{"id":10766,"date":"2023-05-25T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-25T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/?p=10766"},"modified":"2023-05-25T16:23:15","modified_gmt":"2023-05-25T23:23:15","slug":"the-little-mermaid-an-absolute-triumph-showcasing-the-beloved-tale-in-a-fresh-and-captivating-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/2023\/the-little-mermaid-an-absolute-triumph-showcasing-the-beloved-tale-in-a-fresh-and-captivating-way\/","title":{"rendered":"The Little Mermaid * An Absolute Triumph, Showcasing The Beloved Tale In A Fresh And Captivating Way"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_Poster.jpg?resize=102%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10767\" width=\"102\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_Poster.jpg?resize=203%2C300&amp;ssl=1 203w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_Poster.jpg?w=540&amp;ssl=1 540w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 102px) 100vw, 102px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure, \u201cThe Little Mermaid\u201d stars singer and actress Halle Bailey as Ariel. \u00a0The youngest of King Triton\u2019s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life \u2013 and her father\u2019s crown \u2013 in jeopardy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Hanadie K. comments, \u201cThis mesmerizing musical, starring the talented Halle Bailey, is an absolute triumph! <em>The Little Mermaid<\/em> showcases the beloved tale in a fresh and captivating way, with stunning visuals that bring the underwater world to life.\u201d Allison B. adds, \u201cFrom acclaimed director Rob Marshall comes the retelling of the beautiful, adventurous fairytale we all know and love. This beloved Disney classic has captured the hearts of past generations and certainly captured my heart once again.\u201d Mikella G. wraps it up with, \u201cHalle Bailey beautifully executes her role as Ariel. She feels like a real life Disney princess and speaks with such elegance. She makes the film feel like fantasy that has come to life.\u201d See their full reviews below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Little Mermaid<br>By Hanadie K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, 12<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HrjIOgH6IiI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Ariel_.rock_.jpg?resize=225%2C95&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10768\" width=\"225\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Ariel_.rock_.jpg?resize=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Ariel_.rock_.jpg?w=599&amp;ssl=1 599w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney&#8217;s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo courtesy of Disney. \u00a9 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This mesmerizing live-action musical, starring the talented Halle Bailey, is an absolute triumph! <em>The Little Mermaid<\/em> showcases the beloved tale in a fresh and captivating way, with stunning visuals that bring the underwater world to life. The CGI is seamless, creating a truly immersive experience that surpassed my expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this adaptation of <em>The Little Mermaid<\/em>, we follow the enchanting journey of Ariel (Halle Bailey), a young mermaid who longs to explore the human world. The film stays true to the heart of the original story, emphasizing themes of self-discovery, love and the importance of staying true to oneself.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Prince.ship_.closeup.jpg?resize=225%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10771\" width=\"225\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Prince.ship_.closeup.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Prince.ship_.closeup.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric in Disney&#8217;s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo by Giles Keyte. \u00a9 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Little Mermaid delivers exceptional performances, breathtaking visuals, and captivating storytelling. Halle Bailey performs remarkably, capturing Ariel\u2019s curiosity, spirit, and powerful voice. Casting a Black actress in the iconic role of Ariel is a decisive step toward diversifying the portrayal of princesses on screen. It offers young audiences, particularly Black girls who have rarely seen themselves in mainstream media, a chance to see a character they can deeply identify with, and I love that! The cast is rounded out with renowned actors who bring depth and charm to their respective roles. Tony winner Daveed Diggs gives a comedic, clever and heartfelt performance as Sebastian the Crab. Awkwafina\u2019s delightful portrayal of Scuttle the Seagull and Jonah Hauer-King\u2019s as Prince Eric brilliantly captures the original characters\u2019 essence while bringing their unique charm and charisma to the roles. They skillfully breathe new life into these beloved characters, adding depth and memorable moments that both longtime fans and new audiences will appreciate. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Ariel_.Prince.forest.jpg?resize=225%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10770\" width=\"225\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Ariel_.Prince.forest.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Ariel_.Prince.forest.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L-R): Halle Bailey as Ariel and Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric in Disney&#8217;s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo by Giles Keyte. \u00a9 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The costumes, designed by Colleen Atwood, beautifully capture the underwater kingdom and the human world above. The music score by the talented duo of Oscar winner Alan Menken and Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda is magical, seamlessly blending Menken\u2019s enchanting melodies with Miranda\u2019s vibrant and rhythmic compositions, resulting in an unforgettable and captivating musical experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The Little Mermaid <\/em>carries a powerful message of self-acceptance, courage and pursuing one&#8217;s dreams. It promotes positive social behavior and portrays relationships built on understanding and empathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give <em>The Little Mermaid <\/em>5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. It releases in theaters on May 26, 2023. Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Ariel and embark on a magical adventure!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Little Mermaid<br>|By Allison B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kpGo2_d3oYE?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_Ariel.sunset.jpg?resize=225%2C95&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10774\" width=\"225\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_Ariel.sunset.jpg?resize=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_Ariel.sunset.jpg?w=599&amp;ssl=1 599w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney&#8217;s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo courtesy of Disney. \u00a9 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>From acclaimed director Rob Marshall comes the retelling of the beautiful, adventurous fairytale we all know and love, <em>The Little Mermaid<\/em>. This beloved Disney classic has captured the hearts of past generations and certainly captured my heart in this one. Based on the original motion picture from 1989 and the fairytale by Hans Christian Anderson,<em> The Little Mermaid <\/em>is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences of all ages.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The Little Mermaid <\/em>begins with a look at life under the sea from the perspective of King Triton\u2019s youngest mer-daughter, Ariel (Halle Bailey). Ariel is a beautiful, adventurous and free-spirited young mermaid who longs to experience life in the \u201cworld above.\u201d Ariel encounters the human world when she saves a young prince (Jonah Hauer-King) and falls in love with him. She makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) to become human so she can be with him, but things don\u2019t go as planned. This movie is full of adventure, romance and memorable songs \u2013 both old and new.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_Ariel.Scuttle.underwater.jpg?resize=225%2C110&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10772\" width=\"225\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_Ariel.Scuttle.underwater.jpg?resize=300%2C147&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_Ariel.Scuttle.underwater.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L-R): Scuttle (voiced by Awkwafina), Flounder (voiced by Jacob Tremblay), and Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney&#8217;s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo courtesy of Disney. \u00a9 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This film definitely has a stronger emphasis on action than the original. There are many scenes where the live action element adds to the suspense and drama in the film. For example, in the song \u201cPoor Unfortunate Souls,\u201d there are many impressive special effects. Towards the beginning of the movie, there is a scene with a shark which was not in the original, and that keeps the audience on their toes the whole time. What I enjoyed the most about <em>The Little Mermaid<\/em> is that it is not a replica of the original film. It shares scenes and songs that we all know and love, but it is different enough from the original. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I particularly enjoyed Halle Bailey\u2019s portrayal of Ariel and Melissa McCarthy\u2019s of Ursula. Bailey gives the character a more adventurous and brave attitude, which makes Ariel a great role model for children everywhere. McCarthy, while being scary, manages to maintain great comedic timing which adds to the character of Ursula immensely. The updated elements, such as the special effects, music and actors, offer a fresh perspective of this tale.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Prince.Ariel_.jpg?resize=225%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10776\" width=\"225\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Prince.Ariel_.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Prince.Ariel_.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L-R): Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric and Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney&#8217;s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo by Giles Keyte. \u00a9 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The film\u2019s message is about the importance of being true to oneself and following one\u2019s dreams, even if it means making sacrifices along the way. The story encourages us to pursue our passions and not be afraid to take risks, even if it means living outside our comfort zones. It also explores themes of love, family and the consequences of making deals with others.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give <em>The Little Mermaid <\/em>4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to18, plus adults. You can see <em>The Little Mermaid <\/em>in theaters starting May 26, 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Little Mermaid\u00a0<br>Mikella G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The Little Mermaid<\/em> is a lovely nostalgic movie that brought me back to my younger years, and really put me in a fun, exciting, happy mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8mwRuVk2fHY?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Ariel_.Prince.beach_.jpg?resize=225%2C95&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10769\" width=\"225\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Ariel_.Prince.beach_.jpg?resize=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM.Ariel_.Prince.beach_.jpg?w=599&amp;ssl=1 599w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L-R): Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric and Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney&#8217;s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo courtesy of Disney. \u00a9 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>The Little Mermaid<\/em> is a live-action remake of the original 1989 film. It follows the life of Ariel (Halle Bailey), a mermaid who sometimes feels trapped underwater. One night, her Aunt Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) finds her in a vulnerable state and uses that to her advantage. Ursula casts Ariel with a spell, finally giving her the ability to have legs and walk on land. However, every good thing must pay a price, and Ariel eventually begins to lose sight of who she is. Ariel must learn to be strong and prove her strength, with the help of her friends of course!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_KingT.jpg?resize=225%2C95&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10773\" width=\"225\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_KingT.jpg?resize=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_KingT.jpg?w=599&amp;ssl=1 599w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Javier Bardem as King Triton in Disney&#8217;s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo courtesy of Disney. \u00a9 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>A huge standout in this film is the CGI. A majority of the film takes place underwater and uses animation. All of the coral, fish and colors are so vibrant. The movement of the water feels so realistic, and I never second guessed the reality of the circumstances. Additionally, the scenery on land is outstandingly beautiful.\u00a0 The island that it is on is breathtaking, and the castle&#8217;s architecture side-by-side with the ocean really makes everything come to life. It\u2019s definitely a destination that I find myself wanting to go to. The cinematography really lives up to my expectations for a Disney production. Furthermore, the characterizations are a big standout. Melissa McCarthy completely embodies her role as Ursula. Her confidence and ability to perform is evident and she does Ursula justice. Her character is believable gave me chills watching her. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_Ursula.jpg?resize=225%2C109&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10778\" width=\"225\" height=\"109\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_Ursula.jpg?resize=300%2C145&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TLM_Ursula.jpg?w=601&amp;ssl=1 601w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in Disney&#8217;s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo courtesy of Disney.  \u00a9 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Additionally, Halle Bailey beautifully executes her role as Ariel. She feels like a real life Disney princess and speaks with such elegance. She makes the film feel like fantasy that has come to life.\u00a0 Ariel\u2019s wardrobe is also striking &#8212; her mermaid tail is beautifully and intricately designed &#8211;the colors and scaling really pops underwater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The message of <em>The Little Mermaid<\/em> is to lead with kindness, and always follow what your heart tells you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give <em>The Little Mermaid<\/em> 4 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. <em>The Little Mermaid<\/em> releases in theaters May 26, 2023.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure, \u201cThe Little Mermaid\u201d stars singer and actress Halle Bailey as Ariel.  The youngest of King Triton\u2019s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life \u2013 and her father\u2019s crown \u2013 in jeopardy.<\/p>\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Hanadie K. comments, \u201cThis mesmerizing musical, starring the talented Halle Bailey, is an absolute triumph! The Little Mermaid showcases the beloved tale in a fresh and captivating way, with stunning visuals that bring the underwater world to life.\u201d Allison B. adds, \u201cFrom acclaimed director Rob Marshall comes the retelling of the beautiful, adventurous fairytale we all know and love. This beloved Disney classic has captured the hearts of past generations and certainly captured my heart once again.\u201d Mikella G. wraps it up with, \u201cHalle Bailey beautifully executes her role as Ariel. She feels like a real life Disney princess and speaks with such elegance. She makes the film feel like fantasy that has come to life.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4949,15],"tags":[6030,6548,1097,5430,6547,6552,6546,3512,4099,6553,6551,6550,63,4775,6549,6554],"class_list":["post-10766","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-feature-film","category-feature-film-reviews","tag-alan-menken","tag-art-malik","tag-awkwafina","tag-daveed-diggs","tag-david-magee","tag-halle-bailey","tag-howard-ashman","tag-jacob-tremblay","tag-javier-bardem","tag-jeffrey-silver","tag-john-deluca","tag-jonah-hauer-king","tag-lin-manuel-miranda","tag-marc-platt","tag-noma-dumezweni","tag-rob-marshall"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paS5I2-2NE","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10766","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10766"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10766\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10782,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10766\/revisions\/10782"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10766"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10766"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10766"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}