As a famous crustacean once said, “The seaweed is always greener in somebody else’s lake,” and so isall the moneythat Disney’s 2023 live-action remake ofThe Little Mermaidmade in its theatrical run. While many ofDisney’s live-action updatesof their classic animated films, includingTim Burton’sDumbofrom 2019 withMichael KeatonandColin Farrell,Robert Zemeckis’PinocchiowithTom Hanks, andGuy Ritchie’sAladdinwithWill Smithas the Genie (the beloved character made famous byRobin Williams) have been extremely hit-and-miss,Rob Marshall’sThe Little Mermaidhas been praised by criticsas one of the better remakes from Disney. Not only are there some great vibrant visuals that stay true to the original, but the movie is also packed with outstanding performances, including a flawlessly castMelissa McCarthyas Ursula and a sensational breakout role forHalle Baileyas Ariel.
However, perhaps the biggest question for Disney fans is how the film ends. After all, while not the norm, Disney has taken creative liberties with their remakes before, even with the way they end. 2016’sThe Jungle Bookproved that by having a completely different conclusion. Instead of the story’s main character living with the humans in the village like in the 1977 original, Mowgli (Neel Sethi) remains in the jungle with his animal friends and family.DoesThe Little Mermaidalso make changesto the ending from the 1989 classic that preceded it?
The Little Mermaid
The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, Ariel is a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. Longing to find out more about the world beyond the sea, Ariel visits the surface and falls for the dashing Prince Eric. Following her heart, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to experience life on land.
‘The Little Mermaid’s Climax Is Nearly Identical to the Original
While there are a few tweaks tothe story from the 1989 version, such as Ursula being Ariel’s aunt in the 2023 film, the climax ofThe Little Mermaidremake is pretty much identical to the original animated classic. The third act officially begins when Ursula, using the voice she swindled out of Ariel, disguises herself as the beautifulVanessa (Jessica Alexander)and enchants Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) into thinking that she’s the mystery woman who saved him after his shipwreck. With news following that Eric is getting married, Scuttle (Awkwafina) tells (or rather,raps) the news to the still-mute Ariel, only for the young princess to discover that another woman has been betrothed to her one true love.
It doesn’t take long for Ariel to realize that Vanessa is Ursula in disguise, and with the help of her friends, is able to reveal that truth to Eric. Unfortunately, Ariel isn’t able to share a “True Love’s Kiss” before sundown,thus meaning that Ursula wins. The sea witch drags Ariel back into the depths of the ocean after the princess turns back into a mermaid, eventually coming face to face with her estranged brother, King Triton (Javier Bardem). The ocean king quickly realizes that the only way to save his daughter and earn her freedom is to relinquish his all-powerful Trident to Ursula. Once he does, Ursula sticks her trusted eels, Flotsam and Jetsam, on Triton, dragging his powerless body down to the abyss.
Ariel Is the One to Defeat Ursula, Not Eric
A small but significant change to the original film is who gets the last laugh during the final battle with Ursula,this time with Ariel being the one responsible instead of Eric. The prince does prove to be a helpful ally in the conflict, hurling a spear at Ursula to get her attention. Now armed with the power of the Trident, Ursula fires a beam of energy at him and Ariel, accidentally killing her pet eels in the process. Bloodthirsty for revenge, Ursula uses her new powers to turn into a massive sea monster, creating a virtual monsoon in which the protagonists are now trapped.
‘The Little Mermaid’ Costume Designer Was Inspired by the Colors and Textures of the Seven Seas
Academy Award winner Colleen Atwood also talks about reuniting with Tim Burton for ‘Beetlejuice 2’ and the inspiration for the film’s costume design.
Ursula quickly sets her sights on Eric, the Prince now marooned on a jagged rock. While the ocean is in chaos, various shipwrecks that were stuck at the bottom of the ocean are now being brought up to the surface. Ariel finds herself on one of these ships and makes her way to the vessel’s helm.Right before Ursula is about to kill Eric, Ariel turns the ship to port and impales Ursulawith the sharp bow of the ship.A brutal Disney villain deaththat’s virtually identical to the original, with the exception being that Ariel and Eric’s roles are reversed.
‘The Little Mermaid’ Ends With Ariel and Eric Getting Married
In the aftermath of Ursula’s defeat, Eric and Ariel don’t feel like they’ve gotten a happy ending. With Eric back on the surface and Ariel still desperate to be a human, all seems to be lost. This doesn’t go unnoticed by King Triton, who sees that his beloved daughter is now more depressed than ever. After a reality check from his royal advisor,Sebastian(Daveed Diggs), the strict but good-hearted monarch realizes that his little mermaid is not so little anymore. He uses his power to grant Ariel her wish to become a human, with zero strings attached. Almost immediately after getting her permanent land legs,Ariel and Eric finally reunite, sharing a long-overdue kiss of true love.
As you’d probably expect, especially if you love the original film,Ariel and Eric end the film as husband and wife, though this proves to be only the start of their new lives. Earlier in the film, Eric is facing a conflict with his mother, Queen Selina (Noma Dumezweni). The Prince wants to explore the uncharted seas, but the Queen thinks it would be best if they kept to themselves and the rest of the kingdom. It’s not all that different from the initial position between Ariel and her own parent earlier in the film.In the end, Selina realizes her son is capable of making his own decisions, and gives him and Ariel the ability to travel the globe on their own ship, looking for plenty of new adventures in uncharted waters on the high seas. When Ariel and Eric are about to embark on their expedition, Triton, Ariel’s sisters, and all the other loyal citizens of Atlantica come to bid the princess and her husband farewell.This brings a tear to Ariel’s eye, leading her to hug her father for one last time. A final familiar visual ripped straight from the classic animated masterpiece that inspired it.
