Just, Disney!
You know, there are actually people who don’t like Disney. I know, I know. There must be something profoundly wrong with them…ha only joking I can see why some people don’t like it(#pessimists, #don’tbelievedreamscancometrue #clearlymissingout).
I understand that with age maybe Disney just may not be your thing and that’s okay, I get it. They are after all fairy tales and for kids right and it is all just magical and fluffy?
Or is it?
I don’t know about you, but being like 5 and watching Simba’s dad, the Great Mufasa - may his lion soul rest in peace- was a rather difficult experience. And how about when Bambi’s mother gets shot? man that was a whole different watershed experience. And in Dumbo how about when his mother gets taken away for trying to protect her own child at the circus. Humans are such a-holes sometimes. Or, when Mulan pretends to be a man in order to fight to save her father and does it with style saving all of China, practically. Or when Pocahontas and John Smith could not be together due to social/political/cultural differences. And finally beauty and the freaking beast. Did that not teach you something? Love is not always about looks.
So here we have it you guys, so many different issues ranging from; animal cruelty, feminism, racial and cultural issues, death, social inequality to superficiality.
Okay, I feel like that last paragraph wasn’t the most grammatically accurate one, but you get my point right?
I really feel like that sort of show that there is some meaning to the stories portrayed by these children fairytales and fantasies. Don’t you agree? If anything, it is a subtle and clever way to touch us in here *touches heart *.
Okay, another point that also slightly bothered me is this whole issue of the way love is depicted in Disney and how it gives us false expectations. I think read something along these lines somewhere, probably on buzzfeed.
Ok. Yes, sometimes. Ok a lot of the times, Disney’s portrayal of love is probably unrealistic. But hello, it’s an animated movie. Are we really going to believe drawn characters, who hardly ever have costume change and who just randomly burst into a song and always look perfect? No, my point exactly.
And then I have also read about Disney is also anti-feminist or something like that and how it teaches women to behave a certain way or something and how it teaches us bad life lessons. But really, most of the princesses are the heroines so essentially they have the power don’t they? The princes they find are just like a bonus, everyone has needs right? Even the feminists amongst us. I think.
Disney films has also been criticised for other things but really I don’t want to babble more than I have.
In short, I think that Disney does deal with adult issues through nice little cheerful tales, really if anything it is not childish, it is rather intelligent.
Here is my countdown to 10 Disney films I think could potentially educate you about life and you just make you feel generally okay with it.
P.s this is not in order of my love for this films…it’s too hard to choose.
1. Frozen – I saw this recently and man this was super good, it made me feel so happy and positive about life and I kept singing “Let It Go” which I think is super deep. It is about a princess and her magic powers of turning things into ice, cool right? ( see what I did there?). Anyway, sadly this gift also comes with a burden so Elsa must keep her powers away from her sister, Anna, and well that causes them to drift. Don’t you just hate it when your ability to turn things into ice comes between you and your sister? Really, she should have taken a more relaxed approach and delved into a career of ice sculptures. I am not describing it really well but this film is so good, it portrays strong female protagonists and does not solely focus on finding love.
Important life lesson: Sisters before misters
2. Tangled – Freaking love this film, I love the music , I love the humour, the characters just everything. So Rapunzel has magical hair that can cure, make you younger, just basically do super amazing things. But, now now children, sometimes people will kidnap you pretend to be your mother and use your hair to give themselves an immediate age defying look. Lancome, Dior, Chanel eat your heart out your creams will never make me look younger in 4-6 weeks! I choose Rapunzel’s hair. Anyway, totally not the point. Rapunzel shows bravery and that you have to stand up for yourself in order to follow your dreams and that sometimes mothers don’t know best.
Important life lesson: Sometimes mums don’t know best okay
3. Enchanted – So when I first watched this film I don’t believe I liked that much. But I watched it again recently and it just meant something completely different to me this time. To me that only proves that it is actually a rather mature film. Enchanted is about a princess who gets cast away to the “real world” by an evil step mother in law. She of course meets a charming handsome guy who tries to help to come to terms with the hardships of real life and that it is not a fairytale. Equally, she helps him become less cynical. In a way Enchanted is a clever little parody of Fairytales, slandering notions such as “True Love’s Kiss” and marrying a complete stranger.
Important life lessons: Don’t just marry a stranger, go on a couple of dates before you make a long life commitment you know. Also , actually, true love’s kiss does exist.
4. Cinderella – ok well we all know this story so I will write a short summary. Ugly sisters , step mother totes jealous of a pretty innocent girl. They make her their little maid and won’t let her have a chance in love. That’s ok though because fairy godmothers exist and make a kickass dress that will make a prince fall in love with you.
Important life lesson: a pair of shoes can change your life (I may have stolen this from else where) So, for all the haters who tell me off for my shopping addiction, I want you to think about how much it can change your life okay?! Also, dreams do come true?
5. Beauty and The Beast – I hope you all know this film so again will keep it short. Basically, once upon a time there was a cold superficial arrogant prince who did not want to be nice to this ugly old lady and would not give her money based on her appearance. Well well little did the prince know that actually this old lady was a beautiful enchantress who would consequently curse and turn him to a Beast to reflect his inner beastly heart (some deep shit , I know). The only way this curse can be broken if someone falls in love with him. Enter Belle. The Beast actually holds her father hostage as he trespassed the castle but Belle sacrifices herself to be the prisoner. Anyway, you know the rest.
Important life lesson: Don’t be superficial okay, it is all about the beauty within.
6. Aladdin – possibly one of my favourite Disney films. If you have not seen it or you don’t like it, then well, there is something medically wrong with you. There is just so much deepness in this Disney film okay? I mean, it challenges social inequality, I mean, a princess falls for a “street rat” . So this is what happens: Aladdin finds a Genie and not just any Genie, the Genie (Robin Williams) and well his wish is to change into a prince because he thinks that by being a prince it will mean Jasmine will fall for him. Well, sweet darling boy, no no. Girls are not that shallow! Jasmine wants the real you. Also some other stuff happens and there is a monkey.
Important life lessons: Not all girls want a prince okay?! They can be douches and a bit too girly looking. Sometimes we just like them rough and ready , you know.
P.s rough and ready but not like criminals, just saying.
7. Mulan – Sometimes you just have to protect your family and because of backward patriarchal society standards apparently women can’t fight. Well mofos , this is where Mulan proves you wrong. She dresses up as a boy to protect her father. On a first instance you might feel that this is somewhat sexist and stuff but at the end Mulan reveals her true identity so it’s all good, people can see women can fight too.
Important life lesson: sometimes you have to cross dress to prove a point.
8. Maleficent – I wrote a whole review on this if you want to read J. But in short, this film is about the “evil fairy” from Sleeping Beauty. It gives her side of the story and really it is a rather good film. It also does not focus on romantic love but actually on platonic love and that a “true love’s kiss” is not only for lovers.
I mportant life lesson: before you start to judge, hear em out.
9. Pocahontas – I don’t know if you know, but this film is loosely based on real events which make this film even better. Apart from of course the talking grandmother tree and the cute raccoon. So basically the English come to “New World” to well exploit it. Of course this causes problems with the Virginia Indians (I Wikipedia’d this okay). So they have beef and they basically want to kill each other because the English are trying to take advantage and well , a lot of other political issues arise. Whilst this is happening of course something more important and greater than this is taking place – love you guys, love. The Chief’s daughter falls in love with John Smith (no stereotypes or anything right?). In the midst of cultural, political and social differences it is love than saves the day when Pocahontas basically throws herself on John Smith when he is about to be executed. Now, that is brave right? What a woman. I mean, come on. So this is an excellent example of Disney can be profound. Also, I had this conversation with someone the other day, how do John and Pochontas suddenly communicate? (Love you guys, love. Apparently you don’t need to speak the language, nor do you need google translate, sometimes all it takes is a look…haha vom)
Important life lesson: love should not be challenged by culture. Also apparently women in Disney never have to shave cos their legs always look smooth.
10. The Lion King - the crème de la crème , The Lion King. One of the best Disney films ever! Like ever. I mean the music, the characters, the story. And it teaches us so much you guys, like so much. It teaches us about like following our destiny (I think that’s what the Baboon was trying to do anyway). It teaches us that sometimes, sometimes people (well lions in this case) can be so evil that they will do evil things. Ok, in retrospect I am not sure that killing Scar was the best message to send to children. I know it is the whole eye for an eye thing , but it is a little bit too dark. But anyway, maybe on some level it is trying to portray that you should punish the wrongdoers? Or maybe that you know, there is always karma. Ok, really not sure where I am going with this. It is just an amazing film let’s just leave it at that. Plus Timon and Pumba. Enough said.
Important life lesson: it’s just the circle of life you guys!
10.5. Pirates of the Caribbean – this is a film about pirate and stuff. It is good, watch it. I know it is going over the 10 list but still , needed to include it.
Important life lesson: Pirates can be hot especially when it involves Mr Depp. Guyliners can be sexy but fellas please, not everyone can pull it off.
Anyway, I hope you have all taken away something from this, if not some slight boredom because I think I did ramble.
In a true fashion to my cheesy nature, all I want to say is, don’t give up on your dreams….
I understand that with age maybe Disney just may not be your thing and that’s okay, I get it. They are after all fairy tales and for kids right and it is all just magical and fluffy?
Or is it?
I don’t know about you, but being like 5 and watching Simba’s dad, the Great Mufasa - may his lion soul rest in peace- was a rather difficult experience. And how about when Bambi’s mother gets shot? man that was a whole different watershed experience. And in Dumbo how about when his mother gets taken away for trying to protect her own child at the circus. Humans are such a-holes sometimes. Or, when Mulan pretends to be a man in order to fight to save her father and does it with style saving all of China, practically. Or when Pocahontas and John Smith could not be together due to social/political/cultural differences. And finally beauty and the freaking beast. Did that not teach you something? Love is not always about looks.
So here we have it you guys, so many different issues ranging from; animal cruelty, feminism, racial and cultural issues, death, social inequality to superficiality.
Okay, I feel like that last paragraph wasn’t the most grammatically accurate one, but you get my point right?
I really feel like that sort of show that there is some meaning to the stories portrayed by these children fairytales and fantasies. Don’t you agree? If anything, it is a subtle and clever way to touch us in here *touches heart *.
Okay, another point that also slightly bothered me is this whole issue of the way love is depicted in Disney and how it gives us false expectations. I think read something along these lines somewhere, probably on buzzfeed.
Ok. Yes, sometimes. Ok a lot of the times, Disney’s portrayal of love is probably unrealistic. But hello, it’s an animated movie. Are we really going to believe drawn characters, who hardly ever have costume change and who just randomly burst into a song and always look perfect? No, my point exactly.
And then I have also read about Disney is also anti-feminist or something like that and how it teaches women to behave a certain way or something and how it teaches us bad life lessons. But really, most of the princesses are the heroines so essentially they have the power don’t they? The princes they find are just like a bonus, everyone has needs right? Even the feminists amongst us. I think.
Disney films has also been criticised for other things but really I don’t want to babble more than I have.
In short, I think that Disney does deal with adult issues through nice little cheerful tales, really if anything it is not childish, it is rather intelligent.
Here is my countdown to 10 Disney films I think could potentially educate you about life and you just make you feel generally okay with it.
P.s this is not in order of my love for this films…it’s too hard to choose.
1. Frozen – I saw this recently and man this was super good, it made me feel so happy and positive about life and I kept singing “Let It Go” which I think is super deep. It is about a princess and her magic powers of turning things into ice, cool right? ( see what I did there?). Anyway, sadly this gift also comes with a burden so Elsa must keep her powers away from her sister, Anna, and well that causes them to drift. Don’t you just hate it when your ability to turn things into ice comes between you and your sister? Really, she should have taken a more relaxed approach and delved into a career of ice sculptures. I am not describing it really well but this film is so good, it portrays strong female protagonists and does not solely focus on finding love.
Important life lesson: Sisters before misters
2. Tangled – Freaking love this film, I love the music , I love the humour, the characters just everything. So Rapunzel has magical hair that can cure, make you younger, just basically do super amazing things. But, now now children, sometimes people will kidnap you pretend to be your mother and use your hair to give themselves an immediate age defying look. Lancome, Dior, Chanel eat your heart out your creams will never make me look younger in 4-6 weeks! I choose Rapunzel’s hair. Anyway, totally not the point. Rapunzel shows bravery and that you have to stand up for yourself in order to follow your dreams and that sometimes mothers don’t know best.
Important life lesson: Sometimes mums don’t know best okay
3. Enchanted – So when I first watched this film I don’t believe I liked that much. But I watched it again recently and it just meant something completely different to me this time. To me that only proves that it is actually a rather mature film. Enchanted is about a princess who gets cast away to the “real world” by an evil step mother in law. She of course meets a charming handsome guy who tries to help to come to terms with the hardships of real life and that it is not a fairytale. Equally, she helps him become less cynical. In a way Enchanted is a clever little parody of Fairytales, slandering notions such as “True Love’s Kiss” and marrying a complete stranger.
Important life lessons: Don’t just marry a stranger, go on a couple of dates before you make a long life commitment you know. Also , actually, true love’s kiss does exist.
4. Cinderella – ok well we all know this story so I will write a short summary. Ugly sisters , step mother totes jealous of a pretty innocent girl. They make her their little maid and won’t let her have a chance in love. That’s ok though because fairy godmothers exist and make a kickass dress that will make a prince fall in love with you.
Important life lesson: a pair of shoes can change your life (I may have stolen this from else where) So, for all the haters who tell me off for my shopping addiction, I want you to think about how much it can change your life okay?! Also, dreams do come true?
5. Beauty and The Beast – I hope you all know this film so again will keep it short. Basically, once upon a time there was a cold superficial arrogant prince who did not want to be nice to this ugly old lady and would not give her money based on her appearance. Well well little did the prince know that actually this old lady was a beautiful enchantress who would consequently curse and turn him to a Beast to reflect his inner beastly heart (some deep shit , I know). The only way this curse can be broken if someone falls in love with him. Enter Belle. The Beast actually holds her father hostage as he trespassed the castle but Belle sacrifices herself to be the prisoner. Anyway, you know the rest.
Important life lesson: Don’t be superficial okay, it is all about the beauty within.
6. Aladdin – possibly one of my favourite Disney films. If you have not seen it or you don’t like it, then well, there is something medically wrong with you. There is just so much deepness in this Disney film okay? I mean, it challenges social inequality, I mean, a princess falls for a “street rat” . So this is what happens: Aladdin finds a Genie and not just any Genie, the Genie (Robin Williams) and well his wish is to change into a prince because he thinks that by being a prince it will mean Jasmine will fall for him. Well, sweet darling boy, no no. Girls are not that shallow! Jasmine wants the real you. Also some other stuff happens and there is a monkey.
Important life lessons: Not all girls want a prince okay?! They can be douches and a bit too girly looking. Sometimes we just like them rough and ready , you know.
P.s rough and ready but not like criminals, just saying.
7. Mulan – Sometimes you just have to protect your family and because of backward patriarchal society standards apparently women can’t fight. Well mofos , this is where Mulan proves you wrong. She dresses up as a boy to protect her father. On a first instance you might feel that this is somewhat sexist and stuff but at the end Mulan reveals her true identity so it’s all good, people can see women can fight too.
Important life lesson: sometimes you have to cross dress to prove a point.
8. Maleficent – I wrote a whole review on this if you want to read J. But in short, this film is about the “evil fairy” from Sleeping Beauty. It gives her side of the story and really it is a rather good film. It also does not focus on romantic love but actually on platonic love and that a “true love’s kiss” is not only for lovers.
I mportant life lesson: before you start to judge, hear em out.
9. Pocahontas – I don’t know if you know, but this film is loosely based on real events which make this film even better. Apart from of course the talking grandmother tree and the cute raccoon. So basically the English come to “New World” to well exploit it. Of course this causes problems with the Virginia Indians (I Wikipedia’d this okay). So they have beef and they basically want to kill each other because the English are trying to take advantage and well , a lot of other political issues arise. Whilst this is happening of course something more important and greater than this is taking place – love you guys, love. The Chief’s daughter falls in love with John Smith (no stereotypes or anything right?). In the midst of cultural, political and social differences it is love than saves the day when Pocahontas basically throws herself on John Smith when he is about to be executed. Now, that is brave right? What a woman. I mean, come on. So this is an excellent example of Disney can be profound. Also, I had this conversation with someone the other day, how do John and Pochontas suddenly communicate? (Love you guys, love. Apparently you don’t need to speak the language, nor do you need google translate, sometimes all it takes is a look…haha vom)
Important life lesson: love should not be challenged by culture. Also apparently women in Disney never have to shave cos their legs always look smooth.
10. The Lion King - the crème de la crème , The Lion King. One of the best Disney films ever! Like ever. I mean the music, the characters, the story. And it teaches us so much you guys, like so much. It teaches us about like following our destiny (I think that’s what the Baboon was trying to do anyway). It teaches us that sometimes, sometimes people (well lions in this case) can be so evil that they will do evil things. Ok, in retrospect I am not sure that killing Scar was the best message to send to children. I know it is the whole eye for an eye thing , but it is a little bit too dark. But anyway, maybe on some level it is trying to portray that you should punish the wrongdoers? Or maybe that you know, there is always karma. Ok, really not sure where I am going with this. It is just an amazing film let’s just leave it at that. Plus Timon and Pumba. Enough said.
Important life lesson: it’s just the circle of life you guys!
10.5. Pirates of the Caribbean – this is a film about pirate and stuff. It is good, watch it. I know it is going over the 10 list but still , needed to include it.
Important life lesson: Pirates can be hot especially when it involves Mr Depp. Guyliners can be sexy but fellas please, not everyone can pull it off.
Anyway, I hope you have all taken away something from this, if not some slight boredom because I think I did ramble.
In a true fashion to my cheesy nature, all I want to say is, don’t give up on your dreams….