The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning

The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (Also known as The Little Mermaid III: Ariel's Beginning) is a 2008 Animated direct-to-video musical comedy-drama adventure film produced by DisneyToon Studios, with the animation production being done by Toon City Animation, Inc. and DisneyToon Studios Australia, It is also the the 3rd and final The Little Mermaid Trilogy, The movie is a prequel to The Little Mermaid.

Plot

Ariel grows up with her six sisters in a sheltered environment in the sea world, only her nanny is a real nightmare. But a shadow hangs over her father, the king of the underwater world Triton. Out of grief, he forbids his people to play music. But Ariel has just discovered that music is her passion. The mermaid tries to find out the background and bring music back to the kingdom. In the process, she learns more about her mother's story. She is supported on her adventure by the crab Sebastian and the flounder Fabius.

Cast

Jodi Benson as Ariel, the adventurous and headstrong mermaid of Atlantica.
Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian, a red Caribbean crab with a Jamaican accent who serves as King Triton's advisor and court composer. This was Wright's final film role before his death from prostate cancer in 2021.
Jim Cummings as King Triton, Ariel's strict and overprotective father and the ruler of Atlantica who is prejudiced towards humans. Cummings replaces Kenneth Mars, who was battling cancer.
- Cummings also voices Shelbow, a member of the Catfish Club Band.
Sally Field as Marina Del Rey.
Parker Goris as Flounder, a yellow tropical fish who is Ariel's best friend.
Kari Wahlgren as Attina, the eldest sister who keeps the others in order and is always following her father's words.
Tara Strong (previously the voice of Melody, the daughter of Ariel, in Return to the Sea) as:
- Adella, the third eldest sister who dreams of falling in love with a boy.
- Andrina, the second youngest sister who is sarcastic and likes to joke around.
Jennifer Hale as Alana, the second eldest sister who is interested in beauty, fashion and is very cautious with her appearance.
Grey DeLisle as:
- Aquata, the middle sister who is tough, but shy and can't dance.
- Arista, the third youngest sister who is very quirky and often "borrows" other people's things. She joins the band at the end of the movie.
Jeff Bennett as Benjamin, Marina's mild-mannered manatee sidekick.
- Bennett also voices the Swordfish Guards who patrol the palace.
Lorelei Hill Butters as Queen Athena
- Andrea Robinson as Queen Athena's singing voice
Rob Paulsen (previously the voice of Prince Eric in Return to the Sea) as Ink Spot and Swifty, members of the Catfish Club Band.
Kevin Michael Richardson as Cheeks and Ray-Ray, members of the Catfish Club Band.

Other websites

The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning on IMDb