The First Reactions From ‘The Little Mermaid’ Praise Halle Bailey As A Perfect Ariel

Halle Bailey as Ariel in The Little Mermaid (Photo credit: Disney)

The social media reactions to The Little Mermaid are in and overall, the feeling is that Halle Bailey has pleasantly stunned audiences as Ariel. Even better, the film is being hailed as a high point in the Disney live-action films.

Variety’s Erik Davis tweeted that the film “is definitely one of the better live-action adaptations.”

“Halle Bailey pours incredible emotion into Ariel and I got chills watching her,” he wrote, “while Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula and Daveed Diggs’ Sebastian steal scenes all day.”

POC Culture wrote that Bailey “is magnificent as Ariel. She’s radiant, charming & every bit a Disney princess.” The outlet also added that “Bailey absolutely nails every musical number & carries the very entertaining film.”

Geek Vibes Nation’s Brandon Lewis wrote they were “blown away” by the film.

“Some visual issues aside, it’s the most romantic and, dare I say, magical Disney has been in years. The best live-action remake by a mile,” wrote Lewis. “Daveed Diggs is the MVP. Halle Bailey is a superstar, and her ‘Part of Your World’ is a showstopper.”

Film critic Chauncey K. Robinson gave the film high marks, saying, “It gives me so much joy to tell you to run (or swim) not walk to go see #TheLittleMermaid! A-MAZING.”

“Halle is a STAR. Wonderful renditions of classic songs w/ new (wonderful) surprises,” she wrote. “A well-done screenplay, strong performances, and such a magical tone. They got this one right.”

Collider’s Perri Nemiroff also declared Bailey as the perfect Ariel, writing, “Halle Bailey IS #TheLittleMermaid. An angelic voice, the longing in her eyes, the chemistry with Jonah Hauer-King. She’s flawless.”

Nemiroff wrote that the film has some flaws, but “there’s more than enough charm, heart and adventure there to power it forward.”

“Melissa McCarthy is a deliciously devilish Ursula. (Some of my favorite effects work comes in the third act and focuses on her),” she continued. “And Daveed Diggs is STELLAR as Sebastian. A favorite of the film by far.”

The Little Mermaid comes to theaters May 26.