Review: “Little Mermaid Live!” Isn’t It Neat?
My family just sat through “Little Mermaid Live!” and enjoyed it immensely.
Just weeks after re-visiting the original film at the cineplex, this production, audience interactive as it was — with major league stars in the lead live roles — left me hoping that ABC/Disney would try it again soon.
Ariel Cravalho!
https://twitter.com/auliicravalho/status/1191747335232966656
Deadline’s Dino-Ray Ramos agreed, writing:
The seamless mix of live performances intercut with the classic film was an inventive way to present an existing film in a new way that wasn’t just a rebooted film.
Tonight’s event featured live, elaborately costumed performances of songs from the film and the 2007 Broadway musical woven into the cartoon.
The idea is similar to those Hollywood Bowl concert productions or theme park shows. But The Little Mermaid Live! freshened the concept with some inventive multi-media trickery.
Not to mention some real wire-work throughout, as well as some star turns from Auli’i Cravalho, Shaggy, John Stamos, and Queen Latifah.
Backstage with your faves! #TheLittleMermaidLive pic.twitter.com/P30Pr0dYNP
— ABC (@ABCNetwork) November 6, 2019
She’s The Queen
“Tonight’s MVP was Queen Latifah as Ursula,” wrote Ramos. “The sea witch is one of those outsized Disney villains who can lean to the bombastic, but Latifah owned every bellow. She strutted with each and every tentacle on “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” almost making us root for her as she ruins Ariel’s life.”
However, my highest praise remains with the 18-year-old Cravalho. The young woman showed much poise as she pantomimed swimming in a full-length mermaid costume and embued the iconic role with her own personality. And, of course, there’s that voice…
https://twitter.com/auliicravalho/status/1191117578267021312
Ramos held Auli’i‘s performance in high esteem, as well, and added:
The role of Ariel is paramount, an icon in the Disney canon. Originally voiced by Jodi Benson, her songs, specifically “Part of Your World” is a modern Disney anthem, and this live event risked fan revolt. But Cravalho, donning the red wig, played the part with real joy. Although near-immobile most of the time due to that fin, the actress and her crystalline voice seemed destined for Disney.
Thank you for coming under the sea with us! #TheLittleMermaidLive pic.twitter.com/V3udMCaHPz
— ABC (@ABCNetwork) November 6, 2019
My Kid And I Enjoyed It Together
You’re going to hear an awful lot of people saying awful things about tonight’s TV event. They’re entitled to an opinion. However, all things being equal, I enjoyed this “reboot” of the Disney Classic more than several of the full-length features that Disney has produced and my 9-year-old’s attention was held for two hours.
I’ll admit, re-watching the classics with my kids is a lot easier with a hook. They simply don’t look at the hand-drawn animation in the same way us boomers and X’ers did. And there’s nothing wrong with that; what with Pixar and Walt Disney Animation and Walt Disney Studios blurring the line between animation and live-action with each new production.
And, as I mentioned above, here’s hoping they do this again soon. Beyond the gimmick of the live TV spectacular, it was fun to see my son beaming when I said, “That’s the woman who did the voice of Moana.” Given how he feels about that recent classic, the rest of the program was tartar sauce to the visual feast presented by ABC/Disney.
SEA ya real soon! #TheLittleMermaidLive pic.twitter.com/Sb0QeNdyxX
— ABC (@ABCNetwork) November 6, 2019
