The Little Mermaid

Loosely inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Little Mermaid follows title character Ariel (Jodi Benson) as she falls in love with a sailor named Eric (Christopher Daniel Barnes) and eventually agrees to give up her voice for a pair of human legs – with the film detailing Ariel’s efforts at winning Eric’s affection despite her inability to speak. It’s certainly not surprising to note that The Little Mermaid has been hard-wired with a perfectly pleasant and consistently watchable vibe by directors Ron Clements and John Musker, as the movie, which kicked off the fabled Disney Renaissance, contains all of the elements that one has come to associate with the Mouse House’s animated endeavors – with the affable atmosphere heightened by eye-catching visuals and an assortment of stand-out sequences (including a delightful performance of the Oscar-winning “Under the Sea” musical number). Despite a surfeit of positive attributes, however, The Little Mermaid never quite becomes the engrossing experience that one might’ve anticipated – with the movie hindered by a pervasively subdued feel that often prevents the viewer from connecting to the characters or (thin) storyline. (And it’s worth noting, too, that the low-key vibe dulls the impact of the action-packed, beat-the-clock final stretch.) The lack of memorable protagonists and catchy songs – the aforementioned “Under the Sea” is really the only tune here worth mentioning – ultimately confirms The Little Mermaid‘s place as a passable yet somewhat forgettable Disney flick, with the movie standing as a stepping stone to bigger and better things for the venerable studio (including Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King).

**1/2 out of ****