Opened: May 26, 2023

Directed by: Rob Marshall

Starring: Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy, Javier Bardem, Noma Dumezweni, Art Malik, Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina, Jessica Alexander, Martina Laird, Emily Coates, Christopher Fairbank, John Dagleish, Lorena Andrea, Simone Ashley, Karolina Conchet, Sienna King, Kajsa Mohammar, Nathalie Sorrell & Jodi Benson

Beautiful both in and out of the water, The Little Mermaid is Disney’s second best live-action adaptation.

Ariel (Halle Bailey) dreams of being on land but is stuck under the sea by order of her father King Triton (Javier Bardem). After saving Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King), Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) gives Ariel the chance to be human if she shares true love’s kiss.

Not a lot has changed from the original, but this still makes the content its own – something The Lion King failed to do. Minor changes include additional, but somewhat forgettable, songs and a few tweaks throughout to make the film more feminist.

Bailey is the perfect Ariel. Her presence is commanding with a soaring voice. McCarthy plays Ursula a bit more comical but is terrifying in the third act.

Final say: Life is better with this remake. ★★★★☆