Title: "The Little Mermaid" Remake: A Disappointing Dive into Diversity Disney's live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid" has been touted as a landmark moment for diversity on the big screen. With Halle Bailey taking on the lead role and a cast that reflects a variety of races and cultures, the movie was supposed to be a watershed moment for Hollywood. Unfortunately, the reality falls far short of the hype. While the renovation of the cast is certainly a step in the right direction, it's only skin deep. The story remains the same old Disney formula, complete with the same clichés and dated gender roles. While Ariel gets a little more agency, she's still ultimately defined by the men in her life. The biggest issue with the movie, however, is that it's just not fun. The new songs are forgettable and the existing tunes don't hit the right notes. The chemistry between the cast is lukewarm at best and the CGI feels like a cheap imitation of the whimsy that made the original so great. It's a real shame that a movie that promised so much fell so flat. The "Little Mermaid" remake had the potential to be a real game-changer for representation in media, but it ultimately missed the mark. Rather than breaking new ground, it feels like it's simply treading water. In conclusion, the "Little Mermaid" remake is a disappointing dive into diversity. While it's great to see a more diverse cast on the big screen, it's not enough to paper over the flaws at the heart of the movie. Disney needs to do better if it hopes to truly lead the charge towards equity and fairness in the entertainment industry. Disney's live-action remake, with Halle Bailey starring as Ariel and a diverse cast, is a dutiful corrective with noble intentions and little fun.
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