Ursula (The Little Mermaid) such. In Andersen's tale, the sea witch is not a villain as much as she is "a disreputable mermaid." JR Thorpe of "Bustle" agreed that, in Andersen's story, "The sea witch isn't the enemy". Instead, "human ... nature is." While the original sea witch is willing to help the little mermaid despite the fact that she openly disagrees with her motives, Ursula is only interested in helping Ariel in the hopes of ultimately overthrowing her father. Emma James of "Teen Ink" observed that in addition to giving the character the name "Ursula", the studio "changed her role as a catalyst
The Little Mermaid (1989 film) Mermaid", Disney's first animated fairy tale since "Sleeping Beauty" (1959), is an important film in animation history for many reasons. Chief among these are its re-establishment of animation as a profitable venture for The Walt Disney Company, as the company's theme parks, television productions, and live-action features had overshadowed the animated output since the 1950s. "Mermaid" was the second film, following "Oliver & Company", produced after Disney began expanding its animated output following its successful live action/animated film "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", and became Disney's first animated major box office and critical hit since "The Rescuers" in 1977. Walt Disney