The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

This is a terrible movie sending a bad message to young girls. This movie is so poorly done, I don't understand why there are so many people who love it.Plot - The story of this movie is incredibly shallow and full of holes. Characters - All of the characters are extremely shallow and cringy. Animation - The animation in this movie is ok. Nothing special. There is nothing about this movie that is done very well. The whole message of this movie is that girls should focus on their appearance and that looking pretty is the only thing that matters. Yes, some of the songs are catchy, but they're all very shallow. I remember watching this movie when I was 4 and being really bored. I watched this more recently because everyone online and at school was obsessing over it for some reason. This movie should not be shown to impressionable children and is terrible.

This was the final film my aunt and I viewed today, again on VHS. I was really elated from this morning to see this, as it begun what many people my brother's age proclaim as the best Disney era. So here lie my thoughts on it.While the story doesn't adapt everything in the Andersen tale, it pulled off some really great humor and magic that made Disney glorious again back in 1989. Almost every scene in this movie ended up taking my mind to places of fascination, which I would say even rival some films I consider a 10. The character development was absurdly strong, providing with it the lessons of knowing the implications of selfishness, and I do think Ursula is one of the better Disney Villains from her complex motives and just being all around awesome. The animation is of a quality I cannot describe; I could say that it conveys vivid environments and character designs, and I could say that it really does upgrade the occasional slapstick and sight gags, but that wouldn't scratch the surface of what Disney has achieved here. I will say right now that only Mary Poppins has a better overall score among all the Disney films I have seen; in the animated canon, though, this takes the cake. The 3 main songs of this movie all deserve to be remembered for years and really do serve as a foreshadowing to the career of the amazing Alan Menken.Any Disney fan or animation historian will want to view this movie for the impact it has made. While I still stand by that the Renaissance actually started with The Great Mouse Detective, this solidified its existence and brought complete stability to the company. Just for that, I want to give this film a special place in my heart. I possess optimism that many of you out there reading this will find at least 2 things to enjoy. For a Disney film, that's well above a compliment, but I feel it meritorious of such.

As a whole The Little Mermaid is fantastic. It is not my favorite from the Disney renaisance, but it definitely is a fantastic underwater adventure. Comparing it to the later Disney greats I came to a conclusion on why I liked it: it made me happy. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is my favorite, because it was thought-provoking and made me think about life, but when in need of cheering up this Mermaid is what I turn to. The climax is one of the best in the Disney catalog with the great Ursula being defeated in a pretty awesome way actually! Under The Sea is only one of all the ridiculously catchy songs in the movie and it really deserved those Oscars. While Ursula's song maybe is my least favorite of the villain songs from the great 90's Disney movies it surely is entertaining just like the other songs. But the time Ariel spends on land really shows how passionately the animators worked on the movie. If you haven't, watch it! It is great.

A favorite since early childhood, The Little Mermaid is truly one of Disney's most distinguished classics. Based on the Hans Christian Anderson story of the same name, this movie is a timely and fun almost-masterpiece.We meet Ariel, a rebellious and passionate teenage mermaid, who is the daughter of the ruler of the sea, King Triton. While at first she seems happy we soon learn that she has a yearning for another world - the human world, above the sea. She is obsessed with humans to the point that in a mad desperation she strikes a deal with Ursula, a sea witch, who will give her human legs in exchange for her voice. Ariel has three days to kiss a human prince or else she will belong to Ursula.The songs are catchy and memorable; tunes such as 'Under the Sea' and 'Part of Your World' are instantly recognizable and you can't help but sing (albeit badly) along to the irresistible melodies. The music itself is also rather grand, too.The characters are fantastic, the main character Ariel is impassioned and surprisingly (for Disney) realistic teenage girl. You completely relate to her problems, and in hindsight her decisions are understandable given her situation (Yes I disagree with complaints about her character - I think she's great). Also, Ursula is one of Disney's finest baddies. Her control over the story and elegant charisma create one of their greatest villains. My only issue is that perhaps if Ariel had shown more remorse for her actions, she would have been more of a good character (she doesn't really learn a lesson).All in all, while not their best film, The Little Mermaid truly ranks up with some of Disney's highest classics, a personal, fun and dramatic animated adventure. Filled with sing-along songs, beautiful animation, spritely and memorable characters and an intriguing plot, The Little Mermaid is not to be missed :)