THB #376: The Little Mermaid

I did a clev-ah song rewrite… but it really didn’t say what i needed to say about this film… so find it after the review.

So…

There were 2 major challenges with bringing The Little Mermaid animated classic to live-action. First, you have to fill out the story of Musker & Clements’ 83 minute movie (a perfect length for the beloved songs and story) and deal with changes in how society sees love and gender and more. Second, you need a director who has an exciting take on this material and how to shoot it as a musical.

Sadly, this film fails on both counts.

But I don’t hate it. I am just very frustrated by it.

It has become another on the list of movies that have great bones and mediocre execution, leaving audiences leaving the theater both fulfilled by the IP but somehow disappointed.

The most odd element for me was the Rob Marshall of it. I am not a fan. But I do see a consistent voice in his work. But not here. Here, he seems kinda lost in the swimming of it all. Much of the time, it feels …