The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid

1989

Director: Ron Clements and John Musker

Writer: Hans Christian Anderson, John Musker, Ron Clements, Howard Ashman, Gerritt Graham, Sam Graham, Chris Hubbell

83 Minutes

This film was the the first of the next generation of Disney movies and it originated from a dark story. In the original The Little Mermaid, wrote by legendary author Hans Christian Anderson, ended with the little mermaid killing herself, while her soul dissolved into air.

But, Disney couldn’t make this film.

Thus, they ended with a magical, delightful ending and the story goes boy meets girl, boy loses girl, and boy gets girl in the end (with legs) and they live happily ever after.

Yet, this film dives into a theme most teenagers struggle with: wanting to leave home.

In the scene above, our hero Ariel (voice Jodi Benson), has collected a vast about of gadgets, gidgets, toys, flatware, and basic junk from the outside world – a world she longs to belong too. And as she sings, “Part of Your World,” to her best friend, Flownder, her mentor Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright) rolls his eyes.

Sebastian loves his life under the sea.

Ariel’s wish is be human, something different than the mermaid life. And once she sees, rescues, and falls in love with Eric (Christopher Dnaiel Barnes), the Prince, she has to find a way to be with her true love.

But, this notion that young teenagers wish to leave home, discovering new places and enjoying life beyond the confines, is beyond comprehension for most that are content and placate.

Why would you want to leave?

Ariel wants adventure, excitement, and passion in her life. And though the outside world gives her that, plus an angry Seawitch, she not only appreciates her life underwater, but gains what she wants for the outside world.

Legs.

The Little Mermaid was the first of Disney films to include animation with adult themes. Companies such a Pixar have complimented this stroke of genius with every film they have created. Because in the end, they want everyone in the theater - parents, teenagers, and children alike - to enjoy the film on screen.

We all could take a lesson from Ariel – that the outside world, though can be frightful, is an exciting places worth adventuring.

To Disney and it’s brilliant films.