The Little Mermaid (1989)
Under the sea and beyond your imagination
Starring: Jodi Benson, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Pat Carroll, Jason Marin, Samuel E. Wright, Kenneth Mars, Buddy Hackett, Charles Adler, Nancy Cartwright, Jim Cummings, Tim Curry, Paddi Edwards, Edie McClurg, Ben Wright
Director: Ron Clements & John Musker
Running Time: 83 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: U
Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family, Musical, Romance
On DVD 14 years before 'Finding Nemo' splashed into cinemas, 'The Little Mermaid' had already taught us that it is indeed better, down where it's wetter.
This delightful Disney-fied adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's tale of the same name still holds its own after all these years of advancements in animation. It's partly because the studio really pushes the boat out, as it were, when it comes to getting the visuals right. But it's also because this is a great story, with a strong female lead, a nice array of supporting characters, suspense and romance in all the right places and some better-than-decent tunes.
Jodi Benson does a fantastic job as the voice of Ariel, the "little mermaid" of the title (actually, she's 16 so not really all that little). For reasons we can only hazard a guess at, she longs to leave her deep sea life behind her and live up-top with the human types. So, despite the strong advice of King Triton (who's also her dad), she makes a deal with the tentacled seahag Ursula which involves swapping her voice for a pair of legs. The catch? She's got to get the handsome and unfortunately-named Prince Eric to snog her before the sun goes down on the third day, or she'll be tossed back into the sea like an old trout. Of course, it goes without saying that pop's gonna chuck a wobbler when he finds out.
The colourful and imaginative backdrops make for a visual treat, particularly in the underwater scenes, whilst the characters are much better written than many of their counterparts from other Disney flicks of the period. Perhaps the only exception to that is witchy woman Ursula, who's a bit like Madam Mim from 'The Sword and the Stone' only without the comedy value. And you can't help but wonder why, if she's such a great sorceress, she doesn't use some of that magic to make herself vaguely presentable instead of living her life as some sort of aquatic Grotbags.
DVD Extras: Some suggestions of other DVDs to buy. Incredibly, all of them just happen to be other Disney movies. Coincidence or what?
It's Got: Peter Andre singing (to use a term loosely) as the end credits roll. Peter Andre! Whatever happened to him?!
It Needs: A considerably better range of extras to make the DVD truly worth the purchase. Surely there must be some snippets and featurettes out there that could be included?
Alternatives: Finding Nemo, Splash
Summary: Watery good fun.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 3rd November 2003
External Links
Official Web Site
The Little Mermaid at the IMDB
Comments10 Comments |
| My absolute favorite movie of all time! Jodi Benson is a treasure. |
| Comment by:- Dino | www.geocities.com/johnnyt84047... | 05 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| Out of all the Disney movies, "The Little Mermaid" is my favorite. I almost have it down word for word. |
| Comment by:- Willow Clark | | 08 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| Beautiful, although I like the original story better, but this is great on it's own. I had it memorized in my youth, then lost it, now that I have a young neice I'm picking it up again. |
| Comment by:- Deaniver | | 10 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| The Little Mermaid is fabulous! From its catchy songs and interesting plot, it truly is a masterpiece. |
| Comment by:- Nina | | 21 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| i have always loved the little mermaid. i collect little mermaid dolls and hopefully get more ariel merchandise. I am so excited about shopping when it comes to little mermaid things. |
| Comment by:- lil flamingo | | 15 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| is this movie in the valt |
| Comment by:- j | | 29 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| i love the little mermaid because we are doing the play in my school and i am loui the chef! |
| Comment by:- alex | | 30 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| i luv the little mermaid its the best movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Comment by:- nikki | | 07 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| The little mermaid is without a doubt the best movie of all time. Seriously who doesn't like this tresure? Shame on them! I love "The Little Mermaid"!!!!!!!!! |
| Comment by:- Clair | | 18 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| i love the little mermaid its the best |
| Comment by:- sha | | 23 December 2004 | ip: logged |
