JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:
In 1989, the Walt Disney Company released one of its last hand-drawn feature films, “The Little Mermaid.”
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “UNDER THE SEA”)
SAMUEL ERNEST WRIGHT: (As Sebastian, singing) Under the sea, under the sea. Darling, it’s better…
SUMMERS: A classic Disney princess story, it was a throwback to early Disney in many ways, a fairy tale filled with songs and romance. Now Ariel and her pals have been given a live-action makeover. Critic Bob Mondello says the new “Little Mermaid” is a throwback, too.
BOB MONDELLO, BYLINE: You loved Ariel as a kid, when she was a two-dimensional mermaid who yearned to be up on the surface.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “PART OF YOUR WORLD”)
JODI BENSON: (As Ariel, singing) I want to be where the people are. I want to see, want to see them dancing.
MONDELLO: And you wonder, will you love her again in…
