Little Mermaid Appreciation

Technically, tomorrow is The Little Mermaid's 26th anniversary, but it's too fabulous to hold out on. I love The Little Mermaid; Ariel is probably my favorite princess, though she and Belle fight over the title frequently. The film marks the beginning of the Disney Renaissance, with classic animation, vibrant characters, and gorgeous music.

Most people know the story of The Little Mermaid, but let's recap: a young mermaid named Ariel, just coming of age at 16, has aspirations of living in the human world. When she witnesses a shipwreck and saves a handsome prince, that desire grows. With her protective father wedging a distance between them, Ariel visits the sea witch to answer her wish for legs; after an epic musical number, Ariel gets her legs, trades her voice, and must kiss her prince by sunset on the third day.

The story is often looked upon with some disdain - a girl shouldn't change who she is for a man - but the assumed theme isn't what this film is really about. There's a period in every teenager's life when you're trying your hardest but don't feel heard. An important note to remember when watching is that Ariel isn't giving up her voice and tail for a man. She's trying to be part of a new world, the guy is a requirement of sea witch Ursula's plan. Also, part of reaching a new place in life requires that you make a few sacrifices, lose things that would hold you back at this next level. If Ariel wants to be part of the human world, she can't have a tail. It's also worth noting that the first movie doesn't make it appear that she completely left the mermaid world behind - that's all in the sequels.

The music, by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, featuring the beautiful voice of Jodi Benson as Ariel, is a classic soundtrack of any Disney fan. "Under the Sea" is a common favorite, but the song with the most recognition is definitely "Part of That World" (often incorrectly titled "Part of Your World," which is the reprise). "Part of That World" is beautiful, catchy, and memorable from its first lines: "Look at this stuff, isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?" (If you didn't sing that in your head, you're lying). It's a theme for anyone longing to be somewhere else (like Disneyland) and experience new things. Also, standing as one of the best villains of Disney history, Ursula's epic "Poor Unfortunate Souls" is a classic villain song - and easily one of the most quoted: "I know that in the past, I've been a nasty. They weren't kidding when they called me, well, a witch." (You know you sang along with that, too.)

Concept art by Glen Keane. (c) Disney

As a Disney couple, Ariel and Eric are fairly iconic. Prince Eric was the first prince with real dialogue, but he sort of had to be to carry Ariel's not-talking. Like most of the Disney princes, Eric is a little sketchy, allowing Ariel to live with him while he tries to find some other girl; on the other hand, the prince from Hans Christian Andersen's original story is way sketchier (she sleeps at the foot of his bed, for instance). They're also the only Disney couple to have had a child: Princess Melody, featured in the sequel. For a long time, Ariel was also the only redheaded Disney princess, until Merida arrived on the scene in 2012. At 16, Ariel is also one of the youngest Disney princesses (Snow White was 14, and Sleeping Beauty also 16), and one of the most popular at the Disney parks.

Check out The Little Mermaid trailer above, and then check out this iconic movie! Stay tuned for news, Mickey Mouse celebrations, and a new Film of the Week. Be sure to vote on our poll for your favorite Peanuts character.