The cinematic sphere this Summer has witnessed an impressive array of enthralling family escapades. However, none have seized the cultural zeitgeist or achieved the level of iconicity as Disney’s live-action reimagining of The Little Mermaid. This landmark film, brought to life under the astute direction of Rob Marshall and featuring Halle Bailey in the role of the time-honored Disney Princess, made a substantial wave at the box office following its late May release. Disney ramped up anticipation with a grand marketing and merchandise strategy preceding the film’s premiere. Now, just when one thought the excitement had abated, Funko has once again lured Disney enthusiasts back under the sea with a novel Ariel San Diego Comic Con exclusive Pop figure.
This exclusive SDCC collectible presents Ariel in her quintessential mermaid form, delicately poised on a transparent stand. While we’ve seen a complete Funko Pop series dedicated to The Little Mermaid before, this signifies the inaugural appearance of a standalone mermaid Ariel Pop. Previously, we’ve seen the Princess’s alter-ego depicted in human form, donned in her renowned blue dress, and a special Pop figure portraying Ariel in her aquatic form, flanked by her faithful companions – Flounder, Sebastian, and Scuttle. The remainder of the collection includes figures of Ariel’s father King Triton and the malevolent sea sorceress Ursula.
The Little Mermaid’s Substantial Cinematic Voyage
Despite early forecasts suggesting a steady decline after an impressive $95 million debut weekend, the live-action version of The Little Mermaid has surprisingly accumulated a sizable hoard of treasure, nearing $550 million in worldwide box office earnings. Even after six weeks since release, the movie remains within the top ten, pulling in $3.5 million the previous weekend. That’s an exceptional performance against a $250 million budget, a claim only a handful of summer blockbusters can boast. There are numerous factors contributing to the movie’s continued success, but the central reason is quite straightforward. The Little Mermaid is simply a fantastic film. It proudly stands among the best Disney reimaginings, rubbing shoulders with Cruella and Cinderella.
Many critics and viewers alike argue that The Little Mermaid may very well be the finest contemporary remake that Disney has ever created. The credit for this goes to the exquisite visuals rendered by Marshall, the phenomenal musical score, and Halle Bailey’s exceptional portrayal of Ariel. To say she embodied the character of Ariel would be a colossal understatement. She managed to encapsulate what Jodi Benson contributed to the original animation while simultaneously adding her unique take on the beloved character. Her extraordinary vocal talent, best demonstrated in her performances of “Part of Your World” and the new song “For the First Time”, are the stand-out moments of the movie. Through this, she has managed to silence her critics, while the movie itself has emerged as one of the major cinematic triumphs of 2023.
Upcoming SDCC Dates
The SDCC will take place at the San Diego Convention Center from Thursday, July 20 to Sunday, July 23, 2023. The exclusive Ariel SDCC Pop figure will be accessible at the event and will soon be available on Funko’s website. Meanwhile, The Little Mermaid continues to captivate audiences in select theaters. A preview of Ariel’s exclusive figure is available below.
