I seem to be in the minority in my opinions of "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast". Virtually everyone likes "Beast" the best (including, apparently, the Academy), but so few people mention "Mermaid". I like Mermaid better, though probably Beast "is" better. I like a Mermaid for the story, which I think is much more accessible that the Beast story is, at a (my) personal level. The "growing up, and taking your own course despite your parents' ideas" story hits me from both sides, as I remember too well the clash of my own separation, and I fear so the upcoming (all too soon) separation of my own girls.
And, I think the songs from Mermaid whup Beast's, too. The obvious fun of "Kiss the Girl" and "Under the Sea" stand on their own, but, further, I honestly can't hear (or sing) the lines, " ...bet they don't reprimand their daughters, bright young women, sick of swimmin', ready to stand... " without choking and misting up. ('Course, I have the same problem with "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas", verse 2 and 3, but that's just our little secret, OK? I'm really turning into a sentimental old softy here in my 40's...)
