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I adore Disney movies. They provide so much nostalgia. I had a rich diet of Disney movies as a child, and this diet has continued into my adulthood. Disney films are under much scrutiny and criticism nowadays. These are often by (some) feminists, or others claiming that Disney films are racist, sexist, and other tiresome slanders. Here’s why I believe that Disney teaches us wholesome values with engaging storylines.
Note: this article is only discussing the Disney animated films, not Disney Pixar or other film franchises owned by Disney. I am also discussing Disney collectively, and referencing characters to show themes displayed in multiple Disney films.
Favourite Disney Movies
I adore most Disney movies, but several stand out to me more than the others. These are; The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Moana, Mulan, Aladdin, Cinderella, Hercules, The Lion King, Pocahontas 2, The Princess and the Frog, and Tarzan. My favourite Disney films are the ones set during the ‘Renaissance’ period. These were made during 1989-1999.
I love the animation style of films like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast. The cinematography is bright and colourful, rather than soft pastel like in earlier Disney movies. While I adore Frozen, Tangled, and Moana, I’m not a fan of the new Pixar-style Disney animation. I wish they’d have kept to the Renaissance-style animation, as the characters look cartoony but also more ‘human’-like. The modern Disney characters look too bug-eyed and less fairytale-like in my opinion.
Disney Values
Disney movies are accused of being too idealistic, and all about ‘finding true love’ and happily-ever-after. However, as a hardcore Disney fan, I can say that they are so much more than that. They are about never giving up, finding yourself, being true to who you are, the importance of family, and remaining strong. Plus, they are children’s films, so need to present these in an uncomplicated fashion.
Disney films are not ‘twee.’ They all have pretty dark scenes and undertones. (These come from the original Brothers Grimm tales that many Disney films are based on.) Half the films feature parental tragedy. At the start of Tarzan, his biological parents are killed by a leopard. At the start of Hercules, he is captured and stolen from his family. At the start of Cinderella, we are told that her mum was already dead, her dad died not long after, and she was abused and mistreated by her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. These events all happen in the first twenty minutes.
Courage and Resilience
Despite these characters undergoing tragedy, their resilience and inner strength keep them going. Cinderella’s optimism and caring spirit helps her summon her fairy godmother. This allows her a night of freedom. Her kindness towards the mice and other animals leads them to help her escape. She presents the glass slipper and frees herself from her horrific life. The prince had nothing to do with it. He is more of a ‘reward’ or happy bonus; the chance for her to start a new life and have a loving family, away from her cruel one.
Likewise, the courage and determination of characters like Hercules, Tarzan, Mulan and many others helps them overcome their obstacles. Belle sacrifices her freedom to save her father in Beauty and the Beast. Ariel rescues Prince Eric from drowning in The Little Mermaid. Esmeralda stands up for Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, after he had been publicly humiliated. Mulan joins the army in her sick father’s place.
Family
Many of the characters highlight the importance of family. Pocahontas chooses to stay with her family at the end of the first movie. She also returns to her family at the end of the second movie. This is telling that she chooses her home and loved ones over the love of her life, John Smith. In the second movie, her getting a second chance at love with John Ralph while also returning home, is a happy bonus. She did not ‘seek’ true love, she stayed true to her heart and love came to her. Love can only come to those pure of heart.
Most Disney women don’t lie around idly dreaming of true love. They are good-hearted, strong people for whom love comes to them because they are deserving of it. The same can’t be said for romcoms.
Tarzan also chooses to stay with his family, rather than go to England with Jane and her father. Jane stays with Tarzan, accepting him for who he is, not changing him into something else. In The Lion King, Simba too loses his dad in one of the most tragic scenes in any Disney movie. He runs away, and yet returns to his pride because again, he puts his family and his duty first.
Integrity
In The Princess and the Frog, Tiana’s dream is to own her own restaurant. Her parents both emphasise how crucial family and love is. She sets out to follow her father’s dreams. Her work ethic is amazing and admirable. Yet in the end she realises that having a dream is great, but we all need a loving person to share it with.
Likewise, Mulan is respected as a hero due to staying true to herself. She puts herself in danger to protect her father and her family. It’s telling that even when she is cast out of the army, she returns to save China from the Huns. She could have returned home, but at that point cared more about doing what was right.
This is further proof that Disney characters show integrity, resilience, and dedication to their loved ones. They have honour and dignity. These are excellent values to teach children.
It’s What’s Inside That Matters
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan, and Beauty and the Beast all show ‘beastly’ men with ‘monster’-like qualities; Quasimodo, Tarzan, and the Beast. These men might be seen as monsters or demons in other stories. The Hunchback even has a whole song about ‘the monster’ versus ‘the man.’
It’s very telling that these ‘monstrous’ men are far more humane than their antagonists; Frollo, Clayton, and Gaston. Frollo tells Quasimodo that he is a deformed monster whom no one will ever love. Yet at the end, Quasi is the hero of the tale, carried away by the town. Clayton sees Tarzan as a savage, and even tells Tarzan to ‘be a man and shoot him.’ But Tarzan says ‘not a man like you.’ He knows that being a man doesn’t mean murdering the weak or the innocent. (The same juxtapostion can be said for Frollo and Phoebus, when Phoebus refuses to murder an innocent family in The Hunchback.)
Hero or Villain?
In Beauty and etc, Gaston is the town hero; brave, strong, handsome. Yet Belle sees him for the narcissistic arrogant arsehole he really is. He covets Belle because she’s the most beautiful girl in town. The Beast loves Belle for her character. Initially he is overbearing and angry, but as time goes on, his good heart comes out. Anyone claiming ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ fails to note that Belle leaves TWICE and returns of her own volition. The first time, she returns because the Beast saves her from wolves. The second time, she returns to save him.
At the end, the Beast is changed back into a handsome prince, which some may say undervalues the ‘beauty is on the inside’ message. However, the Beast was a prince BEFORE he got turned into a prince. He was told he would be returned to his original form if he learned to love a girl. Plus, again, him being a prince again is a bonus. Belle loved him regardless. She doesn’t even care that he is a prince. Him getting his old body back is a happy reward and bonus for his goodness.
Humour and Entertainment
Fundamentally, Disney films are for kids. They are entertaining and feature lots of funny and cute moments. The Hunchback of Notre Dame would be a really dark film if not for the gargoyles. They provide some ‘comic relief.’ (Although, the gargoyles can be said to be inside Quasimodo’s head, rather than real. This suggests he has schizophrenia from years of being cooped up alone. Makes the film all the more darker.)
Frozen and Moana have many funny moments, including making light of prior Disney tropes. Elsa tells the ironically more-lovesick-compared-to-past-Disney-heroines Anna that she can’t marry a man she just met. Maui notes that Moana has an animal friend. The animal-friend Disney trope dates back to Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. The animals helping Snow White clean up are adorable. I think it adds the movie a lovely touch.
En Finale
I could go on forever. Bottom line, I think Disney films are great. People who accuse them of being too ‘idyllic’ forget that their kids’ films. They forget that Bambi’s mum dies and Cruella de Ville wants to skin live puppies for clothes. Disney movies present realism in a way that is still suitable for children. This is why many adults like myself continue to, and always will, love Disney movies.
What do you think of Disney films? Which is your favourite? Comment below!
Other Disney-related blog posts:
Reviewing ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’
Why Moana is one of Disney’s best films
The Little Mermaid: 1st vs 2nd film
12 Favourite Women in Disney Films
A Closer Look at the Classic Disney Princesses
