The Little Mermaid

"The Little Mermaid" has been impressively restored for its 4K UHD Blu-ray release, presenting a remarkable clarity and color vibrancy that significantly enhances the viewing experience. The restoration process respects the original film's essence, preserving its intrinsic beauty while addressing age-related visual limitations. The colors pop with pleasing saturation, especially the blues, which are strikingly beautiful. This treatment ensures the film doesn’t lose its classic charm amidst contemporary digital animations, keeping the visual depth and richness intact. The fidelity of the animated characters’ design shines through, with stable contrast and brightness that highlight intricate details and a balanced chromatic palette. Black levels display an excellent dynamic range, though they may not reach the inkiest levels seen in modern high definition releases, whites remain crisp and bright, contributing to a presentation that likely surpasses fans’ expectations for this beloved 24-year-old feature.

However, while the restoration’s fidelity is mostly commendable, there are minor gripes. The 3D presentation, although technically proficient, illustrates that "The Little Mermaid" doesn't naturally lend itself to the added dimensionality. Scenes with ample brightness benefit most from the 3D conversion, offering a greater sense of depth, though darker underwater sequences don't fare as well. This disparity underscores the limitations of retrofitting traditional 2D animations into a 3D format. Moreover, slight issues like momentarily misplaced animations or color discrepancies during songs hint at imperfections in the restoration effort, though these are unlikely to detract significantly from the overall enjoyment. Such errors seem minute and may only concern the most discerning viewers who might be momentarily distracted upon detection.

In both 3D and 2D formats, the outcome is predominantly positive. The level of detail and color fidelity marks a considerable improvement over prior releases, with a particular note on how well textures and backgrounds are resolved. Despite comparisons to newer CGI-rich films suggesting limitations in portraying undersea environments as vividly, "The Little Mermaid" stands on its own merits as a praiseworthy restoration. While the 3D aspect might not meet the high standards set by more recent Disney endeavors due to the film's original design and darker scenes under water, it still offers a worthwhile experience for scenes set in brighter environments. Ultimately, both versions represent an essential upgrade for fans and collectors alike, ensuring that Ariel's undersea realm and adventures remain visually captivating for new generations.

Disney's recent release of "The Little Mermaid" on 4K UHD Blu-ray features a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 channel surround mix that strikes an exceptional balance between respecting the original audio presentation and adding a contemporary sheen that enhances the viewing experience. While not a sonic tour de force, the mix is commendably clean and clear, demonstrating an admirable level of detail in blending dialogue, sound effects, and music. The musical numbers, composed by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, truly shine, benefiting from the lossless mix that elevates them beyond their previous DVD incarnations. The balance achieved here is not overly aggressive but remains dynamic enough to support the film's enchanting soundtrack components with an appropriate bass response that’s both palpable and well-integrated.

Despite some opinions suggesting that a 7.1 surround track may be unnecessary or even a tad excessive for this catalog title, Disney has effectively showcased its commitment to audio excellence. The preservation of the original sound design's tone and tenor, while still offering a refreshed sonic experience, is no small feat. The mix, though occasionally front-heavy, does not compromise on delivering an engaging rear speaker presence, particularly during the film's iconic musical sequences. This allows for a more immersive experience, cleverly utilizing the LFE channel to enhance without overpowering and ensuring voices are prioritized and crystal clear.

Ultimately, this DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix of "The Little Mermaid" represents a careful enhancement over its original 70 mm 6-Track Dolby Stereo soundscape. Although it may be slightly front-loaded compared to some expectations for a modern surround mix, it consistently activates the rear channels to envelope listeners in its atmospheric undersea world during key moments. This audio presentation marries the sincerity of a 24-year-old classic with the finesse of modern sound engineering, making it difficult to envision Ariel and her underwater realm sounding any more vibrant or beautifully orchestrated than they do in this release.

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray extras for "The Little Mermaid" deliver an exceptional array of content that beautifully complements the film, satisfying both long-time fans and newcomers. From intimate behind-the-scenes featurettes like @DisneyAnimation and Under the Scene to deeper dives into the film's legacy through Howard’s Lecture and the insightful Deleted Character: Harold the Merman, the collection is both comprehensive and revealing. Notably, Part of Her World offers a unique look at Jodi Benson's emotional connection to Ariel and Disney, enhancing the extras' appeal. The set also includes engaging karaoke sessions in Crab-E-Oke Sing Along, a delightful rendition of Part of Your World by Carly Rae Jepsen, and provides valuable digital extras such as soundtrack and movie download codes. Classic features are not overlooked, with enriching content like the detailed Audio Commentary, substantial Deleted Scenes, and the extensive Backstage Disney anthology that takes viewers on a journey through the film's creation, special effects, and the original Hans Christian Andersen tale. The blend of HD upgrades and lovingly preserved SD contents ensures that this edition of "The Little Mermaid" is a definitive collection.

Extras included in this disc:

@DisneyAnimation: Insights from directors John Musker and Ron Clements, alongside a variety of Disney animators discussing their inspirations and experiences at Disney Animation Studios.

Under the Scene: Exploration of the use of live-action reference in animation for "The Little Mermaid."

Howard’s Lecture: A look at Howard Ashman’s contribution to the music and storytelling of "The Little Mermaid."

Deleted Character: Harold the Merman: Introduction to a character cut from the final film.

Part of Her World: Jodi Benson’s visit to Disney's Animation Resort and New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World.

Crab-E-Oke Sing Along: Karaoke versions of popular songs from "The Little Mermaid."

Music Video: Carly Rae Jepsen’s cover of "Part of Your World."

Audio Commentary: Directors Ron Clements and John Musker, with composer Alan Menken, provide insights into the making of the film.

Deleted Scenes: A compilation of seven deleted scenes with introductions.

Backstage Disney: A collection of nine features, including "The Little Match Girl" animated short, a comprehensive making-of documentary, and more.

Music & More: Songs from the film with on-screen lyrics and an Ashley Tisdale music video.

Disneypedia: Life Under the Sea: An educational featurette on marine life.

Behind the Ride that Almost Was: Insights into an unproduced attraction based on "The Little Mermaid."

Under the Sea Adventure: A virtual theme park ride experience.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "The Little Mermaid" reinvigorates the cherished classic with a vibrance that pays homage to its groundbreaking achievements in animation. As Disney's 28th animated feature and a pivotal point in the studio's history, it heralds the ushering of the Disney Renaissance, significant for being the last to employ traditional hand-painted cels while simultaneously pioneering the Computer Animation Production System (CAPS). The finesse of the film's transition from traditional to computer-assisted animation underscores its historical importance and technical innovation. This, coupled with the intelligent structuring akin to a Broadway show—the first for a Disney film—and the memorable soundtrack crafted by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, underscores "The Little Mermaid's" monumental role in redefining feature animation.

The narrative, richly adapted from Hans Christian Andersen's tale, focuses on Ariel, a teenage mermaid characterized by rebellious curiosity and a profound longing for the human world. The compelling voice performances, especially by Jodi Benson as Ariel, breathe life into this vibrant undersea adventure, creating an unforgettable connection with audiences. While the animation may betray traces of its age with a certain roughness and nascent digital tech aspects, these elements quaintly highlight the film's place at the dawn of a new era in animation. These characteristics, rather than detractions, serve to enrich the film's historical and aesthetic appreciation.

Despite its revolutionary achievements and progressiveness in storytelling and character design, "The Little Mermaid" does not escape scrutiny pertaining to its depiction of gender roles and agency. Ariel's journey, while pioneering for its time, still conveys a message where her aspirations and conflicts are largely defined and resolved through male characters. However, viewing the film through the lens of its era and its efforts to push boundaries reveals its significance as a piece of cinematic art. The journey from hand-drawn cels to digital enhancement represented in this 4K presentation elicits a sense of nostalgia while inviting appreciation for how far animation has come. As such, "The Little Mermaid" remains a testament to Disney's enduring legacy of storytelling and innovation—an essential viewing experience that continues to charm and inspire across generations.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Little Mermaid" provides an exemplary showcase of Disney's commitment to preserving the enchanting allure of their animated classics in the highest possible fidelity. Utilized in our evaluation was a comprehensive and high-caliber home theater setup, including the JVC DLA-RS55 projector, calibrated meticulously with Calman 5 and a C6 Meter from Spectracal, and sound reproduction through a combination of Marantz AV8801 processor and Sherbourn Technologies amplification, among other top-tier equipment. This rigorous setup underscores the Blu-ray's superior visual and audio quality. The release dazzles with its filmic integrity, eschewing overly bright or processed remasters for a presentation that honors the original artistic vision. Accompanied by a rich DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track, the audio experience is as immersive as the visual, meticulously preserving the film's iconic score and sound effects.

While the 3D version of the film might not break new ground in terms of technological innovation compared to Disney's more recent offerings, it nonetheless presents an interesting alternative viewing experience, complemented by an extensive array of both new and legacy special features. These extras not only add value but deepen the viewing experience, capturing the essence of what makes "The Little Mermaid" a timeless piece. The inclusion of three viewing formats, along with the film's soundtrack and various other supplemental materials, further endorse this Diamond Edition as a comprehensive collector's item.

In conclusion, this 4K UHD Blu-ray rendition of "The Little Mermaid" stands as a monumental achievement in home entertainment. Its dedication to quality through meticulous audio-visual presentation respects the legacy of the animated classic while offering an enriching home cinema experience. Whether for lifelong fans or new audiences, this release exemplifies how technology can breathe new life into beloved stories without compromising their original charm. Highly recommended for both its technical prowess and the nostalgia it evokes, this edition is a must-have for collectors and Disney enthusiasts, ensuring "The Little Mermaid" continues to inspire and enchant future generations.