The Little Mermaid 4: The Return of Melody (2021 film)

The Little Mermaid 4: The Return of Melody is a 2020 Disney 3D computer-animated musical fantasy film and direct-to-video prequel to the animated 2000 film The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea. Directed by the producers of Frozen, the story takes place over a decade after the sequel film, and focuses on Ariel and Eric's son and Melody's younger brother Aaron, a human prince who longs to swim in the ocean (same as Melody's) despite his parents' law that the sea is forbidden to him. This prequel stars the voices of Jennifer Tilly as Melody, Jeremy Jordan as Aaron, Dan Stevens as King Triton and Jim Cummings as the film's new villain, who is much worse than Morgana.

Story (Plot)
Set some unspecified time after the events of the sequel film, the film begins with a celebration for Ariel (Jodi Benson) and Eric's (Rob Paulsen) newborn son Aaron who is also Melody's (young by Tara Strong) brother on a ship at sea, watched by merpeople including King Triton (Dan Stevens). Melody then presents her newborn baby brother with her magic seashell locket, which is meant to remind him of his half mermaid heritage. The party is interrupted by Oyster (Jim Cummings), the husband of the late Morgana, who threatens to cause Aaron harm, using her as leverage to get King Triton's Trident. Ariel and Eric work together to foil Oyster's plan.

Fearing Oyster and Melody remembering what happened with Morgana, Ariel decides to withhold all knowledge of the sea world again this time from Aaron, while deciding to keep Aaron from going into the sea for his safety. The locket is given back to King Triton by Melody (who is heart-wrenching about the wall, but manage to see her grandfather though) and tossed back into the ocean, and a massive wall is built again to separate the royal castle from the sea. In the meantime, Sebastian is tasked by Triton to watch over Aaron. Flounder and King Triton return to Atlantica.

Eighteen years later, Melody (adult by Jennifer Tilly), Ariel and Eric are celebrating Aaron's 18th birthday and are throwing him a huge party. However, Ariel and Melody are having trouble as Aaron is missing and begins searching for her. Meanwhile, in the ocean, Aaron (Jeremy Jordan), now a handsome young teen, is revealed to be regularly sneaking out into the ocean to swim without his sister and his parents realizing. Aaron has inherited a lot from his maternal heritage, including a few mermaid abilities and has developed a deep love of the sea (just like how Melody felt). However, Aaron still remains unaware of his mermaid heritage and is banned from ever going into the sea, without an explanation. Due to the ban, he and Ariel have a rather rocky relationship as Ariel and Melody both appear to strongly disapprove of anything related to the sea. As he continues to explore the ocean, he soon finds Melody's locket and shows it to Sebastian and Scuttle.

Sebastian then tries to warn Aaron that if Ariel and Melody were to ever find out about his sneaking off and swimming in the ocean they would be very angry and disappointed. Aaron, however, doesn't understand his mother's "hatred" of the sea and longingly wishes he could tell her and his sister how he feels, but believes that they would never understand. Aaron then remembers about his birthday party his sister and his parents are planning and gets back to the castle without Ariel and Melody noticing. As Aaron sneaks into the castle, he comes across some of the guests, but quickly leaves them, however shortly after he leaves, the guests begin to talk about Aaron behind his back revealing they believe him to be strange as they have heard of his ability of speaking with sea creatures. However, unknown to them, Aaron overheard everything they have said about him and sadly walks back to his bedroom.

Later, Ariel, Melody and Max are in the front garden of the castle, close to the wall. Ariel and Melody are upset that King Triton couldn't be here to celebrate Aaron's birthday with them. Ariel and Melody then gains an idea and after checking to see that no one is around, they both put their feet into the ocean, to remind them of Atlantica, much to their happiness. However, Aaron sees his sister and his mother from his balcony and asks what they are doing. Ariel then makes an excuse and Melody assures Aaron they're coming. Aaron then quickly prepares for his sister and his mother's arrival while hiding the shells he collected, while unknowingly tying Sebastian to his prince uniform as he helps him dress. Ariel and Melody then soon arrive.

In his dressing room, Ariel and Melody help Aaron prepare for the party. Aaron confides in them that he doesn't really want to attend, revealing how he overheard some of the guests making fun of him. Melody tries to reassure her brother saying that everyone has trouble fitting in, but realizes that this is more than about the party. Ariel then tells Aaron that if he has anything troubling him, he can always tell her and Melody anything. Aaron, now believing they will understand their true feelings is about to tell his her deep love of the sea, but are interrupted by Eric who takes Aaron, Melody and Ariel into the ballroom for the party.

Arriving at the ballroom Aaron is introduced and soon meets a princess who asks for his first dance. It starts off beautifully, however it soon turns into a nightmare when Sebastian accidentally ruins the dance and destroys Aaron's birthday cake. Aaron checks to see if Sebastian is alright, but soon everyone at the party starts to laugh at him for talking to a crab. Louie then notices Sebastian and, remembering him from their encounter, a chase ensures. Angry and humiliated, Aaron runs out of the ballroom.

In his bedroom, Aaron is in tears over what happened while Ariel comes in to comfort her son, Aaron picks up Melody's necklace and sees her name on the locket. Furious, Ariel confronts Aaron and learns that he has been sneaking out into the ocean without her permission. Aaron tries to learn why he isn't allowed into the sea and asks about Melody's locket. Ariel however does not answer Aaron's questions, forbids him from going into the sea and warns him that the sea is dangerous. Angry at his mother's refusal to answer his questions, Aaron runs out of his bedroom, but not before he smashes his crown and shatters into pieces.

Melody, after seeing Aaron run off, has became upset and cynical under the argument (ever since in 12 years ago) and ridiculing her mother's love of the sea in her and realizes that she is not been honest to Aaron. Brimmed in tears and furious, she stormed out of the room, leaving Ariel feeling heart-wrenching and awful, not before she takes back her necklace.

Eric then came to the room and comforts Ariel and tells her that it's time that Aaron finally learned the truth. Realizing that Eric and Melody are right, Ariel agrees and she and Eric both go and search for him. However, upset with his mother and seeing that she won't get answers by staying home, Aaron takes a boat and sails away, despite Sebastian's protests, not wanting to come back home. Sebastian then soon returns to the castle and informs Melody (who is on her bedroom balcony and overhearing Sebastian), Ariel and Eric that Aaron is gone.

In the ocean above Eric's ship, Ariel, Melody and Eric talk with Triton over the situation. He assures them that he has sent search parties all over the ocean to find Aaron and informs them that he will soon be joining them. Eric thinks that it's best that Ariel goes with them as she knows Aaron, Melody and the sea better than anyone and Ariel having finally realized that she should not have kept Aaron from the sea agrees with Eric. Triton uses his trident and transforms Ariel back into a mermaid to search for Aaron. Overhearing Ariel below Eric's ship, Melody realizes that she needed her mother's help, wanting her brother back and apologizes to her mother for her angry actions.