The Little Mermaid III Discussion Vol. 2

[Vermin Friends]

Hmmm... even with the pictures, there still seems to be something missing. Thanks so much for these (... well, there's not scans... so I guess...) pictures? Thanks so much for the links, beckalovesariel!

The drawings look beautiful, although Ariel looks older than I think she's supposed to be, and Athena looks slightly different, rather than the spitting image of Ariel. It was still very fun to look at, and I really want to buy it!

[beckalovesariel]

no worries i love them! i might buy the books. not sure yet hehe
i really want to see scans of the story book!
littleariel.proboards19.com has the cover of the story book:

http://www.fye.com/The-Little-Mermaid-F ... ewprod.htm

[Disney Duster]

I thought I would come in to crash your little party! I, too, have a gift for you!

Okay...basically, I read both the coloring book and the picture book. The picture book uses actual stills from the movie! Some look beautiful. King Triton almost always looks off-model and bad. It doesn't reveal much more than the coloring book, if anything at all, I only read the parts about Athena and Marina. You know. The parts that matter.

The film will be exciting only in that it's more Ariel, you're favorite mermaid, doing what she does best, oh, and she's a little younger. And maybe for her sisters. It's about the princesses. It seems to be aimed at princess lovers...yet...I find myself not into it, and I bet many of you won't either.

I told you. I told you this would not be as dramatic and thrilling and cool as Cinderella III. I told you it sounded fun and cute and not touching on the things we really wanted to know about. I mean, for pete's sake, SPOILER we don't even see Ariel talk about humans or how her love grew for them!

HOWEVER, it does seem there are things missing. I mean, like Ariel not discovering humans, not knowing what exactly happened to Ariel's mom, no mention of Marina's magic, and what ever happened to Marina, she just stayed in the dungeon, forgotten about? So. Maybe. Just maybe. This won't blow.

SPOILER that connects the first film to this film: At the end of this sequel, King Triton is sad with unconscious Ariel, and the music box and his singing revives her. This is very much like the unused ideas for the ending of the original movie. King Triton looks sadly at unconscious Ariel, then Ursula's shell breaks and Ariel's voice, probably heard singing, returns to her and revives her. This idea is even in one of the deleted scenes on the DVD!

[Vermin Friends]

SPOILER that connects the first film to this film: At the end of this sequel, King Triton is sad with unconcious Ariel, and the music box and his singing revives her. This is very much like the unused ideas for the ending of the original movie. King Triton looks sadly at unconcious Ariel, then Ursula's shell breaks and Ariel's voice returns to her and revives her. This idea is even in one of the deleted scenes on the DVD!

Oh I KNEW that scene looked familiar! In some ways, I sorta liked that ending better (some).

[Disney's Divinity]

Yeah, I noticed that. Even though it's nice, I'm glad the original had the ending it did (with Ariel nearly being pitchforked). I think the cut ending actually would be more appropriate here.

I mean, for pete's sake, SPOILER we don't even see Ariel talk about humans or how her love grew for them!.

But that's just an assumption made from one trailer! We have no idea that the movie won't expound on Ariel's love for humanity, only that it's not the focal point of the prequel. She couldn't have spent 16 years underwater simply pining for the world above every day.

[Disney Villain]

Oh yeah, and what about Sebastian's line, "there's more to this place than meets the eye"- what does it mean? The trailer showed it underwater, so I'm supposing that can't be the place where Athena died. Perhaps the place where Ariel used to play the piano (like in the still on the website)?

I think it's odd that if, Marina is Ursula, why does she want Sebastian's job, and not Triton's trident? I'm really hoping you're right- about it having much more to it than we know (so far, at least).

It's great that everything's on-model! On some of the coloring books I own, some of the characters are so off-model it's to the point of nonrecognition. And thanks for the comment on my avatar! lol

You know the "Catfish Club"? Could it be possible that it becomes Ariel's grotto? When I watch the musical sneak peek as well as the 5 minute sneak peek, it just... reminds me of it so much.

One last thing- could Athena's song be "the song of the sea" that Ariel refers to in "For A Moment"?

Well, thanks again, Disney Villain! Any scans you'd be willing to share with us would be fantastic!

You make some great points. Especially with Sebastian's line, "there's more to this place than meets the eye". In the coloring book it seems that Ariel finds the music box there. The "Song of the Sea" is another great find- I never thought of the connection, it's certainly possible. Regarding Marina, perhaps at first she only sought to gain Sebastian's job, then she got power hungry and wanted the Trident. I'm still not convinced Marina is Ursula in disguise-maybe Morgana. The Catfish Club does bear a striking resemblance to Ariel's Grotto. That would also be a nice plot point.

beckalovesariel, thank you for posting links to the coloring pages. If anyone would like a high-res image of the coloring pages please let me know.

Disney Duster, thanks for crashing our little party, lol I'm pretty sure that this will be a great film regardless. Even if there is no mention of Ursula, it's nice to finally find out about Ariel's mother. As I said before:

Why in world would Disney go through the trouble of creating an entirely new Villain from scratch, use electric eels, and have Marina say things like "my darlings" when they already established Ursula? It makes NO SENSE to me. Why would you go about creating a film that is meant to explain and answer all the mysteries of The Little Mermaid and leave the most important back story (Ursula) out?

There has to be more to this story. Now, although I love Cinderella III: A Twist In Time and regarded it as my favorite sequel, I have to say that the film did absolutely nothing to add to the Cinderella story. It was a nice "what if" tale with stunning animation, and I agree it was cool and thrilling (especially seeing another side to Cindy). The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning at least (no matter how limited) answers and explains questions that viewers had after viewing the original film, and will hopefully add to the experience of the original film. What I mean by this is that now when people watch The Little Mermaid they can relate to Trition not liking humans on a different level (because humans took Athena, supposedly) and Trition can now be seen as less of a tyrant (at least to me). I feel that I have a deeper understanding of the characters- a more emotional connection and I haven't even seen Ariel's Beginning yet. Cinderella III: A Twist In Time gave me goose bumps, it was so good- but I would have rather seen a story about Cinderella's beginning- how her mother died, the time she spent with her father, how the father met Lady Tremaine, etc. That's why I feel Ariel's Beginning, no matter how "childish" these books make it seem, will be a success in my book.

[Nymbus]

Thank you Disney Villain for the summary and everyone else for the pics! I can't wait for the movie!

And, just my theory: I don't think Disney would want to immediately state in the book that Marina is Ursula or Morgana, it's not something that they would do in a kids book I don't think since they wouldn't want to give away spoilers.

Same thing happened with Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End kid's books where they told the main plotline but they didn't include what happened to Will or anyone else. Anyway, just a few more thoughts from me!

[jeremy88]

Okay, my high hopes for this movie...has like smashed to like low hopes below 0.

And now, I fear Nachonaco will slap someone!

"That cements it, if she's not Ursula I WILL slap someone!"

Anyways, aye caramba. I have a feeling this movie just ripped the characters from the original and made their own little story. To me, so far the only thing that connects to the original is why Triton hates humans. Wow, Flippity wow. Oh and about Ariel's mother...but to myself, its interesting an all, but I never found it that important. Many Disney characters are motherless/fatherless...

So, now my hopes go with everyone else who believes there lots of stuff missing from the actual film. But I just don't see what more they could explain or fit into a 70 minute movie.

I can imagine people watching Ariel's Begining first, and then watching TLM and going..."WELL WHEN THE HECK DID ALL THIS HAPPEN!??"
Positive thought's Jeremy..positive thoughts...

Oh, but on the + side...those pictures from the coloring book are great! They sure look better then the cover!

[Old Fish Tale]

God! I can't believe it!

But thanks anyway, Disney Villain!

[Mooky]

I'm really disappointed.

But thank you anyway, Disney Villain!

[disneystarsfan]

what's interesting about the scans that beckalovesariel posted is that Ariel actually looks better than how she does in AB. In that coloring book you can see the lines for instance in her hair that makes her seem more realistic and natural instead looking a little gooey(for lack of a better word) like she does in the movie.

[Ariel'sprince]

Thanks so much Disney Villain It's really great I only read the beginning,I want to avoid spoilers.
Anyway it sounds really great and I can't wait .
keep in mind it's a book,they can also change things-(For example I have a The Little Mermaid with Eric calling "Wait,my love!" when he sees Venessa or Scuttle tells Ariel that Eric is marrying Venessa insted of thinking that he's marrying Ariel).

[Disney Live On]

I have an idea.
It says Marina doesnt give up and then jumps ahead. If there is a secret to reveal it could be revealed there (as everyone said: something is missing). OR! Marnia escapes or is basnished and the film ends with her revealing her to be truly Ursula and swaering revenge (which would be so much cooler then Morganna and actually explain a lot).

Also I think Marina's song is definately 'Just One Mistake.' She saying she wants power and position (maybe not in that order ) and her song lyrics we have heard thus far rhyme correctly with the title.

Marnia (singing): I gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta have it!
A straw to break the camels back,
A teeny dent, a tiny crack!
A miney, tiny break!
Why just one small mistake
(the last line I added)

Makes sense. She wants Sebastian to slip up and get kicked out so she can be put in his place as second in command. Makes sense does it not since (SPOILER) now we know Seb gets in deep trouble (END SPOILER)

Just adding some ideas.

[Atlantis]

Damn. I thought I was onto something with the sharks. But still, why don't they work for him in TLM2?

The cover looks really... clean. I guess that's what you get when you buy a children's book. I really want it, though. lol I'm grateful for any scans you can give us, Disney Villain! And thanks again for doing it in the first place!

Well TLM2 takes place like 10 years in the future. These guards could have died and been replaced. Or Triton has more than one set of guards, they are a royal family after all and security is always high. Or after Morganas first attack, Triton decieded that it would be best to keep security who are close to him and he knows he can trust to not double cross him. These mermen have probably been part of his council for a while and he knows he can trust his own people.

[Ariel'sprince]

In the series there are also merguards.
Triton is more aggressive in this film (I think Marina has something to do with that) so he replaced them with swordfishes and when After will set things right the merguards will comeback.

[gumby17]

what's interesting about the scans that beckalovesariel posted is that Ariel actually looks better than how she does in AB. In that coloring book you can see the lines for instance in her hair that makes her seem more realistic and natural instead looking a little gooey(for lack of a better word) like she does in the movie.

i know EXACTLY what u mean by "gooey"! THEY DOOOOOO LOOK GOOEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Disney Duster]

Disney Villain is right, this does at least let us know about Ariel's mother and how the merpeople started fearing humans while Triton hated humans. Of course, that doesn't really need explanation since the original film's fear and hatred of humans can be explained as ignorance. In real life, people fear and hate what they don't know about, what they just have a bad impression of. How would you feel about something that captured and ate your kind?

By the way Disney Villain, Cinderella III still "adds" to Cinderella because it expands on the Prince, and Anastasia, and even Cinderella herself. It even furthers Cinderella and the Prince's love for each other, and shows how evil Lady Tremaine and Drizella can get, even turning against Anastasia. But the thing is, that's not for sure how the characters really were meant to be...and neither might the explanations and expansions in Ariel's Beginning. We can hope they talked to the original makers of the film, like John Musker and Ron Clements who wrote and directed it, and asked them either what the backstory is or asked them if they agreed to the backstory they came up with, but it's doubtful. Many people within Disney don't even know the sequels are made or what's in the sequels. Maybe they ignore them...and maybe we should follow...

I think the cut ending actually would be more appropriate here.

You mean that scene fits AB more than the original TLM? Well...I guess. It certainly fits since it's about rediscovering music, reviving music, remembering music, and I guess music reviving everyone.

I mean, for pete's sake, SPOILER we don't even see Ariel talk about humans or how her love grew for them!.

But that's just an assumption made from one trailer! We have no idea that the movie won't expound on Ariel's love for humanity, only that it's not the focal point of the prequel. She couldn't have spent 16 years underwater simply pining for the world above every day.

Um...it wasn't just not in the trailer, it wasn't in the two books based on the film! But since things seem to be missing...we just might get to see something about it, like I indicated in my post.

Oh, and BY the way...I wonder if Marina might be...Ursula...and Morgana's...mother. I called it! But I think someone also wondered that too in here...

[Disney's Divinity]

That would be kind of impossible, considering Ursula looks as old as, if not older than, Marina. While it would be plausible that she could be Morgana's mother (who only appears around 18 years after the prequel), Ursula's existence throws that out of the loop.

EDIT: Scratch that. Morgana appears about a year or three after the ending of the original at Melody's celebration, so she definitely looks too old as well.

[Ariel'sprince]

Disney Duster-It's a coloring book and a picture book,they can't really tell everything.

[Old Fish Tale]

Please scan the pictureback book, Disney Villain!