Chaos and Chuckles: The Little Mermaid Unleashes Disney’s Aquatic Anthem

The Little Mermaid, released November 17, 1989, by Walt Disney Pictures, is a $40 million animated musical that grossed $233 million worldwide in its original run, per Box Office Mojo, sparking Disney’s Renaissance. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, with a script by the duo, it stars Jodi Benson as Ariel, a mermaid princess trading her voice to Ursula (Pat Carroll) for legs to woo Prince Eric (Christopher Daniel Barnes). Shot traditionally with digital touches over three years, its 83-minute runtime—rooted in Hans Christian Andersen’s tale—won two Oscars: Best Score and Song (“Under the Sea”).

The chaos swirls—storms sink ships, Ursula’s lair writhes, Ariel’s “I want more” drives a sea-to-land dash, per its $111 million domestic haul. Clements and Musker pivot from The Black Cauldron’s gloom—Ariel’s rebellion, Triton’s (Kenneth Mars) wrath weave Cinderella’s pluck with Broadway flair. Chuckles bubble—Sebastian’s (Samuel E. Wright) “Teenagers!” huff, Flounder’s (Jason Marin) “I’m not a guppy!”—easing the stakes, per Variety’s “enchanting.” Critics cheered; Rotten Tomatoes hit 92%, Metacritic 88/100 (retroactive), with LA Times’s Sheila Benson calling it “a marvel.” X posts since 2020 sing “Part of Your World,” though some note “dated tropes.”

The pacing’s a tide—sunken treasures flow to Ursula’s spell, Eric’s “She’s the one” a breathless crest, per Hollywood Reporter. Its $40 million budget fueled Alan Menken’s tunes and Mark Hester’s ink, per The Numbers, topping 1989’s Batman in charm if not cash. It’s Disney’s anthem—chaos with heart, chuckles amid waves—an aquatic reign that woke a sleeping giant.

The cast is The Little Mermaid’s coral crown, a chaotic crew of vocal gems. Jodi Benson’s Ariel soars—her “Part of Your World” aches with yearning, per Empire’s “star-making.” Christopher Daniel Barnes’s Eric croons—“Her voice”—his beachside swoon gentle, per Roger Ebert’s “likable.” Their romance—mute glances, boat duets—lifts the chaos, per Variety. Pat Carroll’s Ursula cackles—“Poor unfortunate souls!”—a drag-queen menace, per Rolling Stone’s “show-stealer.” Kenneth Mars’s Triton booms—“No human world!”—his fury regal, per LA Times.

Samuel E. Wright’s Sebastian frets—“Under the sea!” belts joy, per The Guardian. Buddy Hackett’s Scuttle squawks—“Dinglehopper!”—and Rene Auberjonois’s Louis flips pans. Chuckles swim—Sebastian’s “Somebody’s gotta nail that girl’s fins,” Scuttle’s “Very snazzy!”—weaving levity into peril. NY Times hails “Benson’s purity,” X posts coo “Ursula’s sass,” though some snipe “Eric’s bland.” They’re the anthem’s beating fins—vivid, vibrant, victorious.

Visually and sonically, The Little Mermaid is a chaotic sea dance, a Disney delight. Mark Dindal’s animation—Atlantica’s blues, shipwrecks gleam—shimmers, per Cinematography World. Chaos surges—Ursula’s tentacles lash, Triton’s trident cracks—shot with hand-drawn cells and CAPS tech, a $10 million leap, per Forbes. Ariel’s grotto, a sea storm dazzle—Letterboxd’s “gorgeous”—though Collider flags “80s sheen” in 2025 eyes. Clements and Musker’s Great Mouse Detective polish crafts a watery wonder, per AV Club’s “lush.”

Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s score—“Under the Sea” sways, “Kiss the Girl” hums—wins, per Soundtrack World’s “timeless.” Sound design—waves crash, eels hiss—grips, per Rolling Stone’s “vibrant.” Chuckles ripple—Louis’s “Les Poissons” chop, Flounder’s “Eep!”—amid chaos, per BBC vibe. Flaws? Animation’s simple—Variety’s “quaint”—and songs lean broad, per NY Times. Still, it’s a sensory splash—visuals and sound an aquatic anthem that enchants.

The Little Mermaid’s strength is its chaotic magic—a fairy tale that sings. Benson’s “radiant” Ariel (Time), Carroll’s guile, and Disney’s craft stun; Roger Ebert gave 4/4 for “sheer joy.” Stakes—voice lost, love won—tug, per Empire’s “heartfelt.” Chuckles—Scuttle’s “You’re hopeless,” Sebastian’s “What a mess!”—lift a 1989 fall post-Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, per Box Office Mojo. Its $233 million haul, two Oscars, and VHS reign—X posts still hum “Under the Sea”—birthed Beauty and the Beast, per Forbes.

Weaknesses drift. Ursula’s end rushes—Variety’s “quick”—and Eric’s arc thins, per LA Times. Tropes date—Metacritic’s 88/100 notes “traditional”—and peril’s light, per NY Times. Still, its 83 minutes swim; Rolling Stone’s “perfect” fits 9/10—buoyant, beautiful. Legacy? A Disney cornerstone—Broadway (2008), 2023 remake ($569 million), per The Numbers. For kids or nostalgists, it’s a must; an anthem that launched a golden age.