This movie, although it's Disney, is too scary for kids. My 2 year old son happened to come in the room when it was being played for our roommate's daughter, watched the scene when the pirated come with their ship and is "killed", basically. Not physically, but you don't see her after. He was very concerned and continued to ask "Ariel's Mommy ok? Mommy ok"? He was very worried and scared. Definitely NOT OK for 2-3 year olds.
We skip the opening scene when we watch this movie because my daughter is only 2 and very sensitive to when "bad things" happen in movies. She doesn't fully understand the absence of Ariel's mommy, but I just tell her Ariel and Ariel's Daddy miss her. She seems to accept that and enjoy the movie after. As a parent, I don't appreciate that Ariel's dad is (once again) portrayed as an unyielding drill sergeant. However, in the end the family comes together and music is allowed back in the ocean. The villain in this movie is harmless, has cute songs of her own, and turns good at the end. A rather innocent film featuring my daughter's favorite Princess.
i think it's cool and wonderful and a great way to show how ariel's story begins and i think it'good for all ages and you will have good time with this movie