Written by: Gretchen Sims

Disney has been making live-action remakes of all their classics for years, but they have been very hit or miss with audiences. While movies like “Cinderella,” “Cruella” and “Maleficent” have been quite popular with fans, others, like “The Lion King,” “Dumbo” and “Pinocchio” have been ridiculed for their atrocious attempts at matching their classic counterparts. So, when “The Little Mermaid” was released last month, it is safe to say that fans were skeptical. 

As soon as the teaser dropped in Sept. 2022, there was already controversy surrounding this remake. Overtly racist or not, fans criticized the casting choice of Halle Bailey as the Little Mermaid. Once the official trailer came out this March, people were quick to tear apart other aspects of the film as well — particularly in regards to Sebastion being portrayed as a crab instead of a lobster. 

However, I still had high hopes that the film would far surpass everyone’s negative expectations. Unfortunately, Disney did not rise to the occasion. 

One of the most continuous shortcomings that Disney has when it comes to their live-action remakes is their changes to the original films’ soundtracks — “The Little Mermaid” was no different. However, in comparison to the classics such as “Under the Sea,” “Part of Your World” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” the new songs added to the film were absolute garbage. One moment I was watching “The Little Mermaid,” and the next I was transported to a Harry Styles music video. To be clear, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with Harry Styles, it just stuck out like a sore thumb.

Besides this, the CGI was horrible. For the enormous budget that Disney had to make this film, they could have at least put some of it into making it look good. The green screens used in the film were obvious — come on Disney, you’re one of the biggest names in the film industry and it’s 2023. At least add shadows.
On top of this, the movie should have come with a sensory warning. I am particularly sensitive to sounds and the sloshing of the water every time one of the characters moved was too much for me — it sounded like an infant playing in yogurt. 

However, one of the film’s saving graces was its acting crew. Bailey put on a wonderful performance — beautifully pulling off facial expressions even after Ariel lost her voice — and overall, the acting was phenomenal.

Unfortunately, this film had the opportunity to put haters in their place — or at the bare minimum not give them any ammo — but, with no fault to the cast, Disney failed miserably. What could have been a stellar, empowering remake of a classic was turned into a meh-movie with little to no heart behind it at all.

6.5/10.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu