A good movie, but there are some problems with it

Rating: Null/10 (20 February 2006)

Let me start by saying that I do complain of sexual references in this movie. I don't however complain about the alleged wedding scene. On one hand it could certainly be as it's described, but then I've seen less phallic looking knees.
The movie starts pretty well, but when Ariel first enters the movie (exploring sunken ships with her guppy friend) you almost cringe thinking about what will happen next. Who was Disney targeting when the main character was a curvy adolescent in a skimpy sea-shell bra? The movie remains pretty good until Ariel sees Eric. Maybe love at first sight happens, maybe it doesn't. I won't advocate either way, but in truth what does Eric have going for him other than good looks, or in Ariel's case, a pair of legs as well? The movie really gets going when Ariel meets Ursula, and though the idea of an evil octopus in a night dress is intriguing I'd rather not contemplate it too closely. Ursula has style and is perhaps one of the best Disney villains ever although Rattigan is at least her equal, but it cannot be denied that the blandishments with which she convinces Ariel to do as she says are a little suggestive.
On the subject of Ariel, she's not all that objectionable. Her breasts, are heavily emphasized by her bra and when she's a human hardly noticeable. Unless you just look for such things right away. And having long hair and a tiny waist isn't a criminal offense. If you want to attack someone for their body structure wait for a different character to take the scene.
Anyway, the movie doesn't get terrible until it's close to it's conclusion and Urusla transforms into Vanessa. Ariel isn't really built like a sex-toy, but I'd go far enough to say that Vanessa is. She's much more buxom, has wider hips, and a possibly slimmer waist. Why was Disney trying to hit me over the head with her sexuality? All of the scenes Vanessa was in were a bit too heavy like that, but that wedding scene debacle was just too much to handle. That drew attention to sexuality much more than Ariel's bra did.
All of that said, I still enjoyed the movie. It had a nice fluffy story, good characters, and if it wasn't for Ursula being Vanessa, one of the best Disney villains I've ever known.