Part 8/11:
Many viewers expressed dissatisfaction with the film’s creative direction, citing a departure from the magic and vibrancy of the original animated classic. This dissatisfaction was compounded by the sense that the film prioritized political messaging over artistic quality, leading to audience rejection and poor word-of-mouth.
The Media's Shift in Narrative
Initially, Disney and the mainstream outlets attempted to frame the backlash as solely racially motivated hate, dismissing legitimate criticisms about the film’s artistic and narrative shortcomings. However, as the film’s box office numbers failed to meet expectations, even these outlets have been forced to acknowledge that The Little Mermaid is underperforming significantly.