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Movies / On DVD / The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid

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The Little Mermaid (1989)

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Reviews Counted:52

Fresh:47

Rotten:5

Average Rating:8/10

Consensus: The Little Mermaid ushered in a new golden era for Disney animation with warm and charming hand-drawn characters and catchy musical sequences.

Runtime: 83 mins

Genre: Childrens

Synopsis: The Little Mermaid is Disney's animated version of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about a mermaid who falls in love with a handsome prince whom she rescues from drowning. Disobeying her... The Little Mermaid is Disney's animated version of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about a mermaid who falls in love with a handsome prince whom she rescues from drowning. Disobeying her father, lord of a great sea kingdom, the mermaid makes a deal with an evil enchantress. In exchange for a pair of legs, the mermaid must sacrifice her exquisite voice to the witch, who, unbeknownst to the mermaid, uses it to beguile the prince into marrying her. [More]

Starring: Jodi Benson, Rene Auberjonois, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Pat Carroll

Starring: Jodi Benson, Rene Auberjonois, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Pat Carroll, Paddi Edwards, Buddy Hackett, Jason Marin, Kenneth Mars, Ben Wright, Samuel E. Wright, Edie McClurg, Will Ryan

Director: John Musker, Ron Clements

Director: John Musker, Ron Clements
Screenwriter: John Musker, Ron Clements
Story: Hans Christian Andersen
Producer: Howard Ashman, John Musker
Composer: Alan Menken

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Dec 7, 1999

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • The Little Mermaid
  • All the music, fun, and excitement under the sea resurface in this magical, special edition of Disney's 28th animated masterpiece. Awash with breathtaking animation, unforgettably colorful characters, and two Academy Awards(R) for score and song, "Under The Sea," THE LITLE MERMAID is one of Disney's most cherished films. Ariel, the fun-loving and mischievous mermaid, is enchanted with all things human. Disregarding her father's order to stay away from the world above the sea, she swims to the surface and, in a raging storm, rescues the prince of her dreams. Determined to be human, she strikes a bargain with the devious seawitch, Ursula, and trades her fins and beautiful voice for legs. With her best friend, the adorable and chatty Flounder, and her reluctant chaperone Sebastian, the hilarious, reggae-singing Caribbean crab, at her side, Ariel must win the prince's love and save her father's kingdom -- all in a heart-pounding race against time!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for The Little Mermaid

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    1 - 20 (sorted by comments)
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    The Little Mermaid is the story of one packrat pre-tween princess whose undersea kingdom is only matched in depth by her remarkable sense of consumer-minded entitlement.

    Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment 9 Comments
    10/05/06
    Eric Henderson
    Eric Henderson
    Slant Magazine

    The Little Mermaid was a mirage, not an oasis.

    Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment 3 Comments
    01/10/07
    Bill Chambers
    Bill Chambers
    Film Freak Central

    No review available.

    comment 1 Comment
    03/27/04
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Spirituality and Practice

    Even at its highest points, it cannot claim a place next to even the least of the great Disney classics.

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment 1 Comment
    01/22/02
    Hal Hinson
    Hal Hinson
    Washington Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    No review available.

    comment 1 Comment
    11/01/02
    Philip Martin
    Philip Martin
    Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    This was the rebirth of Disney in the modern era and due to superb songs, enduring humour and a touching plot it remains an animation classic.

    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Empire Magazine

    Delivers exactly the right quotient of laughs, sniffles, scares and songs to remain sparkling family fun.

    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Empire Magazine

    Overall, it's an enjoyable film, thankfully free of the computerized look of later Disney cartoons, but it really can't compare to the real Disney classics.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    09/02/08
    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    Relying on a simple, recognized tale, great songs and marvellous animation, it turned its fortunes around.

    Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
    09/03/08
    Channel 4 Film

    You could wish upon a star and not conjure up a more joyous animated movie than this graceful retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen tale.

    Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment Comment
    09/03/08
    TIME Magazine

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    12/21/04
    Audrey Rock-Richardson
    Audrey Rock-Richardson
    Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)

    If you have kids, take them and have a ball.

    Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Barbara Shulgasser
    Barbara Shulgasser
    San Francisco Examiner

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    08/22/03
    Carol Cling
    Carol Cling
    Las Vegas Review-Journal

    This is unquestionably the best animated film in many years and is therefore highly recommended.

    Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
    10/18/08
    Chris Hicks
    Chris Hicks
    Deseret News, Salt Lake City

    It's certainly not brain food, but give this fish the credit its due: Turning around Disney.

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Christopher Null
    Christopher Null
    Filmcritic.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    12/18/04
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    The hand-drawn animation is terrific, and the soundtrack, which includes Part of Your World, Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl, is among Disney's best.

    Full Review Source: Reno Gazette-Journal | comment Comment
    10/09/06
    Forrest Hartman
    Forrest Hartman
    Reno Gazette-Journal

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    09/07/04
    Frank Swietek
    Frank Swietek
    One Guy's Opinion

    This return to traditional Disney territory is geared to captivate children while allowing them to maintain their street cred, largely by combining extravagant animated technique with ranging musical styles.

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    06/24/06
    Geoff Andrew
    Geoff Andrew
    Time Out

    A fantastic success.

    Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
    06/10/08
    James Berardinelli
    James Berardinelli
    ReelViews
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by comments)
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    Latest News for The Little Mermaid

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    Given all the success Disney has found by bringing animated hits like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King to Broadway, it stands to reason that they'd eventually go back to... More...

    March 09, 2007: "Toy Story 3" Leads Locked, Hand-Drawn "Frog Princess" Also a Go
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