Thoughts on the Merida Re-Design? Creator "blasts" Disney's change..

[MrsDuck]

Sorry if this has already been discussed - Merida creator and co-director Brenda Chapman seems pretty disgusted with Disney's new art of Merida saying there is "blatant sexism" in the design. Thoughts?

http://www.marinij.com/millvalley/c...lasts-disney-blatant-sexism-princess-makeover

 

[goofy4tink]

I hate it!!! My 19 y/o dd and I are having a heated discussion about it. She thinks it's okay and that the 'new' Merida falls into place with the other 'new' princesses. I think the 'new' Merida is much older looking and blatantly sexual!! I mean, seriously? Look at those eyes. And now there is cleavage...or at least pretty close to it. Was there a need to change her eyes and drop her bodice??

 

[kate_wdw]

I also hate the changes, which really undermine the message of the movie. I loved the old Merida.

Disney really seems to take one step forward and two steps back in terms of their portrayal of women.

 

[Colleen27]

They took their first princess with a tomboy attitude and a realistic body type and whittled her down to Barbie-slim, did something about that unruly hair, put her in a dress that shows a little skin, and gave her some "bling" befitting her royal status. What's not to like?

In all seriousness, I don't mind the dress. The glitter and texture make for a more attractive knock-off to sell to little girls in the parks, and let's face it, that's the real point of any Princess franchise. What bothers me is her new figure, as though she wasn't "princess" enough when she looked like a normal girl-next-door type - to be a princess, she needed to slim down and develop some curves.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I don't like it either.

 

[lizabu]

They look pretty much the same to me. One is just the computer animated version and the other seems hand drawn. The dress is a little lighter and she looks a little softer in the second pic but I don't see what the big whoop is.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I like the first one better.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Flatter stomach, smaller waist, makeup, lack of bow.

Meh.

 

[RitaE]

I can't say I'm thrilled with the new one. I can definitely tell the difference. Her face shape is different, her eyes are different, her chest and hips are definitely more mature.

I guess my thought is that there is already a plethora of girly-girl fantasy type princesses for the little girls who want to engage in the glitter and layers of tulle netting dresses. I don't see the need to take Merida and commercialize her into something that also fits that stereotype.

And Merida in the movie hated that dress. She felt constrained and uncomfortable and then she ripped it so she could be more comfortable shooting her bow.

 

[skatalite]

From first glance, I noted these differences:

- New Merida looks like she has eye makeup and lipstick on
- New Merida shows more chest, but I wouldn't call it cleavage or sexual
- New Merida has a slightly slimmer waist
- New Merida lacks a quiver and bow

I don't see the big deal. The new Merida falls in line with the style of the other princesses. It's a marketing decision, and a smart one.

 

[Lintasare]

I still want her hair.

 

[JenM]

And Merida in the movie hated that dress. She felt constrained and uncomfortable and then she ripped it so she could be more comfortable shooting her bow.

That's the part that's driving me crazy too. They put her in the dress that she hated! Did anyone at Disney actually see Brave??

It's stupid. They can pride themselves about a character's individuality in a movie, but they have to make her look like everyone else when she's a toy.

Can't wait to see how they handle merchandising for Princess Leia, now that they own Star Wars.

 

[TinkerBelled]

I think it's awful. Merida was such a breath of fresh air, and she looks so much more generic and predictable.

Let's put it this way: I don't think the movie Merida would particularly like the cartoon Merida.

 

[MrsDuck]

I don't see the big deal. The new Merida falls in line with the style of the other princesses. It's a marketing decision, and a smart one.

I don't think Disney had any other type of motive than this but I definitely understand why people are upset.

 

[skatalite]

I don't think Disney had any other type of motive than this but I definitely understand why people are upset.

Oh, certainly. I asked my two nieces (12 and 6) if they saw a difference between the two and they only noticed the difference in the design of the dress. As in, the new Merida's dress has stuff on it.

I know my example isn't a sample of the majority of tween girls, but alas.

 

[Jennasis]

Not a fan. They made a dress she HATED even more girlie and unlikable. And now it's off the shoulder. What's with sash/belt?

 

[RitaE]

Yeah, somehow I don't think her Movie Mom would approve of the changes either.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

I don't often comment on cartoon drawings but when I do you can bet it involves Disney! The new Merida is a sexier, older version of herself. This one does not fit with the free spirited young lady that Merida is. What were they thinking? I never saw Merida in the park, will she be the new updated version too?

 

[ebtbmom]

I like the new dress, not the other changes though. Honestly, I don't remember much of the movie, she didn't like her dress? I liked Wreck it Ralph last year way better anyway.

 

[iamthehiccup]

And Merida in the movie hated that dress. She felt constrained and uncomfortable and then she ripped it so she could be more comfortable shooting her bow.

Actually, I think the dress she really hated and felt confined in was this one:

The dress shes wearing in the remake more closely resembles a redesign of the one she wears towards the end I think:

However, I don't really agree with her new look either. To me, she looks like a completely different princess. But then again, I don't like how they redesigned the princesses either. They all look like each other now and are all glammed out. (Sorry for this post being a bit image heavy)