The Little Mermaid
Run Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
Rating: G
Summary (imdb.com): A mermaid princess makes a Faustian bargain with an unscrupulous sea-witch in order to meet a human prince on land.
My Review: What can I say, merfolk? "The Little Mermaid" is not only a timeless Disney classic, but Ariel enchants people to fall in love with mermaids.
Although this is a Disney movie, it is filled with rich detail in plot and character structure that makes it enjoyable for children and adults alike.
The animation is all hand-drawn, unlike most Disney movies made today. We all know that Ariel is the prettiest Disney princess, both adored for her charming, determined personality, and her beauty. :)
The love that Eric and Ariel share really brought tears to my eyes, through the sad moments when Ariel almost lost her prince, and when they finally get married at the end.
The woman that played Ariel, Jodi Benson, has a voice that will wrap around your heart and give you goosebumps, especially when she sings "Part Of Your World." This movie definitely gets (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie
The Little Mermaid II: Return To The Sea
Run Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Rating: G
Following Ariel and Eric after their wedding ceremony, the couple finally reveals their newborn daughter, Melody, to the people of land and sea, but the threat of Ursula's sister, Morgana, always lurks below the surface. After Morgana tries to kidnap Melody, Ariel decides that her daughter must be protected, ans bans the ocean from being a part of their lives.
I loved the first scene in this movie! It's gorgeous, colorful, and vibrant. During Ariel's song "Down To The Sea," you can really feel the love she has for her daughter and family. Melody has her mother's personality, and learns to sneak out past the barriers that keep the ocean separate from the castle. She also loves the sea, talks to sea animals, and doesn't fit in with the royal lifestyle. She's also gorgeous! She is a perfect mix of her mother and father's features.
I also loved how the plot revolved around accepting your heritage and has a strong family theme. When Ariel is turned back into a mermaid to rescue Melody, she finds Flounder twelve years later, and he has guppies of his own to worry about.
Although this movie stars my favorite Disney princess, I had some issues with the plot and characterization. Morgana lacks a new and scarier personality. She is exactly like Ursula, only skinnier, and isn't as magically adept. After Melody finds Morgana, she isn't scared of the woman, or questions the existence of merfolk. This made no sense to me. She's been sheltered from her oceanic heritage, yet an evil octopus woman doesn't surprise her?
I liked this movie, but it lacked in the tropical vibrancy and music of the other two movies in this series. I give this second movie (***) 3 stars.
The Little Mermaid 3: Ariel's Beginning.
Run Time: 1 hour 17 minutes
Rating: G
This is my second favorite movie in the series because of the vibrant music, and we also get a glimpse into Ariel's life before her fascination with humans. All the characters stayed true to their original form, especially Ariel, who is bubbly, giggly, and determined. Sebastian was still sassy and paternal. In fact, the Jodi Benson and Samuel E. Wright played their original characters of Sebastian and Ariel.
The only character that was very different was Flounder. As we know from the first movie, he is very shy, skittish, and a bit of a guppy. In this movie, Flounder is courageous and outgoing, and isn't scared to get into trouble.
What I also loved about this movie was that Ariel's sisters were shown as teenagers instead of grown women like in the first movie, so it was awesome to see that new perspective. The music was my favorite . There were fresh Caribbean beats, and a remake of "Shake Senora." Overall, this movie was beautifully touching and enjoyable. I give this movie (*****) 5 stars.
If you haven't watched The Little Mermaid series, I recommend spending a weekend, warm on the sand or underwater with your favorite fish friends close by, and enjoy these fantastic Disney classics. Check out these other cool TLM links on my blog:
- includes drop down links for music videos, the original short story, books, and more!
Sirenita's Page on The Little Mermaid Collector Doll and Toy Gallery - includes toys and dolls from a variety of makers and time periods. Some of these items are now collectibles and very rare!