I like films for younger viewers, generally, due to a lack of violence and cynicism. Granted, A Mermaid's Tale is a very simple story, simply told, with some dialogue that the writers should have left in their 'Big Book of Screenwriter Cliches' ("Don't you dare die on me, grandpa" etc.), but it's an inoffensive and warm-hearted little movie, with good intentions, and enough of a plot to keep you watching to the end. Probably best watched with younger children, as it does start to wane towards the end of the story, and it's quite obvious what all the plot twists (not that there are that many) are, but Jerry O'Connell heads up a likeable cast, and it's undemanding, light viewing.
7 Reviews
Not an overly enchanting mermaid tale...
paul_haakonsen10 May 2017
Granted, I knew very well what I went into when I sat down to watch "A Mermaid's Tale". But I still did sit down and gave the movie a go, on the odd chance that it might actually be a good movie.
I will say that the storyline turned out exactly as I had expected, for better or worse. I had expected this to be a family movie of sorts, with the main focus on a female audience, and "A Mermaid's Tale" was exactly that.
The story is about 12 year old Ryan (played by Caitlin Carmichael) who has returned to a fishing town with her father Matt (played by Jerry O'Connell) in order to be at her grand father Art's (played by Barry Bostwick) side, as his health is declining. She accidentally loses her necklace that contains a photo of her deceased mother in the water, and a mermaid named Coral (played by Sydney Scotia) returns it to her. The two young women, human and mermaid, become best of friends.
"A Mermaid's Tale" is not a bad movie, but it is very generic and predictable, and it does follow the exact recipe that you would expect from a movie such as this. And the movie offers no surprises or plot twists along the way.
It should be said that the acting in the movie was actually adequate, and people did fair jobs with their given roles and characters.
Some of the underwater scenes are just downright atrocious to look at, as they are so obviously fake that it just screams at you. And the scene during the secret mermaid cave was just downright laughable to look at; it was so painstakingly obvious all green screen. And it wasn't even good green screen. First of all, the background looked so fake, and you could actually see the background through the hair of the mermaid queen. But at least that whole scene had me laughing hard.
I also noticed a continuity error in the movie, as Coral and Ryan had exchanged necklaces, then in some later scene they were wearing their own necklaces, only to have it switched back again in a following scene.
All in all, if you sit down as a family with a young pre-teen daughter, then you will definitely enjoy the movie. However, if you just sit down to watch it as an adult, the end result of the movie is just less than mediocre.
I will say that the storyline turned out exactly as I had expected, for better or worse. I had expected this to be a family movie of sorts, with the main focus on a female audience, and "A Mermaid's Tale" was exactly that.
The story is about 12 year old Ryan (played by Caitlin Carmichael) who has returned to a fishing town with her father Matt (played by Jerry O'Connell) in order to be at her grand father Art's (played by Barry Bostwick) side, as his health is declining. She accidentally loses her necklace that contains a photo of her deceased mother in the water, and a mermaid named Coral (played by Sydney Scotia) returns it to her. The two young women, human and mermaid, become best of friends.
"A Mermaid's Tale" is not a bad movie, but it is very generic and predictable, and it does follow the exact recipe that you would expect from a movie such as this. And the movie offers no surprises or plot twists along the way.
It should be said that the acting in the movie was actually adequate, and people did fair jobs with their given roles and characters.
Some of the underwater scenes are just downright atrocious to look at, as they are so obviously fake that it just screams at you. And the scene during the secret mermaid cave was just downright laughable to look at; it was so painstakingly obvious all green screen. And it wasn't even good green screen. First of all, the background looked so fake, and you could actually see the background through the hair of the mermaid queen. But at least that whole scene had me laughing hard.
I also noticed a continuity error in the movie, as Coral and Ryan had exchanged necklaces, then in some later scene they were wearing their own necklaces, only to have it switched back again in a following scene.
All in all, if you sit down as a family with a young pre-teen daughter, then you will definitely enjoy the movie. However, if you just sit down to watch it as an adult, the end result of the movie is just less than mediocre.
An okay film for your pre-teen to watch, but is generic
teelidi5 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The story follows 12-year-old Ryan moving into her grandfather's house in Santa Carla with her dad. Later while on the lower docks, she drops her locket, containing a picture of her deceased mother in the water. A mermaid named Coral (how original) finds it, and gives it back to Ryan the next day and become friends. Cue the usual fish-out-of-water trope.
Now I'll say "A Mermaid's Tale" isn't a horrible kids film, it just mediocre in production and bland in its storytelling. First off, the pacing dragged, making the movie longer that it should have been. The first HOUR has anything barely going on and anything that did should've been wrapped up in about the 20-30 minute mark. The second the imminent love interest for Coral was introduced I knew where this was heading...and the relationship barely lead anywhere except for a small "where are they now" segment in the end narrated by Ryan of the two walking on the beach. I feel like the conflict between the mermaids and humans should've been pressed more within that hour. The conflict in this film happens around in last 20 minutes... The underwater green screen was so ridiculous, but the green screen done on the mermaid cave (that they've probably pulled off of Google Images) was even worse that you could still see the green. Also, I'm sorry, but they dressed the mermaids like they stepped right out of Woodstock. (Are we sure these women aren't hippies who got lost out at sea and somehow were blessed with the powers of the Mer and decide to live out the rest of their days on an island? I mean...I'd watch that) But anyway, how did Coral, her grandmother being the mermaid QUEEN, not know the consequences of showing a human their world or else they'll be doomed to eternal entrapment? Was this the plan, a lure all along? (I mean, it's dark and different and relates to mermaid lore! I'd watch that too!) Also, Give up your locket with a picture of your mother for someone you just met? Damn.
But to close off on the positives, the acting was alright and passable. I can tell there has been some effort to make this movie, even if the effects weren't good or the story not making a big enough impact.
Now I'll say "A Mermaid's Tale" isn't a horrible kids film, it just mediocre in production and bland in its storytelling. First off, the pacing dragged, making the movie longer that it should have been. The first HOUR has anything barely going on and anything that did should've been wrapped up in about the 20-30 minute mark. The second the imminent love interest for Coral was introduced I knew where this was heading...and the relationship barely lead anywhere except for a small "where are they now" segment in the end narrated by Ryan of the two walking on the beach. I feel like the conflict between the mermaids and humans should've been pressed more within that hour. The conflict in this film happens around in last 20 minutes... The underwater green screen was so ridiculous, but the green screen done on the mermaid cave (that they've probably pulled off of Google Images) was even worse that you could still see the green. Also, I'm sorry, but they dressed the mermaids like they stepped right out of Woodstock. (Are we sure these women aren't hippies who got lost out at sea and somehow were blessed with the powers of the Mer and decide to live out the rest of their days on an island? I mean...I'd watch that) But anyway, how did Coral, her grandmother being the mermaid QUEEN, not know the consequences of showing a human their world or else they'll be doomed to eternal entrapment? Was this the plan, a lure all along? (I mean, it's dark and different and relates to mermaid lore! I'd watch that too!) Also, Give up your locket with a picture of your mother for someone you just met? Damn.
But to close off on the positives, the acting was alright and passable. I can tell there has been some effort to make this movie, even if the effects weren't good or the story not making a big enough impact.
Unbelievably bad
jellsbells18 October 2018
I was subjected to watch this as the only thing on our tv whilst away in holiday. The acting was terrible, the storyline even worse. What rest
Got me was when the mermaid held her breathe before going under water .... like wtf.
Truly amazing
pixiegirlkerr15 April 2023
This is such a sweet movie and well casted movie. There are many things that love about it including the sweet friendship that was created. The writer did a fantastic job of including that the characters face challenges and find inner strengths. They learn lessons about working as a family & finding family that was lost. This writer has such a deep profound love of the ocean and always have loved mermaids. If you were to ask this writer she would say they exist. The two leading girls in this movie are quite talented and played their roles perfectly. Looking for a feel good movie than I would highly recommend this one!!
Best movie
kkdytdyybg27 June 2022
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