Posted: 5/26/23 at 8:24pm
So I’m obviously not the films intended audience, being a 30-something year old man, but I had a great old time.
The film is seriously clunky at times. The CGI pulls you right out of the story at certain moments and I suspect film technology just isn’t as good as the creators thought it was when envisioning this remake. There’s a few sequences where Ariel’s head is clearly not attached physically to her digital body or her hair moves as one solid block. The pacing of the film was bizarre as well, for a musical you’d expect a song before Part of Your World but we don’t get one. I was actually taken aback when she started singing because it was good 20 minutes into the film before we get a song so you actually forget it’s a musical!
That said, Halle is wonderful. She isn’t a skilled enough actor to act through the CGI, she was somewhat bland during the earlier emotional moments, but she does show some solid range during the more dramatic moments later on. I think she’ll be a terrific actor down the line but this was a solid start.
Melissa is fantastic and is clearly channeling drag. I would have liked to see her lean more into the camp as she gives a slightly more serious performance that what I’d have hoped for but she is fabulous none the less, and what a voice! I’d have liked her backstory to be explored more. Through her dialogue it sounded like they were setting up a scenario where Ursula was the eldest, and therefore heir, but was passed over for her practise of dark magic which would give context to her evil but she mentions in the third act that Triton is her elder brother so that theory went out the window. If you’re going to give her a history then go all the way.
Jonah as Eric was decent, they made him somewhat more interesting than the traditional Disney prince but not much. They give him a backstory that sounded very much like a breadcrumb for a potential sequel, should the movie do well.
Triton was okay. He merely just existed in the film. There was potential to make the role an emotional one but he seemed very disconnected and you never get the impression he liked Ariel, let alone loved her.
Honestly, I’d have cut Flounder, Scuttle, and probably Sebastian. Easiest money the three of them made. I’m with everyone in regards to Scuttle’s song, it’s the worst Disney song I’ve ever heard. My husband liked it though and the kids around me were giggling.
I loved the addition of the Queen and the reworked Carlotta character.
One of the more frustrating aspects of the movie is Ariel’s sisters. They’re all rulers of their own oceans which I think is a fantastic premise but it’s never explored and they’re relegated to fancy looking background actors. It’s very much like Princess Irulan in the 80’s version of DUNE, just a very expensive background actor.
I loved the land settings and found myself wanting to walk around the island, the market scene and lagoon were something straight out of a Disney park. Jodi Benson’s cameo is really cute and very much a wink to Ariel. It did make me miss a Paige O’Hara cameo in Beauty and the Beast.
Surprisingly, one of the major scene stealers is Vanessa. Even though she’s on screen for about three minutes she really makes the most of it! She’s very physical and animated. I wouldn’t be surprised if Disney reuse her for future products.
Overall, the movie is positive experience. It’s gorgeous to look at, at times, and is a perfect escape from a cruel world. The film had far more interesting ideas than it actually executes. The third act is the strongest part of the movie. Not perfect by a long shot but I’d say it’s the best princess remake bar Cinderella. Although Halle’s Ariel is FAR more interesting a heroine than Lily’s Cinderella.
Updated On: 5/26/23 at 08:24 PM
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