Deep in the ocean, in the kingdom of mermaids, King Triton’s daughters prepare for their singing performance under the guidance of Sebastian the Crab. But while she is supposed to appear on stage that day, young Ariel does not appear. As often happens, together with his best friend, the fish Flounder, he went to explore the sunken ruins of the sunken seas to find the objects of the human world that fascinated him.
When one day, the eyes of the Little Mermaid meet those of Prince Eric on the deck of the ship, his fascination with the surface dwellers only grows. Although her father does not fully approve of this fiery birth, the sorceress Ursula, an evil octopus from the Abyss, intends to use her to satisfy her thirst for revenge.
- Tonight with the Family: Created 36 years ago, this forgotten Disney features one of the studio’s most beloved characters
Half a century in planning
It took 50 years for the Little Mermaid to emerge from the ocean and the Disney boxes she had been patiently sleeping in. Indeed, it was Walt himself who, in the late 1930s, came up with the idea of adapting Andersen’s famous fairy tale for film.
Therefore, the wait would be very long for Ariel, but it would be worth it. Because in fact, when it was released in theaters in 1989, the 28th animated classic from the Enchanted Kingdom changed the history of the famous studio forever.
The beginning of a new golden age
Officially marking the beginning of a whole new golden age for Disney animation, the film co-directed by John Musker and Ron Clements already has all the ingredients to make the studio successful for the next 10 years.
Above all, a highly attractive heroine with a distinct personality, served up by Glen Keane’s sumptuous animation at the helm of her art. Then, a very (maybe too much?) impressive villain, worthy of the most evil wizards in the studio’s history. Finally, and above all, the excellent soundtrack, a real pillar of the film, with songs that are catchy, inspiring and above all unforgettable.
The legendary musical score composed by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, which is perhaps the greatest quality of The Little Mermaid, undoubtedly contributed a lot to the film’s animation history at the time. A record that Disney Studios would continue to hold for years to come.
What will you like…
- The secondary characters of the film, each more funny and attractive than the last, and especially Sebastian the crab, Flounder the fish and Eureka the seagull.
- Songs again and again. Special mention to Unforgettable go thereEnchanting Kiss him and above all eternal under the ocean.
What could be bothering them…
- Hence the terrible witch Ursula and all the decorum that goes with her: her hideous place, her hideous magic formulas, her two hideous eels, and all the poor mermaids whom she has already turned into hideous crawling creatures.
- Ursula, her again, but at the end of the movie. After her first attempt to charm Prince Eric, the Abominable Octopus offers the public the ultimate transformation, in the grand tradition of Disney villains.
(Re)discover all the hidden details of the movie…
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
