Way Back Wednesday - The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid was released in 1989 by Walt Disney Feature Animation and based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name. Can you believe it's been 20 years? The film is given credit for reviving the animated feature film genre and starting of the era known as the Disney Renaissance.

Ariel is a 16-year-old mermaid princess and dissatisfied with life under the sea and curious about the human world. With her best fish friend Flounder, Ariel collects human artifacts and goes to the surface of the ocean to visit Scuttle the seagull, who offers very inaccurate and comical knowledge of human culture. Ignoring the warnings of her father, King Triton, and court musician, Sebastian the crab, that contact between merpeople and humans is forbidden, Ariel still longs to be part of the human world; to this end she has filled a secret grotto with all the human artifacts she has found.

Of course, what Disney movie would be complete without a hero and a villian? Prince Eric is the human love interest of Ariel. After saving Prince Eric from drowning, Ariel falls hopelessly in love, but King Triton refuses to accept the "human." In a fit of misery, Ariel visits the evil Ursula and makes a deal.

Ariel is transformed from a mermaid to a real girl and has 3 days for Prince Eric to give her "loves real kiss" or she'll be turned back into a mermaid and become Ursula's slave. Payment for this service is Ariel's singing voice.

Like all Disney movies, this one has a feel-good meaning and a happy ending. Beautiful animation and uplifting songs help bring this classic story to life.

Way Back Wednesday - The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid is am American animated feature produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, and is based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name. The film was originally released to theaters on November 17, 1989.

It is hard for me to believe this movie is almost 20 years old. It seems just like yesterday I was taking my oldest 2 daughters to see this film in theaters - they were 5 and 7 years old. I guess this movie is so vivid in my memory because all 3 of my girls enjoyed this movie over and mover again through, first video tape, and then DVD.

Ariel, a sixteen-year-old mermaid princess, is a typical teenager, unhappy with her life, although she lives under the sea and not in the human world. With her best friend Flounder (a fish), Ariel collects human artifacts and goes to the surface of the ocean to visit Scuttle the seagull, who reminds me of someone's crazy uncle. Ignoring the warnings of her father, King Triton, and court musician, Sebastian the crab, that contact between merpeople and humans is forbidden, Ariel still longs to be part of the human world.

(A still from my favorite scene in the movie)

The story is not new - girl longs for something else, girl gets her heart's desire, girl realizes she should have been happy with what she had - but the character of Ariel seems to capture the heart and the imagination.

The Little Mermaid won 2 Academy Awards, Best Original Score and Best Original Song - "Under the Sea."



Since its release in 1989, there have been sequels and series, video games Disney on Ice and even a Broadway musical. The character of Ariel makes regular appearances at Disney World and Disneyland and even has a special section in each park.

Songs
"Fathoms Below" – Sailors
"Daughters of Triton" – Triton's Daughters
"Part of Your World" – Ariel
"Part of Your World (Reprise)" – Ariel
"Under the Sea" – Sebastian and Sea Creatures
"Poor Unfortunate Souls" – Ursula
"Les Poissons" – Chef Louis
"Kiss the Girl" – Sebastian and Chorus
"Vanessa's Song" – Vanessa/Ursula*
"Part of Your World (Finale)" – Chorus