New Disney princess outrage: Is 'Frozen' only for 'pretty' girls?

[old lady]

Why can't the bad guys be pretty? Gaston is.

 

[ArthurFiggis]

As always when something like this comes up, look at the "princes". Nameless brick, bricks with names, thieves, monsters,
liars, easily controlled... Is this the image we should be painting for our young boys?

 

[Mom2six]

Wait, Frozen is a Princess movie?? I thought it was about a snowman and a moose! Why would they produce misleading trailers? Perhaps a movie to scratch off the must-see list with my son.

I believe the snowman and moose are in the movie too. The longer trailers with the Princess and Prince look hilarious. I think it is not going to be an overly "girly" movie.

 

[Mom2six]

As always when something like this comes up, look at the "princes". Nameless brick, bricks with names, thieves, monsters, liars, easily controlled... Is this the image we should be painting for our young boys?

Not directed at you poster but building on your idea.
I think too for the girls that these movies portay idea that the right woman saves the man who is the lying womanizing thief and changes him. Many "romance" stories do. However that doesn't mean I won't let my DDs watch princess movies. When they watch movies like pirates of the Caribbean I don't expect them it grow up to support pirate activity or if they watch Star Wars u don't think they'll live in outer space.

So the movies don't have 100% ideal images but overall I think there is a lot if good to be found in the Princess movies. Never give up - keep trying. There may be obstacles but you can overcome them. Keep a positive attitude.

Belle loves to read and looked beyond the outer appearance to see the inner beauty of beast. Rapunzel was adventurous and faced her fears, overcoming them. She stood up for herself and her life. Merida is athletic and does not need any old prince. She learns the importance if family. There are plenty of good lessons if you look for them.

 

[SingWithFlowers]

OMG. Who care if they are pretty. Every girl young or old are pretty in my eyes. Why even bring up the subject!!!

+1 Yes exactly This is Hollywood and princess is a "type" and characters of that type are usually good looking or at least not obviously "character-y" (a "character" actor would be the ones who play the step sisters in the park vs the ingenué types who would play Cinderella). Idk why people would expect Disney to suddenly change that dynamic some parents act like Disney is supposed to do all the morality teaching for them. It's still Hollywood and kids should be taught better.

 

[JesimaGomes]

Well i believe in saying beauty is in the eyes of beholder, so i guess you know what i mean

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

As always when something like this comes up, look at the "princes". Nameless brick, bricks with names, thieves, monsters, liars, easily controlled... Is this the image we should be painting for our young boys?

~LOL. Very funny.

~Awww, I think *all* little girls are "pretty" & "princesses." They deserve nothing but the best (boys, too). And really, all children are beautiful -- every.single.child.

 

[Mom2six]

And really, all children are beautiful -- every.single.child.

Very True

 

[no1steelerfn]

Why are people so sensitive these days? My DD pays more attention to the good character the princesses have and to the good deeds they do. Sophia for example teaches her so much good stuff. Sure she dresses up like them and wants to look pretty, but come on people. 20 years ago this wasn't an issue. People need to get over themselves!

 

[bdklein]

Who wants an ugly, fat princess? Not me.

 

[Mrs. Bob Loblaw]

I would love to see Disney produce a non-traditional Princess - I think to string "ugly" and "fat" together is pretty harsh. They are not synonymous. I loved that Dreamworks pulled it off with Princess Fiona - she's an awesome character, and unlike the "traditional" princesses.

Having said that, I definitely think outrage over the comment is a bit much. As others have pointed out, look at Hollywood, the media, even our children's toys - there are messages all over that being pretty is important. At least they're creating stronger girl characters who don't always have to be saved by a man. That's a great start to the messages we're sending to children.

Also, look at the media attention that actresses draw when they allow themselves to be "ugly." Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman both come to mind as getting so much praise for being so "Brave" when they took on roles that made them less attractive. That shows how out of the ordinary it is for the lead in a movie to not be pretty.

 

[Maggie Lizer]

Years ago (in the 1980s, I believe) some well-intentioned woman set about to produce a Barbie-style doll that had realistic proportions. I think it was called Just Like Me, but I could be wrong. It was a total flop. I bet the kids who did get stuck with this doll made her Barbie's ugly, fat, loser sister who couldn't get Ken or made her Babrie's middle-aged mother. Kids want pretty dolls to play with, and pretty movie heroines.

 

[surferdave]

Wait, Frozen is a Princess movie??

I thought it was about a snowman and a moose! Why would they produce misleading trailers?

Perhaps a movie to scratch off the must-see list with my son.

Not just misleading trailers. Disney doesn't name their princess movies after the source material anymore, like Rapunzel or The Snow Queen (which is the basis for the new movie). They use androgynous adjectives like Enchanted, Tangled, Brave and Frozen. Specifically so you'll bring your son to it.

When they put out Tangled, they claimed that the story wasn't just about the princess; that they had developed Flynn Rider's part (as well as the bad guys, the Pub Thugs, the horse and the lizard) well enough to make the movie appeal to boys as well as girls. Did you and your son think so? I suspect that if he enjoyed Tangled and Brave then he will enjoy Frozen.

 

[mm1971]

I would love to see Disney produce a non-traditional Princess - I think to string "ugly" and "fat" together is pretty harsh. They are not synonymous. I loved that Dreamworks pulled it off with Princess Fiona - she's an awesome character, and unlike the "traditional" princesses.

Having said that, I definitely think outrage over the comment is a bit much. As others have pointed out, look at Hollywood, the media, even our children's toys - there are messages all over that being pretty is important. At least they're creating stronger girl characters who don't always have to be saved by a man. That's a great start to the messages we're sending to children.

Also, look at the media attention that actresses draw when they allow themselves to be "ugly." Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman both come to mind as getting so much praise for being so "Brave" when they took on roles that made them less attractive. That shows how out of the ordinary it is for the lead in a movie to not be pretty.

OK, sorry had to comment on this one. First, did you see Princess Fiona in her human state? Not really what I would call ugly. Even Shrek when he is made human is certainly not ugly. Not trying to rock the boat here, but let's not go too far on Dreamworks breaking ground here. And let me tell you, as Ogres go, I find Fiona as the most beautiful I have ever seen. You know, if you like ogres. Sorry to point it out, but this example does not make the point I believe you are trying to get across.

 

[aleksandr]

Not just misleading trailers. Disney doesn't name their princess movies after the source material anymore, like Rapunzel or The Snow Queen (which is the basis for the new movie). They use androgynous adjectives like Enchanted, Tangled, Brave and Frozen. Specifically so you'll bring your son to it.

When they put out Tangled, they claimed that the story wasn't just about the princess; that they had developed Flynn Rider's part (as well as the bad guys, the Pub Thugs, the horse and the lizard) well enough to make the movie appeal to boys as well as girls. Did you and your son think so? I suspect that if he enjoyed Tangled and Brave then he will enjoy Frozen.

We saw Brave in the theater, knowing somewhat beforehand what the plot line was about. He somewhat liked the movie and we eventually picked it up on DVD, but it is easily his least favorite Pixar film.

Have not seen Tangled yet, so not sure on that one.

I did recently get him to watch Mulan which he liked, but I think that was more for Mushu than anything else

 

[Mrs. Bob Loblaw]

OK, sorry had to comment on this one. First, did you see Princess Fiona in her human state? Not really what I would call ugly. Even Shrek when he is made human is certainly not ugly. Not trying to rock the boat here, but let's not go too far on Dreamworks breaking ground here. And let me tell you, as Ogres go, I find Fiona as the most beautiful I have ever seen. You know, if you like ogres. Sorry to point it out, but this example does not make the point I believe you are trying to get across.

I believe it's a perfect example for what I mean. Yes, she was "pretty" as a human. LOL at even trying to figure out attractiveness for an ogre - not going there. Regardless, in the end, did she stay the pretty princess? No. I'm not saying she was ugly, that wasn't my point, either. My point is she wasn't traditional. She's got a bigger body and isn't the pretty Disney-style princess we're used to seeing. I just wouldn't mind seeing more non-traditional princesses/female leads. As I also mentioned, I like seeing the shift to stronger, more capable female characters. I hope that trend continues and improves, as well.

 

[surferdave]

We saw Brave in the theater, knowing somewhat beforehand what the plot line was about. He somewhat liked the movie and we eventually picked it up on DVD, but it is easily his least favorite Pixar film.

Have not seen Tangled yet, so not sure on that one.

I did recently get him to watch Mulan which he liked, but I think that was more for Mushu than anything else

This trailer probably gives you a better idea of what it's about than the teaser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLzfXQSPBOg

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

OK, I may be nuts but I think there is something kinda appealing about Ursula. Her face is made to be ugly...but I think an animator could do something with her general shape (and cleavage) and make it attractive.

Oh...another character comes to mind...Tiana's buddy Charlotte wasn't exactly thin. Of course, Charlotte wasn't exactly shown in a positive light either.

Was it a coincidence that Charlotte was spoiled and chubby?

Of course a princess with Ursula's shape would be a huge FLOP!

Perhaps it would be best for positive supporting characters to take on some girth.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Part of problem is people do not understand, or choose to ignore, the whole idea of creating a caricature.

Many people go to a theme park or fair and get those amusing caricatures that are produced quickly but still look like you. How do they do that. They pick out and reproduce several characteristics and then exaggerate some of them to draw your attention and make the identification.

This is as old as cave drawings.

Men typically have greater upper body strength, smaller hips, thicker waists and more muscular arms and legs. Typically. And of course women are built very different typically, too. So when drawing a cartoon it is very common to exaggerate certain features to easily communicate what you want. Lips, hair, whatever. Well a very easy way to indicate a female is to giver her an exaggeratedly narrow waist, larger hips, and chest. Just like the way they identify a male is ridiculously large arms, shoulders and tiny hips.

Good or bad, it does the job easily and quickly. What the story teller wants. Now it doesn't end there, sometimes this is used for more than just caricature and in a wrong way, but that is human nature too.

Basically, when invented, Barbie was intended to obviously be a girl from a distance and Ken obviously a boy. In reality sometimes you have no idea from the back.

I guess what I'm saying, is; while we need to encourage proper body types and send good messages, give the animators and doll makers a break. At least to some degree. They are just trying to make boys look like boys and girls look like girls.

If we teach our children properly elsewhere in society, a cartoon isn't going to be a problem.

 

[patsal]

It is entertainment and as such should never be considered the sole venue by which you teach your children anything.