It's much easier to slander or disparage something, when you don't have all of the details.

And it's fashionable to hate on the Classic DPs.

^^

all these. but by personality of course they just mean they aren't loud or sassy enough basically (but it's funny because the heroines they do call sassy usually aren't- like Elsa and Tiana? I don't think either of them are really). the young Disney fandom is really naive about taking their time periods and such into consideration ("omg why doesn't that doormat Cinderella just PUNCH THEM and leave, that's what I'D do!") but adult film critics are just as bad, sadly. I seriously think most people today just have tiny attention spans and if a character (mostly female ones, I've noticed) isn't loud, spunky, and goes off on wild adventures, they say she has no personality.

but all this really stems from them never watching the movies, or not seeing them since they were very young. and when they do, they're too lazy to look at them beyond a shallow level. which is pretty unfair because people go crazy overanalyzing the modern princesses like Elsa. this and how cool it is to hate values we now deem too old fashioned, regardless of how many modern traits the girls have (especially Cinderella) that we praise today.

I'm gonna be addressing some points if you're confused by some of the choices

1. Because their characters/movies carry old fashioned views/messages regarding women

I think this has to do with the fact that modern views on women are much more different than the views that existed in the 30-50s; back in those times the ideal woman was represented as being a kind, sweet, well mannered woman and all that. While i don't think it's a BAD image per se it has certainly changed as time went on and women nowadays are expected to be those traits and more- assertive, funny, intelligent, independent, talented etc etc.

That's why people praise the modern princesses a lot, because they happen to hold an image of what the modern girl "should" be: quirky, independent, and all that. And maybe some people don't like the old princesses because they don't agree with the old images of women that they represent, and maybe they'd prefer a character that reflects more modern ideals.

2. Because they haven't watched their movies
Now this one happens A LOT. You may think it's a little strange but something very common among the haters is that they're usually young folks who criticize the princesses despite never watching their movies and they're only basing their judgement of what other people have told them. (Mothers not allowing for their kids to watch Cinderella because according to her it's a sexist movie...And the only thing the kids can do is repeat what their mother. friends and the social media websites say...). It's weird but it happens.

3. Because they're girly characters instead of tomboys or quirky nerds.

Nowadays girly characters are seen as being shallow, evil or stupid (this is very common in cartoon shows based on a school setting). For some reason women being in touch with their femininity is something to be ashamed of, and desirable women should be bookworms or tomboys instead of wasting time baking or wearing floral dresses. That's why people prefer tomboys like Merida and Mulan or smart girls like Tiana or Belle (never mind the fact that the last three are very feminine in certain circumstances, but they have to "make up" for it by having "cool" desirable traits like reading or using swords or having a sassy attitude, because according to most people being girly is a symbol of weakness.

I think so.

*sighs* why do people always say that girls HAVE to be assertive, or HAVE to be pretty and have to be anything! Cinderella is who she is....Merida is who she is....let them be who they are...there are girls in the world that are like every princess disney could ever throw at us, what really matters is if their a good person, not what dress they wear or how girly they are...

It's very foolish to hate...people most often judge because it reflects some kind of flaw in themselves...and as to kids watching them...kids will ALWAYS mostly mimic the behavior of their parents and closest family members, not what they watch on tv..any child psychologist can tell u that...as a parent U are their biggest Influence, NOT Cinderella

Mostly this and it's a valid reason to criticize the Classics imho, times have changed and we expect more.

Sad but true it's ridiculous there is nothing wrong with being girly plus belle even though a bookworm is still very feminine,as a girly girl myself I find nothing wrong with this at all.

^^I wonder about that too. of all the modern princesses Belle fits in with the Classics perfectly. She's gentle, calm, feminine, prim and proper, puts family over adventure, and is a true lady. If anything she doesn't fit in with the modern princesses! Elsa too for the same reasons. So I find it very bizarre and just dishonest when people act like these two are such feminist icons when they're hardly different from the old girls, particularly Cinderella and Aurora.

Anyway, what's the point in criticizing them for their old messages? that's what was important then. You can't judge them for something they can't help (and at least in my view their messages are a lot better and more valuable than most of the ones today that generally just focus on selfishness rather than kindness).

^^agreed AudreyFreak I find that some of the messages were better in the classic movies and some of the newer movies do focus on being selfish rather than being kind.

They create a picture of the princesses without getting to know them.

All of them. Awful reasons, really. Shame on any hater who hates the classic princesses for these reasons.

Personally, the Classic ladies just don't "speak" to me the way the more recent women do -- the world is a different place now, and I find them hard to relate to. I don't think they're "bad" though. Also, I find a lot of the pacing weird in the older movies -- "Cinderella" especially just seems to drag on forever. And actually, my perception of these movies as boring might have rubbed off on how I view the ladies in them. Which I admit is unfair.

I have problems with some of the newer ladies, too, though. Like I'm torn between loving and hating Meg, because she's the opposite of the Classics, only taken too far in the other direction. I think Mulan's character is actually a good blend of old and new values.