The Little Mermaid Live Action – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Little Mermaid Live Action

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2023

70%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Disney's live-action underwater do-over trades animation magic for Halle Bailey's vocals and a whole lot of CGI fish.

67%

6.3

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The Little Mermaid Live Action

movie

2023

70%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Disney's live-action underwater do-over trades animation magic for Halle Bailey's vocals and a whole lot of CGI fish.

67%

6.3

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67%

6.3

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is fine. It's a perfectly serviceable Disney remake that checks the boxes: beloved story, gorgeous lead performance, updated casting, big musical numbers. Halle Bailey truly shines, and for kids who've never seen the original, this will feel fresh and magical.

But let's be real—it's also 135 minutes of CGI fish and a plot that still asks a 16-year-old to change her entire species for a guy she's barely met. The live-action format loses some of the animated charm, and the pacing drags in spots. The TMDB rating of 6.29/10 tells the story: it's decent, not exceptional.

If your kids are Little Mermaid superfans or you want to have conversations about representation and seeing yourself in media, this is worth a watch. If they're ambivalent about princesses or have short attention spans, maybe save it for a rainy day when you need 135 minutes of peace. It's not going to blow anyone's mind, but it won't rot their brains either.

Age Fit

Best for ages 5-12, though the runtime and slower pacing may bore kids on the younger end. Tweens might roll their eyes at the dated romance tropes but still enjoy the music and spectacle.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Classic Disney story of following dreams, family bonds, and true love. Models Ariel's courage and determination, though also her defiance and impulsive deal-making. Father-daughter relationship is emotionally rich. Romance is sweet and age-appropriate. Some villain menace from Ursula but balanced with humor. Pacing is reasonable for a 135-minute musical adventure.

Imaginative

Underwater fantasy world with merfolk, sea creatures, and magical elements. Musical numbers invite sing-along engagement. However, this is a live-action remake of a 1989 animated classic, so originality is limited—it's a retelling rather than fresh storytelling. The underwater CGI world is visually rich but doesn't invite the same creative play as the animated version did. Still sparks curiosity about ocean life and different worlds.

Safe

Standard Disney fare with no graphic content. Ursula is a villain with some menacing moments (transformation scene, tentacles) but nothing beyond typical Disney antagonist behavior. Mild peril when Ariel loses her voice and during climactic battle. No gore, nudity, or inappropriate content. The story's themes are well-established and predictable for anyone familiar with the original, so minimal surprise factor. Appropriate for family viewing with younger kids present.

Enriching

Themes of pursuing dreams, finding your voice (literally and figuratively), and cross-cultural understanding. Father-daughter relationship explores autonomy vs. protection. However, the 'give up your voice and change yourself for a boy' messaging is problematic even if ultimately resolved. Musical elements expose kids to Broadway-style performance. Casting choices (Halle Bailey as Ariel) provide representation. Entertainment value is solid but not exceptional—the TMDB rating of 6.29/10 suggests it's decent but not beloved. At 135 minutes, it's quite long for what it delivers.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Halle Bailey's voice is genuinely stunning—'Part of Your World' is worth the price of admission alone
Representation matters: seeing a Black Ariel is meaningful for many kids who've never had a mermaid who looks like them
Familiar story means no surprises for anxious kids who need predictability
Musical numbers are fun for sing-alongs and dance parties in your living room
Themes of finding your voice and pursuing dreams resonate, even if the execution is imperfect

⚠

What to Watch For

At 135 minutes, it's LONG—younger kids may lose interest or need a bathroom break mid-movie
Ursula's transformation scene and tentacle action might be intense for very sensitive kids under 5
The 'give up your voice and change your body to get the guy' plot is still problematic, even with attempts to modernize it
CGI underwater world doesn't have the same charm as the hand-drawn original—some kids may find it less engaging
It's fine, not phenomenal—don't expect the magic of the 1989 version

Conversation Starters

"Ariel gave up her voice to meet Eric. What would you never want to give up about yourself for someone else?"
"Why do you think King Triton didn't want Ariel going to the surface? Was he being overprotective or keeping her safe?"
"If you could be a mermaid or merman for a day, what would you want to explore under the sea?"
"Ursula tricks Ariel with a deal that seems good but isn't. Have you ever wanted something so badly you didn't think about the consequences?"
"What did you think about Halle Bailey as Ariel? How was she different from the animated version?"

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