The Little Mermaid Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Mermaid sells her voice for legs, becomes mute tourist, and then everyone fights a giant purple octopus, so she can win a prince’s heart.

🍿 The Little Mermaid: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Ariel’s Fascination with the Human World

Ariel, a mermaid princess and King Triton’s youngest daughter, is captivated by the human world, defying her father’s ban on contact. She collects human artifacts and dreams of life beyond the sea. This curiosity sets the stage for her fateful encounter with Prince Eric.

Saving Prince Eric and Making a Deal

After saving Prince Eric from a shipwreck, Ariel falls deeply in love. Determined to be with him, she makes a dangerous deal with the sea witch Ursula, trading her voice for human legs. This pact comes with a condition: she must receive true love’s kiss within three days, or she’ll become Ursula’s slave forever.

Life on Land and the Race Against Time

As a human, Ariel struggles to communicate with Eric, who is captivated but doesn’t recognize her as his savior. Sebastian and Flounder try to help them fall in love, but Ursula’s interference, disguised as Vanessa, threatens to destroy Ariel’s chances and claim her soul.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ariel (Halle Bailey): A spirited mermaid princess who dreams of exploring the human world and falls in love with a human prince.
• Eric (Jonah Hauer-King): A human prince who shares Ariel’s adventurous spirit and yearns to explore the world beyond his kingdom.
• Ursula (Melissa McCarthy): A devious sea witch who manipulates Ariel’s desire to become human for her own wicked purposes.
• King Triton (Javier Bardem): The protective and stern king of Atlantica and Ariel’s father, who initially forbids contact with humans.
• Sebastian (Daveed Diggs): King Triton’s loyal advisor, a crab tasked with watching over Ariel who becomes her supportive friend.
• Scuttle (Awkwafina): Ariel’s quirky and misinformed seagull friend who provides comic relief and assists her on her adventures.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ariel: “I don’t know when, I don’t know how, but I know something’s starting right now. Watch and you’ll see. Someday I’ll be part of your world.” – Ariel expresses her longing for the human world and her desire to be a part of it.
• Ursula: “Life’s full of tough choices, isn’t it?” – Ursula says this to Ariel when manipulating her into making a deal.
• Sebastian: “Down here all the fish is happy as off through the waves they roll. The fish on the land ain’t happy. They sad ’cause they in their bowl.” – Sebastian tries to convince Ariel to stay in the sea, highlighting the joys of underwater life.
• Ursula: “Don’t underestimate the importance of body language, ha!” – After stealing Ariel’s voice, Ursula emphasizes that Ariel needs to seduce Eric to seal the deal without words.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $250,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $298,172,056
• Worldwide Gross: $569,626,289

💥 The Little Mermaid Reviews

Personal Review

I went in with high hopes, and while it wasn’t perfect, I enjoyed it! Halle Bailey was incredible as Ariel; her voice is just magical. I particularly loved the ‘Part of Your World’ scene – gave me chills! I thought the changes to Eric’s character made him more interesting. The CGI could be improved on certain parts, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it. I left feeling nostalgic but also appreciated the modern touches!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the original animated film.”
  • “Families with young children.”
  • “Those who enjoy musicals and fantasy films.”
  • “Halle Bailey fans.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some frightening scenes with Ursula.”
  • “Themes of sacrifice and making deals with dark figures.”
  • “Brief moments of peril.”

Professional Reviews

• Screen International: “Halle Bailey shines as Ariel, bringing a fresh perspective to the iconic character. The underwater visuals are impressive, though some of the animal designs feel less expressive than their animated counterparts. Overall, a solid, if not groundbreaking, adaptation.
• The Guardian: “While Bailey delivers a strong performance, the film struggles to capture the original’s charm. The new songs are forgettable, and the darker tone lacks the vibrancy of the animated classic. Ultimately, it feels like a missed opportunity.
• Empire: “Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid is a feast for the eyes, with stunning visual effects and a captivating performance from Halle Bailey as Ariel. While some of the changes to the story may not sit well with purists, the film is a worthy adaptation that will delight audiences of all ages.

Audience Reactions

Halle Bailey’s performance and singing voice were universally praised.: Most viewers found Halle Bailey’s performance as Ariel to be the standout element, noting her amazing vocal talent and charismatic presence.

The visual effects, while generally appreciated, received mixed reactions with some finding them inconsistent.: Some audience members appreciated the visual effects, while others felt that the animals’ designs and overall aesthetic were uneven.

Overall Consensus: Overall, opinions on “The Little Mermaid” (2023) are divided. Halle Bailey’s performance is lauded, but the movie gets a lot of mixed reactions due to animal designs and inconsistent visual effects.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel in the 1989 animated film, makes a cameo as a market vendor who gives Ariel a ‘dinglehopper’ (fork).”
• “Much of the outdoor filming took place on Santa Teresa di Gallura on Sardinia’s northern coast.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Little Mermaid?

The Little Mermaid (2023) is currently available for streaming on Disney+. You can also rent or purchase the movie on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Little Mermaid, you might like these similar films:

• The Little Mermaid (1989): The original animated classic that this film is based on, offering a different visual and storytelling experience.
• Beauty and the Beast (2017): Another live-action Disney remake with a strong female lead and a fantastical, romantic storyline.
• Aquaman (2018): A modern superhero film set largely underwater, featuring a hero who bridges two worlds.
• Splash (1984): A romantic comedy about a man who falls in love with a mermaid, sharing the theme of human-mermaid romance.
• Moana (2016): Another Disney animated film featuring a strong-willed Polynesian princess who is drawn to the ocean.

🛒 The Little Mermaid Related Products

• Disney’s The Little Mermaid [Blu-ray]: Own the magic! Get the Little Mermaid on Blu-ray! With bonus scenes and behind-the-scenes features, relive Ariel’s journey again and again with stunning visual clarity.
• Funko Pop! Disney: The Little Mermaid – Ariel (Live Action): A must-have for collectors! Own the Little Mermaid Funko Pop based on Halle Bailey, adding a touch of magic to any collection.
• The Little Mermaid: Storybook: Relive The Little Mermaid with this beautifully illustrated hardback storybook! The book helps children improve their reading skills while offering a fun and immersive story time.
• The Little Mermaid: Official Movie Soundtrack: Featuring all the iconic songs plus new tracks, this soundtrack brings the magic to life. Listen to the sounds of Atlantica anywhere, with exclusive artist insights.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Little Mermaid features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Part of Your World” – performed by Halle Bailey
• “Under the Sea” – performed by Daveed Diggs, Cast
• “Poor Unfortunate Souls” – performed by Melissa McCarthy
• “Kiss the Girl” – performed by Daveed Diggs
• “Wild Uncharted Waters” – performed by Jonah Hauer-King

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

the Little Mermaid remake is utterly bizarre

Curious about the critical reception of the Little Mermaid remake? Check out this video for a deep dive into its unique take on the classic story. The reviewer leaves no stone unturned, offering both praise and criticism that will challenge your perspectives.

The VERY Messed Up Origins of The Little Mermaid (REVISITED!) | Disney Explained – Jon Solo

Prepare to dive into the depths of storytelling with this exploration of The Little Mermaid’s fascinating origins. Jon Solo takes us on a captivating journey, uncovering the dark and intriguing roots of the beloved Disney classic.

Disney is wrong about “The Little Mermaid”

Are you ready to challenge Disney’s narrative? Dive into this compelling video where mjtanner eloquently points out the flaws in Disney’s approach to the Little Mermaid remake. It’s a thought-provoking take that will make you question your own assumptions about the classic film.

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