The live-action remake of Disney’s 1989 classic has everything you remember about the original, along with a handful of nifty new songs (courtesy of Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda). Big kudos to Halle Bailey, who makes Ariel her own, and to Melissa McCarthy, who gives us a wild-and-crazy Ursula. The supporting cast shines, too, including Daveed Diggs as Sebastian and Awkwafina as Scuttle. It may not have been entirely necessary (nothing will top the original animated version), but it manages to stand on its own as a worthy re-do.
3.5/5 stars