Disney Jr.'s Ariel is based on the classic story and film, The Little Mermaid, and takes you on a musical journey following a young Ariel (Mykal-Michelle Harris) and her friends Flounder (Gracen Newton), Lucia (Elizabeth Phoenix Caro) and Fernie (Cruz Flateau) as they experience various adventures in Atlantica. They use the power of friendship, music, and magic to help each other and their friends throughout the show.
The cast of this series is perfect. The actors really connect to the characters, including the way they look. Mykal-Michelle Harris, who voices Ariel, fits this character perfectly in both her personality and her singing voice. The character designs are amazing culturally as well from the hair, to the skin tones, to their dialect speech. I like that they kept the cultural status of Ariel, even making King Triton and Ursula Black characters. I found it interesting how they gave Ursula more human traits and added a special plot twist to her character, which I love. The music in this series is so fun, catchy, and upbeat! I believe that young people will love it; I honestly feel that it adds more to Ariel, considering her love of music and singing. The design of this show is so colorful and vibrant - it really captures the beauty and uniqueness of the ocean. Each episode is 23 minutes long, with two titles included, so audiences can be entertained for quite some time.
There's a new message in every episode of this series, addressing issues such as friendship, understanding each other, and patience. This series is educational plus it's an entertaining experience that gives parents a break.
I give Disney Jr.'s Ariel 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. Disney Jr.'s Ariel premieres on Disney Junior on June 27, 2024.
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13
After the hit 2023 remake of The Little Mermaid, audiences have been waiting to see more of Ariel and her unique adventures. Disney's newest animated series, Disney Jr.'s Ariel, gives us a fresh perspective of Ariel in her childhood. Even though this show is geared toward younger audiences, I definitely enjoyed the show's upbeat and entertaining style.
This series follows eight-year-old Ariel (Mykal-Michelle Harris) growing up in the underwater world of Atlantica. With her best friends Flounder (Gracen Newton), Lucia (Elizabeth Pheonics Caro) and Fernie (Cruz Flateau) she goes on fun and action-packed quests. Ariel's curiosity drives her adventures, inspiring her to collect pieces of treasure and solve problems in remarkable ways.
Disney Jr.'s Ariel is the perfect new show for families, especially those with younger children. The first thing that grabbed my attention when watching Ariel was its use of vibrant colors. The bright pinks, blues, and yellows are perfect for younger audiences, giving the characters energy, and keeping kids engaged in the show even if they can't quite understand the plot yet. A key moment of each episode is when Ariel's tail shimmers and changes colors when she gets an idea, or her emotions change. Not only do those colors provide energy to the show, but I predict the upbeat and catchy songs will help Ariel become a fan favorite. Mykal-Michelle Harris carries the lead role, Ariel, extremely well, showcasing her well-rounded talents as both an actress and singer. Ariel has a star-studded cast, with seasoned actors like Taye Diggs and Amber Riley joining this series as King Triton and Ursula. Each character, old and new, brings a new point of view to the story of the Little Mermaid, making this a thrilling family-friendly show.
There are many positive messages from Ariel, but a prominent one is: don't be afraid of adventure. Ariel is a very curious young girl, and sometimes she faces problems she doesn't know the answer to. However, she stays persistent and makes the best out of every situation, learning something new along the way.
I give Disney Jr.'s Ariel 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. You can find Ariel on Disney Junior on June 27, 2024 and on Disney+ on June 28, 2024. Make sure you check it out!
Maica N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, Age 16
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