Plenty of Christian themes in this excellent version of The Little Mermaid

Film: The Little Mermaid

Walt Disney Studios

Rating: PG

Running Time: 2h 15m

Genre: Fantasy/Musical

Overview:

This movie is Hollywood’s latest reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale The Little Mermaid. From the very beginning it’s fantastical and enchanting, set in a vibrant underwater kingdom known as Atlantica. The story follows the journey of Ariel, a curious and adventurous young mermaid with an insatiable love for the human world. Ariel’s deep fascination with humans leads her to explore shipwrecks, collect human artifacts, and dream of a life beyond the ocean’s depths. However, her father, King Triton, disapproves of her obsession and sets boundaries for his daughter. In order to protect his kingdom and his family from danger, he forbids them from venturing into the human realm. 

Ariel’s sense of being trapped by isolation and fear is mirrored by a human prince named Eric, dissatisfied with his life he also longs for something more. Everything changes when Ariel rescues Eric during a violent storm. Instantly smitten, she makes a deal with the banished sea witch, Ursula, to trade her beautiful voice for a pair of legs, giving her a chance to be with Eric on land. As a voiceless human, Ariel faces numerous challenges in navigating the unfamiliar world, but her determination remains unyielding. With the help of her loyal and humorous underwater friends, Flounder and Sebastian, and Scuttle the seagull, Ariel must race against time to make Eric fall in love with her before the enchantment is broken. Along the way, she discovers the true meaning of sacrifice, friendship, and the power of her own voice.