The Little Mermaid marked the beginning of a major Disney renaissance after one of the roughest periods in the company's history, and thus acted as a catalyst for the age of modern Disney we know today. In 1989, audiences fell in love with Ariel and her adventures under the sea, making them long to be part of her world.
Although the film and the characters are iconic, do they truly stand the test of time over 20 years later? The answer is yes, but not 100%. The film is still what many consider Disney royalty, but compared to some of the films that came later, it isn't one fans should sacrifice their voices for.
Dated: Inconsistent Animation
In the film's defense, the Disney Renaissance was a transitional period for the studio. Simply put, no one's first time is perfect, and The Little Mermaid is a fine example. While the film is home to some of the most gorgeous hand-drawn animation, there are times where it's inconsistent.
The "Part of Your World" sequence has beautiful animation with depth and color, but other scenes have backgrounds that feel flat and two-dimensional next to the vibrant characters.
Timeless: The Fairytale Aspect
If it's one thing Disney knows how to nail, it's put a fairytale to film. Given the company's history with characters like Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Cinderella, and others, Hans Christian Andersen's mermaid character was almost a no-brainer.
The film has everything a Disney fantasy flick needs: romance, magic spells, a fun but fiendish villain, and a pair of leads saved by true love. It's a tried and true formula that Disney has down to a science.
Dated: The Hurricane
This is more or less forgivable considering the film's hour and a half run time, but compared to other Disney action sequences, the hurricane that sinks Eric's ship feels a little rushed. The raging storm takes literally seconds to start, everyone is evacuated within a reasonable fashion, and Prince Eric looks a little bit too undamaged after surviving a gunpowder explosion. A nitpick it might be, but a valid one nonetheless.
Timeless: The Love Story
While Ariel's quest for true love is a little bit more than basic compared to some of her other princess peers, one can't deny the fact that it's simply intoxicating and adorable.
Love at first sight might be one of the oldest romance clichés in the book, but through the use of Disney magic, the audience is able to suspend its belief for a short while to become consumed by the emotional outpour of the characters.
Dated: Triton’s Human Prejudice
Disregarding the sequel films which go into it a little deeper, Triton's unapologetic prejudice for humans is a little bit confusing. It's as if the merfolk of Atlantica have no earthly idea that the top portion of their bodies all look remarkably similar to the race of landwalkers they are told to despise. Had they resembled something out of an H.P. Lovecraft novel it might have been more understandable, but nowadays it seems a tad unwarranted.
Timeless: Ariel On Land
As hurtful as it might sound, Ariel is simply much more fun to watch when her ability to speak is taken away. Jodi Benson is still one of the most beloved voice actresses out there, but it's when the character is on land that the animators truly have fun.
Ariel has some of the most expressive eyes and vivid, nonverbal communication skills of any animated Disney character. To not commend these valuable assets would be a crime against Disney animation.
Dated: The Handwriting Plot Hole
One thing Walt Disney Pictures never took into account was how deep their fanbase would be willing to go to call them out on flaws. So when people noticed the major logic hole that inexplicably gave Ariel the ability to sign her name to Ursula's contract but not be able to, say, write in the sand, "Eric, I saved you and a sea witch stole my voice," more than a few eyebrows were raised. Perhaps this will be remedied in the remake?
Timeless: Pat Caroll As Ursula
Speaking of voice-stealing sea witches, the most unforgettable member of The Little Mermaid's cast has to be Pat Carroll as Ursula. Ursula is one of the most likable villains to ever grace Disney animation. She's not only wicked, she's fun to watch.
She's brassy, she's fun, she can belt out a villain tune like no one else, and she knows the importance of body language. How she's never had her own spin-off movie is one of the great mysteries.
Dated: Ariel Herself
Ariel might be the star of the show, but compared to other Disney leads, she doesn't do anything majorly heroic until after she realizes she screwed up. The first half of the film can essentially be summed up as a teenage girl pining for her crush. She sees a guy one time and is instantly head over heels. The moment she screams, "Daddy, I love him!" is the moment she loses all credibility and respect from the audience.
Timeless: The Music
There are a lot of things going on in this film, both good and bad. But the one thing that gives The Little Mermaid the most heart and soul is the musical contributions of frequent Disney composer, Howard Ashman. Ashman was said to have given a mermaid her voice and a beast his soul, and that is clearly felt in both the music and lyrics for this film. A triumph he would only surpass after Beauty and the Beast.