HCA Gradebook: “The Little Mermaid”

Movie: The Little Mermaid
Plot: The Little Mermaid is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
Cast: Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Noma Dumezweni, Javier Bardem, and Melissa McCarthy.
Director: Rob Marshall
Release Date: May 26, 2023
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Number of Graders: 55
Overall Grade: B

Chauncey K. Robinson says, “Fairy tales, although fantastical in nature, have been used for centuries to push forth ideals and life lessons from the perspective of the culture that creates them. Many have been passed down through the generations in various places, shifting and evolving to reflect the sensibilities of their day and age. The new 2023 live-action adaptation of Disney’s The Little Mermaid is no different in that regard. While the new film bursts with the same color and energy as its 1989 animated predecessor (which was itself an updated take on Hans Christian Andersen’s original Little Mermaid story from 1837), it also manages to seamlessly interweave a relevant focus on women’s self-determination in a way that brings it into a modern age without losing its magical luster.”
Grade: A+

Nikki Fowler says, “Halle Bailey as Ariel was the gift that keeps on giving. She’s an absolute star and her voice brings chills. The film has a great story, stellar cast performances and beautiful animation. Loved all of the new music, but how do you go wrong with Lin Manuel and Bailey’s voice? You don’t. Also loved Jonah Hauer-King’s new song. Daveed Diggs gave new life to Sebastian and Awkwafina did what she does best, made us laugh. Her ‘Scuttle Butt’ flow did Manuel’s writing justice. The Little Mermaid checks all the boxes and I will have the film and soundtrack on repeat.”
Grade: A+

John Rocha says, “Thoroughly enjoyed the The Little Mermaid ! Halle Bailey is a STAR and delivers a fantastic debut performance full of wonder, tenderness and youthful determination with a voice that gives new life to these classic songs and a couple of new ones! Rob Marshall directs a nuanced, captivating and genuinely touching film that creates new magic of its own. Melissa McCarthy grows into her Ursula role as the film goes along with Javier Bardem and Daveed Diggs standing out from the rest of the cast. Highly recommend it for you and your kids to enjoy!”
Grade: A

Tessa Smith says, “When it comes to the additions that were brought into The Little Mermaid, I love them. Eric and Ariel’s relationship makes so much more sense than in the animated version. It is easy to see why they are so good for each other, and why they fell in love.

At the same time, the core messages of the original are here. About taking risks to get where you want to be in life and about letting your children go when you know you need to. It is very much the same story, yet slightly different. The things that were changed and brought in evolve the story, but the original is still there should you ever want to go visit it. This is not a replacement, it is a complement.”
Grade: A

Catalina Combs says, “A beautiful display of artistry and Disney magic. Halle Bailey’s voice was made for this depiction of a beloved and iconic princess. The additional music is a welcomed addition to the film. Melissa McCarthy as the villain is everything. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Tears came to my eyes multiple times. A timeless story. A live action version that does not disappoint.”
Grade: A

Andrea Towers says, “The Little Mermaid is so dang charming — a great adaptation of the beloved Disney film. There’s an impressive amount of iconic scenes and moments that were translated into live action. Old and new elements come together to create a really good balance of something that felt fresh and fun but still nostalgic, which sets this film apart from other live action Disney films that have been created. And Halle Bailey is the perfect Ariel to carry on the torch to the next generation.”
Grade: A

Jonita Davis says, “This The Little Mermaid remake is timely, fun, and wholesome. Its the perfect summer movie for families with school aged kids. However, Millennial moms may be a little jealous of their kids’ Ariel.”
Grade: A

Jeandra LeBeauf says, “The Little Mermaid artfully connects the nostalgia of the original with fresh and exciting energy. Halle Berry firmly takes her place among Disney Princess royalty with captivating vocal performances. Melissa McCarthy is so triumphant as Ursula she’ll have you rooting for the dark side. Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina and Jacob Tremblay round out a magnificent cast.”
Grade: A-

Ema Sasic says, “The Little Mermaid is a swimmingly fun time! From the iconic songs to mesmerizing performances from Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy, I enjoyed every minute of it. The visuals made me want to be part of Ariel’s world, except the animals really need to be much cuter in these remakes. One of the better Disney live-action remakes, especially considering the additions they made to this iconic story.”
Grade: A-

Kit Bowen says, “This Little Mermaid mostly succeeds, especially with those big, nostalgic musical numbers from the original animated classic. Halle Bailey does a beautiful job as Ariel with a voice for days, while Melissa McCarthy simply nails Ursula. Daveed Diggs as Sebastian and Awkwafina as Skuttle provide the laughs. And as for the differences from the original, the new songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda add some spice. If we must have these live-action Disney redos (and I still ask why?), this one ranks up there.”
Grade: A-

Jeandra LeBeauf says, “The Little Mermaid is excellent hands down. This retelling beautifully blends the historical elements of the original with updated and enjoyable songs and storytelling. Halle Bailey is brilliant as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy is formidable as Ursula. Daveed Diggs and Awkwafina deliver noteworthy performances that audiences will enjoy.”
Grade: A-

John Nguyen says, “The Little Mermaid really surprised me. It’s my favorite Disney live-action remake by far. Halle Bailey’s voice is phenomenal, and Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric is charming. The rest of the cast is solid. The animals still look creepy but grew on me.”
Grade: A-

Tom O’Brien says, “Though Rob Marshall’s live-action remake preserves the most of the strengths of the beloved 1989 original, his film deserves its place in the upper tier of Disney’s live-action remakes for two key new additions — first, a more developed growth of the romance between young mermaid Ariel and island prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) that raises the stakes of the life-and-death struggle at the film’s climax. More important, however, is the casting of Halle Bailey, a young actress who has the voice to dazzle an audience as Ariel (her “Part of Your World” will give you goosebumps) as well as the acting chops to make us all care about this little mermaid.”
Grade: A-

Meredith Loftus says, “Halle Bailey makes Ariel in a way that’s endearing and totally unique. Her chemistry with Jonah Hauer-King makes this movie soar. Surprisingly, Melissa McCarthy and Daveed Diggs stand out as scene stealers. While the underwater visual effects are not as strong as it could’ve been, The Little Mermaid recaptures the magic that has been lost in most of the recent live action remakes.”
Grade: B+

Francisco Cangiano says, “The Little Mermaid is actually quite wonderful. It definitely captures the magic and essence of the original animated classic, while resulting in one of the better Disney live-action adaptations. Halle Bailey is amazing, Melissa McCarthy rocks and Jonathan Hauer-King is delightful as Prince Eric.”
Grade: B+

Zachary Pope says, “The Little Mermaid is the perfect movie for newcomers to the story… for adults who love the original they may not feel the magic the same way. One thing everyone should agree on though is Halle Bailey incredible performance. She becomes Ariel & feels every moment with greatness

This is hands down one of the best Disney live action remakes that elevates certain moments from the original (3rd act ) 

Mermaids look a bit stiff, music set pieces miss some magic for realism, but hard to deny the charm is there & I’d rewatch this remake.”
Grade: B+

Maggie Lovitt says, “As with many of Disney’s classic princess tales, The Little Mermaid has lived many lives since the animated feature swam into theaters in 1989. The gorgeous animated film and spectacularly fun stage production have wowed audiences for over three decades, but now that Halle Bailey’s Ariel has become part of our world, it will be difficult to go back to them.”
Grade: B+

Jami Philbrick says, “By far, The Little Mermaid is the best live-action Disney remake ever made, although that is a dubious honor. Halle Bailey gives a career-making performance and is absolutely brilliant in the role. Director Rob Marshall delivers a fun musical, even if the underwater sequences are spotty at times.”
Grade: B+

Ricky Valero says, “The groundbreaking performance by Halle Bailey elevates The Little Mermaid to become one of/if not the best live-action movies that Disney has put out. It’s full of charm, laughs and will be fun for the whole family. You don’t want to miss this one in theaters.”
Grade: B+

James White says, “Despite not completely justifying its existence, the new Little Mermaid still offers value. Halle Bailey is a solid new Ariel, but on the acting front, the show is somewhat stolen by Daveed Diggs as Sebastian and Awkwafina as Scuttle. Director Rob Marshall handles both the musical elements (no surprise, given his history) and CG work with aplomb, but it can’t quite recapture the magic of the original. Still, it swims more than it sinks.”
Grade: B+

Abe Friedtanzer says, “Though some may argue that a live-action update of the beloved 1989 animated musical may not be necessary, this version is full of dazzling visuals and an engaging energy that makes it very worthwhile, including a star turn from Halle Bailey and a particularly clever presentation of Ursula.”
Grade: B+

Kolby Mac says, “While The Little Mermaid doesn’t quite capture the magic and majesty of the OG, Halle Bailey can’t be denied! SHE IS A DISNEY PRINCESS! The voice, the presence the performance, all FLAWLESS. Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula NEEDS the Cruella or Maleficent treatment! The casting surprisingly works all around. The run time, sluggish plotting of the 2nd act and new songs not so much.”
Grade: B+

Kristen Maldonado says, “Halle Bailey was born to play Ariel. Her “Part Of Your World” is a revelation and will give you chills. The blossoming friendship to romance is swoon-worthy and the supporting cast delivers tons of laughs. New lore and plot lines take the story to the next level.”
Grade: B+

Zoë Rose Bryant says, “The Little Mermaid is the rare live-action remake that retains the heart and soul of the story we know and love, and it’s elevated even further by a note-perfect star-making performance from Halle Bailey – she was born to be on the big screen, and she’s why this new take is worth watching.

Bailey’s chemistry with Jonah Hauer-King is so infectious and natural and a huge highpoint for the film, while Melissa McCarthy devours every second of her screen time. The VFX aren’t always perfect, but FAR better than some subpar trailers would lead you to believe. By far and away, it’s the best live-action remake since 2015’s Cinderella.”
Grade: B+

Destiny Jackson says, “Rob Marshall’s The Little Mermaid is a beautiful technical feat in terms of choreography and musical numbers — just don’t ask about the CGI. (I presume that James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water had all the VFX business held hostage.) Singer Halle Bailey and British new(ish)comer Jonah Hauer-King really dig into the newfound aspects of Ariel and Prince Eric’s personality and their budding relationship, which is one of the most striking aspects of the film. Overall, the film is delightful and charming, but not without its drawbacks in some of the changes they make in terms of song and in plot.”
Grade: B

DarkSkyLady says, “The Little Mermaid might not nail every aspect, floundering in parts with some acting, and blurry effects. However, there is enough joy and care put into this film to love. Halle Bailey shines as Ariel, bringing innocence and wonder alongside powerhouse singing that makes each moment uniquely hers. She is easily the most significant part of the movie, not just by her lead role but because of her skill. She makes The Little Mermaid sparkle.”
Grade: B

Nate Adams says, “Often regarded as one of the finest animation achievements that ushered in the next wave of Disney mega-hits, (The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast etc.), 1989’s The Little Mermaid is fondly cherished among its fanbase. And considering the current wave of Disney’s nonsensical thorough highly lucrative ploy of reimagining its backlog of content for modern day audiences, a new version of The Little Mermaid was inevitable. Luckily, the flamboyant iteration from director Rob Marshall (Oscar winner for Chicago) keeps all the elements folks cherished about the cartoon intact while also introducing rising star Halle Bailey, who absolutely crushes the lead role of Ariel, to the world. And what a talent she is.”
Grade: B

Sara Clements says, “The Little Mermaid is one of Disney’s best live actions. While flawed – too long, some new additions that didn’t work for me & Ariel’s lifeless CGI friends – it’s packed full of charming humour. The underwater visuals are stunning in IMAX. Halle Bailey’s siren song is hypnotizing. What a star!”
Grade: B

Clarence Moye says, “Remaking The Little Mermaid was always going to be a dicey prospect, but director Rob Marshall and team wisely chose Star Halle Bailey to help justify its existence. Purists will have issue with the imperfect film, no doubt. But there is something special about seeing younger audiences grow with a mermaid of their own, whether she looks like them or like someone they know. This version isn’t as perfect as the animated original, but it’s the best attempt yet at recapturing the original version’s sense of magic and wonder.”
Grade: B

Paul McGuire Grimes says, “I was all in after seeing Halle Bailey’s stunning work as Ariel. She absolutely nails the part. Her rendition of “Part of Your World” is breathtaking with its build and the passion and drive Bailey puts into it. You can still feel the yearning and desire in the second half after she’s lost her voice. Melissa McCarthy is another divine casting choice. It’s one of the best performances of her career.”
Grade: B

Michael Lee says, “The Little Mermaid can be an enchanting reimagining that expands upon the story of the animated original with modern themes. It’s romantic and full of musical joy, even if it’s slightly overstuffed. If anything, Halle Bailey carries the film entire film with her performance.”
Grade: B

Sean Chandler says, “The Little Mermaid is a charming but flawed remake. At times it’s able to recapture the magic of the original. Ariel in particular is delightful. But the movie is simply too long. It has basically the same amount of plot, but it’s 50% longer. Likewise, the underwater sequences look bad. All that said, the movie plays great with a packed audience of families. It may not be a classic but it is a fun family experience.”
Grade: B

Wendy Lee says, “The Little Mermaid just became my fave Disney live-action remake! An absolute joy to watch. Halle Bailey is a total powerhouse in this, and will make you weep with “A Part Of Your World”. Melissa McCarthy is fantastic as Ursula. Some (new) songs were a bit forgettable…”
Grade: B

Don Shanahan says, “For this very writer, the only question that mattered for enjoying The Little Mermaid and being pulled into its whirlpool was the last one. Once Halle Bailey sings “Part of Your World,” it’s over. Her nubile and sizable voice backed by Alan Menken’s returning and supercharged score puts stirring emphasis on every swing of emotion in that introductory song. There’s a swell in the music that feels like it wasn’t there before 34 years ago. No American Idol or The Voice judges are required for consultation or scoring. When you hear Halle, there is no doubt. She crushes it and aces the biggest test this movie needed to pass.”
Grade: B

Dan Murrell says, “It’s not hard to be near the top of the heap when it comes to Disney remakes, but The Little Mermaid is able to justify its existence as a remake, which is a bar not many have cleared. Halle Bailey is by far the biggest standout, bringing the spirit of Ariel to a new generation of kids instead of just providing an imitation of Jodi Benson’s performance. Melissa McCarthy is able to channel Pat Carroll’s camp as Ursula and Jonah Hauer-King’s Prince Eric is a believable romantic lead. The added songs don’t bring much to the table, and it’s too long, but The Little Mermaid is an entertaining time, and worthy of the original classic. If nothing else, it’s brought Halle Bailey into the movie world spotlight, hopefully the first starring role in a long and fruitful film career.”
Grade: B

Peggy Marie says, “Halle Bailey is a gem taking this live-action/hybrid Disney remake into 2023 and perhaps beyond, with her beautiful voice. Daveed Diggs as Sebastian – make no mistake about it, is the biggest highlight after Bailey. Minus a few flaws here and there, the film screams “We Are In The Caribbean” and I am here for it!”
Grade: B

Kit Stone says, “Even in moments of silence, during her vocal theft, Bailey adeptly conveys a range of emotions through subtle gestures—a timely glance, a gentle curl of her mouth, or a slight tilt of her head. She captures the essence of the fish-out-of-water girl we love so much with precision. She’s comfortable with the character’s mermaid and human aspects, carrying them both with ease and exuding a remarkable sense of confidence throughout.”
Grade: B-

Ashley Saunders says, “The Little Mermaid is a delightfully fun swim through nostalgia for many moviegoers and a wonderful intro to the world of Ariel for young fans. Halle Bailey is Ariel, from her curiosity and determination to her beautiful voice, Bailey does an amazing job stepping into the shoes vacated by the legendary Jody Benson. Like many of the other live action remakes, some of the magic of the original is lost since real life has boundaries animation can gleefully ignore. There is a lot to enjoy about this film but there are still some poor unfortunate choices swimming in the sea with our beloved mermaid.”
Grade: B-

Aaron Neuwirth says, “The level of success generally depends on everything in spite of the direction daring to set things off course with uneven pacing and odd visual choices to make up for the lack of limitless options afforded by animation. Fortunately, The Little Mermaid is ultimately able to find what’s needed to succeed thanks to the strength of its performers and enough visual energy to stand up stronger than some of the other recent attempts.”
Grade: B-

Vanessa Armstrong says, “The Little Mermaid isn’t perfect, but it’s changes to the story are good ones. Add in amazing undersea visuals and (mostly) great casting and you’ve got a solid remake kids and older folks will enjoy.”
Grade: B-

Terence Johnson says, “For me, this movie is the perfect encapsulation of a three star film. It provides the audience with fun, you won’t walk out of the movie hating it, even if you do have some quibbles with the film. Most of my quibbles with the movie lie in how the script tries to bring forward and shift the story to fit not just live action, but 2023. There’s an economy of story you get with the animated film that’s not present here and despite a fuller run time, there’s parts that feel oddly rushed (notably two key third act sequences). It feels kind of iffy, even as you enjoy the film you never quite get that they are breaking new ground.”
Grade: B-

Chelsea Schwartz says, “Halle Bailey IS a mermaid. She’s enchanting, innocent and what a voice. The biggest surprise was how brilliantly Melissa McCarthy and Javier Bardem pulled off Ursula and King Triton. However the runtime, overuse of rough looking CGI and new songs brought this rating down. There was no reason this film needed to be 2+ hours.”
Grade: B-

Rosa Parra says, “I enjoyed The Little Mermaid for what it is. Halle Bailey as Ariel is phenomenal and Melissa McCarthy is great as Ursula. But this is just a reminder that no amount of CG will ever be able to duplicate what animation is capable of producing. I’m mixed overall.”
Grade: B-

Patrick Beatty says, “Disney Live-Action Remakes have run their course, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still give you something special that the original may not have been able to. That’s why I continue to hold out hope that the next inevitable rehash of Disney IP has more than just extra songs, a few big-name stars, and less of the magic we had from the first. The Little Mermaid is one of Disney’s most cherished films, and while this new film makes further strides that others have in giving me something to enjoy- I want more.”

Grade: B-

Nicholas Spake says, “Watching The Little Mermaid remake, a sense of familiarity washed over me. Not merely because this movie already exists, but because most of these Disney remakes put us through the same wringer. When one is first announced, some are immediately on the nostalgia bandwagon while others question why a remake is justified (money aside). We come around to the idea when the teaser drops with a rendition of a classic song. We go back to skepticism as more footage surfaces, growing disenchanted with the ugly CG redesigns. When the remake comes out, it’s better than anticipated. The more we think about it, though, it dawns on us that while not half bad, the remake wasn’t half good either. By this point, it’s grossed $1 billion anyway, but when given the choice between the live-action remake and animated classic, it’s clear which version generations are going to watch over, and over, and over.”
Grade: C+

Jonathan Fujii says, “Halle Bailey is amazing as Ariel as she really captures that sense of wonder in her eyes. The movie surrounding her, however, is filled with ups and downs with uneven pacing and a stale middle act. A fun time for families and the songs will never get old but still leaves more to be desired.”
Grade: C+

Joel D. Amos says, “While Disney has been on a tear lately making their treasure trove of beloved animated classics into live action films, sadly, few have lived up to their predecessor. Now, there are merits with each of the films that have been given the live-action treatment. But with the arrival of The Little Mermaid, we’re reminded of that saying from Jurassic Park… paraphrasing, “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” The film is decent, but it’s far too long and certain aspects just feel “off.” Now, lead Halle Bailey as Ariel is brilliant and her voice is angelic. But, she cannot carry this entire movie on her mermaid fin. Rob Marshall is a fantastic director, but no one in the room seemed to be able to tell him when too much was too much and for a film directed at families, it’s 135-minute runtime is a lot to ask of young children. Melissa McCarthy deserves some props as Ursula. That could not have been an easy set of tentacles to fill for the actress. But she pulls it off.”
Grade: C+

Connor Petrey says, “Halle Bailey’s Ariel is a delight – delivering the vocals to bring the original nostalgia to the surface. However, while the feature is visually stunning in aspects, the fact that the scenes above water are more captivating than those under is a real issue. The extended 135 minute runtime doesn’t help matters, as somewhere along the way this remake lost the heart that made the original so special.”
Grade: C+

Alexander Robinson says, “It was only a matter of time before the first film in Disney’s Renaissance got the live-action treatment. Unlike last year’s Pinocchio, Rob Marshall’s The Little Mermaid actually has a few elements that make the movie somewhat worth watching. Halle Bailey makes for an absolutely fantastic Ariel. She brings plenty of herself to this character while honoring what Jodi Benson did to make Ariel an iconic Disney Princess. Her relationship with Jonah Hauer-King’s Prince Eric is the main reason to watch the film. There are more scenes dedicated to these two characters together and it fleshes out the romance a little more than what the 1989 film did. The reworked version of Kiss the Girl also fits better with the film’s tone and how Ariel and Eric’s romance was built up to that point. Unfortunately all of that is not enough to save the rest of the movie. It still heavily relies on the original film rather than trying to be a new adaptation of the original source material. The new songs written for this movie are not memorable and the special effects are very inconsistent. Visually the movie is at its worst during the underwater scenes, which are dark, murky, and lack any bright colors. It also doesn’t help that this movie came out less than a year after Avatar: The Way of Water, because there’s not a moment where you get the impression that these characters are underwater. While certainly a step up from the other live-action Disney remakes of this decade, there still isn’t enough that warrants a strong recommendation.”
Grade: C+

Mark Johnson says, “I am enamored by Halle Bailey’s take on Ariel. She’s terrific and extremely likable. The film is a bit bloated and suffers from some less-than-spectacular visual effects. It adds nothing new of substance, and what it does feels completely unnecessary. It’s a classic story, and when the film leans on that, it’s perfectly fine. Families with littles will enjoy it, even if it runs long.”
Grade: C+

Rick Hong says, “An unnecessary remake that falls flat, with a running time of 2 hours and 15 minutes, it’s too long for children and drags for those nostalgic for the animated original.”
Grade: C

Rick Bentley says, “This is the latest in the endless string of productions where Disney Studios has strutted and fretted live actors across the stage to semi-recreate the company’s animated films. It follows the likes of The Lion King, Cinderella, Dumbo, Aladdin and 101 Dalmatians. None of the live versions have matched the quality of the animated tales, and The Little Mermaid is no exception.”
Grade: C

Jonathan Sim says, “The Little Mermaid is a tired retelling of the original. It makes a few excellent changes to the source material that update it for current times, but it also suffers from the mismatch of photorealistic animals with vibrant voices. The three new songs are awful, and the casting choices are hit-or-miss.”
Grade: C

Scott Mendelson says, “The Little Mermaid is “bad” in the ways we expect these straight remakes to be bad — 3/4 speed pacing, whole scenes explaining plot/character beats that were implied in the toon, regressive “progressive” changes (re – the new song lyrics) — but it’s harmless and looks better than the marketing implied. 

Halle Bailey has the pipes and chops, and Melissa McCarthy is having fun. Still, Javier Bardem is inexplicably terrible (stilted, low-energy, seemingly acting against nothing) in a way that hurts the movie since he’s the character with an actual arc. 

It lacks that extra overflow of movie star charisma that Will Smith and the quartet (Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kanezari, and Nasim Pedrad) brought to ‘Aladdin.’ This has the same issues, but only Bailey shines through. 

It’s better than Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, and I no longer expect quality on the level of Pete’s Dragon or Cinderella. It does totally fail “the Amazing Spider-Man test.” If I ever want to watch The Little Mermaid, I’m not opting for this one again.”
Grade: C-

Scott Menzel says, “The Little Mermaid doesn’t improve upon the original in any way. While Halle Bailey has a remarkable voice and Melissa McCarthy is devilishly delightful as Ursula, the movie feels empty and uninspired. The CGI is overused and makes the film feel cheaper than it is. The runtime is also overly excessive; taking an 83-minute story and expanding it into 135 minutes is entirely unnecessary as it doesn’t help improve the story or pacing. It’s not the worst of the Disney live-action films, but it certainly isn’t the best, either. It lies somewhere in the middle between, say The Lion King and Lady and The Tramp.

Grade: C-