The Little Mermaid live-action remake actually fixed the right character

Whenever a new Disney live-action remake of an animated classic comes out, there’s always a ruckus about what, if anything, modified from the source material. Notably, fans are wondering if the latest remake is updating anything to accommodate modern standards, or if a creator is bragging that it does – if it gives LeFou an “exclusively gay moment” in 2017’s Beauty and the Beast or canning the Siamese cat song in 2019’s Lady and the Tramp.

But for whatever reason, most of the filmmakers behind these projects seem determined to “fix” the stories’ main heroines as well – usually losing what made them so appealing in the first place. The most nefarious case is Beauty and the Beast’s Belle, a character loved by young bookworms everywhere. Making her a book lover wasn’t enough for the 2017 remake, which for some reason also made her an inventor – and then did absolutely nothing with that plot point.

But in the case of the new Little Mermaiddirector Rob Marshall and screenwriter David Magee chose the right character to update.

That’s not Ariel, who for the most part retains pretty much the same personality she had in the original, though she definitely gets more moments to flesh it out. Ariel is a beloved heroine, and Marshall and Magee understand what made her so attractive in the original Disney animated film. She’s curious, passionate, and idealistic, and the 1989 film goes to great lengths to highlight those things while also embracing her flaws, such as her absent-mindedness and stubbornness. Halle Bailey’s stellar performance as Ariel in the live-action version backs up all those points. Even with some added moments, her Ariel is pretty much recognizable. After all, she’s not the one who had to undergo a modern makeover.

The character that really needed a change was Eric.

The original animated film Eric is a hero of his time. He meets the minimum requirements to be a Disney Prince, in that he’s handsome and brave, not much else. In the 1989 film, Ariel sees him on a ship playing with his dog and immediately falls in love with him. That’s pretty true to Hans Christian Andersen’s original story — not to mention the Disney fairytale movies that came before it — but in 2023, we need more proof that this is a man worthy of Ariel’s time, and worth it that she gives up everything to try to be with him.

Photo: Giles Keyte/Disney

The 2023 live-action version of Eric, played by Jonah Hauer-King, isn’t just any hunk. He feels restless in his palace and he wants to explore the world beyond his island nation, but he feels trapped by his mother’s rules. That’s a direct parallel to Ariel’s story, so it makes sense that she would relate to him. Her agreement with Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) is more about her desire to escape her father’s controlling rules over her crush. (Ariel’s “Daddy, I love him!” line doesn’t appear in this version.) It’s comforting to know that there’s at least one person on land who would understand her choice to leave the ocean. She sees more of a kindred spirit than a soul mate in Eric.

The new Little Mermaid also gives Ariel and Eric more time to get to know each other. Instead of the dinner scene where Ariel messes up basic social interaction, Ariel and Eric now bond over Eric’s huge collection of trinkets he found on his adventures. As it turns out, they’re both total nerds when it comes to their interests, and they both just squirm to talk to someone about what they love. Ariel is still unable to speak because of Ursula, but she still takes an active part in the interaction, showing Eric a thing or two about his treasures from the sea and eagerly poring over his cards. All of their interactions are fueled by an awkward yet adorable attraction that makes their romance all the more believable and worth seeking out.

Photo: Giles Keyte/Disney

There are some superfluous changes to the live-action movie that don’t really add anything meaningful. Ariel’s sisters, for instance, are rulers of their own seas, not Triton’s decorative choristers, but they still don’t add much to the plot. Ursula has added motifs, but they do not go beyond her introduction. Let the seagull (voiced by Awkwafina) rap for a bit, because sure, why not? If you think too hard about some of the more profound world-shaping changes in 2023 The little Mermaidthe film begins to unravel.

But what makes The little Mermaid not if the fish look good, or what exactly fuels Triton and Ursula’s feud. It all comes back to Ariel and her journey, which is fueled by the central romance between her and Eric. Just because Ariel falls in love doesn’t mean she isn’t a strong and beloved protagonist, and just because Eric is a handsome and dashing prince doesn’t mean he lacks the substance behind that charming smile. By updating their romance, the 2023 Little Mermaid makes the love story more satisfying – and resonates for a new generation.

The little Mermaid swims in theaters May 26.