If you were worried Disney’s upcoming The Little Mermaid would be an instant failure, then you can breathe a big sigh of relief as the first reactions to the movie are definitely positive.
Earlier today the film held its premiere in Hollywood and once the embargo lifted and first thoughts began showing up online, it became clear that Disney has seemingly done some things right.
Film reporter Grace Randolph shared a glowing reaction to the movie not just for being “the best live-action adaption” Disney has done, but also just being a stunning film on its own.
The film’s leading star Halle Bailey appears to be the biggest winner in early critic opinions, with one critic saying that her performance will give you chills. Even among the less positive reviews, Halle Bailey still gets her flowers.
One critic says while Bailey shines as Ariel, the film itself doesn’t quite hit the target, instead relying on imagery of the animation.
Another reviewer says that the film is charming but fails to live up to the animated original we all know and love.
When the first trailer for this The Little Mermaid remake came out, many honed in on its animation as a problem especially when it came to bringing the loveable creatures of the animated film to life.
After all of this, it appears the opinion is split on Sebastian the crab. One critic says he is the MVP of the film, while another claims he was the movie’s biggest problem.
Sebastian aside, these reactions paint a positive picture as we approach the film’s release later this month. You’ll be able to see The Little Mermaid yourself in theaters on May 26.