The Little Mermaid (1989)

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the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast

TruStory FM

153 episodes

1 day ago

It’s the podcast where a filmmaker (Nathan Blackwell of Squishy Studios) and a comedian (Krissy Lenz of Neighborhood Comedy Theatre) take a hilarious look at the 80s movies we think we love or might have missed with modern eyes and probably a significant haze of nostalgia.

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TV & Film

Comedy

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The Little Mermaid (1989)

the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast

56 minutes

5 months ago

The Little Mermaid (1989)

A Disney Renaissance ClassicJoin hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell with special guest Mandy Kaplan as they dive under the sea to explore Disney's animation breakthrough The Little Mermaid. This 1989 film marked the beginning of the Disney Renaissance and set the template for modern Disney princess stories with its memorable songs and colorful characters.The trio discusses how this film revolutionized Disney animation, introducing the now-standard "I Want" song with "Part of Your World" (which executives initially wanted to cut!). They explore how Ariel represented a new kind of Disney princess: rebellious, independent, and actively pursuing her dreams, even if those dreams involved marrying a handsome prince at sixteen.From Ursula's divine inspiration (literally—she was modeled after drag queen Divine) to the spectacular voice talents of Jodi Benson, Pat Carroll, and Buddy Hackett, the podcast examines what made this film so magical. They also hilariously point out the movie's scientific inaccuracies and questionable life lessons while acknowledging its undeniable charm and cultural impact.Key topics covered:

How The Little Mermaid launched the Disney Renaissance
The groundbreaking songwriting and animation techniques
Scientific inaccuracies that plague the underwater world
Ariel's questionable decision-making as a lovestruck teenager
Perfect villain creation with Ursula the sea witch
The hidden Disney princess dress references in Ariel's pink gown
Voice actor highlights, including Mandy's date with the voice of Prince Eric!
The film's enduring legacy and influence on subsequent Disney films
Deep cut recommendations including Robin Hood, Enchanted, and the Descendants franchise

Whether you're a Disney adult or just appreciate the film's artistic significance, this episode captures why The Little Mermaid continues to enchant audiences decades later. As Krissy notes, "Whatever the magic is, they've got it." So grab your dinglehopper, brush up on your seagull vocabulary, and remember to be excellent to each other!
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