Story has evolved over time and the portrayal of female characters in movies have slowly been changing as well. The best example I can think of that portrays this point is the evolution of the Disney "princess" films. I believe all Disney movies are great and I love the stories but the older Disney princess films always portrayed the females as a damsel n distress waiting for a guy to save her. They make the princesses these perfect little girls that never do anything wrong. They never give the princess power or control. Well today Disney is starting to change this trend.
A perfect example of this is the 2012 film, "Brave, " one of the newest Disney movies. In this story the princess, Merida, is a disobedient and powerful princess. She is forced by her mother to learn all of the things a princess should do but she really just loves to go out with her bow and explore. The problem in the story is that her parents, the king and queen, are about to pick who she maries and say that it her fate and that the princess must do it. However, Merida wishes to change her fate. The story revolves around her trying to take control and change her fate and break traditions. She runs into many obstacles with this decision and she has to be brave and mature to overcome them. Merida was a breath of fresh air because of how different she was from previous princess characters. She took control of her life and didn't wait for a guy to do her work. Another thing was different was that true love or marriage never happened in the end. I think that this is another way of showing the power of the women as well.
Next, the Disney take on Rapunzel is another new take on the original Disney princess movies. In Disney's "Tangled" Rapunzel has been locked up in a tower for years and years and wishes to see the lights she sees once a year. She finally works up the courage to leave the tower and explore it for herself with the help of guy she just met. She uses the crown to make the guy taker her to the lights and throughout this journey she finds love and the truth about her life. She finally realizes who she is and fights against the person who has been holding her captive for years. In the end she sacrifices her magic hair to save the guy that she loves. Disney's "Tangled" was probably the start of the new movement to stronger female characters in Disney movies because it was the first tie the princess had power and took a stand.
Another Disney movie that has stepped outside the box is Disney's newest hit "Frozen." Frozen is the take on the Ice Queen and it has Queen Elsa and Princess Anna. At first glance they are both sisters, daughters of the Kind and Queen of Arendelle but Elsa actually has powers over snow and ice. The movies starts out sad with the death of the parents forcing Anna and Elsa to grow up alone and the fact that Elsa can't control her powers makes it even harder for Anna. They are forced to stay in the castle lonely until Elsa's coronation day and that's when everything starts to happen. Her powers slip out and she runs away to hide and live in the mountains where she can't let her powers out and not have to hide them anymore. This story revolves around Anna's trip to bring Elsa back home and throughout this journey she overcomes obstacles and even meets a guy that she might like. I don't want to ruin the movie for anybody who hasn't seen it so I won't say anymore, buy that it is another example of new take on the Disney princess movies.
These are just some examples of how story an characters have evolved over time. It's evident in the Disney princess movies the change in the female characters over time At first, Disney portrayed them as the perfect girls always dressed up to make them look the most attractive and made them seem like a damsel in distress. Now, Disney has given the princesses ore power and makes them disobedient and more adventurous. The girls take control of their own life and try to break traditions. It's nice to see these new and empowered characters because they are a brush of fresh air and appeal to more people. People like characters that are different and Merida, Rapunzel, Elsa, and Anna all are unique so a lot of people like them. Disney is on the right path with these characters and I m interested to see what they come up with next!
This post actually made my day. I appreciate it when somebody else sees how awesome Disney princesses are, so go you! I agree with you quite a bit on the 'evolution of Disney princesses'. I think that often, art reflects culture, which explains why the early Disney princesses ( i.e. Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty) were more passive and girly than the most recent princesses. As our world started to change, so did the way women were perceived, and that includes the Disney princesses. The first Disney movie to really change the concept that Disney princesses were pretty and gentle was the movie Mulan. Mulan is pretty and has a kind heart, but her entire story doesn't revolve around romantic love, rather, it deals with her love for her father and country, and her desire to be treated as an equal. I believe that Disney princesses will continue to evolve as culture evolves, and I really loved this post. The only thing I will say though, is that sometimes I think people only look at the surface when it comes to the older Disney films like Snow White and Cinderella. While these characters were products of the time period they were created in, I also think some of them had unusual modern qualities that can still be admired even today. For instance, Cinderella was a hard worker who didn't let people stop her from dreaming and working for a better life for herself. Ariel took control of her own life, and Jasmine declares that "she is not a prize to be won". This was a great post, and I also can't wait to see what Disney comes up with next!
ReplyDeleteThis was an awesome post! I am a huge fan of Disney and especially of the Disney princesses. They are beautiful and continue to take over young girl's lives, and maybe mine too. But I actually never realized how much the impression and character of the princess has changed over the years. Cinderella will always be my favorite princess for the fact that she always looks elegant and has a perfect feeling about her, but on the other hand it is great to see that Disney is giving princesses a more independent role, showing girls of all ages that you don't always need your "prince charming" to sweep you off your feet and make you happy, you are capable of your own destiny and anything is possible. I recently saw Frozen and it was magnificent! I am with you and can't wait to see what Disney has next in store for everyone to see!
ReplyDeleteCute post, Tom. Well anyways, it's interesting that modern society is evolving, and this concept of "woman power" is becoming stronger by the day. And at the same time, Disney princesses are evolving as well, becoming these strong women that inspire young girls to dream, explore, and become all they can be. Disney is no longer telling little girls that they need to rely on some prince in shining armor. Girls are learning at a young age to rely on themselves and that they are capable of achieving whatever they want.
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