A Whole New World…

Disney has been a household name for years. I highly doubt there is anyone who hasn’t seen or heard of at least one Disney movie in their lifetime. These films were intended for children but developed in such a way that they capture the masses of parents as well. The movies are written with humor that is funny for adults, but it is subtle enough that young children do not catch on yet. Examples of this are in Toy Story. This sense of humor is one of the elements that make the film entertaining and enjoyable for almost all audiences. Humor, and of course, the ever-present theme in Disney movies: love and happily ever after.

 

Though love and finding happily ever after are often common themes in almost every Disney film, there is more to it than that. In most instances there is always a gorgeous, perfect damsel in distress, who also happens to be a princess. Her prince always saves her and he is always strong and handsome. This imagine in itself is an example of hegemony, though it is not the best idea or concept of how things should be, we accept it as such because society does. So from watching Disney movies, young girls get the image imprinted in their minds that beauty means young, very thin, and a beautiful voice. Boys get the image of a strapping, handsome prince.
The other negative underlying theme here is that to be happy, the princess needs her prince. This gives the impression that a woman cannot live happily ever after without a man. Instead of focusing on things like careers, friends, or the usually present broken family, the films usually always focus on falling in love.

With that being said, there are many positive themes and messages that come from Disney movies and I believe the good definitely outweighs the bad. The movies are about finding love- and they teach that it is okay to love someone different than you. Movies like Pocahontas, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and many others all show the main character falling in love with someone who is a different race, class, or ethnicity than them. It helps promote less racism and show that everyone is equal, which I think is a great message to send to kids. Though there is sometimes conflict about this issue, like when King Triton is furious Ariel loves a human, in the end, the differences are put aside and everyone is happy.

Some movies are about a different kind of love. For example, in the Lion King, the movie is about Simba’s love for his father, and it’s about his journey growing up and him finding the courage to love himself; he finds his pride to become a leader and do what is right. It also teaches about the circle of life- that people die and move on to heaven. Mulan is another example of this because she wants to do what is best for her family. Toy Story is all about friendship.
Messages like that are very inspiring and beneficial to children. I think that as time goes on, the movies are starting to focus on themes other than love between a boy and girl.

However, I do not think these messages, positive or negative, are something that influence children to some huge extent. For example, if a young girl watches the Beast be mean to Bell, I don’t think 20 years from now that is why that little girl now thinks it is ok when her husband hits her. I don’t think if someone falls in love with someone from another race they think “well, this is ok because John Smith and Pocahontas did it!” I think it just puts a subtle message in their head like, “ok, just because someone looks different than me doesn’t mean they are.”

I know as a child, I was immersed in Disney movies. They are all I wanted to watch. I have almost everyone made since the 80’s, and I still go back and watch them sometimes today. I believe it is more for the entertainment factor than anything else. I remember the catchy songs and characters from when I was a child, watching the movies brings me back to my childhood.

I think the movies did not really affect my life and that of my family and friends except bringing us together to watch the movies. It is also something to talk about, and even sing to. It sounds sad, but my 20 year old roommate has Disney songs on her I-pod that we listen to sometimes! This is really the only ways the movies affect my real world now. I know I can be happy without a man, and I know that there is more to life than being beautiful. I think the movies reflected good morals and values and I recognized and agreed with them, but it was because my parents had already instilled them in me.

I think that Disney movies are great and I feel like people who say differently are looking way too much into it. I would never take back any of my Disney memories. I think it was a great thing to grow up on- much better than the violent cartoons of today. Disney is everywhere- but I don’t feel it is over commercialized because it is something the public loves. It works. Commercials are not annoying, or repetitive ever. When I hear about something involved with Disney I’m usually interested in it. Anytime a new Disney movie comes out, I’ll admit… I get a little excited. I think that Disney truly is working on changing the look of the traditional princesses and making it more appealing to everyone. This also proves the common theme in the movies that everyone is equal. A new Disney movie is coming out that I want to see. It has the first black Disney Princess. It is called The Princess and The Frog.

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