Just last month, Disney released one of its most controversial live-action remakes to date — The Little Mermaid. The film wasn’t controversial only because people are done with live-action remakes. Many people were upset that Disney cast Halle Bailey as the titular mermaid. In the original film, Ariel is a light-skinned teenager with bright red hair. Halle Bailey is a very talented black actress. Despite the loud complaints from some detractors, people went out in droves to see the movie on opening weekend. The remake received rave reviews and Bailey was praised for her portrayal of Ariel.
As with many live-action remakes Disney has done, The Little Mermaid was very close to the original, but there were some scene changes and new songs added for new audiences. One of the most significant changes viewers may have noticed is the ending. Yes, Ariel and Eric still end up together, because, hello, it’s still a Disney princess movie. As you may remember, the original animated film ends with King Triton turning Ariel back into a human so that she can marry Prince Eric. Their wedding is the final scene, and they sail off into the sunset.
However, the new live-action movie tells an even bigger story.
In the new film, Ariel and Eric’s wedding isn’t shown. The final scene in the movie takes place after their wedding. Ariel and Eric are following in Eric’s father’s footsteps and sailing to unknown places. According to Halle Bailey, showing that was more important than showing Ariel and Eric getting married. In speaking with Deadline, Bailey said:
“That ending is really a great version, and it shows her strength and power throughout the film. You’re seeing Ariel transform in front of your eyes, where at the beginning she’s a little bit shy and timid and frustrated because the beautiful things she’s voicing about herself and her future and her wants and needs aren’t being heard. And so, for her to go out of her way to burst through to the world that she doesn’t know, and for her to be brave enough to do so and come out on top the way she did, and fighting for love and friendship and family at the heart of the film is just, it’s so cool to see. So, I definitely say moments like the ending were really impactful to me, and I was happy to see that transformation in Ariel.”
Javier Bardem — who played King Triton in the live-action film — agreed and added his character’s feeling about watching his daughter sail off into the unknown.
“As parents, father and mother, we want to protect [our children]. We want to make sure that they are not suffering and that they don’t suffer. But life is about joy and pain, all the gray areas and the ups and downs. Those are the things that you cannot avoid. And you have to be there for them, but also let them go and have their own journey. And he realizes that, and it is not easy. I know.”
The Little Mermaid opened over Memorial Day weekend and had the fifth-best opening weekend ever. Over a four-day period, the film made more than $125 million at the box office. The movie was an absolute hit with fans and is currently sitting at a 94% audience score on the ratings website Rotten Tomatoes.
In addition to Bailey as Ariel and Bardem as Triton, the film also stars Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Awkwafina as Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, and Daveed Diggs as Sebastian. Original composer Alan Menken also teamed up with Hamilton creator Lin Manuel Miranda to write new music for the film.
