If only Snow White could have captured half the drama that its off-screen promotional tour did, it might have garnered higher marks from critics. The movie, which opens Friday, polarized reviewers ahead of its release with many panning Disney’s latest offering for a wide range of reasons.

Early in the film's production, there was controversy around Disney's decision to cast Zegler, a Latina actress, in the role of a character deemed to have skin "as white as snow". It was part of a drive by Disney to cast a more diverse range of actors to play updated versions of some classic characters.

"'Snow White' looms as a Hollywood case study of how the world can change under your feet," wrote Richard Rushfield, editorial director of the entertainment industry newsletter The Ankler. "It approaches the finish line having collected more scandals,