Some-fin special
SET OF PIPES TO THE NEW ARIEL
DISNEY continues to work through its animated back catalogue with a splashy remake of its 1989 Oscar winner.
Understandably, fans have approached this live-action and CGI redo with caution. It felt like the underwhelming previous Disney films (Pinocchio and Peter Pan & Wendy) were caught between two conflicting goals – to ride a wave of nostalgia for parents and to update old stories for our 21st-century kids.
That issue also surfaces in The Little Mermaid. But all ages should be reeled in by a star-is-born performance from newcomer Halle Bailey. The 23-year-old brings charisma, charm and fearsome pipes to Ariel, a teenage mermaid who loses her voice, gains a pair of legs, and has just three days to seduce a dashing prince.
Director Rob Marshall (Chicago) transforms the opening shipwreck into a CGI spectacular with crashing waves, burning decks and a daring underwater rescue. After dragging the drowning Prince Eric (Jonah HauerKing) to dry land, Ariel brings him back to life with a magical song before disappearing beneath the waves. While the prince desperately searches for his tuneful saviour, evil witch Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) sees an opportunity to tempt lovestruck Ariel with a deal. A magic potion will transform her into a human for three days.
But there’s a sizeable catch. If she doesn’t experience “true love’s kiss” in that time, Ursula gets to keep Ariel’s voice.
Winning a man by staying silent and looking pretty sounds decidedly fishy these days. Instead of tinkering with the plot or Alan Menken’s much-loved showtunes, new voiceover songs express the mute mermaid’s thoughts, and added scenes see the headstrong Ariel clash with her strict dad King Triton (Javier Bardem).
That means this new version runs for nearly an hour longer than the 82-minute original. Bailey will keep adults hooked but little tiddlers will be gasping for air.
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HALLE BAILEY BRINGS CHARISMA, CHARM AND A FEARSOME