Description: The Little Mermaid, one of the most celebrated animated films of all time -- and winner of two Academy Awards(R) (Best Music, Original Score; Best Music, Original Song, "Under The Sea," 1989) -- splashes onto an exciting 2-Disc DVD with an all-new digital restoration. Ariel, a fun-loving and mischievous mermaid, is off on the adventure of a lifetime with her best friend, the adorable Flounder, and the reggae-singing Caribbean crab Sebastian at her side. But it will take all of her courage and determination to make her dreams come true—and save her father's beloved kingdom from the sneaky sea witch Ursula! Dive into a world of music and adventure in this new 2-Disc Platinum Edition your family will enjoy again and again!
Amazon.com essential video: From the moment that Prince Eric's ship emerged from the fog in the opening credits it was apparent that Disney had somehow, suddenly recaptured that "magic" that had been dormant for thirty years. In the tale of a headstrong young mermaid who yearns to "spend a day, warm on the sand," Ariel trades her voice to Ursula, the Sea Witch (classically voiced by Pat Carroll), for a pair of legs. Ariel can only succeed if she receives true love's kiss in a few day's time and she needs all the help she can from a singing crab named Sebastian, a loudmouth seagull, and a flounder. The lyrics and music by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken are top form: witty and relevant, and they advance the story (go on, hum a few bars of "Under the Sea"). Mermaid put animation back on the studio's "to do" list and was responsible for ushering Beauty and the Beast to theaters. A modern Disney classic. --Keith Simanton
Amazon.com: Fans awaiting a revamp of The Little Mermaid on DVD should be pleased to know that the new, fully restored version gets the treatment it deserved all along. The Special Edition is presented in 1:78 aspect ratio, as opposed to the original 1:66 presentation, and gone is the grainy original transfer, which had Ariel's mottled complexion looking like she spent some time in a tanning bed. Various crew members chime in on the audio commentary track, but most dominant is composer Alan Menken, who adds in previously taped interviews with the late lyricist Howard Ashman (a welcome surprise). There's also a 45-minute "making of" documentary in which everyone from animators to Jeffrey Katzenberg and Leonard Maltin reflect the limp state of Disney animation before Mermaid kicked off its "golden reign" of the early '90s. Another revelation: Katzenberg nearly eliminated "Part of Your World" from the movie after a hyperactive kid sitting in front of him appeared restless during a test screening.
Other features: a documentary on Hans Christian Andersen, and the tragedy of his personal life that inspired his much darker original ending. (The mermaid, unable to stab the prince in the heart after he marries another, turns into sea foam.) Included is an animated short of Andersen's "The Little Match Girl," a tale so depressing--again, reflecting the loneliness in Andersen's own life--it's not really clear how it ever became a "beloved bedtime story." There's also a sing-along feature, which jumps right to the musical numbers with words appearing onscreen. Deleted scenes include one unused song, "Silence is Golden," and various early sketches of alternate takes. One curious addition is a virtual Little Mermaid amusement park ride, which was originally proposed for Disneyland but failed to come to life. (Seems digitizing the experience for people to "ride" in their living room was the consolation prize.) The only blasphemous feature is a music video of "Kiss the Girls," reimagined as a Hilary Duff-esque rock song--minus the charming calypso beat that made it famous(!)--sung by the Hilary Duff-esque Ashley Tisdale (High School Musical). Aside from that, if you own The Little Mermaid in its 1999 incarnation of DVD, get the special edition and leave your old one for the kids (or the dog) to scratch up. --Ellen A. Kim
The Little Mermaid Great delivery. Perfect conditon and good packing. Arrived very fast. Very Happy. Mary J Galvan
A Foundation For A New Era There is no question that in 1989, Disney's animated film, THE LITTLE MERMAID ushered in a new golden era for both Disney and animation. Widely recognized at the time as one of the best Disney films in decades, THE LITTLE MERMAID brought the beauty and joy of Disney animation to a new generation of audiences. THE LITTLE MERMAID went on to become one of the most honored animated films of all time, garnering two Academy Awards, on for Best Music, Original Score and the other forBest Music, Original Song, "Under The Sea."
The artistic beauty of THE LITTLE MERMAID shines through in every frame. Artist James Coleman created exquisitely detailed backdrops for this film. The songs of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman are classics in their own right: memorable, toe-tapping, and fun...some of the very best in the Disney repertoire. The characters themselves are unforgettable. Ariel, Sebastian, Flounder, Ursula have all ascended to the pantheon of Disney greats.
And of course, none of this describes how my 4 year old daughter feels about Ariel and THE LITTLE MERMAID. Ariel's story of the THE LITTLE MERMAID who wanted feet, and her beauty, innocence, and fascination with the human world instantly propelled her into the ranks of the classic Disney princesses - Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White. She is beloved by millions of little girls across generations, and my little one is no exception. She is a strong female character who proves she can take care of herself, along with a little help from her friends. I really like Ariel as a role model.
This platinum addition DVD is a must have for any Disney, princess, or animation fans...or for the little princess in all of us. My wee one and I love curling up on the sofa together to watch THE LITTLE MERMAID. We become captivated by the story each time, and we love to sing-a-long. It is a wonderful time together. What else could anyone ask for?
It's how she rolls.... my 4 year old, anyway. She's been very into mermaids for the last 2 years. She just adores this movie and sings all the songs, has many mermaid and Ariel dolls, a mermaid swimuit, and clothes. Wowza. She loves the pre and sequals as well. I loved this movie as a girl, and it's one of the few movies that she watches repeatedly that doesn't drive me nuts the 3rd time around.
Great Movie My daughter was thrilled to get "The Little Mermaid" after her dance recital since one of her dances was "The Little Mermaid". I was so glad that I was able to find it online. Even my 4 year old son enjoyed it, even though at first he didn't really want to watch a "princess" movie! He already wants to watch it again!
Good product, excellent seller My daughter loves Ariel, so this DVD is the perfect gift for her 3rd birthday. This DVD was actually a better price than I've found from most sellers. It was shipped quickly, and in excellent condition. I recommend this product and the seller.
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