The Little Mermaid

1976 fairy tale

Rating: 15/20

Plot: It's The Little Mermaid.

Though the budget's too small to even attempt to give these mer-people any tails, Czech director Karel Kachryna and his design team make up for it with some dazzling hair. Just look at that little mermaid's hair on the poster up there. Even a baby had that same kind of blueish hair that looks like what might be on top of Helena Bonham Carter's head when she wakes up. Along with very simple costumes--like, very simple--Kachryna successfully makes these mermaids and mermen completely alien with nothing more than twelve dollars and a trip to the forest floor with a trash bag.

A lot of the cheapo effects in this production worked really well, giving it this otherworldly vibe. I really like how it creates the sense of being underwater without involving any water at all. You can tell me that movie magic is created with computers, but to me, that's real movie magic right there. There's some cool shots of falling debris from shipwrecks, lots of gathered trinkets (swords, etc.) from said ships sticking out of the ground, and an interesting use of mirrors at one point.

I did get distracted wondering about the practicality of tridents. They also seem snobbish. Try walking around with a trident for a day and tell me that you're not uncomfortable because you're worried that people will think you think you're better than everybody else.

Film yourself and put it on Youtube. We'll call it the Trident Challenge.

Oh, lord. Beach chicken!

Ok, I've become distracted thinking about something that distracted me. Another effect that Kachryna utilizes here that I think is underrated is reverse motion. It's used here for some fire in the witch's pad and, upside-downly, when the little mermaid springs from the ocean.

I want to mention the music in this. At times, it reminded me of hungover carnival music. There was also a great band--probably called The Practicality of Tridents--that brought cheer with nothing more than some shells and swaying.

Parents, your kids can watch this version of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. It's actually probably more appropriate than the Disney cartoon. Set them up for an ending that is more like The Lure than the animated movie though.