Movie Review: The Little Mermaid
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this Disney fairy tale based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen has some scary moments. The sea witch grows into a giant and wields a trident in a climatic scene. Also, a bloodthirsty French chef merrily chases after Sebastian the crab with a cleaver hoping to make him the main course. Parents may also want to keep in mind that Ariel is a very popular Disney Princess, whose brand reaches far and wide. Expect to see Princess branding on consumer merchandise, food products, etc. as well as in books, websites, and other media. Finally, Ariel's decision to give up her voice and her family for a chance at love sends some subtle, potentially troubling messages, to kids about priorities.
- Families can talk about villains. Why is Ursula both a little scary and a little fun?
- They can also talk about Ariel and the decisions she makes. Why do you think she chose to give up her voice (and her family) to meet Eric? Are you troubled by the message her decision sends about women and their priorities, or is that over-thinking this kind of movie?
- Families can also talk about the Disney Princess craze. Has it swept your household? Do you have a favorite princess? How often do you see your favorite princesses on display when you're out shopping? Does watching this movie make you want to buy more Ariel stuff?
- Why do you think Sebastian tries to help her even though he doesn't agree with what Ariel's doing?
THE LITTLE MERMAID is Ariel, a mermaid princess who collects human artifacts. One day, she rescues Prince Eric, who was thrown from his ship during a storm, and Ariel falls in love. Desperate for the chance to have a life with Eric, Ariel enters into an agreement with a sea witch, Ursula. She gives up her voice and gets her legs. But she only has three days to woo Eric. If he doesn't kiss her in that time, she will become Ursula's slave forever.
After some lackluster years, Disney came back into the top rank of animated features with this superbly entertaining musical, based loosely on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen (but with a happier ending). Ariel was the first in a series of refreshingly plucky Disney heroines. Instead of dreaming about the day her prince will come, or waiting for a fairy godmother or a Prince's kiss, Ariel is a spirited and curious mermaid who is willing to take action in order to meet Prince Eric, the man of her dreams, though she is gullible and impetuous in agreeing to the terms demanded by the sea witch in exchange for making it possible for her to go on land.
The wonderful voice characterizations in this film include Buddy Hackett ( The Music Man) as Scuttle the scavenging seagull and Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian, the calypso-singing crab. The first-class musical score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman (who worked together on the off-Broadway hit, Little Shop of Horrors) ranks with the best of Broadway and won Oscars for Best Score and Best Song ("Under the Sea"). Some viewers criticize the movie for providing yet another wasp-waisted Disney heroine whose whole world revolves around a man. But Ariel is adventuresome, rebellious, and brave. It is true that she makes the mistake of giving up her voice to the sea witch (a very strong female character, to say the least), which provides a good opportunity for family discussion.
Beauty and the Beast
A Cinderella Story
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
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Member Comments On...
Movie Review: The Little Mermaid
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One of my favorites, obviously as I named my daughter Ariel! LOVE the songs too!!
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