Little Mermaid Live Action vs Animated

In the original “Little Mermaid” she was a pale standard princess with bright red hair. In the live action 2023 film however, she was portrayed by Halle Bailey. She is not the typical or ideal image of what people thought was going to play the little mermaid. This change shocked and surprised many people in a positive way. Many loved the idea and supporting the actress and role. Prince Eric also gets some added purpose, playing more than just a prince with a nice face. This time he also gets his own song entitled “I Want”. The main character and the main plot remain mostly the same with some differences here and there, like some editing in the songs as well as some extra detail for the plot. Sebastian, Scuttle, and Flounder all remain supportive and kind throughout the film. A small difference that adds more life to the film would be when Ariel arrives on land for the first time the towns in the animated versus the live action look a bit different. I enjoyed that fact so it adds more speciality to each film. In the end the differences and side characters all add a very sweet and heartfelt message to all its viewers.

Ariel

Ariel In the first animated version, Ariel is seen as a childish, sometimes reckless and curious teenage girl. She wants to see the world outside of the water and explore the surface. In the live action she still embraces that nature and personality trait but she also seems more conscious of her actions and their consequences. Her accidental carelessness and puppy love to her prince and the land is fun to watch and see how it unfolds.

Side Characters

All the side characters and accomplices in both films stay the same, no added or removed friends. She also had all of her sisters and were each different and unlike the same which was a very interesting and nice added detail. The rest of the background characters look mostly similar.

Prince Eric

In the animation, Prince Eric is mainly seen as the prince in the fairytale but in the live action he is given a purpose. We see he is given a lot more screen time and he has to battle to choose to inherit the kingdom and the struggles of that. He is even given his own song and explains his trials and difficulties through it.

Setting

The settings in both films are very similar. Both are beautiful, vibrant and colorful. In the animation it seems very nostalgic and peaceful verses in the live action in which those nostalgic and refreshing feelings are brought to life and enhance a sense of magical and general awe. In both films the setting is illustrated as a magical and peaceful place.

• Summing Up

The original 1989 film and the 2023 live action are both amazing films with small differences that all add up to amazing movies. Keeping most of the story and main details the same was also a comforting fact. It was just plated out and portrayed differently. The details each movie has are all the perfect recipe for making an amazing and family friendly movie that people of all ages can enjoy.