Well, there seem to be mixed reviews all around. On the positive side, Halle Bailey is shining bright in the title role, bringing on a unique mix of girl-next-door sweetness and womanly determination that’s hard not to love. And, it appears, that the movie has tried to stay true to the beloved 1989 original while adding new layers of depth to the story and characters. On the other hand, it seems that a number of critics are pretty underwhelmed. They feel that, like many other Disney remakes before it, the new “Little Mermaid” is more like a forgettable cover version than an inspired retelling.
Here are some positive and negative reviews:
Positive Reviews:
Halle Bailey is radiant in the title role: expressive, energetic, and infinitely likable, with a mixture of girlish sweetness and womanly spine. There is no doubt that Halle deserves to be in that big screen, her voice is like a siren’s call, and her star power is undeniable.
The movie stays true to the core of what people loved about the 1989 original while also expanding the story and characters in necessary ways. The character development for both Ariel and Prince Eric makes their relationship make actual sense beyond a quick, superficial attraction.
Negative Reviews:
The new “The Little Mermaid” too often feels like a dutiful cover version rather than an inspired reimagining. The story hasn’t changed much, and the aquatic sequences are no match for other water themed movies such as “Avatar: The Way of Water“. Critics even called the movie “visually confusing” as the effects are aesthetically unappealing.
The movie is not that bad, but also not that good. Like a lot of its fellow Disney remakes, it feels like an artistic dead end.
Overall critical reception of the new Little Mermaid movie
The film has gained much higher ratings from the majority of audience reviews, at least in the first wave. Having hit around 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Little Mermaid has continued to hold that rating while critic reviews slipped to around 68%, making the movie another example of critics and audiences not being on the same page about.
Critics praise Halle Bailey’s performance, and the movie is arguably the best live-action Disney remake since Kenneth Branagh’s “Cinderella.”
While opinions vary, one thing is certain: “The Little Mermaid” is sure to spark plenty of lively debates among fans and haters alike. What are your thoughts about this movie? Let us know in the comments.
