Before we criticize the original works of Disney, we should come up with an original movie ourselves. With the new release of the live action Snow White movie directed by Marc Webb, lots of critical feedback has aroused much discussion about today’s cinema rejecting old Disney princess storylines. Rather than a feminine heroine who gets saved by a prince, Disney has chosen to display their recent princesses as independent and not needing to have romance in their lives. There is, however, a way to create a story where the princess is strong and self-dependent and yet, still experiences romantic affection with a prince.
Despite Disney’s aim to promote feminism and move on from the old image of the company’s princesses being submissive and passive, many girls who grew up with classic Disney believe that Disney is doing more harm than good.
“I understand that Disney’s intent is to focus on a more feminist female lead, but I also think it’s bad to ignore the power and strength in femininity. Denying femininity is wrong and it is actually the opposite of what Disney is trying to do, which is support feminism. So I think embracing femininity is the strongest thing the company can do,” junior Nevina Abey explained.
People who support new Disney princesses argue that the older movies send a message to young girls to not work for themselves and to depend on men. Now, however, the studio has seemed to foster the same effect by sending a message that young girls should oppose their feminine behaviors.
This negative evaluation of classic Disney princess movies is not completely accurate either. Take the original Snow White for example. Several critics, as well as the lead actress of the live action Snow White, have heavily criticized the original movie for the prince’s character. They feel that the film portrayed Snow White as a princess who needed a man in order to succeed. Something they fail to realize is that Snow White had been showcasing her strength throughout the whole movie. A huntsman was hired to kill her, she was lost in a forest, she struggled to find a home and the evil queen poisoned her. Despite these challenges, Snow White persisted and continued to maintain her kind and giving nature rather than becoming pessimistic. Although it is not the physical strength that people are used to, Snow White’s actions showcase her strong emotional character.
Speaking of the prince in Snow White, the topic of having princes or prince-like characters in princess movies at all has also been a fiery conversation among many, as it touches on the feminist movement. The original intention behind feminism was to advocate that women should be equal to men. In recent years, some aspects of feminism have been taken to the extreme such that, to many men, the feminist movement screams to them as anti-male. Disney’s exclusion of male counterparts or romance for princess characters has only enhanced this message.
This issue is not at a total loss though. In the past, Disney has successfully combined characteristics both from old and recent princess movies. A movie that is known for doing this is Tangled.
“I like how Rapunzel sort of combines both worlds. Although Flynn Rider is a prince-like character and has a love story with Rapunzel, it’s Rapunzel’s desire to find her parents that leads her to success. Flynn just helps her along the way,” Abey commented.
It is possible to create a princess movie that both values the independence and strength of women and embraces femininity and romance, letting young audiences know that it is okay to have both.