Aquamarine (2006)

The Age of Commercialism

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

This is an adorable little movie and it leaves a very good feeling. The filmmakers succeed in creating a very positive atmosphere -- it really transports you back into your teen days! For the duration of the film I turned 13 again and God did it feel good. The film left me feeling younger and happier for a long time, so for this alone it deserves a very high vote. The story contained a few good and unpredictable twists -- no spoilers here, but it's well-plotted and delivers a good message. The main idea of a mermaid capable of turning into a girl at daytime is a lovely new take on traditional mermaid tales and the ending was perfectly unpredictable and uplifting. Could use more of the same!

I read in Empire magazine the Top Ten Movie Mermaids, Daryl Hannah in Splash was obviously number 1, Ariel of The Little Mermaid was number 3, and this one was number 9, so I had to see why. Basically twelve year old friends Claire Brown (Emma Roberts) and Hailey Rogers (RV's Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque) are due to separate in five days when Hailey has to move to Australia because of her mum. One night there is a violent storm, and the girls take a look at their beach club swimming pool, and they are amazed by what has been washed up inside it. They meet and are amazed by mermaid Aquamarine (Superhero Movie's Sara Paxton), and the next day she turns up with legs saying that her fins come back when she gets wet. Aquamarine tells them that she is ashore trying to prove to her father, king of the sea, that love exists so that she doesn't have to go through a forced marriage. The girls agree to help her to get popular beach boy and lifeguard Raymond (Jake McDorman) to fall in love with her. Aquamarine says she will grant them a wish for helping her, so obviously they see this as their chance to stop Hailey moving away. The only problem with this plan is that spoilt, rich girl Cecilia Banks (American Pie Presents Band Camp's Arielle Kebbel) is trying to get her mitts on Raymond too. There is a point when Cecilia discovers Aquamarine's secret, but eccentric and compassionate caretaker Leonard (Bruce Spence) stops this secret being spread. Raymond does discover Aquamarine is a mermaid too, but her father is convinced there is love from Claire and Hailey loving her, and the girls save their wish for later, instead the three of them promise to see each other every summer. Also starring Claudia Karvan as Ginny, Tammin Sursok as Marjorie, Roy Billing as Grandpa Bob, Julia Blake as Grandma Maggie and Shaun Micallef as Storm Banks. If you are of the Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana and Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen generation, "girly girls", then this is definitely for you. Roberts and Levesque are your typical smile too much and giggle a lot pair, Paxton is attractive and fun as the half-girl-half-fish, but she's no Daryl Hannah, and there are some amusing moments, but it isn't my kind of thing more than once. Okay!

I saw this movie at the cinema's with some friends. I thought it was going to be really corny and boring, but it actually shocked me how good it was. It was one of the best movies I had seen in a long time because it had great actors and just the whole thing was great. Really anyone could see this movie and like it, and any age. All the actors worked so well together, and there was not a moment where I could say they could have gone back and done it better. I thought the whole storyline and plot was fantastic and parts of the movie made you use your imagination. It had fairytale themes (mermaid) which younger and older kids really enjoy, especially girls. The film looks at the friendships that people have, relationships with boys, and on teenage girls' worries with body image. The message the film is trying to show is that love can be found in many ways and can be found when you don't expect it. The friendship between the girls got closer and closer throughout the movie and it made Hailey decide that her mum deserved to move to Australia, and that friends will always be forever.

Aquamarine tells the story of a young under-the-sea kingdom princess who meets up with two girls. She wishes to show her father the concept of love, but in the process, the girls encounter a love quadrilateral, the b-girls and an angry town.When it comes to the positives, costume design is definitely the best. Aquamarine's tail was so amazing, and all the costumes she wears flatters her character.Now here's the fun part...The movie offers a very cliché storyline. Definitely this alone makes the most scrutinizing viewers find it dry. What is this? Little Mermaid without the animation? Cecilia in this movie looks like she just had Botox. Honestly, the b-girls look like they should be playing roles older than what they play here. Makeup is definitely challenged here.Aquamarine offers young girls a movie to love and praise, but definitely not a movie to imitate! I wouldn't want my daughter to see this film and end up looking for love like it's some sock under her bed. The movie's somewhat clad in stupidity and some scrutinizing viewers might find this-- uncomfortable. Costume design saves this movie from total wreck.Final say? This is definitely the female version of "Dude, where's my car?"