic named Felicia praised the film, saying, “Halle Bailey IS Ariel and I had literal chills throughout her performance. This is a little mermaid retelling like you’ve never seen before.”
Meanwhile, another critic commented, “#TheLittleMermaid is FANTASTIC! Rob Marshall’s great direction gives us one of Disney’s best live-action remakes and a joyful theatrical experience. Halle Bailey is PERFECT as Ariel and is the heart of the movie. It’s an ENCHANTING journey under the sea I can’t wait to rewatch!”
In addition, there were positive reviews, saying that Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric is charming, and the rest of the cast is solid. Some also described Ariel’s “Part of Your World” as heart-touching, and commented that the songs and creative direction feels magical.
However, there were also negative reactions. A film critic expressed disappointment, saying, “Charming, but incredibly spotty. Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy & Javier Bardem put their heart & souls into a film that can’t escape its animated legacy. Best when it leans into campy bonkers, yet limits its fantasy elements for no reason.”
Meanwhile, another mentioned that while “The Little Mermaid” is endearing, it feels uneven and “doesn’t deliver the magic” of the original animation.
Other critics also had negative opinions about the overly realistic visuals of the fish Flounder, seagull Scuttle, and crab Sebastian. These animals are described as creepy, though a critic did mention that they eventually got used to them.
Nevertheless, the overall reaction of the North American media after “The Little Mermaid” screening was overwhelmingly positive, rather than harsh.
On the other hand, the red carpet event held alongside the film screening featured appearances by actors Melissa McCarthy, Jonah Hauer-King, Javier Bardem, and others. In particular, Halle Bailey, who played the protagonist Ariel, captured attention by wearing a dress reminiscent of “The Little Mermaid”.
Source: Daum, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter
