The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008) (V)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Peggy Holmes

Writers:

Robert Reece (writer)
Evan Spiliotopoulos (writer)

Release Date:

26 August 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Every Story Has a Beginning, But Only One Begins Under the Sea

Plot:

The plot explores the story of Athena, Ariel's mother, through the narration of Ariel. |

Plot Keywords:

Direct To Video Sequel To Theatrical Movie | Apostrophe In Title | No Opening Credits | Music Box | Prequel

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Jodi Benson	...	Ariel (voice)
Samuel E. Wright	...	Sebastian (voice)
Jim Cummings	...	King Triton / Shelbow (voice)
Sally Field	...	Marina Del Ray (voice)
Parker Goris	...	Flounder (voice)
Tara Strong	...	Adella / Andrina (voice)
Jennifer Hale	...	Alana (voice)
Grey DeLisle	...	Aquata / Arista (voice)
Jeff Bennett	...	Benjamin / Guards (voice)
Kari Wahlgren	...	Attina (voice)
Lorelei Hill Butters	...	Queen Athena (voice)
Kevin Michael Richardson	...	Cheeks / Ray Ray (voice)
Rob Paulsen	...	Ink Spot / Swifty (voice)

Also Known As:

The Little Mermaid III (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

Argentina:70 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:G | Argentina:Atp | South Korea:All | Singapore:G

Company:

DisneyToon Studios

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): In the scene where Swifty asks Triton to raise his right hand for the oath, Triton raises his left hand instead of his right.

Quotes:

Queen Athena: Oh the waves roll low,/and the waves roll high;/and so/it goes/under a bright blue, endless sky;/Waves try to measure/the days that we treasure;/wave hello, and wave goodbye

Movie Connections:

References The Great Escape (1963)

Soundtrack:

Jump in the Line

Everyone's lovable red-head is back starring in the first Disney prequel

Everyone's lovable red-head we all know and loved is back in a new adventure (you know who I am talking about) it's Ariel and starring in the first Disney prequel ('cause I wouldn't call it a sequel), setted before she walked on land and married her Prince.

Under the narration of Sebastian, the story starts with King Triton and his wife, Queen Athena, have seven young daughters (the youngest of whom is Ariel). The entirety of the underwater kingdom of Atlantica is filled with joy, music and laughter. The merfolk are shown relaxing in a lagoon above water, and Triton gives Athena a small music box. A pirate ship approaches and they attack, stealing the merpeople's possessions. Everyone escapes except Queen Athena, who is crushed by the pirate ship. Devastated by Athena's death, Triton throws the music box away and bans music from the kingdom. Ten years later, Triton's daughters live under a strict schedule maintained by their governess, Marina Del Rey (an original villianess voiced by Sally Field; and no relations to the two witches what so ever). Marina hates her job and longs for Sebastian's, who is the king's attache. Ariel is frustrated by their current lifestyle, which brings her into conflict with the strict King Triton. During their morning "walk", Ariel tickles her sister Adella with kelp, and she is given the punishment of cleaning barnacles. While carrying out her punishment, Ariel encounters Flounder, a fish, who is making music. That night, Ariel sees Flounder outside the window, and follows him to an underground music club. She is overjoyed by the presence of music, and is shocked when she learns that Sebastian performs at the club. When her presence is revealed, at first all the club patrons flee, but Ariel sings a song explaining her love of music, and she joins the club with an oath...that's all I am telling you all,you will have see it for yourself.

It's great to finally see Ariel's mother Queen Athena, who looks like Ariel; but I can see some differences between mother and daughter: Athena's hair is a different shade of red compare to Ariel, and done up almost like a ponytail. And her eyes I think are green. Overall, Ariel's Beginning is another excellent Disney OAV (original animated video),and prefect to go with the original film and "Return to the Sea." I love out of Ariel's sisters Alana (pink fin),Arista (red fin),and Attina (orange fin).