Yesterday, I had a date with 
The live adaptation of The Little Mermaid was directed by Rob Marshall. Halle Bailey was chosen to portray Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Eric, and Melissa McCarthy as the villain Ursula. The movie was co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Lucamar Productions, and Marc Platt Productions.
STORYLINE
Ariel, the youngest daughter of Triton, yearns to explore the surface and the human world. Despite Triton's prohibition against Ariel interacting with humans, Ursula's influence tempts Ariel to defy her father's orders. In exchange for a human form, Ursula offers a deal: she will take Ariel's voice. Within three days, if Ariel fails to receive a true love's kiss, her transformation into a human will become permanent, she would be mute, and she will be unable to return to the sea.
Within three days, Ariel embarks on her journey as a human, while Ursula actively seeks ways to prevent her from achieving her goals.
The live adaptation of "The Little Mermaid" largely followed the storyline of the original animated version of the movie, with a few notable changes.
- One significant change is the emphasis on Ariel's desire to explore the human world driven by her curiosity and longing for freedom, rather than solely because of Eric.
- Another difference is that Eric now shares Ariel's mindset of wanting to break free from their current worlds.
- In this live adaptation, it is Ariel who ultimately defeats and kills Ursula, as opposed to Eric in the animated film.
CONTROVERSY
Months prior to its release, the film generated controversy when Halle Bailey, an African-American actress, was chosen to portray Ariel, the iconic lead character in "The Little Mermaid." This decision ignited heated discussions and debates about Disney's intentions: whether they aimed to authentically represent black individuals or if it was merely a calculated move to gain publicity and draw in viewers.
Nevertheless, days after the film was released here in the Philippines, it gain positive reviews breaking the initial negative impressions of the critics.
CINEMATOGRAPHY and CGI
One impressive aspect of the film is how well they used Computer Generated Imagery (CGI). Just like in other Disney movies, the visuals are captivating and look very realistic. The way they portrayed the mermaids gives you the feeling that they are actually underwater, and the way they interact with the sea creatures looks so genuine. I was also impressed by the way they paid attention to the details of the mermaid characters' hair. It looked so beautiful as it floated and moved with the water, just like how our hair strands would behave underwater. It made the characters feel more natural.
The cinematography in the film is excellent. I was particularly captivated by a scene where a ship battles against a raging storm, desperately trying to stay afloat. It evoked strong emotions in me and filled me with concern for the characters' fate. The camera angles and the clever use of filters successfully set the atmosphere, intensifying the impact of the moment. This attention to detail is also evident in other scenes, where the filmmakers skillfully engage the viewers and enhance their overall experience of the film.
MUSIC and SOUND EFFECTS
It's undeniable that music and sound effects are essential in enhancing the movie-watching experience. In the live adaptation of "The Little Mermaid," they made smart choices when it came to using music in specific scenes. For example, there's a part where Sebastian and the other sea creatures sing to convince Ariel not to leave the ocean and venture to the surface. Instead of simply speaking the lines, they made it more creative and enjoyable by singing them with an upbeat tune and melody. This added a sense of fun and made the scene more engaging to watch. Similarly, during more serious moments, they used a more melodramatic tone while singing the lines.
Moreover, the film cleverly incorporated sound effects to enhance the audience's emotional connection to the characters. When the characters experienced different emotions, such as excitement, fear, or sadness, corresponding sound effects were introduced to intensify those feelings. These thoughtful musical choices added depth and emotion to the film, making it even more captivating and allowing the viewers to truly immerse themselves in the story.
MY VERDICT
To be honest, I wasn't really into Disney princesses before. However, due to the positive feedback, we heard about this film, we decided to give it a chance. Much to my surprise, by the time the movie ended, I had developed a genuine liking for it. I would rate it 9 out of 10. It's a film that appeals not only to children but also to the young at heart. It has a charming and heartwarming quality that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.