The Little Mermaid (2023)

One of the more successful Disney live-action remakes, largely faithful and lifted by strong performances, especially Halle Bailey’s charismatic Ariel. The new songs are singled out as the main letdown.

It is a fun, fresh and joyous reimagining strong enough to surpass the original, with standout performances from Halle Bailey as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, plus vibrant visuals.

Halle Bailey delivers a star-making turn as Ariel with a powerful rendition of 'Part of Your World,' and Melissa McCarthy is delicious as Ursula; together they anchor the remake despite its bloated length and maximalist visual effects.

Halle Bailey infuses Ariel with energy, passion, and vocal power that gives the film more dramatic substance and inner life than the original, though it is less charming and the direction lacks flair.

Halle Bailey gives a full-throttle performance supported by a stellar cast including Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy.

The film is a longer, darker and less compelling live-action remake than the animated original. It is saved by Halle Bailey’s charming performance, Melissa McCarthy’s sass and the story’s own eternal magic.

The review calls it an enjoyable but hardly groundbreaking return that adds just enough fresh elements while failing to live up to the original animated classic. Halle Bailey’s courageous and playful Ariel is singled out as the star attraction.

Halle Bailey makes a lovely Ariel with strong pipes and empathy, but the remake is padded, imitative, and visually garish, feeling like a creative dead end even as 'Under the Sea' remains rousing.

Halle Bailey delivers a charming and charismatic performance that stands out as the film's strongest element, but the rest is a bland and grindingly efficient live-action Disney remake undermined by boring CG and weak supporting turns.

The critic finds Disney’s live-action remake fails to make much of a splash due to slow pacing, over-wrought emotion and an outdated story that struggles to stand apart from the original. Technical achievements and lively supporting characters like Sebastian and Scuttle receive praise.

The critic finds Halle Bailey the film's sole unmitigated triumph and a strong case for the live-action remake approach, but concludes that the CGI-heavy reworking fails to recapture the magic of the 1989 original.

The critic finds it a ho-hum adaptation buoyed by Halle Bailey's lovely lead turn, but it suffers from déjà vu and risk-aversion.

Halle Bailey is a delight, but everything around her is mercilessly dull and misguided; the remake curdles the original with minor changes and lacks imagination.

The critic praises Rob Marshall's direction for making the live-action remake work, highlighting Halle Bailey's stellar performance as Ariel and the successful staging of musical numbers.

This is Disney's best live-action remake, retaining the heart of the original while adding fresh elements and strong performances, especially Halle Bailey's magical turn as Ariel. Some visual effects feel rough and the film runs a bit long.

The critic finds it one of the rare Disney live-action remakes that captures the magic of the original, though it can't match the animated classic. They single out the expanded character development, particularly making the romance between Ariel and Eric feel mutual and deeper.

The critic finds the live-action remake well done, praising Halle Bailey's performance as Ariel and the vivid presentation of the songs, while noting improvements to the story's relationships; criticizes Javier Bardem's wooden portrayal of King Triton.

The critic notes the darker, more realistic tone, praises Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy's performances, but criticizes the new songs as flat.

The film is long and perfunctory, suffering from creative exhaustion under Rob Marshall's direction. Halle Bailey delivers a sincere, heartfelt performance as Ariel, and Melissa McCarthy is a delight as Ursula.