What looked like an easy way of giving new life to its back catalogue has proved to be a lumpy experience for Disney. Their most recent live action re-makes went straight to streaming, prompting much speculation, but the latest, The Little Mermaid, arrives surrounded by more than a whiff of confidence. It’s in cinemas.
In the hands of Disney stalwart Rob Marshall (Mary Poppins Returns) it’s a re-make that’s faithful to the original and its Oscar-winning music, sees composer Alan Menken adding new songs and tries to make Prince Eric a little less – dare we say it? – wet. It’s not always a comfortable mix.
Mermaid Ariel (Halle Bailey) is fascinated by the humans on the surface and longs for a way to try their way of life. She finds a way to make her dream come true, courtesy of her embittered aunt, Ursula (Melissa McCarthy). But there’s a catch. For three days on land, she gives up her voice and her tail. And if, by the end of that time, she and Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) haven’t exchanged a lover’s kiss, she has to live with Ursula for ever.
Bailey leads the way, combining charm and innocence with a powerful set of pipes. But her Prince still can’t keep up with her, despites efforts to the contrary. And while she appears to be great casting, Melissa McCarthy simply doesn’t have the villainous chops needed for Ursula. Daveed Diggs and Awkwafina, however, bring a much-needed lighter touch as the voices of crab Sebastian and blue footed booby, Scuttle.
A couple of ocean bound set pieces, plus a vibrant undersea world, gives the film plenty of visual spectacle, but when it aims for the audience’s heartstrings, the results are variable. There’s magic under the sea, but it needs to come to the surface.
The Little Mermaid releases in cinemas on 26th May.
