THATFILMGUY

In the vast ocean that is ˜Disney’ where anything can occur, a young red head resides. Taking it back to 1989 and one of Disney’s finest, The Little Mermaid continues to entertain and amaze. When thinking of Disney and the masses of films that have been churned out over the years, very few have stuck in the hearts and minds of audiences around the world like this one has. The Little Mermaid features an animated cast of extrovert and eccentric characters, including Ariel the youngest daughter of King Triton. Young Ariel who leads the colourful cast is about to enter a world of love, danger and freedom.

The Little Mermaid begins when Ariel realises that life beneath the sea is far less pleasant than the life above it. Humans are her main interest and living on land with them is her dream. Her free time is spent finding sunken artefacts from male and females all whilst trying to catch glimpses of their lives. King Triton  “ wanting to keep her with him forever, tells Ariel that interaction between merpeople and humans is prohibited. Disney’s version of racism for kids. Thinking nothing of what her father says as parents often don’t know best in the eye of a teenager, Ariel carries on with her shenanigans.

On the day of Prince Eric’s Birthday Ariel once again goes against her father’s wish’s and drags Sebastian the crab and Founder her best friend to watch the antics from the sea. To the shock of the guests and Eric a storm hits causing havoc ending with Ariel swimming to the rescue. Eric is left shocked, soaked and thinking of the distant memory of a beautiful voice. Men love a challenge, and so the hunt begins to find his saviour.

Unfortunately nothing stay’s secret for very long and once Triton discovers her new love, destroys all of Ariel’s prised possessions. Enter The Little Mermaid’s two evil eels working for the dark side entice the vulnerable Mermaid into visiting the Wicked Witch of the Sea “ Ursula. A deal is struck “ for 3 days of humanness Ariel must give up her voice, within these 3 days she must kiss her true love or belong to Ursula until the end of days.

The Little Mermaid is a battle of Disney Good vs. Evil. Eric and Ariel try to get to know each other, leaving Ariel move in love than ever. Whilst Ursula try’s to destroy this match at every possible point using her power and sidekick eels. Ariel is one of the many Disney Princesses of the 80’s and 90’s that many fell in love with as children and continue to do so today with children of their own. Truly a tale that surpasses any time boundaries, the only difference now is pondering over the choice to watch it in HD or 3D not on VCR.

The Little Mermaid is a moving and enjoyable film coming from the Disney powerhouse and directors Ron Clements and Jon Musker. Whilst the children will enjoy the colourful characters and annoyingly catchy sing-a-long songs, the film also plays with the idea of relationships of mixed ethnicities if you will. Despite Merpeople not really existing the theme applies to any cultures and races that in existence today, and pushes the belief that no matter who you are you matter and are important.

Jordanna K. Virdee

The Little Mermaid: Ranked 28th in All Time Animated Films