The funny thing about these bad faith arguments against the film is that I still clearly remember how I felt as a kid when I watched it. Ariel supposedly wanting to give up her voice for a man completely flew over my head and I was way more interested in wanting to be a mermaid like her.

You have no idea how relieved I am to know that there's still sensible people like you in the world.

I also hate the arguments that Eric only wanted a pretty face. His whole arc is about letting go of his idea of the perfect woman and accepting the love that is developing right in front of him. I understood that even as a kid.

We can rag on Disney as a company for all the shit they did (and continue to do so), but at the same time, dumping on Disney Princesses because of their saccharine, girly-girl nature is unwarranted especially for those who know the series by heart and understood the characters and their message. Snow White, Cinderella and Aurora all get shat on for their seeming passivity, but those who said so forgot the memo that Snow and Cindy are victims of domestic abuse, and Aurora a victim of circumstance. None of them deserved to live a drudge of a life, and in Cindy's case she only wanted a brief respite from all the physical and emotional suffering she got from the Tremaines.

Well said. When I was a girl, I hated King Triton for being so harsh and even in my adult life, him destroying everything she collected is an act of abuse and violence. And honestly... he pushed Ariel into being that desperate.

Not main character , but I think it is amazing how SEBASTIAN was changed and transformed. At the beginning he was a coward, cared only about his music, forced to be Ariels guardian , then turned to be her protector, and finally, a friend .

The other thing I think people forget? Gloss over? is that she is a teenager, teenagers aren't exactly known for always making the best or most thought through decisions, and as you pointed out Ursula then gave her that final push during her most emotional and vulnerable point. This was an impulsive, emotional choice (and it wasn't like Ursula exactly gave her the choice to think it over and come back later with a clear head it was- sign now or never)

I feel like the argument that some disney princess/ characters don't make good role models is in poor taste. They weren't written to be role models, they have flaws that's what makes us connect with them. A good character doesn't always mean a morally right one. But they also have dreams/goals, and they do whatever it takes to make it come true despite their flaws and the obstacles in their way, which is something relatively relatable. Tangent aside I love seeing people analyzing old disney movies. Lovely video~

The interesting thing is, what Eric loved most about Ariel was her voice, which is why Ursula knew it was imperative to take it away from her before making her deal. No man took her voice or wanted her to lose it, but she did fall for the tricks of a witch. What you learn from this is NOT to let a villian pull the wool over your eyes and to stay away from sweet-talking sales folk who will take much more than they are willing to give. I loved this analysis, little mermaid is my favorite film, thank you for beautifully defending its merit and true message

10/10 definitely one of the best interpretations of The Little Mermaid I’ve ever had the pleasure to hear

Ariel had an overprotective dad who turned abusive when she disobeyed him. She already wanted to be part of the human world, but that only made it worse. There are a lot more factors outside of Eric.

Nah she didn't, like Ema Watson didn't watch Beauty and the beast. And Naomi Scott probably didn't watch Alladin. It's my theory that Disney spesifically instructs their actresses to shit on old princess movies and cater to online pseudo feminist bad faith arguments so that they then can market the remakes as the "correct" versions

I took it that Ariel's motivation is to see the world and Eric is just a bonus. In general, there was no way she was gonna let the poor man drown when she's floating there witnessing the storm. Ursula was def watching by then and used Eric as a bargaining chip. Ariel was probably gonna be fine if Eric doesnt pay her any attention, as long as she gets to live and explore the land.

im so done with ppl dissing old, WELL WRITTEN movies and painting them as outdated or problematic without any good context just to sound 'hip' or 'cool'. SO DONE

The argument against the little mermaid is only half right...so it's also half wrong Ariel gave her voice not only for a man, but for a chance to explore an entire NEW world, which also had the man she loved. But for the most part of the time she is on the surface, she is far more interested in the world than she is with the man she loves. If anything, she is more frustrated that she can express how fascinated/captivated and happy/exited is for learning than she is for not expressing love for the man. After all, they barely know each other, so she has less interest for him than she has for the NEW world. As an artist (creative person) and a curious mind (scientist-mind), I can understand Ariel so much. A chance to discover and learn all that is NEW (with the added bonus there is some1 you might get a chance to build a love relation)....so yeah, I think this movie was way ahead of her time. She wanted independence and discovery, the man (love interest) was just a Bonus, so much it would make sense in a follow-up movie she ends up with some else. The Guy is a prince, has duties and would stay still in his "kingdom". So if she was a chance to go with, let's say, and explorer, she WOULD. She would actually join a circus (all that is odd, NEW and constantly move place to place)

This got me choked up and tears in my eyes. Thank you for making this. I saw the little mermaid when I was 4 or 5 and I loved it so much. I would play with my Ariel doll in the bath and would pretend to be a mermaid when I went swimming. I remember not really caring so much about the Eric plot but her fascination with humans, because I ended up wishing to be a mermaid like her. It has almost become shameful to like this movie and means you aren’t enough of a feminist if you do. I remember my aunt watched it with me once (a lawyer who never married with no kids, very ahead of her time with feminism and civil rights) and after finishing the movie she said “don’t you ever make any sacrifices like this for a man.” It made me feel like there was something wrong with me for liking it, even though her intentions were coming from a good place. But you articulated exactly what this movie meant to me, and I appreciate it.

Where have all these wonderful writers gone? You covered so many aspects of this movie I never noticed before. It truly still is a classic that should stay as is.

What about your thoughts on Ariel being called out for being "another weak and helpless damsel in distress"? She outmaneuvered a shark and saved Flounder along the way, destroyed Ursula's eels in the climax, and saved Eric 2 times. But, many people are saying it's not good enough and continue to dismiss Ariel as weak and helpless (like Princess Peach or Mary Jane Watson from the Spiderman Trilogy (2002-2007) because she had to be saved in the third act.

I never saw her wanting to give up her voice as 100% for Eric. Yes he was a big new reason why, but also she was always drawn towards the surface because all her life Triton forbid everything about it. She wanted to learn about our many customs about walking, dancing, fire, having free will to CHOOSE what we want (especially the women) since Triton was always such a controlling father.

Little Mermaid is a progressive film. Has a strong female protagonist, with her own goals and aspirations who saves the Prince twice. She drives the plot and has a mixture of heroic qualities and flaws.

Basically, Ariel wants to be isekaied, and boi do I relate so much to that... Yearning for a world that is supposed to be untouchable that it makes you feel so lonely. I'm just glad that in her paticular case, the world she yearns for is not completely untouchable, just prohibited, so I'm happy for her that she was able to be a part of that world at the end.

THANK YOU! If I may say so too, it’s good to hear a dude defend this film and give his perspective. I was really sick a kid and Ariel and Belle pulled me through a lot of things. They were and are my heroes. I think it was in a later film that they gave more backstory for Triton, how he lost his wife who was adventurous, even loved a human made music box, and of whom Ariel is the spitting image. His struggle with grief and trauma was so deep and at times yeh, it consumed him and he took it out on Ariel. To recognize her for the whole person she was and begin to trust her decisions is quite a message for both parents and children. I wished they included those scenes then. Ariel went to Ursula because she was reeling from her father’s frequent outbursts and harshness. It was very reactionary. It’s a cautionary tale not to push kids away. The only real hiccup I have for this film is that Ariel could have gotten to know Eric for a year or two before she married him.

I love Ursula so much as a villain. Like, she’s just so cool, she has my favorite villain song out of every Disney villain

Ariel is a badass in Kingdom Hearts when her world isn't relegated to a singing minigame!

To those who complain about Ariel giving up everything (her family, her aquatic friends, her underwater home, her species) in order to be with a guy on land, let me ask you this: How would you feel if the genders were reversed in that scenario: *A man gives up everything (his family, his friends, his business, his life on land, his species) in order to spend the rest of his life under the sea with the mermaid he loves?* I am genuinely curious because what I described above is basically the ending of the 1984 fantasy rom-com “Splash”: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qbN2gdNltpu3gok.htmlm59s . SPOILERS FOR A 38-YEAR-OLD MOVIE! 🤣🤣 (Interestingly enough, “Splash” was the first film released under Disney’s adult banner “Touchstone Pictures”, so technically speaking, “Splash” IS a Disney movie 😂)

I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes Ariel. I used to have a friend who hated her because she's a Disney Princess and thinks that all Disney Princess do nothing and Ariel got her happy ending on a silver platter, but she liked the original Hans Chrisian Anderson version of the Little Mermaid because it has a tragic ending.

i agree with a lot of this , now i have my gripes with disney but i think its become too fashionable to hate on disney ( specifically their classics ) and honestly i think a lot people come across as overly cynical/bitter when they complain when she ( or sometimes any character gets the guy or girl) as if the presence of a love interest diminishes anything or someone becomes the sole motive p.s also i thoght the romance was fine maybe not great but i think people complain way too much about it

It's unfortunate how adults who must have grown up with this films around miss the memo. Disney Princesses are not man crazy harlots, but often victims of circumstance or abuse who find the strength to overcome. They are not naturally strong, but they FIND that strength without losing themselves. The only character that I cannot think of as a victim is Belle. And she is far from man crazy. She doesn't deal with crap, be it from Gaston OR Beast. If people assume just because a man waltzed into their lives it got better, it didn't. They MADE it better, made decisions and found the strength to GROW. That's powerful.

Only 4 min into the video so idk if it’s mentioned or not. Even if her kid watches that movie and gets the idea of giving up your voice for a man it’s HER JOB as a mom to discuss those things with her child and show her child what healthy relationships look like. Not letting her kid watch a whole ass movie because of one possible interpretation and avoid a conversation about it is L A Z Y!

Probably your best work yet. Really love the analysis of Part of Your World, very informative and thoughtful.

The scene where Ariel explores the kingdom with Eric and we experience all her joy and wonder has always been my favourite part of the movie. I love how you described it in the video and your amazing insight into the movie's parallels with the LGBTQIA+ struggle. Amazing video! Got me all emotional 😍

I love this!!! I’ve written a defense of Aurora before and Snow White for being critiqued in what I think is bad faith, too. So I love this!!

The Little Mermaid is Triton's movie as far as I'm concerned, and I enjoy the movie a lot more through that lens.

Sad that a lot of people overlook or just ignore Ariel’s “I want song.” Musical composition 101. Probably one of the most important parts of every musical, giving us insight on the character and their actions as the story progresses.

Omg, thank you for vocalizing exactly what's been in my heart. The Renaissance Disney Princesses were frankly queens, and anyone looking at these ladies the way Keira Knightly does are doing them a great disservice (not to mention, insulting!). Pretty sure she also had similar bs to say about Cinderella; yes, Ms. Love Actually, let's blame the actual victim because she happens to fall in love with a man in the end! 🙄🙄🙄

This was awesome My only wish would be if you explained how Ariel started the trend of Disney heroines rescuing their loves.

This was so beautifully put and poignant. It's been annoying me so much every time someone trashes the disney classics, especially the princesses, because they seem such easy targets. Thank you for making this video. I loved every second of it.

Excellent! Correct across the board on our leading lady Ariel, but the most interesting to me was your two points about a key supporting role: that King Triton is really the antagonist of the film, while at once the character whose arc has him grow the most over its course. As a boy with no dad (two moms) I loved Triton (always wanted a parent with a beard (or a mane, lookin at you, Mufasa)) and he was my favorite character when I was younger (7-18). But having not seen it in years, I’m 27 now and a huge cartoon/animation buff, I watched The Little Mermaid last week and was just floored by the musical storytelling, and the characterization of Ariel. Part Of That World is insanely important to the whole: it shows the audience right into Ariel’s heart, where we reside for the rest of the narrative. I have watched the movie two more times this week, because it’s affected me so much, and I tell you I, an adult man, cry each time she sings it: in her cavern-“What’s a fire and why does it- what’s the word- Burrrrn, when’s it my turn?”-again at the reprise to Eric on the shore-“where would we walk, where would we run”-then right after as he’s leaving-“I don’t know when, I don’t know how, but I know something’s starting right nowwww-watch and you’ll see, someday I’ll be, part of your world” ~cue title splash~ ~also cue my tears~ Then yet again when Eric is playing her melody on his little flute (shnarfblat), looking out at the sea. The fact that he’s in love with her voice, the very cost of the deal she made to get close to him (“What would I give, to live where you are?”), is incredibly effective as a literary device, hats off to Hans, but it’s just delivered in unbelievably moving fashion by Menken & Ashman. Lion King’s Hans Zimmer achieves a similar effect with the melody that plays when Mufasa shows Simba the kingdom (This Land), when Simba steps into his footprint (Father’s Footsteps), when he sees Mufasa’s ghost (Under The Stars), and finally when Simba ascends the throne/stone in the rain to give his royal roar (King of Pride Rock). But even this, great and moving as it is, and we’re talking about my favorite movie here, is just a theme. And boy do I love me a theme! But what Ashman did with The Little Mermaid is on another level. The way he embedded the core emotion of our lead, the elemental text, into the binding of the story is unique and unmatched: Needle of Music and Lyrical Thread, together woven through the very fabric of the film. To conclude, the piece shines once more at the brilliant close. King Triton, looking upon his daughter looking upon her love and world, Eric, finally sees what he did not before, that Ariel lives to run free, that she must follow her dreams, dreams alive and right in front of her. So Triton, having come around at last from control to blessing, gives his daughter her wish and sets his little mermaid free. The fanfare begins as Ariel transforms and steps out of the sea to embrace Eric, wedding bells clang along to seal the deal, and our Part Of That World theme returns as the fishfolk look up and wave to the wedding ship. It goes softer for Flounder’s personal goodbye, the bells interrupt for Sebastian’s defeat of the cook, and then we are treated to one final statement of the theme, slowed and more tender than ever, as Triton rises to see Ariel off and in a real sense, give her away. At their hug she whispers, “I love you, Daddy.” So released and unrestrained, the classic Disney chorus descends to close the musical as the king smiles at his princess happy, repeating the lyric from the first reprise when she sang to her prince, then in the future conditional tense-“where would we... if... and I could be...”-here resolved in the present tense: “Now we can walk, now we can run, now we can stay all day in the sun- Just you and me, and I can be, part of your world!” Ariel and Eric, arm in arm, standing as one, wave at the sea; Triton makes a rainbow on the last word, “World.” His may have been the growing arc, but hers was the moving one, if you will, the flipping tale. My feeling of satisfaction at watching her go from her cavern, to the shore, out of the water and into the human world with her prince’s love and her father’s blessing, is as deep as a movie can reach. Ariel is a fully realized character, and her film is phenomenal. She is not weak, nor shallow. The Little Mermaid is lovely and truly inspiring.

We need to mention that these princesses are a reflection of the time they were created. Snow white today could not be the same Snow white as before.

I think my issue with Ariel as a protagonist isn't the fact that she gives up her voice since she very clearly has a lot of intersecting motivations beyond Eric, but more so the fact that she's established to be a fully realized character and in the right, despite her naïveté being put on full display multiple times, and not really getting any consequences or get called out for her actions. And it makes her romance with Eric kind of hard to root for. That being said, I like how you debunked some of the worst arguments that are held against this film. Great work!

Also not to get a bit off topic but I kind of lost respect for Keira knightly for criticizing the Animated Cinderella movie. She claimed Cinderella did nothing to help herself. did she not see the climax where it's Cinderella herself who told her animal friends to get the dog so that he would scare away the cat allowing her mice friend to slip the key under the door and that it was because of her kindness that all those mice and birds want to help her and the fact that despite being a servant in her own home she doesn't let her step family destroy her optimism and compassion for others who deserve it. Heck she was going to whack at the cat for messing up her hard work of scrubbing the floors. I see all that as the signs of rebelling against her abusive family and not a weak female character at all

I always hated the "Eric only loved her bc of her looks" thing. Their whole arc shows Eric slowly falling for her bc of her actions, who she really is instead of her trying to fit in with her role as a princess. Her learning about the human world and showcasing her curiosity about everything around her. It kind of sucks to also imply that people who are mute are less whole people than those who talk, or that talking is your only way of expressing personality :/

Your essay was very well put. That is why growing up Ariel was my fav Disney princess as she taught me to explore and have adventures that I never once thought she gave up her family for a man she just met an it’s sad that some people viewed the movie that way.

I'm going to be honest I do like the little mermaid myself but king Triton he really scared me when I was a kid Especially the scenes where he gets mad, everything was a black and gold color And even the ghetto being destroyed By the blast of his own Trident You know I've also watched the little mermaid 2 Return to the sea and I think in a sense Ariel Got to learn the same Lesson as her father

I do agree, and I have said it for a long time, Ariels desire is not originally based on love, it just become the means by which she can get to her desire and its still genuine. If you listen to her song, she is also singing about desiring to become an independent adult, free to choose her own way of living. By the way, when you speak of the gay stuff... HC Anderssen who wrote the story may have been gay, or atleast bi. It is theorised he wrote the little mermaid inspired by his own out of reach love. So that is in the storys history to begin with, its not just a thing from the modern movie. And having things out of reach, wanting to be part of something you cant be, its something that everyone can recognize themselves in. We all love something that will always be outside of our grasp. Honestly I hate when people rag on these movies. Sure they werent perfect, but they were beautiful, true pieces of art, and had heart, unlike todays remakes.

Comb the entire Ocean for her! Have you found her? We ain’t found shit! #spaceballsreference

My point is Ariel was voiceless even before she gave her voice to Ursula. Ariel was feeling she can't be hersel in the ocean because her heart was on Earth and merpeople just can't get that and It hurts even most when it comes from her father his destructive actions made her feel so misunderstood and lost in this world this fact made her wish even more for a world where she can Express herself, feel accepted and loved.

YAS! Thank you. This was my favorite animated movie since I was a little girl and I have never thought that the message was give your voice for a man. It was about dreaming of a bigger things and going for it .

Don't forget that the real monsters Ursula who waited for Ariel to be in an emotionally distraught position that she could be manipulated into making a bad choice

Keira Knightley, as much as I love her, what the hell is wrong with her? I have so much disgust and frustration towards adults who ban movies from their children, not because it's too scary or it's rated M or Restricted, but because of agenda bullsbit. Forbidding your daughter to see a movie all because it doesn't suit your forth wave Feminist agenda is the same as parents forbidding their children to see a movie because there's a gay character in it. Thankyou for making this video. The Little Mermaid is an amazing, beautiful and special film and it's among the absolute best of Disney's films. I'm very lucky to have this film be a favourite since I was a baby.

The fact that you mentioned Paris is Burning ❤️ The first time I saw that film, Venus Extravaganza reminded me so much of Ariel, and it was all the more heartbreaking to see her fate. 😢

The fact that I’ve seen people online defending King Triton’s overly-controlling behavior is concerning to me. Anyone who grew up with an overprotective parent like him would understand how suffocating it is to live under the conditions that Ariel did. To this day, the scene where he destroys her collection of trinkets is devastating and brings tears to my eyes. Your analysis is beautifully worded and exactly on point: you can’t control your children, only guide them and you need to give them room to grow and learn from their own actions.

👏👏👏bravo, Daniel. I think you perfectly articulated the defense of LM so well! When i was little I loved all the classic Disney princesses, tbh, i pretended to be a mermaid after watching Little Mermaid, pretended to ride a magic carpet as Jasmine, and wanted to start my own library collection as Belle. I never put any focus on ever being “saved” by a prince in any of my pretend playing, i think because the stories above all emphasize imagination and wonder and that’s exactly what i got out of the movies. As an adult is when i started to realize how powerful the messages were behind the stories and how I subtly connected to them as a child. For example, my favorites were Belle because she loved reading, but I identified mostly with Ariel because she was a headstrong, fearless girl in an oppressed environment. I too had an authoritarian father, but i had/have an adventurer’s spirit and i loved that Ariel pursued her passion to explore a new world. As a child Ariel gave me hope that I wasn’t alone in wanting more than my stuffy environment could offer. And as an adult I did explore, moving away from home, meeting my husband (i would never say i met a prince charming, i’d say i met an incredibly handsome, intelligent, hard working man, so see, Keira, not every girl who watches a Disney princess cartoon grows up looking for a guy in a literal castle) and living the life I wanted. Ariel, Jasmine, Belle, and even Cinderella, all exemplify brave women whose resiliency as they pursue their dreams helps them reach their goals, along with the help of their friends, and what is wrong with them finding love in the middle of that? They certainly helped illuminate my childhood, that’s for sure ☺️.

Weirdos: The movie's about how you should give up your voice for a man cause only looks matter. Actual movie: Eric finds a half naked woman that doesn't speak practically jumping into his arms. His reaction? "Yo, back off, you ain't my dream girl!"

Do not give your voice up for a man” but that’s what she did. It’s the old argument about weather or not to allowing yourself to give yourself to love all the way. Alfred Lord Tennyson once said 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.’ But for the poor little mermaid she risked her life to be the prince only to die in the end. Still she instead of becoming foam on the waves, God saw her sacrifice and took pity on her and made her an angel. One who guides the way ward hearts. P.S. notice that Ursula is the one villain I recall mourning the demise of her two pets?

I will defend pretty much every Disney protagonist that people try to rewrite as "more modern" til the cows come home. And I'm glad there's someone who agrees with me.

The film's narrative is clearly a warning about bad parenting practices even if those practices come out of love. King Triton shut up or shut out his daughter on the topic of humans instead of trying to figure out the source of the issue and find creative solutions to her behavior. This pushed Ariel away until the situation progressed to the point that the only way for her to be happy was to be let go. King Triton was able to patch up his relationship with Ariel, but ultimately he still ended up losing her. It's a very powerful message to parents. It's also important to note that due to their obvious love for each other, the topic of humans was likely the only one they couldn't properly discuss with each other. (If you're willing to take the series as canon, the previous statement is confirmed.) On a side note, let's appreciate the fact that at the end of the movie, when Ariel is sitting on the rock, she has obviously already discussed what had happen with her father. She sits with an expression and posture that indicate she knows this is the last time she'll see Eric while her father watches her from nearby. The fight with Ursula was intense but brief and began right after sunset. The next scene takes place at sunrise. Looking at what has been revealed about Ariel's character, she would have immediately started searching for Eric, see he's okay, and then head directly for her father. When King Triton confronted Ursula, Ariel obviously understood what she had done just as King Triton had understood his own mistakes concerning his daughter. It only makes sense that they apologized and talked things over before Ariel requested to see Eric one more time.

Wow. You’re a great author, artist, editor, and insightful presenter all in one! Your videos are amazing too! Keep up the good work! :)

I never understood the “she gave up her family for a man” oh you mean her family? Which includes her dad who destroyed all of her possessions? Or her sisters who have the personality of cardboard?

Dear God, this video actually made me cry. Thank you so much for crafting this beautiful love letter to one of my top favorite films of all time.

What I like about this film is that it's a Disney princess movie that has a climax like something out of a Robert E. Howard story.

I swear nowadays people think if a female character isn't a demigod that slays legions of soldiers effortlessly they're a weak damsel in distress and the film is bad. It's gotten so bad that I'm really hesitant to tell people I enjoy the older disney films. RIP the pre-2010 disney movies, they will be missed. Thank you for making this video, I really resonated with it.

I've also seen similar criticisms of Prince Eric, that he only fell in love with her for her voice, or that he fell in love with her for her lack of voice. It is true that he did fall for her voice, but he was also enamored that she rescued him. And that's not even the point- the movie makes it clear that Eric shouldn't be falling in love with an image of perfection, rather than Ariel herself. Eric is torn between choosing the woman he saw rescue/serenade him, and this woman that fell on his doorstep that he'd been having a good time with. Eric had been playing a flute to the sea to try to reach the mystery woman. And he, after a conversation with Grimsby about considering Ariel, tosses the flute into the sea, showing that he chose Ariel for Ariel. It's easy to gloss over his struggle because we all know mystery woman and Ariel are the same person, but it is a really underrated character arc.

I couldn't agree more. Ariel is a strong character. Great reading of the film.

This brought me to tears. What s beautiful analysis of the little mermaid. Great message. And I totally agree. Fantastic! 😭❤️

You really hit the head of nail with that hammer. On point, dude. This is what I have been feeling since people have been seeing that movie as, just a girl giving up her voice to be with a man she just saved.

I love this vid and the comments to boot! Also, Ariel was also perfectly fine meeting Eric as a mermaid. There’s proof in this because the dialogue right before Sebastian sings under the sea. Ariel was brainstorming up a scenario where flounder would splash around and make such a ruckus enough to make Eric notice. It was only after her dad destroys Eric’s statue and her treasures, that left her vulnerable enough for Ursula to take that advantage of her. And side note, (this is just added knowledge), Ursula was never in love with Eric, she transformed herself into a human to hypnotize Eric all because Eric and Ariel were getting close to the kiss. Remember if Ariel and Eric kissed, Ursula would have never be able to use Ariel as a leverage to King Triton.

Ariel wanted to be part of humanity. Prince Eric was just a bonus to that. lol

People just can't relate with shit anymore because life and development takes place online, especially for children and teenagers. What would they know ?

Loved your analysis and I totally agree, there’s more to Ariel’s motivations than what the popular opinion says to observe. People also claim that she fell in love too quickly with him at his birthday party on the ship, but I think there are also some hints she saw on him that helped her judge him right and feel attracted toward his gentle heart: yes, she first was attracted to his looks (ain’t that happens to all of us?), but then she saw how he treated the others while being the prince, like equals, but the cherry on top was how he risked his own life for rescuing an innocent life, his hairy four-legged friend. How could she possible not be drawn to him when she saw with her own eyes how he truly is when nobody sees: a kind and courageous young man, who happens to be a good looking prince.

I love this. ❤️ thank you for explaining her story the way I've always seen it to be.

What really boils me with the Little Mermaid remake, is that they are changing Howard Ashman's songs and theme that he worked hard on. Without the Little Mermaid/Howard Ashman there would be no Renaissance in the first place!

The Little Mermaid will forever and always be my favorite movie ever!

I lot of the times when people make blanket statements about Disney princesses, they ignore the full story. Cinderella is constantly talked about as if she’s lazy, was saved by a man, or got everything she wanted with magic. Despite the fact that Cinderella was 100% gonna make that ball gown herself until she was forced to work to occupy her time. And she didn’t even want to meet the prince. She just wanted to have a good night. Her intentions weren’t to find a way out of her living situation. Ariel is so similar, the situation is far more nuanced than “she saw a cute boy and gave up her voice FOR HIM” Ariel didn’t give up her voice for him. She wanted legs first and foremost.

Look at ye, postin' informative and engagin' bangers Dan.

People underestimate Eric. Just before he was bewitched by Ursula, he decided to stop looking for the mysterious singing girl and stay with Ariel, and he didn't care that she was mute.

I think most people confuse Ariel's motivation is because they confuse the first song with the reprise. In the original song, she never says "Part of YOUR world", she says "Part of THAT world", when she met Eric and saved him, she found another reason to dream about the human world.

Beautifully conveyed. I am impressed. It's a shame many people can only critique in the confines of buzzwords and the most basic interpretations, forsaking any nuance or humanity.

Its not my favorite Disney movie but by george you made me appreciate it even more, thank you my dude!

Seems to me like Ariel gave up her voice to get away from her dad. If he never had that violent outburst and destroyed her things this would have not happened. But saying Triton could use some anger management is not Disneylike.

Nicely said and properly supported. Thank you

always liked this movie a lot. and it made me get a re-interest in Disney animations during that time ( beauty and the beast, Aladdin, etc.) Triton was a fav character for me, as i always saw him as that "old school" kind of Dad. Tough, stern, and usually regretting a decision in the name of discipline and keeping the family safe. The best part of him was the change he had in the end. And the bridge that was created between him and Ariel. There are so many quiet things in this movie, that can resonate so much with ppl, and having torn down to "base, one-sided self observances" is really a shame

that was a wonderful video ^u^ thank you for making it

It’s Ursula that makes it all about a man

Love this video. You deliver your points with such clarity and elegance, but the passion is palpable. I agree with everything you said. This is a lovely movie. You’re even motivating me to make a video essay of my own, because I have so much to say about this movie too.

THANK YOU ! That's exactly what I wanted to ear !

Great insight. I always thought ariel was brave and spirited . She had the courage to fulfil her dreams which alot of people are to afraid to do. 🥰👍

11:48 Haha! Your line and the delivery of it. Also the closeups lmao The Little Merpixel 13:41 XDDD ...you play Crusader Kings? Great video! This movie was THE most special thing to me as a kiddo :D

This has actually made my day!

Such a great breakdown of a great movie So many hit these movies for all the wrong reasons or read way too into them and lyrics from songs…most are stronger than people think and are willing to fight for what they want…some get an assist but they are still willing to defy everyone who says they can’t Defiance is Ariel and most teens…sweet 16 is that point when you really start figuring things out and gaining some independence but at the same time are still limited for a couple more years so naturally wanting to break out of that confining shell is understandable…doing it at all costs not so much but when your dreams are shot down by those who you thought would support you…literally for Ariel…”I’ll show them” is an understandable reaction and that’s just what Ariel did…she didn’t care about the cost she was going to make her dream of seeing this new world happen since it would be…at least in her mind…her only chance to do it Also wanted to say Disney blew their chance to really highlight the princesses in the Ralph sequel…horrible movie and the whole princess scene was such a waste…they make these strong young women sound so weak… Search KZfaq for the song Live Your Story and you will find what rout they should have taken…these women were positive and/or brave in their situations or did something to make their dreams reality

Love your video, dude!! While not my top favorite, I do have a deep appreciation for this film. The mentality that some people have against it... Is annoying 😡

Great interpretation and review. I was 14 years old and I totally got Ariel's POV from the get go. From wanting to explore more of my community but feeling like i was unable to (oldest child in my family, having a physical disability, my father being obsessively over protective and paranoid...even now ), i got Ariel all too well. Then too reading novel series such as Little House on the Prairie and Love Comes Softly (ie 19 or 20 yr old bride, Marty, er;y becomes a widow and is talked into marrying a widower farmer, Clark, by the drover during a stop along the Oregon Trail.) I knew about sacrifices in a historical context.

Coming across a video on KZfaq that puts a familiar topic into a new analytical perspective and agreeing with 100% of that analysis is pretty exceptional. Your defense of this movie is rock solid, and shows the fly-by-night, shallow trendiness that is modern 'social consciousness'. I long for the days when movies like the original Little Mermaid were available for public consumption. Those were better days.

Thank you for this! I do think there is some amount of (reasonable) teenage hormones that she gets caught up in, but the human world is... basically all she loves and wants. She doesn't even go to the concert, what people supposedly praise her the most for. She gives it away, because it ISNT what she loves the most. Also, IDK if you have seen or like it, but I love the little mermaid 2 with her daughter! It's very silly, but once again the parents make mistakes and the film handles it. Ariel even does similar things that he father did and has to fix it. would love to see you talk about it.

Well Said , well Written , Well Done .

Oh good. I thought this was gonna head in a poor direction. 😁Thanks for video.

i will FOREVER defend the little mermaid it’s one of my favorite disney movies

I had figured all of that was what made Ariel not a Mary Sue to begin with, she was basically trapped in her own life because of an overprotective parent and she may not thought about turning human before coming to Ursula, since she was already planning to meet Eric as her mermaid self for he already seem nice and wanted freedom himself so he wouldn't just freak which he didn't care if she has feet or fins, he loved her for her. Plus I'd figured after Ursula was no more, Ariel was willing to accept her old life if she and Eric weren't meant to be after all which they're simply are and that's why Triton decided to let her go with him anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if the remake Ariel becomes another Mary Sue.

Keira Knightley is in the minority. The Little Mermaid would go down in history as one of the most beloved children's films ever made of all time. Disney saw it as such a success they would try to emulate it's success three more times with Pocahontas, Atlantis the Lost Empire, AND most recently Moana.

I was actually looking forward to the live-action remake, and I love Hailey Bailey so far as Ariel from the trailers, but then the moment the articles about Bailey herself saying the exact same tired response of "giving her voice up for a man" had me disappointed so much. I came back to this delightful video to remind myself that people still harp on this movie for the wrong reasons and will probably never understand. I've been a fan of The Little Mermaid for 5 years now, and I'm too one of the many people who hate that bad-faith narrative. I'm also one to never have the live-action remakes be held to the same pedestal as the originals since the classics are better anyways (and the only one I actually hate is Mulan's remake). I'll give the live-action Little Mermaid a shot, and despite being impressed with what I've seen from the trailers so far, I'm not going in with the most optimistic view of the story. It's hard being forgiving to live-action remakes when I have to remind myself that people are still willing to look past the important choices about the original films. Edit 06/02: I'm still going to watch this remake. I can admit that this was me venting out my frustration, as I realized that it's very tiring to have these thoughts derail my excitement. I'm only watching the remake for the performances, music, visuals, and yes, nostalgia. I could care less about the changes and potentially dumb stuff. Every live-action remake has them.