So much for the Merida makeover

[AngiTN]

Not just you.

Unfortunately (maybe) for those who did see it as a big deal, without Disney putting out an official statement, I wouldn't give too much credit to these reports that they've "killed" the makeover. They seem to be basing this on the fact that the old Pixar version of Merida is still on Disney's USA website, but the new makeover version doesn't seem to have been pulled -- there's no evidence (that I've been able to find, anyway) that it was ever there. People are just seeing the kerfluffle and going to the website and assuming Disney pulled the new version. Not necessarily so. The "new" Merida is still pictured on Disney's Australia/New Zealand website. I'd wait for a statement from Disney before getting too excited.

Good point. Besides, the only place the change was going to go was on packaging, right? Has anyone even seen that? The look on the actress that portrays Merida in the parks is the same today as it was on day 1 (which, IMO, more closely resembles the redesign seeing as it's an adult that plays her, not a teen)

 

[BuzzBelleMom]

Just showed the link to DD14 and DS11 - she exclaimed, "EWWWW, she [Meridia] looked better before!"

DD was a HUGE Belle fan and loved all princesses, except for Cinderella, but when she saw their new looks, stated that they look horrible.

 

[AngieMouse86]

Glad to hear of their decision.

While I'm not over the moon for the new looks on the other princesses, theirs weren't so drastic from their former selves. Also, Merida was IMO the one most independent and not needing a prince & all, and therefore not fitting for her to ever be gussied up, which is why the proposed make over felt like such a slap in the face.

 

[SuperSam]

Unrecognizable? Seriously? While I think Merida would have been fine the way she was it wasn't that big of a deal that she was 'made over'. It's just what Disney does. It didn't take away from her personality, it didn't take away from her being ridiculously awesome. It was definitely blown out of proportion. But that's just me and everyone is entitled to their opinion.

 

[MrsDuck]

If anyone watched the coronation, Merida was still the same old Merida. People were freaking out about the art on SOME merchandise... I just don't get it. Aren't there bigger and better things to complain about?

 

[FigNewton]

Thank God. I thought I was the only one who didn't think it was a big deal... Whatever... I like Merida. Hot or not. haha

You definitely weren't, I found it incredibly overblown. To me it was just a different rendering by a different artist. By some reactions you'd have thought Disney was recalling all copies of the film and re-rendering all scenes of Merida ever.

 

[JustAKid]

Am I the only one who didn't think that much of the this? I didn't see the big fuss over the makeover. ... I've raised 2 girls too!

Maybe it's just me???

I definitely didn't think the makeover was as big of deal as it was made out to be. What about the redesign of all the other princesses?

We shall see what happens with the new Merida...

See below for the explanation. This is EXACTLY what it is. Take all the other princesses and do whatever you want to them - but leave this one alone. She's BRAND NEW, there is no reason to make her more modern or relateable to the girls of today. She *IS* the girls of today.

My girls don't need another cutesy, barbie of a woman to look up to. What they need is a Merida. Again, do what you will with the rest, no arguments from me but leave this one alone. She's spectacular and exactly the kind of young lady I want my kids to be!

Thank God. I thought I was the only one who didn't think it was a big deal... Whatever... I like Merida. Hot or not. haha

I can't speak for every mother/daughter out there but I know that Merida affected my DD differently than every other Princess with the notable exception of Mulan. (Mulan kicks butt & takes names; she worked hard in the name of honor & respect for one's family.)

Her relationship with this character is a lot more personal to her & obviously a lot of that has to do with her being a redhead herself.

After we saw the movie, it was Merida's tenacity, bravery & willingness to stand out as different that my DD noticed, commented on & admired. The fact that she was more concerned with her target practice than the frizz in her hair spoke volumes to her.

She enjoys the other princesses, but she doesn't take them seriously since they seem to rely heavily on their relationships with men to make things happen in their lives or for their lives to have value at all. Cinderella? Whatever in my house, although we enjoy her furry friends. Aurora? Ha!! Pocohantas was all cool in her book until she started learning history & understood the discrepencies between reality & the movie.

But Merida? She stands up for herself & fights for her own freedom & openly mocks the idea that she needs a male companion to have worth. "I am Merida & I'll be shooting for my OWN hand!"

So when Disney stuffed her into this makeover to "make" her fit in with their Princessy Image, she took it personally. The Merida she "knows" wouldn't take that lying down & IN FACT rebelled against a makeover IN THE MOVIE. She rips through the dress symbolically in a way that shows she will not be put into that kind of mold.

 

[AngiTN]

Well, I do not dare speak for the rest of the females here but I do resent that some feel just because you like to get gussied up it doesn't mean you need a man or that you are in any way weak. I am a strong and independent woman who happens to enjoy doing my hair, wearing make up and fancy dresses. I say the same can be said for Merida. I am not clear on how a picture change did anything to change her personality.

 

[monorailrabbit]

http://www.avclub.com/articles/disn...g&utm_campaign=standard-post:headline:default

"Disney quietly kills its gussied up version of Merida, the Brave princess"

So, can we get rid of the proposed makeovers of the others? Especially Pocahontas.

Oh my goodness I am so happy!!! REALLY didn't like the new Merida! I doubt they will get rid of the other "fabulously sparkly makeovers", but I am wishing right along with you! At lease get rid of Pocahonats's earrings!

 

[smitch425]

Well, I do not dare speak for the rest of the females here but I do resent that some feel just because you like to get gussied up it doesn't mean you need a man or that you are in any way weak. I am a strong and independent woman who happens to enjoy doing my hair, wearing make up and fancy dresses. I say the same can be said for Merida. I am not clear on how a picture change did anything to change her personality.

Yes, that's great for you, but that is the total opposite of Merida's character. In the movie, Merida HATES getting dressed up, and she preferred her hair to be messy, not fixed.

 

[pigletto]

I didn't really have much of an opinion on this to be honest until I read this and thought "Yay!". She was a lovely character just the way she was, and there was no need to change her

 

[Bean786]

Can somebody link all the princesses makeovers?

 

[GeekyGirl]

I was reading an article today on Inside the Magic that stated that the made up Merida was never on the site in the first place, it was always intended to be launched with 3D Merida and never had the 2D version.

 

[aVASTGrl]

I didn't really have much of an opinion on this to be honest until I read this and thought "Yay!". She was a lovely character just the way she was, and there was no need to change her

I'm with you on this one. I mean, I grew up with the big-****ed, busty, super skinny Barbie dolls. I adored Barbie, and I think I have a pretty healthy self-image. My objection to the new Merida was her face. It just looked so puffy and fake. Like a botched facelift. Besides, it's her strong character we should be focused on for our daughters (and sons), not a distracting, unnecessary "makeover".

 

[jecskc]

Why do they need a "makeover" in the first place ?? What is wrong with the way they look originally ?? Not a fan of the makeover idea.

 

[Glencora]

Here's a good article that explains why it was, indeed, a big deal for some (including the writer/director who created her): http://jezebel.com/disney-pulls-sexy-merida-makeover-after-public-backlash-494274022

 

[agavegirl1]

Thank you Glencora for the link. Merida is by no means the most sexualized of the "makeovers". Wow

 

[Ariel on Land]

I personally hate ALL the makeovers. LEAVE THE PRINCESSES ALONE! They're beautiful the way they are in their movies. There is no need for a "make over."

 

[PrincessGrumpyGills]

Merida is one of the better looking ones after the "makeover", IMO. From what I hear about the movie, they should have maybe made her less girly but overall for them to convert her to 2D... I don't think it's that bad. The other ones are absolutely horrendous. They look like somebody was having too much fun on Blingee.com...

 

[TheDisDork]

What an interesting turn of events! And it's heartening too-- I'm not a complainer by any means when it comes to Disney, since I appreciate what I can get, but the make overs have really bothered me. Think of how much work went into those character designs. How many drafts and do-overs getting each of those princesses *just* right by all those incredibly talented artists. The Nine Old Men and their brilliant successors weren't just creating some marketing scheme. Though commercial, they created art. And better yet, enduring art that has brought joy to countless individuals and inspired so many other artists to follow in their tradition. Redesigning these characters-- at least to me-- is kind of shrugging in the faces of all the work that was done to make them popular enough to merit the title "Disney princess" in the first place. I think this hesitation on Merida is great! 4 for you, Glen Coco! You go, Glen Coco!