Dear Disney,
Thanks for all of those false expectations. I wanted a prince to sweep me off my feet, have a trusty animal guide and vanquish evil. Walmart’s thingamabobs are always out of stock. My boyfriend doesn’t drive a magic carpet or a white stallion. Sadly, my snowmen don’t come to life, and my voice doesn’t produce Grammy winning hits.
Oh, Disney, you create beauty that no little girl could ever achieve. Jasmine’s hair is thicker than her waist, and Cinderella’s glass shoe would cause more than just a blister. All those outfits make the perfect Halloween costume, if Halloween were in the middle of July.
The false reports of “Princes” gave me hope that you would actually add some diversity to your cast. Yes, ice powers may be some sort of illusion, but there’s no need to get hopeful. Sure one frog’s kiss and a warrior princess may all add some colorful diversity, but with too many complaints of taking stereotypical views makes the glitter fade away.
Sure, your animation is innovating I won’t deny it. Many of your movies have new ideas, even firsts, and individualize great details down to the hair of a fishtail braid. You manage to stick wonderful cameos that make every viewer search for references
every minute. Sometimes you have some innovating ideas, like featuring a bad-guy as the title character. You even import license some great names, like Hayao Miyazaki. Not to mention you assist with releasing films created by your own rival Pixar, some that are arguably greater in animation and storyline. The music used to create your soundtrack and infectious songs is often brilliant, and use top-name composers. Even Elvis. But, you still manage to make some mistakes, namely when trying to remain “correct” yet become stereotypical once again. I’m looking at you, Pocahontas.
Sometimes your movies are box-office flops. Sometimes they’re wonderful products none-the-less, like your pirate adventures or a fearful chicken. Disney, you made my childhood and my adulthood. You sculpted my dreams. Often your movies make me laugh and sob. It wasn’t just your movies that created who I am. Your licensed television station, that featured the, now dead, Hannah and produced middle school classics like High School Musical. Too bad people don’t actually burst into songs at basketball games.
Disney, I really wish you could be realistic. No, not in the laws of physics or fictitious personifications, but more in the lessons you teach. All those young minds that could be empowered with even deeper lessons may be missing something. Sure, you do teach some ideals, but I crave a movie with more sustenance than just friendship.
Hugs and kisses,
Movie-goers
