Review: Disney returns to familiar waters with 'The Little Mermaid'
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“The Little Mermaid” ushered in Walt Disney Studios Feature Animation’s Renaissance Era. It also happens to be one of two films that I watched on the first date with my better half.
Surely detractors will come forward to fling bricks at director Rob Marshall’s (“Chicago”) for remaking this pop culture classic. Marshall and his collaborators, co-writers David Magee and John DeLuca, craft a story more in line metaphorically with today’s time.
By now, the controversy caused by casting Halle Bailey, who is Black, as a red-haired mermaid, raised the ire of the reality police. Because, you know, mermaids are seen every day.
It was special then and attempting to tinker with a such a touchstone in many people’s lives could have been problematic in the live action remake that opens this weekend.
They will come for a story that leans into the Caribbean roots so evident in the persona of the scene-stealing crab Sebastian (voiced by Tony Award-winning actor Daveed Diggs]. The island locale lends itself to telling the story of cultures clashing and attitudes suffering from the social mores of the past.
Some will scream about it being “woke” and decry the casting, which serves a broader message, allegorically speaking.
“Mermaid” is a fairy tale. Lessons are inherent in the genre. Whether individuals absorb the message depends on their personal mindset.
Truthfully, however, Marshall’s version with an addition 48 minutes, is more explicit with that message, decrying bigotry and xenophobia at varying levels. Adults will pick up on the message. The children who watch? Most will appreciate sea creatures who talk, dance and sing some tunes they recognize.
Although there are additions in the area of music. The original film established the formula that Alan Menken and Howard Ashman would use to create another beloved classic from the Renaissance Era “Beauty and the Beast” along with “Aladdin.”
Songs such as “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl” are at bare minimum Disney classics. Here’s arguing that they deserve to be recognized as timeless pop music classics. Ashman died in 1991. But the filmmakers wisely turned to musical savant Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton” creator) to help craft new songs.
Two of those songs score. “For the First Time” proves memorable and another called “Scuttlebutt,” a rap featuring Scuttle the Seagull and Sebastian showcases the fun, playful nature often found in Miranda’s music and the character of Scuttle (voice by Awkwafina).
Add to the mix there’s little resisting Bailey’s portrayal of Ariel, which hits the right notes throughout.
Many will ask, why touch the animated classic? Well, the an$wer is obviou$. It’s a definite, $hamle$$ money grab, and they’ve been recycling their intellectual property for years. At this point, fans should be thankful “The Little Mermaid” is more “Beauty and the Beast” and less “Aladdin.”
George M. Thomas dabbles in movies and television for the Beacon Journal.
Review
Movie: “The Little Mermaid”
Cast: Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, Javier Bardem, Awkwafina, Jonah Hauer-King
Directed by: Rob Marshall
Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Rated: PG for action/peril and some scary images.
Grade: B
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Review: 'The Little Mermaid' continues Disney animation migration
