Still magical

Rating: 6/10 (21 July 2013)

Rewatching this as a 26 year old, some of the classic Disney wonders can be lost on you. As much as you've mentally prepared yourself to take things at face value, you still can't help to wonder the more realistic aspect of things. Forget the improbability of mermaids turning into people. Forget even the mere existence of mermaids and mermen for the sake of beliefs being suspended. We can still draw some of the plots unto our own stories. The biggest one personally for me is Ariel's eagerness as a teen (was it common for 16 year olds to get married back in '89?) and interests in a world different from her own, then having not so much as qualms to leave the only world she has known behind for her one true love.
This may seem a bit crass but I found it quite amusing that Disney proposed a mute heroine for the first time (I'm a female in case that's a merit for such finding). Maybe some men would find a very attractive red head who can't speak as the perfect package but Eric prefer his princess to be the singing kind. This point was totally lost on me as a 10 year old but one thing I vividly remember from the film was the heroine as 'she is big eyes, she is nice hair, I sure like that and wouldn't mind to look like her when I grow up'.
Putting all that aside, the film proved to be just as enjoyable as the last time I saw it (at least 16 years ago). A little backstory with Ariel and her sisters seem to have some potentials but I guess Disney has already explored that with Cinderella. Ursula still came across as intimidating especially after she did her voodoo and took over the crown and the All Power Holding Spear.
I've always thought the biggest part of Disney's charm is its unique ability to turn saccharine lyrics and arrangements into something magical and this is no exception to the general rule. Part Of Your World manage to sound appealing despite it being suited to a younger audience. As far as the voice talents are concerned, Disney has the trick down to a knack. This is what The Little Mermaid is all about - a Disney classy classic class.