The Little Mermaid

For the first time in my life, I saw The Little Mermaid from start to finish and I was very entertained. Here are some of the things I observed:

Comparing The Little Mermaid and Snow White

• Over 50 years separate these two films, so it should come as no surprise how different the styles are 
• In The Little Mermaid, animation is used to supplement the story rather then be part of the story itself
• The Little Mermaid is a much more complex story, it has more developed characters, and the dialogue is meatier 
• Same basic story where a princess is in love and there is a happily ever after

Ariel 

• Very different than Snow White
• Ariel is far more rebellious, independent, and driven character
• Ariel's attire is far more revealing (and not just because she is a mermaid) 
• At first I thought Ariel's character sent a positive message to the audience (the opposite of Snow White)
• Women should be independent and assertive, and they should forge their own destinies
• As I watched more of the movie, Ariel seemed to be foolish and a brat
• People all around her are trying to protect her and she pushes them away
• Ariel acts irrationally and puts herself in danger
• She is a misbehaved teenager and in the end, she is rewarded for her actions 

Love story 

• Unlike Snow White, Ariel chases after the one she loves and the man is the one waiting 
• Very superficial relationship
• The prince almost marries another women because of a song 
• Like Snow White the relationship is something that is accepted, not developed 
• A movie like Up gives more depth to relationships
• Ariel gives up her voice to chase after the prince and this sends a bad message
• Giving up one's voice is a symbolic gesture - finding her love is more important to Ariel than her being able to express herself 
• She doesn't need a voice to win the prince over - as Ursula indicates, a women's body is all that a girl needs to win a man

Other comments

• I loved the music
• Lots of slapstick humor, but not as much as in Snow White
• Some characters act foolishly, but none display the same kind of condition that we see with Dopey
• All of the men in the film are good hearted and the women display far more negative traits

Img1:http://www.impawards.com/1989/little_mermaid_ver2_xlg.html
Img 2: http://images1.fanpop.com/images/photos/1600000/Flounder-and-Sebastian-little-mermaid-ariels-beginning-1602539-485-324.jpg