Techtite DVD Reviews

The Film : Unlike my other DVD reviews, I felt it necessary to include a few discrete video clips of this intriguing, direct-do-video sequel to one of my favorite Disney Animated Features. This is because, regardless of being done by a separate Disney animation studio (Disney Television Animation, which is devoted exclusively to TV/video animated features like this one), the animation is still truly exceptional. With just a few understandable limitations, Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea is an appealing sequel, more than worth an 11 year wait..

The story picks up just a few years after the first film, when Ariel (still excellently voiced by Jodi Benson) has a new daughter, Melody. Aboard Prince Eric's ship, they travel to the sea where a grand ceremony allows King Triton to see his new Granddaughter. Along comes Ursula's "nutty sister," Morgana, who wants revenge for her sister's defeat (in the first film). Although the baby is saved from her evil clutches, Morgana escapes. Since Morgana can only harm Melody if she's in the water, Ariel reluctantly decides that it's best for Melody to not go anywhere near the ocean. A giant wall will be placed around the palace, and Melody will not know about Atlantica, Merpeople or even her mother's true origin, until it's safe (as the title implies) to "return to the sea."

Keeping Melody away from the ocean turns out to be a big problem, because she has too much of her parent's love for the sea in her.

Sebastian has been ordered by Triton to guard her, though even he can't keep her from the ocean that she loves. The next time we see her, she is late for her 12th birthday party, because she is too busy swimming for seashells. She comes across a golden shell, which 12 years ago Triton meant to give her as a present. Even more curious to Melody is that the shell has her name on it! What could this mean, she wonders? Unfortunately, she can't ask anyone about it, because she's not even supposed to be in the water at all. She sets out to find the truth herself...

Some nice subplots result in this tale, including the classic pre-teen angst of "fitting in" (her friends thinks she weird, because she talks to a crab). One cute moment is when her mother Ariel, finds herself saying the same things her own father told her in the first film ("You deliberately disobeyed me...I don't ever want you going out there!").

Fans will also love the scenes of what happens to their favorite characters, including Flounder. Of course, the largest plotline involves Melody's quest to find out answers about her past, with the evil Morgana "helpfully" there to guide her. The moral here seems to be that, daughters are often more like their mothers than they realize, and might even make the same mistakes, if they are too afraid to talk to their parents (a nice parent/child moral in "family communication" here).

With much of the original voice talent returning, this is an even nicer sequel experience. Even Pat Carol (Ursula in the first film) returns, as the voice of Morgana. Samuel E. Wright reprises his unforgettable Sebastian the Crab voice, as well as the aforementioned Jodi Benson as Ariel, and supporting voices Buddy Hackett (Scuttle), Rene Auberjonois and Edie McClurg. This is enhanced by animation that is far more colorful and expressive (as shown in sample thumbnails in this review) than most of the prior works of Disney's TV animation department. They truly have come a long way in just a few years.

There are only a few flaws with the film, as can be expected.

While Ariel --and Melody, for that matter-- both have numerous well done facial expressions, Ariel still doesn't seem as expressive and animated as her original lead artist (Bill Keane) drew her in the original theatrical film. Musical numbers are also quite minimized, which is understandable, after the tragic loss of the original film's musician, the late Howard Ashman (whose work can be heard in the Disney films Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast, and Aladdin). Regardless of these limitations, the film is still a treat, and far superior to most animation work elsewhere.

The end result is still, regardless of minor flaws, a very impressive sequel. While similar Disney direct-to-video sequels (like the ones for Aladdin) seem used merely as pilots for a Saturday Morning Cartoon spin-off, this sequel seems made more appropriately, to appeal to the many fans of the original film...and it succeeds on several levels. It should be a real thrill to watch, for adults and kids alike.

The DVD : The best quality of the DVD is that it is letterboxed, allowing for an even better "cinematic" feel to this sequel. Multiple language options include English, Spanish, and French, as well as Spanish and English subtitle options. Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround should appeal to many of those who invested in those 5-piece speaker systems in their homes.

Bonus Materials include mostly treats for the younger kids. A "What am I?" trivia game allows them to answer questions about sea creatures, based on their descriptions. A right answer leads to actual video of that animal in real life (some of these video clips are intriguing themselves, and may even amuse a few parents to watch with their kids). This is in addition to a Trivia Game, asking questions about the film itself. A DVD Storybook allows kids to be read a bedtime story version of the film, as excellently narrated by Ariel's voice actress, Jodi Benson. Lastly, adults will love the classic 1938 Disney cartoon short, "Merbabies."

My final opinion of the DVD is extremely favorable. In addition to the intriguing bonus materials (though not as intriguing as bonus materials in recent classic Disney Animated Feature releases, like Alice in Wonderland), the widescreen version of this sequel is a nice added touch (especially when the film was never meant for theaters), and a great enhancement to the experience. In many ways, it's one of the best direct-to-video offerings that Disney Studios has ever offered.

	Final Rating : Large Crater. While no sequel is as "classic" as its original, this is a well done video-only film, with great animation, superb voice acting, and a cute story.
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Techtite's DVD Reviews!

Little Mermaid 2:

Return to the Sea

A Techtite Review