Whilst, for the most part, there’s a certain unnecessary mentality that comes along with Disney and their incessant need to live-action-update their animated back catalogue, some of these efforts have given way to adaptations that are inherently interesting (Jon Favreau’s 2016 take on The Jungle Book), undeniably charming (Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella from 2015) or have inspired character tales that, though undo their animated impact, prove fresh in their own manner; Maleficent and Cruella hoping scene-chewing turns from Angelina Jolie and Emma Stone, respectively, will undo their characters’ villainous inclinations.
Of course, for every effort that succeeds in some aspect, there’s a Dumbo, a Pinocchio and a Lion King to remind you the House of Mouse doesn’t always win; the latter’s billion dollar haul aside. In the case of The Little Mermaid, there’s more right with it than wrong, but it also doesn’t entirely succeed in proving that a live-action update is worth the time. Don’t get …