Disney just released the trailer for its newest live-action remake, “The Little Mermaid,” and reactions have been strong from the get-go. Like with other projects, detractors are being told it’s racist to dislike this new version.
The studio chose Halle Bailey to portray the finned princess. Because the actress is black, many are already saying any criticism must be racially motivated. However, early critics have plenty of complaints about the movie that have nothing to do with Ariel’s skin color.
First and foremost is the fact that “The Little Mermaid” is being remade at all. The original 1989 cartoon version is considered a true triumph of the Disney catalog. Fans are confused that a movie mostly set under the sea is now being told in live-action form. Plus, there’s the question of what value can be added from telling the same story that’s already been told.
“The Little Mermaid” is the latest in a long line of remakes from the studio. Most of them haven’t been well-received by fans.
“NOPE. just NOPE. STOP RUINING OLD CLASSICS WITH REMAKES!” one viewer exclaimed.
Other viewers were confused with how Bailey interpreted the classic song, “Part of Your World.”
“Okay, we need to talk about her singing. Part of your world is supposed to be a song of longing and a light quiet end to her voice. Why is she mixing it up? Like why?” another responded when the trailer came out.
There were a lot of negative comments about how dark the movie appears, at least from the trailer.
“Halle sounds beautiful singing Part of Your World. No complaints about Halle at all. The movie just looked so dark,” one person wrote. “You may say ‘it’s under the sea’ yes that’s true, but it’s also about a Mermaid. I’d just like to see a bright colorful film. It’s shot SO dark!”
Some commenters couldn’t understand why the red-headed mermaid princess Ariel switched ethnicities. In response to those questions, one person said, “Everybody is forgetting that the red head Ariel Is NOT the ORIGINAL little mermaid. A lot of things were changed from that film and nobody argues. She had blonde hair and her name was Marina. So why should it matter if her race changes. It just sounds like racism to me.”
YouTube no longer shows dislikes on videos, but those with the extension that tracks downvotes say negative reactions far outnumber likes. As of Monday, the trailer had 9.4 million views and only 359,000 likes.
“The Little Mermaid” will premiere in May 2023.
(Disclosure: The Daily Wire has announced plans for kids entertainment content.)