The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning

"A prequel to The Little Mermaid where the emotional battleground is largely identical to that movie" didn't inspire anybody's best work. Who could have guessed?

It's a beautifully told, charming story with lyrical songs and fabulous dance routines

Should Disney continue with other straight-to-DVD sequels or prequels like this one, "Bambi II"....needs to be required viewing. A close relationship between characters, as with Bambi and his father, works. An insufferable Flounder does not.

for young girls and die-hard Little Mermaid fans, it works