The Little Mermaid (2023)
I walked in humming “Part of Your World” and walked out with sea salt in my veins and glitter on my cheeks. Halle Bailey doesn’t just sing Ariel—she glows, like moonlight on tidewater. First note, goosebumps. Second note, full-body chills. By the key change I was a melted popsicle. 🌊✨
What surprised me most? How tender and curious this version feels. The romance is less “love-at-first-shipwreck” and more two awkward souls figuring out who they are—on land, under water, and in that messy space in between. It’s sweet without being syrupy, like a summer breeze that smells faintly of oranges and ocean.
Visually, it’s a seashell jewelry box—sometimes a little busy, often gorgeous. The underwater sequences ripple and shimmer; the surface scenes feel warm and sun-kissed. A few CG shots wobble, but Halle’s performance anchors everything. And yes, “Under the Sea” is an instant mood booster—like a confetti cannon made of kelp. 🐠
Melissa McCarthy chews scenery like Ursula chews contracts (delightfully). The new songs won’t replace your childhood faves, but they add texture and character beats that make the world feel bigger. Also, Eric finally gets a personality—bookish, kind, slightly chaotic boat boy. We love growth.
Bottom line: cozy, earnest, and disarmingly heartfelt. Not perfect, but perfectly sincere. If you’re ready to let nostalgia hold hands with something new, dive in. Did it make your inner kid sing—or are you still on the shore waiting for a better wave?
