ARIEL’S NEW LOOK TELLS SAME FAIRYTALE

Growing up seeing and knowing the Disney princess movies makes watching the live-action versions that have come out periodically over the past several years very exciting: It’s like a part of my childhood has been growing up, along with me.

Some 34 years after the original “The Little Mermaid” movie first came out, the Disney studios have made a live-action film, which premiered on May 26.

When Disney first announced who was going to play the star role of Ariel, there was some controversy. In the animated film, Ariel’s race appears to be white, so when the new cast was announced and we learned that Halle Bailey (a Black actress) was chosen, there was a bit of backlash. Some people were upset that Ariel didn’t look like she did in the animated film, while others were glad to see the change. Personally, I didn’t think twice about it. I mean, Ariel is a mermaid, and the story from the original film stayed the same.

Watching this new movie made my inner child come to life! I saw what my younger self saw in the animated version. Seeing real people along with the CGl of almost everything else in the film made it real, when clearly most of it wasn’t. The writers and producers added new scenes, but also filled in gaps that made this version flow a lot better.

When the theater filled with the familiar sounds of “The Little Mermaid” movie, it brought everything together. Bailey’s singing voice is absolutely stunning, mirroring the iconic sounds of Ariel. The studio added an inner monologue song when she loses her voice, which lets the character share thoughts other than through her facial expressions.

Also new is a song that Prince Eric sings soon after Ariel rescues him from the shipwreck. Jonah Hauer-King delivers a raw, emotional performance, and really gives weight to the character that other might think of as “just another Disney prince.”

Some of you may know her as Sookie on “Gilmore Girls” or as a comic on “Saturday Night Live,” but in this movie, Melissa McCarthy plays the iconic villain, Ursula. She also gives a stunning performance, adding some comedy to the modern rendition of the villain.

One of my favorite songs from the movie is “Kiss The Girl,” which is performed here by Flounder, played by Jacob Tremblay, Sebastian (Daveed Diggs), and Scuttle (Awkwafina). They add so much comedy to the iconic song that will have you laughing at the emotional boat scene that features Prince Eric and Ariel.

Overall, this movie will bring out your own inner child, as well as make you laugh, and if you are fan of the original like me you will find yourself lip-syncing the words to the iconic songs.