The new little mermaid changes the ending in important ways

The line that grabs me every time I watch the 1989 animated version The little mermaid doesn’t belong to the famous – a song lyrics from “Part of Your World”, Ariel’s defiant “But Daddy, I love him” or even one of Sebastian’s funny asides. It comes towards the end of the film when Triton finally realizes that Ariel will be happier on land and uses his magical trident to give her legs. He then turns to Sebastian and says, “I guess there’s only one problem left – how much I’m going to miss her.”

This moment has more impact than any other line in the film because it breaks the conventional ‘happily ever after’ narrative. Unlike other Disney fairy tale endings, the ending of The little mermaid is deeply bittersweet. True love saves the day and there is a big wedding. But unlike Cinderella, who is running from her abusive stepmother or Beauty and the BeastWhen Belle reunites with her father, Ariel leaves her loving family for a new life – and she can never go back to the way things were.

The new live action remake of 2023 The little mermaid keeps that line, but shifts the ending a bit, overwriting the continuation of the original movie. The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea. But as it turns out, that’s not a bad thing.

[Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for the 2023 Little Mermaid, and also for Return to the Sea.]

Image: Disney

Triton is a strict, overprotective parent, but like many parents, he does what he does because he believes he is protecting his daughter. However, unlike many parents, he recognizes his mistake and takes the opportunity to correct it. He has to let his daughter go to give her a chance to be happy. But he’s still sad! It is moving! Chances are strict dads are able to grow and realize that what they want isn’t necessarily what their daughters want!

The notion that Ariel must permanently break up with Triton in order to pursue her dreams is reinforced in the direct-to-VHS sequel, where she makes the difficult decision to cut off all contact with the underwater world in order to save her daughter from Ursula’s vengeful protect sister. Although The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea is one of Disney’s better direct-to-video sequels this era isn’t necessarily known for Good

Image: Disney

While screenwriter David Magee and director Rob Marshall preserve many things from the 1989 animated film in their live-action version — including handing the line “I’ll miss her” to Javier Bardem as Triton, who utters it with just as much tenderness and tenderness Sadness as it deserves – they make a wise decision to adjust the ending so it’s not as painful. And with that, they’re closing the door on a possible adaptation of the direct-to-VHS sequel.

Ariel and Eric still get married in the 2023 film version, but their wedding is much more low-key. Most importantly, they embark on a long sea voyage together, satisfying their mutual desire for exploration and hoping to expand diplomatic ties with Eric’s small island nation. As they make their way to their ship in a rowboat, Triton emerges from the water and looks gravely at Ariel and Eric. More and more merpeople are emerging from the water, and Triton tells Ariel that they will always be there for her.

Image: Disney

It’s a small detail, but it still changes the ending significantly. Ariel does not have to choose between the worlds. She’s happier and more comfortable in the human world, but part of her will always be a mermaid. This time, however, rather than a goodbye, the ending feels more like a new chapter for Ariel and her relationship with the underwater world. Marshall and Magee intersperse a fantasy conflict between merpeople and humans in this version without ever really dealing with it or resolving it. But that conflict makes an ending where Ariel doesn’t have to choose between worlds even more poignant.

There is one more much delve into (ha) in a possible sequel. (Possible sequels to these live-action remakes keep being announced.) And it wouldn’t have to focus on giving Ariel a child or cutting her off from the world of mermaids. Ariel and Eric’s relationship represents something new for both humans and merpeople, and their quest for seafaring will surely take them into uncharted waters, both literally and figuratively. Return to the sea maybe not in live-action form, but there’s a lot out there to explore. This time, Ariel knows that her father will always be there for her after he learns to let her go.