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This sequel, released in 2000, was a straight-to-video movie. And it's easy to see why. -_-;
Ahem. It centres around Eric and Ariel's daughter, Melody. She's kinda cute, but I seem to have some sort of problem with Ariel having a child. And the story line is basically Ariel's but in reverse. Melody wants to be a mermaid, but her parents ban her from the sea. Why? Because the new bad guy, Morgana, who happens to be Ursula's sister (who we've never heard of before now, and is voiced by the same voice actress - Pat Carroll), threatens to use Melody as leverage in order to get Triton's trident and rule over the oceans.
So, yeah. Same sh*t, different day.
Jodi Benson returning to voice Ariel is great. But Rob Paulsen takes over from Christopher Daniel Barnes for the voice of Eric. Barnes being the voice of Raph in the 80's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Yakko in Animanics, and the extremely annoying Antoine D'Coolette in Sonic SatAM, to name but a few. No offence, but you're no Prince Eric. The voices aren't even the least bit similar. It's poor casting beyond poor casting. And having Pat Carroll as Morgana was another awful decision. Carroll does have an amazing voice talent, but she's Ursula. Having her play her sister just seems lazy, and pushes Morgana into being evenmore of a wannabe character than she clearly already is.
The animation in this film is terrible, and the songs are mediocre, at best.
Oh, and there's one scene during Melody's birthday party which involves, well, is centred around, Sebastian. He's in clear view of everyone, including Eric and Ariel. Yet, later on, Ariel is surprised to see Sebastian and even asks him what he's doing there. How could you not see him and the trouble caused earlier!? They also fail as parents during this trouble as they seem to just stand by the stairs and do nothing to help their daughter at the time. ¬_¬
It also pisses me off that they try to turn Ariel into her father for a short time as she scolds Melody for swimming in the sea.
Anyway. sh*t happens. They save the day. And humans and merpeople can live freely with one another. Etc.
Also, why hasn't King Triton, with all his magic, used a spell that allows (at least) his daughter and grandaughter to become mermaids at will? Then they can visit him whenever they want. No, instead, he offered Melody the choice to leave her parents behind and live in the sea, or stay on land as a human. Good one. ¬_¬
Seriously though, if you haven't seen this movie: Don't see it. I'm wiping this one from memory after this entry is finished, and pretending it never happened.
Now, as if f*cking up this sequel wasn't enough, they decided to have another go and make a prequel this time...
