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

[ebtbmom]

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)

Is this the new Pocahontas? Did she go to Claire's to have her ears' pierced?

 

[Buckalew11]

Years ago, I remember a TV interview involving little girls. I do not remember exactly what they were discussing or how they were researching them but I do remember a little girl (made 6 or 7) saying Disney princesses were sexy and to be sexy you must show your shoulders and she took her top and pulled it down so her shoulders were showing.

I remember being annoyed that Disney does this. It's just not the message I've sent to my daughter.

Did they do this to Mulan also?

 

[brockash]

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??

ITA! As a woman and a mom, I'm really disappointed in Disney with regards to this specifically. How sad

 

[iamthehiccup]

Did they do this to Mulan also?

There were a couple of redesigns of Mulan that I saw. I think this might be the most recent one.

 

[Jey12]

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.

For me the big deal is that they have designed her to look like all of the other princesses. This takes away from the whole point of the movie. Merida did not need a prince to come sweep her off of her feet, she wanted to be herself and not molded into what every one else thought she should be. So what does Disney do? Makes her into the princess everyone thinks she should be. Disney should be ashamed. Brave sent such a great message and was a nice change on the female character, it's a shame to see them ruin it. Now what message are they sending to the children?

I asked DD7 her thoughts on the differences and she said it looks like someone pinched the top of her face. It does. She also said her hair is in the wind on the new one, along with a new dress. She did notice her waist was higher, but didn't comment on it looking thinner. The main thing DD7 noticed was the lack of a bow and arrow. She was not happy about that.

 

[CaliBear]

I like the color and pattern of her new dress, but the cut doesn't suit her. I especially don't like that she looks so much older. It's like she went through a tomboy phase and now the new Merida is what an 18 or 20 year-old princess likes to wear.

If the photos upthread are new Pocahontos and new Mulan, they look ridiculous.

 

[Jenn]

I agree with everyone as the mom of 2 girls, I love Merida the way she is. But, with that said, I kind of see the changes as Merida growing up, blossoming into a young lady, which is what really happens. I suppose as another option they could have kept her young like Alice and Wendy.

 

[MrsDuck]

I never saw Merida in the park, will she be the new updated version too?

Doubt it. Merida at her coronation on Saturday wore her normal park attire and was her fiesty self.

 

[LCoulter]

Last spring I was at the Disney store with DD5 and I saw a mother and daughter (about age 6 or 7) shopping for swimsuits. The little girl really liked the Merida swimsuit. I couldn’t believe when the Mom told her, “No, that character is so ugly”. I bet that Mom would like this version of Merida better. I was thankful my DD5 didn’t hear that.

I don't mind the updated dress design but it bothers me that they made her face and body too princess like just like the other princesses.

 

[NotUrsula]

I think that Merida in the film was what ... 16? That would be about right for the era if she was stalling on getting married. (When the avg. life expectancy was around 45, 16 wasn't as young as it is now.)

To me, the new art would appear to be Merida about 10 years on; somewhere in her mid-late 20's. At that age the dress and figure would be more accurate, and so would the prominance of the bones in her face (although that happens much more with men, women also have it happen to some extent, especially if they get slimmer than in childhood.)

 

[FlightlessDuck]

There were a couple of redesigns of Mulan that I saw. I think this might be the most recent one.

She looks much older.

 

[ceemys]

I hate it! I hate the other 'new' prncesses also. We refuse to buy anything with princesses on it anymore. Both of my kids hate it also.

 

[tianna26]

It sucks that they cant have all shapes and sizes

 

[LuLuO]

I hate it! I hate the other 'new' prncesses also. We refuse to buy anything with princesses on it anymore. Both of my kids hate it also.

Ditto.

 

[cheer25mom]

HATE, HATE it. I showed it to my 9 year old without any commentary to se what she really thought andthe first thing she said was " great, another Barbie princess. She was cooler the way she was." Pretty much sums up how I feel about it. We don't buy princess merch. anymore either.

 

[kate_wdw]

This thread is reminding me of this scene from Free to Be You and Me (which is amazing in and of itself).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFQbKCMKNP4

Even if the intention was to portray a more "grown-up" version of Merida, if would be nice if Disney acknowledged that "growing up" (for girls/women) is not always about/is about far more than becoming prettier/sexier and landing a husband. Silly me, I thought that was the message of Brave.

 

[alex9179]

This thread is reminding me of this scene from Free to Be You and Me (which is amazing in and of itself).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFQbKCMKNP4

Even if the intention was to portray a more "grown-up" version of Merida, if would be nice if Disney acknowledged that "growing up" (for girls/women) is not always about/is about far more than becoming prettier/sexier and landing a husband. Silly me, I thought that was the message of Brave.

Agreed. Merida, and the movie "Brave", was about a girl who didn't conform to the traditional female role. That was the whole point. To transform her into what she fought against is disappointing for those of us who also don't conform to traditional female models. I'm tired of looking at air-brushed models and movie stars and don't feel that my daughter needs to see a princess being transformed into something more comic-book.

I liked her look and her attitude. These changes are unnecessary and I want the name of the person behind it. I feel a like writing a letter!

 

[NikitaZee]

I like the new Merida. I like the new Mulan too.

 

[FINFAN]

It sucks that they cant have all shapes and sizes

Only the Villian's get to be all shapes and sizes...probably another reason why I like them better

 

[ceemys]

Only the Villian's get to be all shapes and sizes...probably another reason why I like them better

LOL I never thought of that, but you are right.