The Little Mermaid’s early reactions from audiences have been shared online, and it looks like Disney may have a hit on its hands.
After years of waiting, the live-action remake of the 1989 original had its star-studded premiere in Los Angeles on Monday, May 8.
The premiere event was joined by the actress and singer, Halle Bailey, who plays the role of Ariel, Melissa McCarthy, who plays Ursula; Javier Bardem, who plays King Triton; Daveed Diggs, who plays Sebastian; and Jonah Hauer-King, who plays Prince Eric.
Rob Marshall is the director of the movie, which will have a soundtrack by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken, who wrote the music for the 1989 version, as well as four new songs.
Watch The Little Mermaid trailer below:
Though people won’t be able to see the movie until May 26, critics were invited to see it early, and they gave positive feedback on social media.
Grace Randolph, a movie critic, was so impressed by the movie that she called it the “best Disney live-action adaptation” and encouraged people to go see it when it comes out in the following couple of weeks.
#TheLittleMermaid is the best Disney live-action adaptation to date. Halle Bailey IS Ariel. Major props to the sound effects team. Good changes, though one new song with too much autotune. Could watch this version’s Under the Sea all day, it was the highlight of the whole thing,
she tweeted.
Zoe Rose Bryant, a writer, also liked how the 23-year-old played the role of the curious sea creature. She wrote on social media:
The Little Mermaid is a live-action remake that retains the heart and soul of the story we know and love, and it’s elevated even further by a note-perfect star-making performance from Halle Bailey – she was born to be on the big screen, and she’s why this new take is worth watching.
Erik Davis, who writes for the movie sites Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes, also liked the “Cool People” singer’s performance and liked the characters played by McCarthy and Diggs.
Halle Bailey pours incredible emotion into Ariel and I got chills watching her, while Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula and Daveed Diggs’ Sebastian steal scenes all day,
he wrote.
Lastly, a review page by the name of Atom said that “Disney magic is back” with the Little Mermaid and added:
Delightful & emotional… A beautiful coming-of-age adventure with awe-inspiring imagery & action that’ll make you wet. This isn’t just another remake, it’s one of the best family films ever! A fitting end setting up what’s next.
Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original animated version, was at the premiere and told Entertainment Tonight how happy she was with the performance of the young singer in The Little Mermaid.
[Halle Bailey] doesn’t need any advice from me, she’s brilliant!
she said. After praising Bailey’s “purity of heart, vulnerability, and bravery” in the role, she said:
I’m so thrilled for her, and I’m so proud of her.
The Little Mermaid is scheduled to be released in theaters on May 26.
