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Thirteen-year-old Hailey (Jojo) and her mom are leaving their coastal home in a week's time and moving to Australia while
her best friend (Emma Roberts) is fretting at the thought of being bullied by older and prettier girls and facing teenage life alone.
They pray for a miracle to keep them together which is answered one stormy night when Aquamarine (Sara Paxton), a runaway mermaid trying to escape an arranged marriage, is washed up in the girl's swimming pool. The girls befriend her and find out Aquamarine must prove to her merman father that love exists otherwise she has to return and marry her father's choice. Aquamarine chooses Raymond (Jake McDorman), the hunky lifeguard whom all the girls on the beach, including Hailey and Claire, are swooning over. They agree to help in exchange for a wish the mermaid would grant—but they must be able to get Raymond to say "I love you" to Aquamarine in 3 days.
Though a little flimsy and unoriginal, the storyline's sprightly sweetness and innocence makes it quite endearing.
There are some good punch lines and genuinely funny situations.
The CGIs are fabulous with enough punch and subtlety that doesn't over power the scene. The scoring is a bit irritatingly saccharine but forgivable since it is aimed at the pre-teen audience. The tutti-frutti color of the production and shots is painless to the adults and eye candy for young girls. The beauty of Allen's directorship is that she is able to capture a drama world for young girls without being condescending. Over-all the film is enjoyable and worth watching.
The main characters of the film are very good role models for the intended demographics.
Hailey and Claire show modesty and demureness even when giggling and shrieking as they discover the opposite sex. They are loyal friends and empathize with each other in their weaknesses and fears. The movie's concept of love goes beyond the conventional romance and relationship. Love at the end of the day is the willingness to sacrifice one's self, to let go of something desired for someone else's betterment or happiness. Raymond is honest and does not take advantage of Aquamarine's infatuation, and Aquamarine discovers the love she didn't know she needed from Hailey and Claire who risk their lives and wish so she can be free and happy. Parents must explain certain parts which young children might find bewitching (for instance, the mermaid's magical powers)
(Date Reviewed: 5 May 2006)
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