miamijaialai.org – The Little Mermaid (1989) is more than just a beloved animated film—it’s a landmark moment in the history of Disney animation. Released on November 17, 1989, the film marked the beginning of what is now known as the Disney Renaissance, a period of artistic and commercial success that revitalized the Disney brand and redefined the animation landscape. Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, The Little Mermaid is a bold adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, brought to life with vivid animation, memorable characters, and a soundtrack that would go on to become iconic.
The film’s success catapulted Disney into a new era, cementing its place as the leader in animated filmmaking and paving the way for a series of influential films throughout the 1990s, including Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), The Lion King (1994), and many more. The Little Mermaid is often credited with reviving the traditional animated feature film and revitalizing the studio’s fortunes.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the magic of The Little Mermaid, exploring its origins, plot, themes, characters, animation, and legacy within the larger Disney canon.
The Origins of The Little Mermaid
The Source Material: Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tale
The inspiration for The Little Mermaid comes from the 1837 fairy tale by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. The original story centers on a young mermaid who longs to live on land and be with the prince she loves. However, in the original tale, the mermaid’s journey is much more tragic than the Disney version. She sacrifices her voice to the sea witch in exchange for legs, but her transformation is painful, and the prince marries another woman. In the end, the mermaid dies and becomes sea foam, a bittersweet ending that reflects Andersen’s themes of self-sacrifice and unrequited love.
While Disney’s The Little Mermaid draws heavily from Andersen’s tale, it takes significant creative liberties to make the story more accessible and uplifting for a younger audience. The story was reshaped into a more traditional hero’s journey, complete with a romantic happy ending. The filmmakers also introduced more whimsical elements, such as the lively underwater world of Atlantica, and added songs and characters that would define the film’s success.
A New Direction for Disney Animation
In the 1980s, Disney was struggling. The studio’s animated films were not as commercially successful as they had once been, and there was a sense that the magic of Disney animation was fading. Enter The Little Mermaid, a film that would breathe new life into the studio’s animation department.
The success of The Little Mermaid was the result of a deliberate push toward modernization. The filmmakers wanted to create a film that was both visually stunning and emotionally engaging, combining elements of traditional animation with new storytelling techniques. This also marked a shift toward featuring more strong, independent female protagonists, a trend that would continue with subsequent films like Beauty and the Beast and Mulan.
Ron Clements and John Musker, who had previously worked on The Great Mouse Detective (1986) and Aladdin, were given the task of bringing The Little Mermaid to life. The duo took inspiration from the Broadway musical format, which would become a defining characteristic of Disney films during the Renaissance. The inclusion of memorable musical numbers, such as “Under the Sea”, “Part of Your World”, and “Kiss the Girl”, helped elevate the film to new heights.
Plot Overview: A Tale of Love and Self-Discovery
Ariel’s World: The Ocean and Its Wonders
The Little Mermaid opens with the underwater kingdom of Atlantica, ruled by King Triton, and his daughter, Ariel, the youngest of his seven daughters. Ariel is a curious and adventurous mermaid who dreams of life on land, fascinated by the human world above the ocean’s surface. She collects human artifacts, which she hides in a secret grotto, much to the dismay of her father, who forbids her from interacting with the human world. Ariel’s fascination with humans is further fueled by her secret admiration for a human prince, Eric, whom she saves from drowning during a storm.
Despite her father’s disapproval, Ariel longs to be part of the world above. Her yearning for freedom, independence, and love represents the heart of the film’s central conflict: the struggle between her desires and the expectations placed upon her by her family and society.
The Deal with Ursula: Sacrifice for Love
Ariel’s desire to live on land leads her to make a fateful decision when she seeks the help of the evil sea witch, Ursula. Ursula is a power-hungry villain who desires to overthrow King Triton and take control of the seas. She offers Ariel a deal: in exchange for her voice, Ariel will receive human legs, allowing her to live on land and pursue her love for Prince Eric. However, the deal comes with a catch: Ariel has three days to receive a “true love’s kiss” from Eric. If she fails, she will belong to Ursula forever.
Ariel, driven by her love for Eric and the opportunity to live on land, agrees to the deal, and her transformation begins. She loses her beautiful voice, but gains the ability to walk. Now, Ariel must navigate life as a human and try to win Eric’s love before time runs out, all while trying to keep her secret from Ursula and her father.
The Romance with Prince Eric
Once on land, Ariel encounters Prince Eric and tries to win his heart. However, without her voice, Ariel must find other ways to communicate and express her love. Eric, although drawn to her, doesn’t realize that she is the same girl who saved him from the shipwreck. The two share several romantic moments, including the iconic scene where Ariel and Eric share a boat ride under the stars and the song “Kiss the Girl” plays in the background.
Despite their growing bond, Ariel faces numerous challenges—Ursula, in disguise as a human, tries to steal Eric’s heart for herself. Meanwhile, King Triton learns of Ariel’s deal with Ursula and, in a bid to save her, confronts the sea witch in a dramatic final battle that will determine Ariel’s fate.
A Triumphant Ending
In the climactic final moments of the film, Ariel’s true love for Eric, and his love for her, lead to the breaking of Ursula’s curse. With the help of her friends, including Flounder (her loyal fish companion), Sebastian (a Caribbean crab), and Scuttle (a seagull), Ariel and Eric manage to defeat Ursula and restore peace to the underwater kingdom. Ariel’s father, King Triton, finally understands Ariel’s desire to live on land and grants her the freedom she has longed for.
In a joyful conclusion, Ariel and Eric marry, and Ariel becomes part of the human world. Her dreams of love and self-discovery are fulfilled, and she begins a new life with the man she loves.
Themes in The Little Mermaid
The Desire for Independence and Self-Discovery
One of the central themes of The Little Mermaid is the desire for independence and self-discovery. Ariel’s longing for a life beyond the sea represents the universal desire to break free from societal or familial expectations and pursue one’s dreams and aspirations. Throughout the film, Ariel struggles with her father’s overprotectiveness and her desire to explore the world on her own terms. Her journey is one of self-discovery, where she learns to follow her heart and make her own choices, even if it means sacrificing something dear to her.
Love and Sacrifice
Another key theme is the idea of love and sacrifice. Ariel’s love for Prince Eric is the driving force behind her decision to trade her voice for a chance to be with him. In the film, love is portrayed as a powerful force that drives individuals to take risks, face challenges, and ultimately grow as individuals. The idea of sacrifice—giving up something important for the sake of someone or something else—is a central component of the film, as Ariel sacrifices her voice and, at times, her identity, to pursue her dreams of love and freedom.
Family and Generational Conflict
The Little Mermaid also explores the theme of family dynamics and generational conflict. Ariel’s relationship with her father, King Triton, is strained because of their differing perspectives on the human world. While Triton is protective and wants to shield Ariel from the dangers of the surface world, Ariel yearns for independence and freedom. By the end of the film, Ariel’s relationship with her father evolves, as Triton comes to realize that his daughter’s dreams are valid and that she is capable of making her own decisions. This theme resonates with audiences, especially those who can relate to the tension between parent-child relationships and the desire for personal growth.
Animation and Music: A Magical Experience
Stunning Animation and Underwater World-Building
The animation in The Little Mermaid is breathtaking, with vibrant colors, fluid movements, and intricate designs that bring the underwater world of Atlantica to life. The animators used innovative techniques to depict the underwater environment, including the use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and movement. The characters’ designs, from Ariel’s flowing red hair to Ursula’s menacing appearance, are iconic and visually striking.
The film also uses visual metaphors to convey Ariel’s emotions and inner struggles. The underwater scenes, often filled with dark shadows and heavy currents, represent her feeling of being trapped and misunderstood. In contrast, the scenes on land are bright and open, symbolizing Ariel’s newfound freedom.
Memorable Music and Songs
The music in The Little Mermaid is one of the film’s most defining features. Composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman, the soundtrack features some of the most memorable songs in Disney history. The film opens with “Fathoms Below”, setting the stage for the underwater adventure, and then moves into iconic numbers like “Part of Your World”, where Ariel expresses her longing to be part of the human world, and “Under the Sea”, a lively, Caribbean-inspired tune sung by Sebastian the crab.
The film’s music is not only catchy and fun but also emotionally resonant, perfectly matching the story’s themes. “Kiss the Girl” is another romantic classic, with its gentle, dreamy melody underscoring the budding romance between Ariel and Eric. The soundtrack’s blend of excitement, emotion, and humor helped propel the film to success and solidified its place as one of Disney’s greatest achievements.
Legacy: A Cultural Phenomenon
The Little Mermaid had an immediate and lasting impact on both Disney and popular culture. It was a massive box office success, grossing over $211 million worldwide against a production budget of $40 million. The film’s success revitalized Disney and paved the way for the “Disney Renaissance,” a period that produced a string of critically and commercially successful animated films.
The film’s legacy endures through its characters, music, and themes. Ariel remains one of Disney’s most iconic princesses, known for her adventurous spirit, her beautiful singing voice, and her determination to follow her heart. The film also helped to redefine the Disney Princess franchise, ushering in an era where princesses were portrayed as strong, independent, and determined.
The Little Mermaid continues to captivate new generations of fans, and its influence is still felt in various forms of media, from Broadway adaptations to theme park attractions. The film’s success helped solidify Disney’s position as a leader in animation and storytelling, and it remains a cornerstone of the company’s legacy.
Conclusion: A Timeless Classic
The Little Mermaid is a film that transcends generations, captivating audiences with its memorable characters, stunning animation, and unforgettable music. It serves as both a fresh take on a beloved fairy tale and a groundbreaking achievement in animation. As the film that kicked off the Disney Renaissance, The Little Mermaid set the stage for an era of unparalleled creativity, storytelling, and success. Its impact continues to resonate with audiences around the world, making it one of the most beloved animated films of all time. Ariel’s journey of self-discovery, love, and the pursuit of freedom remains a powerful and timeless message, ensuring that The Little Mermaid will continue to inspire for years to come.