A Nostalgic Review with Additional Perspective: The Little Mermedia
While watching The Little Mermaid, a Disney blockbuster animated film which has been remade live action, every element of humanity is shrouded in magic. Rob Marshall directed this movie, and it is brilliant in the true sense of the word. Marshall is one of those directors who understands what goes behind working deeply with the material. And yes, Bailey is phenomenal in the character of the bright mermaid princess Ariel. Here, the Barbara character is cast as the cruel sea witch Ursula who upon making Ariel not an innocent seashell mermaid, transforms her into a foolish girl desperate to enter the Merman world. The result is a heartbreakingly visually stunning piece detailing the story of love, self acceptance, and sacrifice.
Ariel’s craving for the world of humans makes her want to abandon the depths of the ocean and every other thing. The animated film captures her struggle to escape the ocean in order to transform into a human and her profound attraction to the world above. This means, Ariel also has a degree of affection towards Prince Eric, although that is not well elaborated and understood. As much as she possesses an intense level of intrigue towards him, there is more to it than just attraction. It’s not for nothing that she is swimming around singing, “Life’s a beach and under the sea.” One the most powerful examples of self sacrifice in the name of love and identity is when Ariel chooses to trade her voice in exchange for a pair of human legs.
Enhancing the Universe of Ariel
This adaptation incorporates Ariel’s connections and the Atlantis underwater world, thus enhancing the original story to new heights. New lyrics penned by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda have the potential to deepen the story by revealing Ariel’s longings; all while revealing the ambitions of Eric and the desires of Ursula. These new songs deepen the scope of the narrative and cleanly integrate with the older songs, “Part of your World”, and “Under The Sea”
Stunning Vision Above the Sea
The remarkable beauty of the ocean is displayed through the eyes of Dion Beebe and Myhr’s imagination. Every shot revealed is a work of greatness and intricate beauty. Sandcastles and Ursula’s gloomy and terrifying cave towering A cutout of CGI breathes life into the fantasy world of atlantis while still maintaining the original setting.
The animation’s lighting enhances Ariel’s hair detail along with Ursula’s tentacle. Each underwater scene becomes enchanting.
Remarkable Drama
Halle Bailey as Ariel: Bailey’s performance of Ariel has been praised around the world, especially for the way she captures a mythical world within her power packed performance. She shifts from one song to another with such ease that she breathes life into iconic songs. Moreover, she captivates the audience further with her innocence mixed with determination while portraying the character of Ariel.
McCarthy’s portrayal of Ursula: McCarthy has a presence on stage that is greatly appreciated by audiences where she willingly attempts to embody the role with great enthusiasm. She manages to deliver a scary yet funny performance and her version of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” is no exception.
Hauer-King as Prince Eric: Hauer-King takes the conventional sides of Prince Eric’s character and brings in a touch of sophistication. The romance that is at the center of the plot is blown further by his character and interactions with Bailey.
Fostering Representational Diversity
The prominence of this adaptation is attributed to the effort that has gone into representation. The filmmakers were able to cast Halle Bailey as Ariel and this enables inclusion which transcends cultural boundaries. And the way Ariel motivates and inspires her young fans is indeed heart warming to witness from the audience’s perspective.
Public Feedback and Their Significance
The Little Mermaid experienced a surge of praise immediately after its release because of the performances, music and visual effects, but like many others have come to notice, the transition from the animated magician’s work to the live action was not well executed. This gap is quite evident, as the results on Rotten Tomato suggest. Regardless, all of this has not stopped people from appreciating the movie because of its sincere story and Bailey’s wonderful moments during the motion picture.
A Modern Novel
The Little Mermaid is an affirmation of self added to a combination of love, courage, and dreams which are retained in the reconstruction of the film. The essence of the original is kept intact while the overarching themes of the story are improved with modern elements. This is not just a simple remake or retelling, but rather a reconstruction for a new audience to experience. Whether you are listening to the tale for the first time or are retelling it, The Little Mermaid allows you to plunge into a world bursting with imagination and this wonderful world full of miracles.
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