Watch The Little Mermaid Live!

The Little Mermaid Live! is a 2019 made-for-television movie that is a hybrid of a musical and a live broadcast of the 1989 animated Disney movie. The movie stars Auli'i Cravalho as Ariel, Shaggy as Sebastian, and Graham Phillips as Prince Eric. The movie begins with a live performance of the musical's opening number "Fathoms Below" featuring a mix of actors and musicians performing on a ship set. The musical is then interspersed with scenes from the original movie, which are projected onto a large screen behind the actors.

The story follows Ariel, a mermaid who longs to live on land and be with humans, much to the dissatisfaction of her father King Triton. One day, Ariel saves Prince Eric from drowning and falls in love with him. In order to be with him, she makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula, who transforms her into a human for three days in exchange for her voice. If Ariel fails to make Eric fall in love with her within three days, she will belong to Ursula forever.

Auli'i Cravalho delivers a captivating performance as Ariel, bringing a fresh and youthful energy to the character that is reminiscent of the original movie. She portrays Ariel's longing for something more with a mix of innocence and determination that is endearing to watch.

Shaggy as Sebastian the crab brings an impressive and fun musical element to the movie. His rendition of "Under the Sea" is one of the standout performances of the film, with an energetic and colorful production featuring a full - cast of dancers in sea creature costumes.

Graham Phillips portrays Prince Eric with charm and charisma. His chemistry with Auli'i Cravalho is palpable and their duets are some of the most memorable moments of the movie.

Throughout the film, Ursula is a menacing presence, brought to life by the talented Queen Latifah. Her experience as a performer shines through in her portrayal of the sea witch, imbuing the character with a seductive charm that is both alluring and dangerous.

The movie's production values are impressive, with intricate set designs and costumes. The underwater scenes are particularly impressive, using innovative lighting and projection techniques to create a sense of depth and movement.

One of the most unique aspects of The Little Mermaid Live! is the way it blends live action and animation. The original movie's iconic scenes are recreated in a live setting through a combination of projection and physical props. It's an interesting and effective way to pay homage to the beloved classic while also making the story feel fresh and new.

In addition to the original songs from the movie, the live musical also includes new songs written by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. These new songs are seamlessly integrated into the story and are just as memorable as the originals.

Overall, The Little Mermaid Live! is a fun and entertaining musical adaptation of the classic Disney movie. The performances are strong, the production values are impressive, and the fusion of live action and animation is creatively executed. Fans of the original movie will find plenty to love about this new interpretation, while newcomers will be charmed by the magical world of Ariel and her friends.