The Little Mermaid
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid is a classic animated musical fantasy that introduces audiences to Ariel, a spirited mermaid princess captivated by the human world. Defying her father King Triton's commands, Ariel's fascination with land dwellers grows after she rescues and falls in love with Prince Eric. Her deep desire to become human leads her to strike a dangerous pact with Ursula, the manipulative sea witch, exchanging her voice for legs.
Things to Consider
Witchcraft & Occult
Witchcraft and occult practices are central to the plot, primarily through the antagonist, Ursula the Sea Witch. She uses powerful dark magic for spells, transformations, and making magical contracts, fundamentally driving the narrative. King Triton also wields a magical trident, showcasing immense power.
Ursula's character is defined by her use of dark magic; she casts spells, creates potions, and her lair is depicted as a place of sorcery where she keeps the 'poor unfortunate souls' of merfolk who failed her magical bargains. Ariel's transformation into a human is a direct result of a magical contract with Ursula, involving the exchange of her voice for legs. In the climax, Ursula wields King Triton's magical trident to become gargantuan and unleash destructive powers.
Scary & Intense Content
Both films contain intense scenes that may frighten young children. The 1989 animated film features a suspenseful shark chase and the menacing presence of Ursula and her eels. The 2023 live-action remake significantly increases the intensity with realistic CGI for the shark chase, shipwreck, and Ursula's climactic battle, including jump scares and a more graphic depiction of King Triton's electrocution.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
A Christian parent's guidance is recommended for children under 7 for the 1989 animated film, primarily due to intense fantasy violence, pervasive witchcraft themes, and allegories concerning identity and rebellion. For the 2023 live-action remake, an age recommendation of 8+ is advised due to significantly heightened realism in scary and violent scenes.
Good to Know
The 2023 live-action remake of The Little Mermaid is generally more intense and realistic in its depiction of scary scenes and peril compared to the 1989 animated classic, which should be considered for very young or sensitive viewers. Runtime for the 1989 film is approximately 83 minutes, while the 2023 film is 135 minutes.
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