The Little Mermaid animated classic is Revisited and Updated
All the facets of humanity are wrapped so carefully in a protective layer of magic when one watches The Little Mermaid, a live action remake of the ever popular animation created by Disney. Rob Marshall directed this movie and it is brilliant in the true sense of the word. Whenever Marshall works on a project, he inherently understands the depths of the material at hand, and yes, Halle Bailey in the role of the bright mermaid princess Ariel is simply majestic. In this version, Barbara is cast as the cruel sea witch Ursula who makes Ariel, not an innocent seashell mermaid, but a reckless girl wanting to breach the world of humanity disguised as Merman. The result is a tear-jerking yet visual masterpiece of love, self acceptance, and sacrifice.
Ariel is obsessed with the world of humanity and wants to do anything and everything to escape the depths of the ocean. The animated movie highlights Ariel’s fascination with humanity, her attempt to escape the ocean and venture above the water as a human. Ariel’s desire for Prince Eric is not clearly defined. While she is instantly attracted to him, her fascination surpasses just curiosity. After all, she did sing life’s a beach and underneath the sea. The most telling and poignant example of self Sacrifice for love and identity happens when Ariel makes the decision to barter her voice in exchange for a pair of legs.
Embellishing Ariel’s Universe
This theatrical rendition of the tale enhances the first one by portraying Ariel’s personal connections as well as the underwater world Atlantis. The newly devised songs from Lyrics by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda allow for greater depth, explaining Ariel’s wishes alongside Eric’s aspirations and even Ursula’s wishes. While deepening the story, these additional songs mix flawlessly with the old ones featuring, “Part of Your World,” and “Under the Sea.”
Breathtaking Vision Under the Water
Dion Beebe, the cinematographer, and John Myhr, the production designer, depict the magical oceanic beauty with their vibrant imagination, displaying enthralling splendor and art. Every shot is crafted with utmost care, including the sparkling coral reefs and Ursula’s dark and horrifying cave. With the aid of CGI, the fantasy world of Atlantis is brought to life, while still maintaining the charm of the original setting.
The lighting in the animation makes attention to the details of character creation prominent, particularly the hair of Ariel and the fierce tentacle of Ursula. Making each underwater scene spellbinding.
Outstanding Drama
Halle Bailey as Ariel: Bailey’s fantastical portrayal of Ariel has received universal praise alongside her power packed performance. Her singing shifts from one song to another with such ease bringing truly iconic songs to life. In addition, her role as Ariel is captivating because she depicts the character’s innocence mixed with determination.
McCarthy’s portrayal of Ursula: McCarthy offers an on-screen presence that one cannot help but appreciate wherein she demonstrates a willingness to embrace the role with relish. She manages to hand over a performance that is both terrifying yet hilarious, and her rendition of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” is no exception.
Hauer-King as Prince Eric: Hauer-King takes the more conventional aspects of Prince Eric’s character and adds a bit of sophistication. The romance that forms the crux of the story is further heightened by his developed character and his interactions with Bailey.
Promotion of Inclusion
This adaptation stands out because of the effort which has been given to representation. The filmmakers have advocated inclusion by casting Halle Bailey as Ariel which ultimately crosses cultural barriers. Ariel’s optimistic character has left many of these young fans motivated and inspired, which is wonderful to see from the audience’s point of view.
Public Response and Impact
The Little Mermaid had received a number of accolades shortly after its release due to its impeccable performances, music, and visual effects, however, some have pointed out that the animated magician’s work to live action transition was less than appealing. With the results on Rotten Tomato illustrating this gap, All of this has not deterred audiences from cherishing the film due to its earnest plot and Bailey’s outstanding moments in the film.
A Contemporary Fairy Tale
In reconstructing this beloved film, The Little Mermaid keeps the essence of the original love, courage, and dreams intact, but improves the story’s themes with contemporary elements. It’s an affirmation of self and strength, making it more than just a remake but a reconstruction for a fresh audience. So whether you are retelling the story or really listening to it for the first time, The Little Mermaid gives you the opportunity to dive into the beautiful world of imagination. And ofcourse the multitude of miracles that exists in it.
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