The Little Mermaid
Year: 1989
Rating: G
Length: 83 minutes / 1.38 hours
There’s no doubt that The Little Mermaid (1989) was a turning point for Disney. It helped revive the studio into its Renaissance after struggling for decades. Some of their best films came in this era sparked by The Little Mermaid, in part due to its success. Its songs and animation were its strong points, both of which are remembered today. However, its lesson (if there even is one) seems to be either too lost in the details or perhaps a bit too old for the young girls who love watching this movie.
Several of the songs in The Little Mermaid are Disney classics that most people can probably hum a few bars. Alan Menken established himself as the de facto songwriter for Disney movies with these hits. Watching this movie as an adult, I’m still blown away with Disney’s animation techniques here. There were several moments that had me scratching my head, thinking, “How did they get that effect to work?” Surprisingly, it’s easy to pick out the early use of CGI, but not so easy as to be distracting from its accomplishment.
Having now seen this movie several times with my daughter, I think the B-plot in an already scant 83 minute movie is its weakest point. That the antics of a crustacean trying to help Ariel achieve her dream feel out of place is also likely because the message feels a little muddled. I’m all for little girls following their dreams, but I also think King Triton (Kenneth Mars) could have done a little better as a single father to explain the dangers of the surface. Is the moral to read the fine print on contracts? Is it teaching girls to be better at being seen and not heard? Whatever it is, I’m sure I’ll have to sit through it at least a dozen more times.
A key turning point in Disney’s history, but also the weakest of its Renaissance, I give The Little Mermaid 3.5 stars out of 5.
1/2
