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Movies / On DVD / The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid

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The Little Mermaid (1989)

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Reviews Counted:52

Fresh:47

Rotten:5

Average Rating:8/10

Consensus: The Little Mermaid ushered in a new golden era for Disney animation with warm and charming hand-drawn characters and catchy musical sequences.

Runtime: 83 mins

Genre: Childrens

Synopsis: The Little Mermaid is Disney's animated version of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about a mermaid who falls in love with a handsome prince whom she rescues from drowning. Disobeying her... The Little Mermaid is Disney's animated version of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about a mermaid who falls in love with a handsome prince whom she rescues from drowning. Disobeying her father, lord of a great sea kingdom, the mermaid makes a deal with an evil enchantress. In exchange for a pair of legs, the mermaid must sacrifice her exquisite voice to the witch, who, unbeknownst to the mermaid, uses it to beguile the prince into marrying her. [More]

Starring: Jodi Benson, Rene Auberjonois, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Pat Carroll

Starring: Jodi Benson, Rene Auberjonois, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Pat Carroll, Paddi Edwards, Buddy Hackett, Jason Marin, Kenneth Mars, Ben Wright, Samuel E. Wright, Edie McClurg, Will Ryan

Director: John Musker, Ron Clements

Director: John Musker, Ron Clements
Screenwriter: John Musker, Ron Clements
Story: Hans Christian Andersen
Producer: Howard Ashman, John Musker
Composer: Alan Menken

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The Little Mermaid

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1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Relying on a simple, recognized tale, great songs and marvellous animation, it turned its fortunes around.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
09/03/08
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This was the rebirth of Disney in the modern era and due to superb songs, enduring humour and a touching plot it remains an animation classic.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Delivers exactly the right quotient of laughs, sniffles, scares and songs to remain sparkling family fun.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This return to traditional Disney territory is geared to captivate children while allowing them to maintain their street cred, largely by combining extravagant animated technique with ranging musical styles.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The Little Mermaid was a mirage, not an oasis.

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment 3 Comments
01/10/07
Bill Chambers
Bill Chambers
Film Freak Central

The Little Mermaid is the story of one packrat pre-tween princess whose undersea kingdom is only matched in depth by her remarkable sense of consumer-minded entitlement.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment 9 Comments
10/05/06
Eric Henderson
Eric Henderson
Slant Magazine

No review available.

comment 1 Comment
03/27/04
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

Even at its highest points, it cannot claim a place next to even the least of the great Disney classics.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment 1 Comment
01/22/02
Hal Hinson
Hal Hinson
Washington Post

No review available.

comment 1 Comment
11/01/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Overall, it's an enjoyable film, thankfully free of the computerized look of later Disney cartoons, but it really can't compare to the real Disney classics.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
09/02/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

You could wish upon a star and not conjure up a more joyous animated movie than this graceful retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen tale.

Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment Comment
09/03/08
TIME Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
12/21/04
Audrey Rock-Richardson
Audrey Rock-Richardson
Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)

If you have kids, take them and have a ball.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
01/01/00
Barbara Shulgasser
Barbara Shulgasser
San Francisco Examiner

No review available.

comment Comment
08/22/03
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

This is unquestionably the best animated film in many years and is therefore highly recommended.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
10/18/08
Chris Hicks
Chris Hicks
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

It's certainly not brain food, but give this fish the credit its due: Turning around Disney.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

No review available.

comment Comment
12/18/04
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

The hand-drawn animation is terrific, and the soundtrack, which includes Part of Your World, Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl, is among Disney's best.

Full Review Source: Reno Gazette-Journal | comment Comment
10/09/06
Forrest Hartman
Forrest Hartman
Reno Gazette-Journal

No review available.

comment Comment
09/07/04
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

A fantastic success.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
06/10/08
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
all

Latest News for The Little Mermaid

September 29, 2009: Exclusive: Mandy Moore Talks Rapunzel
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December 28, 2007: Disney's Little Mermaid Heads to Broadway
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March 09, 2007: "Toy Story 3" Leads Locked, Hand-Drawn "Frog Princess" Also a Go
Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are officially signed up to reprise their beloved roles in "Toy Story 3," which I believe is a sequel to "Toy Story" and "Toy... More...

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