The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea – Film Review

Ariel and Eric are happily married and have been blessed with Melody. The couple are content on land, but Melody is curious about her mermaid heritage and determined to find out what life is like at sea. However, her trip to find her roots unwittingly involves her in an evil plot against Ariel’s father, King Triton. So Ariel must also return to the sea to save her family and friends.

The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, directed by Jim Kammerud, is a lackluster and disappointing sequel that fails to capture the magic and charm of its predecessor. From its unoriginal plot to its subpar animation, this film falls short in almost every aspect, leaving audiences longing for the original enchantment of The Little Mermaid.

One of the most glaring issues with this sequel is its unoriginal and uninspired storyline. The film follows the adventures of Ariel’s daughter, Melody, as she discovers her mermaid heritage and becomes entangled in a conflict between the merpeople and the humans. Unfortunately, the plot feels like a rehash of the first film, lacking any fresh or innovative ideas. It feels as though the writers simply recycled the original story and characters without adding anything new or engaging. The result is a predictable and tedious narrative that fails to captivate the audience.

Another major letdown of The Little Mermaid II is the noticeable drop in animation quality. The animation is noticeably inferior compared to the original film, with characters appearing stiff and lacking the fluidity and expressiveness that made the first film so visually stunning. The backgrounds also lack the depth and detail that contributed to the immersive underwater world in the original. It is disheartening to see such a decline in animation quality, as it diminishes the overall viewing experience and fails to capture the beauty and magic of the ocean setting.

Furthermore, the characters in this sequel lack the depth and development that made the original so memorable. Melody, the protagonist, comes across as a shallow and one-dimensional character. Her motivations and actions are poorly established, making it difficult for the audience to connect with or root for her. Even the returning characters from the original film, such as Ariel and Sebastian, feel underutilized and reduced to mere caricatures of their former selves. Their interactions lack the wit and charm that made them so endearing in the first film, leaving viewers with a sense of disappointment and nostalgia for the original cast.

The film’s musical numbers also fail to measure up to the memorable songs from The Little Mermaid. The songs lack the catchy melodies and emotional depth that made classics like “Under the Sea” and “Part of Your World” so beloved. Instead, the songs in this sequel feel forgettable and generic, with uninspired lyrics and lackluster performances. They do little to enhance the story or engage the audience, ultimately falling flat and leaving viewers longing for the musical brilliance of the original film.

In addition to its narrative and animation shortcomings, The Little Mermaid II also suffers from pacing issues. The film often feels rushed, with important plot points and character development glossed over or hurriedly addressed. This lack of pacing not only undermines the story’s coherence but also leaves the audience feeling disconnected and disinterested. The film jumps from one scene to another without allowing sufficient time for emotional investment or narrative progression, further detracting from the overall viewing experience.

Despite the film’s numerous flaws, there are a few redeeming qualities worth mentioning. The voice acting remains solid, with the returning cast members reprising their roles convincingly. Jodi Benson once again delivers a heartfelt performance as Ariel, capturing the character’s innocence and determination. However, even the talented voice cast cannot salvage a lackluster script and uninspired storytelling.

The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea is a disappointing and forgettable sequel that fails to recapture the magic of the original. With an unoriginal plot, subpar animation, shallow characters, forgettable songs, and pacing issues, the film falls short in almost every aspect. Fans of the original should approach this sequel with caution, as it is unlikely to live up to their expectations. Ultimately, The Little Mermaid II fails to make a splash and leaves viewers longing for the enchantment of its predecessor.