3.5/5
Splash.
135 Mins. Starring: Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Noma Dumezweni, Art Malik, Javier Bardem & Melissa McCarthy. Director: Rob Marshall. On: Disney +.
100 years of Disney, plus all there is to come, streams with the star from the sea. All the way through the trains and waterfalls of their epic world building. A straight shot surprise to the awe-inspiring celebratory fireworks above the iconic castle, back down to the river where more wonder lies beneath. "But a mermaid has no tears, and therefore she suffers so much more," 'The Little Mermaid' writer Hans Christian Anderson's timeless passage hits the screen as the live-action remake of Disney's 1989 animated classic finally splashes onto the shores of their streaming site. Now, before you lump me with all those white males posting, "not my Little Mermaid", from their middle-aged social media accounts that come with car driver's seat profile pic as standard, I love this Little Mermaid. Why did I wait until it's Disney + release? Well, it's 'Elemental'. And the same will be said for the 'Haunted Mansion' or 'A Haunting In Venice'. I'm a writer, you know how much we get paid. Although I do make an exception for Star Wars and Marvel movies. We all have our vices. Yet, after an epic opening where more men have their forks put for what's under the sea than those troglodytes on social media, you can "sea" that this faring movie belongs on the biggest of screens. Especially when this siren sings and lures even the hardest head to wake up.
It's not woke. Just like the story wasn't broke. Sure, there's no need to fix it. But Disney have live-action remade everything else and this is just as good as the rest. Soaring thanks to a perfect performance from 'Angel' singer Halle Bailey. This is her moment and she owns it. From Chloe X Halle, to standing on her own two...or one fin if you want to put it that way. The red head knows exactly what it takes to be a Disney Princess and this is a crowning achievement. Especially when she is joined by her underwater friends. 'Hamilton' and 'Snowpiercer' star Daveed Diggs as the pinching Sebastian with THE song. Awkwafina scuttling with an awkward on purpose pillow inducing rap and some of the best lines. And everyone's favourite Jacob Tremblay as everyone's favourite Flounder. These creatures all comfort our fish who goes wander to a whole new world, once upon a dream. That's where Halle's hallmark sweet sound meets her charismatic, but choppy singing prince in the form of the fishing Jonah Hauer-King of 'Howard's End' and 'Little Women' TV fame. It's a match made in Disneyland heaven. Even if it takes these two three dots longer to seal the deal than it takes most to say I like you (oh, hey!) these days.
From an underwater kingdom that will be lost on those who waited for the home video version, the great Javier Bardem does his best Aquaman impression. Spearheading strong support from a classic couple in the castle with Noma Dumezweni and Art Malik. All for this Rob Marshall film that feels like the depths of 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' (Marshall and Bardem both being a part of different movies in that formidable franchise). The 'Chicago' and 'Memoirs Of A Geisha' director builds a legacy making landscape like he did with Disney's 'Into The Woods' and Emily Blunt's 'Mary Poppins' which arguably remains the best live action benchmark yet. Despite a water-logged runtime, this ravishing remake finds new land in these changing tides. But it's the undeniable Ursula played with punch by the magnificent Melissa McCarthy that really steals and seals the show. The only thing that should be treated as a villain here. This 'Little Mermaid' makes a big splash in one classic moment that will live on in movie history. The ripple effect will inspire generation's to come who look just like her, or you and me. Who says your dreams have to stay just your dreams? TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'The Little Mermaid (1989)', 'Cinderella', 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom'.
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