Splash remains a magical, enjoyable and funny experience, though some of it hasn’t aged as well as it could have. What it does have is able direction by Ron Howard, wonderful comedic turns by Tom Hanks, John Candy and Eugene Levy, and a beguiling role for Daryl Hannah.

It’s a fun little love story that sees Hanks’ Allen Bauer falling in love with Madison (Hannah), who he learns is actually a mermaid. They met twenty years early as young children when he fell overboard at Cape Cod.

When he almost drowns again, she rescues him, and uses his wallet to find him at home in New York City. What follows is a delightful and appealing love story, that features some delightful moments, and lets Hanks truly shine (I miss his comedy work).

John Candy plays Allen’s brother, Freddie, and the pair are wonderful together. There’s a real sense of camaraderie and brotherly love. They have a great rapport together as they work to run their produce company.

Levy is Walter Kornbluth a scientist obsessed with proving that mermaids exist, and when Madison comes along, he is intent on tracking her down and proving who she really is (she has legs on land, but fins in the water).

Levy is wonderful, but his narrative could have been stronger, it just ends up being a little too silly. You can’t quite take him and the government as a serious threat and there needed to be a little menace there. That is no fault of Levy’s.

The makeup and practical effects that make Madison a mermaid are fantastic, even now. Hannah’s performance is believable, and there are moments where she seems completely at home underwater, and looks beautiful doing it.

It’s a charming film, it has its flaws, but it still works. And that is because of all of the actors. They are just so much fun to watch as they interact with one another. Candy and Hanks, Hanks and Hannah, Levy with the moron twins (we’re not twins).

It’s light, silly and magical, and reminds us that studios were taking a lot of chances back in the 80s with some outrageous ideas. Not all of them worked, and a lot of them have been forgotten, but some endure, and I’m very happy to see this one enduring.

Howard has always been a solid journeyman director, and this entry on his filmography will always be a favorite.

And man, Mr. Hanks, could you give us another comedic role please? I love your dramatic work, but I adore you comedy chops.

This is a fun, family friendly film, even with Hannah’s bare bottom making an appearance. It’s just a joyous, if flawed exercise.