![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QYZKLFXCTFHW5GWX6TM4Q47TTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f4423eba5dfe0dbf65594b45b30b3f8955a045d06a4887d512228509aa1d3b0e&width=400&height=225)
Hauer-King and Bailey formed a close friendship during filming
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UZTJXFJ5GJGDPJ6KUT55IZEXVU.jpg?smart=true&auth=23be816b4edef7095f2521aaaad8f7f345378014ce88e53e94db4e209a3967b2&width=400&height=225)
The Little Mermaid will be released in UAE cinemas on May 25. Pictured: Bailey as Ariel with Awkwafina as Scuttle and Jacob Tremblay as Flounder the fish. All Photos: Disney
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KK7YYZ3AUNFRJOHC3LACNXGN4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=015045082e712845b6e42676ff8cffbdcaabd14ab141e186873d0d08e3165e04&width=400&height=225)
Actress Halle Bailey plays Ariel in the film
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6OPVSX7Y6RES5PMBKGVQAV24UA.jpg?smart=true&auth=21ea9204b5539efdb44343851176faa8ffe55acf1634cd5b0066375a4afeb93a&width=400&height=225)
Bailey, as Ariel, gracefully flows through the water before peeking out at the sun
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TD5ILHJ525AUNNRCWTIJJKNA3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=0c765b57397072718b7652317cbd44f0d81f7102de60918b95f74e00276aa2f1&width=400&height=225)
Oscar-winner Javier Bardem plays King Triton
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IP6L6KVJSBCM5ECM2DJSYY7DQU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f07dfc2d390832e44b1f05d2481dab6df720fa49467837414a5d6defca55070d&width=400&height=225)
The Little Mermaid has received its fair share of criticism for its diverse casting, updated lyrics and special effects
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VGF336WDBFBTFGVJJK3IK3ZU4E.jpg?smart=true&auth=05075498e21fd7641714a8f18416869575d23b966492455e9d0003fb29bae0b4&width=400&height=225)
Some argue a white actress should have been chosen to play Ariel
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XFSF7KE22BDKNLCYDFRZQGIKTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f9f79635223a5c11cca2c6d97981942f3448e66d8b65e946d6aada6e11863765&width=400&height=225)
Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric and Bailey as Ariel
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QYZKLFXCTFHW5GWX6TM4Q47TTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f4423eba5dfe0dbf65594b45b30b3f8955a045d06a4887d512228509aa1d3b0e&width=400&height=225)
Hauer-King and Bailey formed a close friendship during filming
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UZTJXFJ5GJGDPJ6KUT55IZEXVU.jpg?smart=true&auth=23be816b4edef7095f2521aaaad8f7f345378014ce88e53e94db4e209a3967b2&width=400&height=225)
The Little Mermaid will be released in UAE cinemas on May 25. Pictured: Bailey as Ariel with Awkwafina as Scuttle and Jacob Tremblay as Flounder the fish. All Photos: Disney
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KK7YYZ3AUNFRJOHC3LACNXGN4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=015045082e712845b6e42676ff8cffbdcaabd14ab141e186873d0d08e3165e04&width=400&height=225)
Actress Halle Bailey plays Ariel in the film
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6OPVSX7Y6RES5PMBKGVQAV24UA.jpg?smart=true&auth=21ea9204b5539efdb44343851176faa8ffe55acf1634cd5b0066375a4afeb93a&width=400&height=225)
Bailey, as Ariel, gracefully flows through the water before peeking out at the sun
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TD5ILHJ525AUNNRCWTIJJKNA3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=0c765b57397072718b7652317cbd44f0d81f7102de60918b95f74e00276aa2f1&width=400&height=225)
Oscar-winner Javier Bardem plays King Triton
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IP6L6KVJSBCM5ECM2DJSYY7DQU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f07dfc2d390832e44b1f05d2481dab6df720fa49467837414a5d6defca55070d&width=400&height=225)
The Little Mermaid has received its fair share of criticism for its diverse casting, updated lyrics and special effects
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VGF336WDBFBTFGVJJK3IK3ZU4E.jpg?smart=true&auth=05075498e21fd7641714a8f18416869575d23b966492455e9d0003fb29bae0b4&width=400&height=225)
Some argue a white actress should have been chosen to play Ariel
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XFSF7KE22BDKNLCYDFRZQGIKTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f9f79635223a5c11cca2c6d97981942f3448e66d8b65e946d6aada6e11863765&width=400&height=225)
Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric and Bailey as Ariel
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QYZKLFXCTFHW5GWX6TM4Q47TTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f4423eba5dfe0dbf65594b45b30b3f8955a045d06a4887d512228509aa1d3b0e&width=400&height=225)
Hauer-King and Bailey formed a close friendship during filming
The Little Mermaid review: Disney's live-action film is mediocre at best
From nonsensical plot holes to bad visual effects this Disney Classic could have been much better
![Maan Jalal](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Ff4334dea-76c8-44d3-9186-3b33904bc077.png?smart=true&auth=b5db40c4ebe192d7fbb1db21df087f413a321555a7788b8a7dcd5f7c66b7a599&width=70&height=70)
Maan Jalal
22 May, 2023
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