The third film in The
Little Mermaid franchise, a direct to video prequel, was released in 2008.
Starring Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Sally Field, and Jim Cummings, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning was
set before the events of the television series.
Devastated by the death of his wife, who died trying to save
a music box, King Triton (Cummings) bans music from Atlantica. But 10 years
later, Ariel (Benson) and her sisters (Tara Strong, Jennifer Hale, Grey
DeLisle, and Kari Wahlgren) discover and underground music club.
While this film isn’t monstrously terrible like most of its
other direct to video predecessors, it’s still not very good. The plot feels
like a two-part episode of the TV series, especially in its idea of banning
music because it reminds Triton of his dead wife. The villain’s ambitions also
have the stakes of a TV show, mainly where she wants to be Triton’s second in
command and conspires against Sebastian.
At the same time though, this actually WOULD be a great two-part series finale. But once again, Disney decided to go the route of more money.
But this could all be forgiven if there weren’t so many
stupid references and elements that really make this film toe the line of
inappropriateness for children. The underground music club constantly plays “Jump
in the Line” by Harry Belafonte. It might have been a great song in the 50s,
but out of place in a children’s film. Then there’s Flounder yelling “I won’t
make it in the slammer!” and calling Sebastian “The Original Rock Lobster.”
Fortunately, by this time Lasseter was in complete control. There'd still be dumb things in the future, but the age of mediocrity for Disney was largely over.
#90
No comments:
Post a Comment