I absolutely LOVED it. I think the casting was absolutely perfect ( I read reviews that people didn’t like the actor that played Prince Eric but I think he was the perfect Eric and cannot imagine who else could have done it justice). Before casting was announced and there were rumors that Harry Styles was going for it- I was so mad and hoped he wouldn’t get it! Halle Bailey definitely carries the entire film, she’s so charismatic and lovable as Ariel, she portrayed everything the animated character possesses so beautifully! I have a hard time believing that any of her haters, pre-movie coming out, have anything bad to say about her now. Her voice is breathtaking! I appreciated the fact that she brought her own style to the iconic songs, like Part of Your World, and I actually like that it almost sounds completely different than the original.

There were a few scenes, where because I’m a die hard fan of the original, I felt didn’t come off super authentic , but I guess when you’re trying to imitate a film (almost) scene by scene, you’re bound to have a few of those moments, and I can imagine it being hard for the actors to live up to the animated classics as well. And when your entire audience knows whats going to happen or what your character is going to do before it’s done, I feel like that’s a hard thing to overcome. So there were definitely a few times where I went, huh, that’s not how it’s supposed to come across. BUT nonetheless, it is a beautiful movie that really makes you believe you’re in this under the sea world, pining for Ariel to get her happily every after! WHICH, by the way, is not solely about getting the Prince, it’s about getting her legs and being human and being able to explore the human world. They made that a bigger character arc in this movie and I loved it! Especially with how they had this one end!! ( You’re going to have to see it to know what I mean) I also really liked that they gave the relationship between Eric and Ariel more screen time and developed more of why they fell in love with each other, that was fun to see! Eric also gets his own song in this film (SPOILER ALERT) and I absolutely adore it. I think (?) it’s the first time a Prince in a Disney movie is singing about the Princess who saved him and wanting to find her again, which was definitely a little twist on your standard Disney princess movie which usually always has the song going the opposite way (which I also always love, not to talk down on those ones!!)

A few months ago, I criticized the fact that some of the lyrics were changed to a few of the songs, I’m happy to report that I felt like they still worked! And the lyric changes didn’t take anything away from how the originals made you feel. When it comes to the music though, the original scores were done so beautifully that honestly, I don’t think anyone or anything could ever come close to it no matter what. For instance, with Under the Sea, the choreography and scene itself in this live action adaptation is stunning, but the song (in my opinion) just doesn’t hit the same way. I feel like it’s a little softer, a little calmer than it’s predecessor- but that could also be the point? Still, because the scenery is so pretty and well done, you don’t really feel like you missed out on anything by the time the scene ends, so it works! I’m just saying on that one, if I was to choose which version I’m picking to dance with my daughter around the living room, I’m sticking with the OG.

I loved how much more in depth the live action went with all of the characters and that they stuck to the original film where the could and elaborated on it as a whole. There’s a character arc in this film that Ursula is King Triton’s sister, and that was actually a part of the original movie that got cut out! I love the added history of Prince Eric and how his life parallels Ariel’s in that he also wants more from life than what is being “given” to him. The mermaid sisters get more attention in this one too which was interesting to see! Obviously because of all this added content, the film is much longer than the animated one but you’re engaged the entire time so it doesn’t feel long AT ALL. When it was over I was like what, I want more!!! Also, HUGE SPOILER ALERT, so stop reading now if you don’t want to know! I am posting it at the bottom of the photo so you have more than enough notice to scroll past LOL.

I LOVED that they brought back Jodi Benson for a cameo!! And the scene in which it happens, made my heart melt! Passing of the torch, nay dinglehopper! It was beautiful.

I truly believe this film will go down as one of Disney’s best live action adaptations and I am just so happy for the entire cast! I literally want to go back to see it again already! (I’m writing this on Saturday, after having seen it opening night on Friday, May 26th 2023!!)

Also, we took our daughter to see it with us! It was her first movie theatre experience! She loved the movie and started to belt out “Part of Your World” right when Ariel started singing it! It was so cute, Joey and I couldn’t help but laugh.

If you’ve seen it, I’d love to hear your thoughts!