BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Freaktana A Major Disappointment

Aubrey Hackett While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Gary The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Bonnie O'Connor Giving my judgement on this film is not easy. A lot of people are torn between it being good or bad, and I'm somewhat in the middle. While it's not a horrible flick, it's not terrific either. Story: King Triton bands music from Atlantica (is that really the best name you could come up with?) because it reminds him of his dead wife and brings him bitterness and grief. But of course Ariel breaks the rules and kinda brings music back to Atlantica. Let's get the bad stuff out of the way: 1) The whole premise has nothing to do with the first (and better) movie. Sure it's a way to develop Ariel's backstory, but I don't see it developing that much; it just seems like it was randomly put together for a separate story. It was like the writers knew it was about a rebellious teenage mermaid who loves to sing, and they came up with a problem out of the blue. Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting conflict, for the king, but that's where the story should have focused more; it should have not really been about Ariel. Also, they don't bring up the human world at any time in the film, and that was Ariel's focus - she doesn't even show a hint of interest in the film. 2) Flounder, what have they done to you? Yes he's cute, but he's really OBNOXIOUS in this film! He never shuts up, he is always making music sounds when he knows it's forbidden, he talks modern ("Oh yeah, I'm hot", "Torpedo Tube", "Cork Screw", "We love you, Flounder"), he plays spy kids, he's not the "guppy" we know and love, the Little Mermaid TV series gave a better backstory on how he and Ariel became best friends, and he and Ariel have little to no time together alone, pouring their hearts out with each other, or exploring. 3) The villainess is fashionably annoying (literally)! It kinda would have been nice to see if this was how Ursula came to hate Triton, but no, she gets tossed aside for a fashion disaster mermaid with another unnecessary sidekick. 4) It's nice to see the mermaid sisters have character developments, but they're "like totally" valley girl teenage stereotypes. 5) Of all the songs, why did Sebastian have to sing an already popular song instead of come up with another awesome original song as he did "Under the Sea"? 6) The modern talk - wherever it is (includes being sworn in clubs)! 7) Trident is a jerk and isn't loving towards his daughters until the end when Ariel proves he's a jerk. 8) Her mother's death (being crushed by a pirate ship) would have explained why Triton says humans are barbarians and they never bring up the human world once. 9) Kinda a nitpick, but the band instruments are of the human world, they don't even look like they are made of coral. 10) The villain sings. Say what you want on it being a good or bad pair of songs, but the fact that she's singing should be questionable. Music/singing is banned and she's singing. Even if it was for just 4th wall pleasure it doesn't work. 11) The pointless shot replica of when the villainess sings out on a rock and gets splashed. That shot was forced for no other reason but to say that it can't happen in real life. Also that no mermaid visits the surface (aside from the beginning).Now what's good about it? 1) Triton is awesome again, emotional, though he's also more of a tyrant compared to the first film (which is a flaw). I still love how you see how much he is in pain over the death of his wife (for a few minutes), and there's a scene where he destroys the Catfish Club and it makes me glad to see him use his trident again. The whole story should have centered around him. 2) I won't falter - it's so nice to hear Ariel sing 3) Compared to other Disney sequels, this has some nicer animation - it's not as overwhelming as the first movie. It's computer animation, which is nice to look at, but in all honesty, I think The Little Mermaid looked better in hand drawn animation. 4) Sebastian knows how to make a hot crustacean band - even from already popular songs, and he is still the same protective/responsible guardian of Ariel. 5) The intro is heartwarming and tragic. I actually felt sorry for Triton losing his queen and felt his bitterness. 6) There were some really heartfelt moments.I kinda like it, but I wish they could have fixed the flaws. I was on the edge of comparing this movie the the awful Fox and the Hound 2 film, but Ariel's Beginning got a better premise. However it is inconsistent with the first movie, the TV series, and is making me tired of seeing Ariel over and over again. I really hate it when Disney Princesses are made into a constantly repeated franchise rather than move on. The TV stories gave us a backstory already, the first movie had nothing to do with banned music, and the sequel moved on with her life. I don't want to see Disney go backwards on her life, but either move forward or just stop altogether.

daves_train This is terrible and it follows in line of terrible Disney sequels and prequels. Don't get me wrong, I maybe a guy but I like the old movie with likable characters, catchy music, and an actually complex villain but did they really need to do this? The only good part I would say about it is the beginning when they show the mermaids having fun when suddenly pirates attack (Captain Hook?). And it shows how Ariel's mom was killed {at least they keep the whole killing mom thing that Disney likes to do} and why Triton banned music but when the movie starts it is all over.I won't bore you with details so I will just show you the things that tick me off about it. First of all the new villain seems really boring and just seems whiny and annoying and not really threatening. This next complain doesn't tick me off but it's just weird, why does Ariel ask why they don't have music and Triton throws a temper tantrum, wouldn't Ariel kind of guess because of the fact that her mother died? (in case anyone tries to fight against that, wouldn't Trition tell her because of the mother dying? It just doesn't make sense to me.).The villain doesn't even appear in the next film so why is she in this film? I hate that when they think that we don't catch that. What happens in jail? Does she become a good person, die, what? Now for the moment that angered me the most, when near the end...(Spoilers!!! just in case you didn't see it before.) When Ariel "dies" and it turns out she was just knocked out for a little bit. Was this supposed to be tension? Why would you do that if we know that in the next movie she's all better and singing with fish(and sleeping with the fish?). They do this once in a while in prequels and it irritates me to no end because they think that they are being clever by adding unneeded tension.So in conclusion this movie is a bomb, granted the voice work is solid and the animation looks nice but the predictable ending and boring plot don't make it worth it. Again I am not feeding the troll because I liked the first film but skip this one and watch the first one.

Julia Arsenault (ja_kitty_71) 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. Set 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 villainess voiced by Sally Field; 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 her strict father. 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. 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).

alesyira This movie was remarkably refreshing and entertaining. The overall appearance of the film was pleasant. I really enjoyed the character design and animation; the film was very true to the original designs portrayed in the first Little Mermaid, and included just enough of modern 3d animation techniques to give additional depth to the 2d creations without spoiling its 2d nature. The story had a solid plot that supported other Little Mermaid films, as well as giving the viewer a touching glimpse of Ariel's mother and a deeper understanding of King Triton's character. The songs, while not as moving or masterful as Menken and Ashman's work on the first Little Mermaid film, were decent and fit in well with the overall theme of the movie. The movie flowed easily between the musical numbers and non-musical moments.This is definitely one of those "Movie #3"s that rises well above the awful direction (plot, character, music, etc) that most sequels seem to follow.