It's a Big Day for Little Mermaid Fans!

If you're a fan of Disney's The Little Mermaid, you're in for a treat! Today marks the launch of not one, but two exciting new musical releases related to the beloved Disney classic. First up, we have the highly anticipated soundtrack for the 2023 live-action adaptation of "The Little Mermaid." The album features new takes on classic songs like "Under the Sea" and "Part of Your World," as well as brand-new tunes by Alan Menken and Lin Manuel Miranda. But that's not all - we also have a brand-new music video from PattyCake Productions called "Fish Out of Water." This fun, upbeat video takes us on a journey through the history of Disney's The Little Mermaid, from the original animated movie to the newest incarnation coming out next week. Featuring catchy music and delightful animation, this video is a must-watch for anyone who's ever been enchanted by Ariel and her underwater world.

"Fish Out of Water" is the second video in PattyCake Productions' "Evolution" series, which features different versions of a single Disney character from throughout the years performing an original song in a magical setting. I was so enchanted by their Cinderella one last month that I've watched it practically every day since it came out. This one is even more magical because it features my favorite Disney princess! I loved seeing all the familiar-looking faces of the character that I have been following throughout the years including the theme park version, the Broadway version, the Once Upon a Time version, the live TV special version, and, of course, the newest one. Five years ago, PattyCake Productions presented their own interpretation of what a live-action adaptation of Disney's The Little Mermaid might look like with "The Grande Mermaid" from their first web series, Unexpected Musicals. I have to admit I liked that one a little better than the new one. I was hoping to see some amazing transformation sequences like the Cinderella video had, but all the Ariels in this kept the original mermaid-like appearances. I particularly felt sorry for the "live" version, who was stuck showing just her head on a poster even though she clearly had a full costume made for her. However, I enjoyed the Disney Store setting and the nice message at the end.

 

Speaking of original music, fans were able to get their first listen to the original songs from Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid today with the release of the new soundtrack. How do they hold up to the songs from the animated film and the Broadway show? I feel the same way about these songs as I do about the new songs from their other live-action remakes. They sound okay but lack the classic feel of the originals despite having the same composer. Of course, a lot of the things made the 1989 version of The Little Mermaid work so well was thanks to Howard Ashman, who sadly passed away a few years later after losing his battle with AIDS. Many fans were offended by the news that Disney+ is removing Howard, the documentary about his life, on the same day that the live-action Little Mermaid is being released in theaters. I can't imagine that this decision was intentional, but it does come off as disrespectful toward his influence on the film. It would not be the beloved classic it is today without him.

There is some contemporary influence in the new soundtrack from Lin Manuel Miranda, who worked with Alan Menken on the new songs. Ariel and Eric's newest songs, "For the First Time" and "Wild Uncharted Waters," respectively, sound fine for what they are but do not compare to their superior Broadway counterparts, "Beyond My Wildest Dreams" and "Her Voice." "The Scuttlebutt," on the other hand, is the biggest bane of Manuel's influence. Of all the things fans wanted from a new version of Disney's The Little Mermaid, nobody asked for a rap song from the ever-annoying Scuttle. This song is an embarrassment on an otherwise solid album and is likely to feel out of place in such a classical musical theatre-inspired film. It's nice that they gave Scuttle a chance to sing, but I would have preferred something more similar to "Human Stuff" or "Positoovity" from the Broadway show than the direction that Menken and Miranda decided to take this number. The songs from the original film remain mostly in tact with the exception of "Daughters of Triton" due to some retconning and "Les Poissons," which I doubt many people will miss.

So what are you waiting for? Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering The Little Mermaid "For the First Time," these new releases are sure to make your day. Check out the soundtrack and music video today and get ready to be swept away by the magic of The Little Mermaid all over again! What are your thoughts about these original compositions that were created to compliment the animated classic? Were you blown away by PattyCake Productions' new music video? Do you prefer the Broadway equivalents of the songs from the new film or the ones that were written with Miranda's influence? Let me know in the comments below!

Update: Shortly after I made this post, Disney announced that they are no longer removing Howard from Disney+ due to fan outrage.