The Little Mermaid is one of that class of movies, shows, and books identified as a
prequel. We get a chance to see what Ariel's life was like before she
met up with Prince Eric. All of the lovable undersea creatures from the
movie are in this this show, and many other characters are introduced as
well. My personal favorites include a baby orca named Spot and a merboy
named Urchin.
At times we are offered a glimpse further back
into Ariel's childhood, such as the first time she met Flounder. In one
episode, we even get to see King Triton as a child, revealing that he
and Ariel aren't so different after all. New songs pop up often, and
they're pretty catchy. The animation is, for the most part, every bit as
good as it was in the movie.
As with Aladdin, Disney has
managed to make a successful spin-off series from a popular feature
film. It is primarily a show about coming of age as Ariel discovers
herself and her relationships with others deepen. The value of
friendship is clear in every episode. I think perhaps the most valuable
part of the show, though, lies in the relationship between Ariel and her
father. The rocky rift between them surfaces again and again in the
show, but their love for each other always manages to bridge the gap and
bring them to a closer understanding of one another. Very few children
have perfect relationships with their parents, but it is good to see a
cartoon in which the protagonist sees past the differences and
recognizes the value of the one who raised her. That is something none
of us should forget.
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