The Little Mermaid
Academy Award × 2·National Film Registry
Rent/Purchase
This colorful adventure tells the story of an impetuous mermaid princess named Ariel who falls in love with the very human Prince Eric and puts everything on the line for the chance to be with him. Memorable songs and characters -- including the villainous sea witch Ursula.
What critics thought
One of the films credited with reviving Disney animation, The Little Mermaid earned near-universal praise for Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's songs, Ursula's scene-stealing villainy, and lush, fluid animation. The lone significant dissent came during the film's 1997 re-release, where some felt it was solid but not truly in the company of Disney's all-time greats.
“The Little Mermaid is a jolly and inventive animated fantasy—a movie that's so creative and so much fun it deserves comparison with the best Disney work of the past.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“While the story won't win any prizes from the women's liberation movement, the animation is so full and colorful and the songs so beguiling that this is a case of where someone made one like they used to.”
Gene Siskel·Chicago Tribune
“a marvel of skillful animation, witty songwriting and smart planning. It is designed to delight filmgoers of every conceivable stripe... Adults will be charmed by the film's bright, outstandingly pretty look and by its robust score. Small children will be enchanted by the film's sunniness and by its perfect simplicity.”
Janet Maslin·The New York Times
“a likably unspectacular adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen classic.”
Hal Hinson·The Washington Post
“[The Little Mermaid is] a charmer of a movie, boasting all the ingredients that make a Disney experience something to treasure yet free of all the politically correct, formulaic elements that have bogged down the more recent productions.”
Empire
Genres
Adventure, Animation, Family
Cast & Crew
DirectorJohn Musker, Ron Clements
StarringJodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Pat Carroll, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Kenneth Mars
ComposerAlan Menken
The Little Mermaid
Academy Award × 2·National Film Registry
This colorful adventure tells the story of an impetuous mermaid princess named Ariel who falls in love with the very human Prince Eric and puts everything on the line for the chance to be with him. Memorable songs and characters -- including the villainous sea witch Ursula.
What critics thought
One of the films credited with reviving Disney animation, The Little Mermaid earned near-universal praise for Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's songs, Ursula's scene-stealing villainy, and lush, fluid animation. The lone significant dissent came during the film's 1997 re-release, where some felt it was solid but not truly in the company of Disney's all-time greats.
“The Little Mermaid is a jolly and inventive animated fantasy—a movie that's so creative and so much fun it deserves comparison with the best Disney work of the past.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“While the story won't win any prizes from the women's liberation movement, the animation is so full and colorful and the songs so beguiling that this is a case of where someone made one like they used to.”
Gene Siskel·Chicago Tribune
“a marvel of skillful animation, witty songwriting and smart planning. It is designed to delight filmgoers of every conceivable stripe... Adults will be charmed by the film's bright, outstandingly pretty look and by its robust score. Small children will be enchanted by the film's sunniness and by its perfect simplicity.”
Janet Maslin·The New York Times
“a likably unspectacular adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen classic.”
Hal Hinson·The Washington Post
“[The Little Mermaid is] a charmer of a movie, boasting all the ingredients that make a Disney experience something to treasure yet free of all the politically correct, formulaic elements that have bogged down the more recent productions.”
Empire
Genres
Adventure, Animation, Family
Cast & Crew
DirectorJohn Musker, Ron Clements
StarringJodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Pat Carroll, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Kenneth Mars
ComposerAlan Menken
Rent/Purchase