Funny how things with these cars seem to reach the end of a definite lifespan all at the same time. My hood release mechanism broke just a month ago.
I bought both cables and two new hood latches. My shop said it was a small beans fix and did the job gratis. Took them about an hour while we planned another pending project. I didn't pay any real attention, but I was pretty sure it was all done from under the hood, topside. Don't recall seeing the bumper come off, or the headlight come out.
So maybe don't take the whole car apart.
. Good luck.