The ocean is a mysterious and even scary place, but in Disney's 1989 classic animated film The Little Mermaid, it's pretty damn awesome. That's what makes protagonist Ariel's insistence on leaving her home waters for the world above so confounding... that is until she falls in love and finds the perfect excuse to live her dream. The Little Mermaid was the first film in the so-called Disney Renaissance of the '80s and '90s, and it still holds up wonderfully these few decades later. So let's examine Ariel's story, the history behind it, and the gorgeous animation that may just convince you to remain Under the Sea, even if you like your oxygen in gaseous form.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices