6 Reasons The Little Mermaid Has Received Too Much Hate!

The Little Mermaid 2023 remake has received a fair bit of criticism, but as far as I'm concerned, there's a lot more to praise than to criticise. Trust me, you're in for an Under the Sea-style good time!

1. This cast can act!

Via tenor.com

Even the most negative critics have hailed Halle Bailey’s acting as a triumph (you go girl!) It’s true, although speechless for a large part of the film, Bailey’s wide-eyed facial expressions and gentle body movements perfectly portray Ariel’s youthful curiosity and daydreamer nature as she floats around the sea. Bailey completely captures Ariel's character and creates so many moments which leave the audience feeling totally absorbed and emotionally-stirred by Ariel’s story as a result – like when she is literally shaking with anticipation of what lies ahead during the Part of Your World reprisal!

Then there’s Melissa McCarthy’s novel performance as sea witch Ursula. I wondered how another actor could live up to Pat Carroll’s original deep, throaty and devilishly cackling performance. Luckily McCarthy didn’t attempt a pointless imitation: ‘I can’t touch Pat Carroll’ she acknowledged. Instead, McCarthy created her own deep-voiced and overbearing Ursula in keeping with the original while also adding a few subtle changes to convey the more tragic side of the sea witch.

McCarthy noted both Ursula’s isolation and sadness: “Yes she’s a villain but there’s something really heartbreaking about her” she told Forbes (in the 2023 version Ursula's not just an exiled witch, but a sister shunned and banished by her own brother, King Triton.) McCarthy successfully embodies this. With more negative intonation and a handful of sharper body movements and facial expressions during her key number (Poor Unfortunate Souls,) McCarthy brings Ursula’s vengeful bitterness to life in contrast with animated Ursula’s flamboyant performance reflective of a villain who simply relished being bad. McCarthy successfully turns a classic Disney baddie into a realistic modern-day bully with complex roots.

2. The voice acting is new and innovative.

Via deviantart.com

In this CGI bonanza, there are a heap of vocal performances that make the film come alive.

Big shout out to Awkwafina for her portrayal of Scuttle the gannet and producer John DeLuca for suggesting her for the role. Awkwafina perfectly portrays the loudmouth sea-wading bird. Awkwafina’s performance crucially maintains the animated character's enthusiastic and lovably unaware nature. In her distinct croaky timbre, Awkwafina infuses the character with an additional scatty burst of life, making Scuttle feel like your zany best friend who’s never stops talking and and has lost their voice from filling everyone in on the gossip (or the Scuttlebutt!)

3. If I was Ursula, I’d want to steal Bailey’s voice too!

Via bigfrozensix.tumblr.com

Speaking of vocal performances, you can’t talk about this film without taking a moment to rave about Bailey’s singing. Given the love for Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s original score, Disney doesn't drastically change The Little Mermaid’s iconic songs (a wise decision.) Yet Bailey still manages to add her own touch to the songs. Adding some new riffs and her own emotive expression (most notably in her biggest number, Part of Your World) it’s unsurprising Bailey’s been nominated for five Grammys. Her performance ensures both old and new audiences will leave cinemas humming away and channelling their inner Beyoncé (or should I say Bailey?!)

4. The new songs are fresh and FUN!

Speaking of singing, let’s not forget the new songs created by Alan Menken and Lin Manuel-Miranda.

Prince Eric gets a song! It’s called Wild Unchartered Waters sung by Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) after he sees Ariel for the first time. Ok, so it was a little cheesy, but I love that Disney gives the audience insight into what’s going on in Eric’s mind; in the original he doesn’t have much more to say than Ariel which is strange since she has no voice for half of their relationship! The song increases the film’s 21st-century appeal; Eric has a personality, showing his sensitive side (no toxic masculinity here people) and undoing the bland Prince Charming archetype of the past who pretty much stands there and looks pretty.

Ariel has a new song too, For the First Time, which gives audiences insight into the mermaid's thoughts when she grows legs and comes to land. Before watching the remake, I’d never really thought about how little viewers knew about Ariel’s mindset at a momet which is pretty pivotal and life-changing for her (until now she's been swimming about under the sea for the past16 years after all!) The original focused so much on Ariel losing her voice and chasing her prince that it was easy to forget how big a deal simply coming to land was for Ariel. The song shows the little mermaid's whirring and excited mind at this time and is a nice addition to the movie given the importance of mental health and talking about your feelings nowadays.

5. It has so many moments that'll make you laugh out loud.

Via youtube.com

Unlike Kiss the Girl’s massively talked about lyric updates, less has been said about the humorous script changes. Many of these additional quips are delivered by the film’s funniest characters: Sebastian and Scuttle. While trying to save Ariel, these two are at the centre of some tummy-tickling moments; given that Sebastian’s uppity disdain for his station in life and uptight attitude directly contrast with Scuttle’s free-flying spirit, enthusiasm and slightly all-over-the-place nature, comedy naturally follows the pair.

6. The CGI is completely captivating

Via media.tenor.com

Then, of course, there’s the transformation of the film into CGI. There were so many moments where the CGI alone captured my attention: the merpeople’s array of vibrantly coloured tails (I can practically hear my childhood friends and me claiming our favourite as our own), Ursula’s fluorescent tentacles slithering around her underwater den and Eric’s burning ship are just a few moments which made me mouth ‘wow.