The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008)

In the kingdom of Atlantica where music is forbidden, the youngest daughter of King Triton, named Ariel, discovers her love of an underground music club and sets off to a daring adventure to bring restoration of music back to Atlantica.

Director:

Peggy Holmes

Writers:

Robert Reece (screenplay), Evan Spiliotopoulos (screenplay)

Stars:

Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Jim Cummings

2 nominations.

Cast

Credited 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 Griffin	...	Aquata / Arista (voice) (as Grey DeLisle)
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)
Maurice LaMarche	...	Scuttle (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michelle Loucadoux	...	Adella

Storyline

After a terrible tragedy in King Triton's once-happy undersea kingdom of Atlantica, the dejected ruler decrees that all music be banned from his realm. Almost a decade later, Princess Ariel--the most rebellious of Triton's seven charming daughters who still cannot understand why her father is against melody--sneaks out one night, only to discover an illegal speakeasy brimming with music. Excited, Ariel wants more; however, with a headstrong father and a vigilant nanny, she has her work cut out for her. Can Ariel, the little mermaid, restore happiness and harmony to Atlantica?

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Plot Keywords:

sequel | prequel | mermaid | king | disney animated sequel | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Animation | Drama | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the TV series, Andrina is voiced by Cathy Cavandini. In this movie, she is voiced by Tara Strong. These actresses have co-starred in The Powerpuff Girls (1998) as the voices of Blossom and Bubbles.

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Goofs

In 1992 Disney started TV series based on "The Little Mermaid" movie. In season 1 episode 11 called The Little Mermaid: The Evil Manta Ariel remembers how she first met Flounder, and the scene is quite different than the scene shown in this movie. In the series she met him when she was still a child, wearing pony tail. Flounder is left all alone and he gets scared from Ariel, but she quickly calms him down and become his friend.

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Quotes

Marina Del Ray: As you can see Your Majesty, I -
[raises chair to Triton's level]
Marina Del Ray: I'm a self starter, Your Majesty. Here to anticipate your every need! Not like that last guy, what was his name? Sooner we forget about him, the better. In fact! Let's make a vow, never to mention his name again. Here, I'll start!
Marina Del Ray: [claps hands over mouth] There! Wasn't that easy?

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Connections

References The Great Escape (1963)

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Soundtracks

Jump in the Line
Written by Raymond Bell, Steven Samuel, Rafael de León, and Gabriel Oller
Performed by Samuel E. Wright, Kevin Michael Richardson, Rob Paulsen, Jim Cummings, Alvin Chea, Oren Waters, Rick Logan, and Chris Garcia
A cappella version performed by Samuel E. Wright, Jodi Benson, Parker Goris, Kevin Michael Richardson, Rob Paulsen, Jim Cummings, Alvin Chea, Randy Crenshaw, Oren Waters, Rick Logan, and Chris Garcia

User Reviews

Very charming prequel, and rather sad...

This prequel was very enjoyable and charming. I don't think it isn't as good as the classic first film or the series(a childhood favourite of mine), but I do think it is an improvement over the rather average Little Mermaid 2:Return to the Sea. Here, the animation is breathtaking, beautifully fluid and colourful, and fairly true in terms of style to the original. The music, while not as catchy as Alan Menekn's score in the original, is still surprisingly delightful. I Remember was outstanding. And the voice acting is great, Jim Cummings is a worthy replacement of Kenneth Mars as Triton, and Jodi Benson(who also voiced Thumbelina in the Don Bluth movie, Ariel isn't the only role she's done, it's just the role she's best remembered by) is just amazing as Ariel, with a fantastic singing voice that makes me want to sing with her. Remember the song in the series' episode Wish Upon a Starfish, Daring To Dance, amazing song, amazing vocals that reduced me to tears. Marina-marvellously voiced by Sally Field- is an improvement over the bland Morgana, Sebastian is hilarious, there is nice character development and Benjamin is so cute. And the beginning with Ariel's mother brought some poignancy. However, the film is too short, the plot while a wonderful idea is rather so-so in execution and takes time to get going, and Flounder's voice was more teenage than innocent-sounding, the latter suited the character more. Still it is a very charming prequel and well worth the look. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Little Mermaid III

Company Credits

Production Co:

Disneytoon Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1