The Little Mermaid Swam Into My Heart

*Spoiler Warning*

I have been excited for this movie ever since they announced Halle Bailey was going to play Ariel.

I have watched the original countless times while my mom would braid my hair when I was younger. The mermaid I have known and loved for years was going to look like me for once.

Just because they changed her skin tone, that doesn’t mean they changed Ariel’s spirit. She is still the curious and naive mermaid who just wants to go above the surface. She’s afforded a curiosity and naïveté that most Black girls aren’t usually allowed.

The nostalgia hits harder when it’s wrapped in representation.

Moving on to what’s new, the new songs didn’t feel out of place but instead explored a depth we haven’t gotten before. “Wild Uncharted Waters” reveals Eric’s desire to find the girl that saved him even if it takes him to a place that nearly killed him. The new prince Eric feels out of place on land but at home on the water. This is why he falls in love with a mermaid, he just didn’t quite know that part as this part of the movie.

“For the First Time” reveals Ariel’s thoughts when she’s on land for the first time. Something we didn’t get in the original. We get to see her navigate this from her perspective rather than simply watching as outsiders. It’s a welcome addition and probably my favourite new song.

“Scuttlebutt” is a fun new song that most people find out of place. Out of the context of the movie, sure it doesn’t make sense why Scuttle and Sebastian are rapping. In the movie, it makes complete sense and ends the relationship of Scuttle and Sebastian on a fairly high note. 

This soundtrack will definitely be on repeat!

While I love the new aspects of the film, there is one scene that fell flat for me. I wish the sea creatures still played instruments in “Under the Sea.” While I loved the dancing and heard that it was done by the Alvin Ailey company, the scene didn’t feel as magical as it does in the original animated version. I guess it wouldn’t be realistic for fish to have saxophones. 

Almost all the performances were spectacular but Halle Bailey was the standout. Her voice is what makes her a princess. On the other hand, Daveed Diggs should have not done that forced Jamaican accent.

My small gripes aside, this movie was necessary for me to see now and younger me would’ve definitely loved it too.