Disney released “The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning” to retail video and rental stores Tuesday. For a direct to video release, it’s surprisingly good. If you have younger kids or grandkids, this is just about a must have.

When the release reviewed is for children, I normally watch my 5-year-old granddaughter Skyler watch the movie and then rate the movie based on her actions and reactions. I call it the Skyler Scale. Then, occasionally, I will rate it for continuity and graphics.

But, first off, parents need to know that younger kids might be upset by the opening scene of this prequel to Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”. In the opening scene, a pirate ship is seen descending on a happy mermaid family, and Ariel’s mother is killed or captured. The scene is emotional — King Triton and his daughters are scared, and Triton in particular is anguished — but the event isn’t explicit; only a boat and ocean waves are shown. The rest of the movie is very kid-friendly.

For a release made to capitalize on “The Little Mermaid”’s popularity, this is actually pretty good.

Now romance-happy kids may find the lack of a prince in this tale a weakness, but this story is a nice break from the typical formula.

Instead of love, music becomes the forbidden fruit, and the deep sea rebels musicality and witty visual humor with sea critters jamming on inventive undersea instruments present a humorous juxtaposition with the king’s stern warnings against music.

Skyler was pretty much entranced with “Ariel’s Beginning”, she watched it three or four times in a row, so the Skyler Scale is 4 stars. She especially liked the “Jump in the Line” song.

The animation obviously wasn’t created in the exact same way as it was for the 1989 original mermaid story. Yet the style is impressively recaptured. The extensive use of computer graphics is noticeable, though.

There’s a definite artistry involved here and the results are more aesthetically pleasing than “The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea” release in 2000.

The major problem, for me, is the characters don’t act like they have in the two other “Mermaid” DVD releases and there are some characters — namely Marina Del Ray and her sidekick Manatee — that aren’t even mentioned in the other releases. Kids probably won’t notice, but to the older kids and adults, it sort of throws things slightly out of kilter. Young children are more likely to embrace the pretty colors and peppy songs than object to characterizations and storytelling that has large holes in it.

There are not many songs in “Ariel’s Beginning”, but they do all fit well with the storyline. The songs are: “Athena’s Song”, “Just One Mistake”, “Jump in the Line”, “I Remember”, “Just One Mistake (reprise)”, and “I Will Sing”.

Voice Cast: Jodi Benson (Ariel), Samuel E. Wright (Sebastian), Jim Cummings (King Triton, Shelbow), Sally Field (Marina Del Rey), Tara Strong (Adella, Andrina), Jennifer Hale (Alana), Grey Delise (Aquata, Arista), Kari Wahlgren (Attina), Jeff Bennett (Benjamin), Parker Goris (Flounder), Lorelei Hill Butters (Queen Athena), Kevin Michael Richardson (Cheeks, Ray-Ray), Rob Paulsen (Ink Spot, Swifty)

The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning

Rating: (*** 1/2 out of *****)

Synopsis: (Courtesy Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment) See how it all started for one of Disney’s most beloved characters in the all-new movie, “The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning”.

Imagine a time long before Ariel met Prince Eric and walked on land — a time when music was banned from the underwater kingdom of Atlantica. Torn between family duty and her love of music, Ariel must make the most difficult choice of her life.

With the help of her friends, Sebastian and Flounder and her six amusing sisters, will the young mermaid be able to restore music, friendship and love to the kingdom?

An all-star cast returns, including Jodi Benson (Ariel) and Samuel E. Wright (Sebastian) — plus meet the deliciously wicked villain Marina Del Rey — in a marvelous musical adventure teeming with surprises, breathtaking animation and all-new songs.

Running Time: 77 Minutes

MPAA Rating: G

DVD Features

Disney Song Selection: lyrics flash on the screen as characters voice the songs.

Behind the Scenes - “The Little Mermaid: Under The Sea And Behind The Scenes On Broadway”

Deleted Scenes

Featurette:

• “Splashdance” - Behind-The-Scenes

Interactive Games:

• Mermaid Discovery Vanity Game

• Personality Profile Game