Disney’s newest live-action adaptation, The Little Mermaid starring Halle Bailey has premiered and will soon arrive in theatres worldwide. Swimming into cinemas this May 26 in the UK and the US, the movie had a star-studded premiere in Hollywood where Melissa McCarthy, Javier Bardem, Simone Ashley, Jacob Tremblay, and many others join Bailey together with Jodi Benson.
For years, Disney has been re-creating their timeless classics with a live action adaptation. Even before The Beauty and The Beast starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens, as well as Aladdin starring Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott, they had 101 Dalmatians with Glenn Close and Jeff Daniels.
In the age of remakes, reboots and spin offs, Disney’s classics have not passed up the chance to update their titles. Even The Lion King had a CGI animated movie. One of the most successful of these is Cinderella which starred Cate Blanchett and Lily James.
Naturally, ever since the onset of these projects, people have expected the production of The Little Mermaid. Many advancements in film technology are now available that the underwater scenes can be delivered rather well.
Disney even had two projects that excelled in that aspect through their other studios. 20th Century’s Avatar: The Way of Water and Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Thus, it truly is time to visit the fathoms below and see Triton’s Kingdom.
Credit: Disney
Fans and critics consider the 1989 The Little Mermaid as the renaissance of full length animated films for movies. With a production budget of $40M, Ariel sang into theatres and brought in a worldwide box office record of $222M.
It brought music back front and center for animated films. For its time, it delivered an adventurous princess who knows what she wants and would do everything to achieve it. Much like the current generation of little girls singing to songs of Elsa or Moana, back then little girls knew the song “Part of Your World” by heart.
And many still remember the song more than 3 decades after. It is safe to say that many girls got inspired to dream and identify what they want in the future. It may not be as radical as exchanging tail for legs but girls then had a princess that didn’t wait for a prince to save her. In fact, if not for Ariel, Eric would have drowned.
Halle Bailey Cherishes Being This Generation’s Little Mermaid
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In a statement Deadline reports, live action Ariel star Halle Bailey talks about how she cherishes being this generation’s Little Mermaid. She said:
This moment means everything to me, I’m so grateful to be here. I just feel really honored and I’m happy the day has finally come where we can all watch it.
It means the world to me, especially for the beautiful babies to be able to see a reflection of themselves. I am just honored to be a part of this and be one of the princesses now because for me it was Brandi as Cinderella and then Anika Rose as Princess Tiana.
So the fact that I am getting to continue this and live on this legacy is really exciting and I’m just grateful.
In the beginning, when Disney officially announced her to be the new Ariel for the live action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, many people questioned the selection. Recent movies from the studio have been noted by fans and followers to be focusing on representation. Many have the impression that Disney is going out of its way to satisfy the popular expectations of the generation.
It may be rippling waves that a number of audiences may not be comfortable with, but it does offer variety in interpretation. Studios love to serve stories and characters where a lot of people can identify themselves with. They identify and equate that since they see it in the movies, they feel accepted as well.
Halle Bailey As The new Little Mermaid Speaks Oceans of Representation
Credit: Disney
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However, there are apparent sacrifices that had to be made. Because of the changes and the means to deliver what the new generation wants, fans of the original film have a different view and reception. And, it’s deep rooted in their memory.
Immediately, fans of the original movie will be comparing the animated version to that of the live action updated version. For one thing, the new movie is longer. Many other details in the story may be needing more time for the older generation to wrap their heads with. Some won’t even begin to discuss the new Flounder.
But one will only need to see the happiness in a little girl’s reaction to know that the movie is doing something right. And maybe the best way to see the new versions, not only Halle Bailey’s Little Mermaid but also those others before her and those to come, that these are versions for the current generation. Let them enjoy their turn.
What do you make of Halle Bailey’s views being this generation’s The Little Mermaid? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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