Since the announcement of the live-action project The Little Mermaid featuring a lead actress of color, Disney has faced a wave of backlash and criticism from audiences. Many believe that changing the skin color of the mermaid Ariel is unacceptable, especially given that viewers have become accustomed to the traditional portrayal of a white-skinned, red-haired Ariel. However, after early screenings targeted at critics, lead actress Halle Bailey has received praise for her “stellar” performance, with some even calling her the “most perfect Ariel ever on screen.”
According to The Daily Beast, Disney’s film is still laden with many flaws, particularly in its narrative direction. However, the “magic” that Halle Bailey brings to the role has completely “transformed” the film. The actress delivers a portrayal of Ariel that is both captivating and serves as a “symbolic representation of a new generation.”
(Image: Disney)
Many film critics also praised Halle Bailey’s vocal performance. Variety even compared her rendition of the song Part of Your World to Jennifer Hudson’s powerful performance in Dreamgirls—a moment that earned Jennifer an Academy Award.
In fact, from the beginning, Disney had firmly chosen Halle Bailey for the role of Ariel due to her vocal prowess, which is both engaging and embodies the essence of the character. Therefore, the fact that the 2000-born star has received acclaim for her singing is not surprising.
Some critics were quite harsh towards the film, suggesting that the live-action The Little Mermaid lacks significant innovation and intrigue. However, all agree that Halle Bailey shines brightly in her leading role. Furthermore, Indie Wire reported that Bailey’s journey to embody a dark-skinned mermaid has been transformed into a unique cinematic experience.
The Little Mermaid live-action film is set to officially debut to audiences worldwide on May 26.
