My Disney Blog

     Approaching this topic I was a bit apprehensive.  I was someone who grew up with Disney and still enjoy it today.  Thinking about the idea of Pleasure and critique is helpful.  I can critique something but still enjoy it.  In Christensen's article she talks about how students receive a "secret education" of racial groups, gender, etc.  Student learned how to confront those things.  Princess culture is very real.  I remember how excited 5 year old me was when I went to Storyland and rode Cinderella's carriage with her.  I loved Ariel, and Belle.  Aladdin was probably  my first exposure to the Middle East. Even with the animals, I can see it in Lion King.  It is interesting to see the darker lions are evil, bad while the lighter colored ones are good, and the heroes.  

    Now we have Encanto.  This movie is interesting because it seems to push Disney in almost new territory.  Mirabel is the protagonist and not a princess. She doesn't have a gift.  I also love that she wears glasses. My 7 year old glasses wearing self did not see any Disney characters with glasses that were not old.  Isabella is interesting because though she is the stereotypical Disney princess, she is not very nice the her sister, and is struggling with the pressure to be perfect.  I liked the possible LGTQ allusions in her color changes.  Is Disney testing the waters with that and Turning Red?  I know there is a whole movement to make Elsa have a girlfriend.  Romantic relationships are almost nonexistent in Encanto.  This is a bit of a pattern in recent Disney films like Moana, or Brave.  Frozen does have some romance but sibling love is the focus.  I also like Luisa being strong does not mean she loses her feminine qualities.  She cries, and dresses like a girl.  I know she was a big merchandise seller which surprised Disney.  

    I also notice that there are very few disney movies where we see siblings.  Frozen it was the focus, and both Merida and Ariel have siblings but we don't see much from them. (I don't count Cinderella's because they are not blood) Everyone else is an only child.  Encanto seems to portray a much bigger family unit.  I know my students seemed to connect with Encanto more that others, seeing a Latino family. I wonder what it would be like if this is your first exposure to Columbian culture?

    This made me want to spend time watching more Disney movies in the more critical lens.  Especially with the newer ones, that one would think would be more culturally responsive it is interesting to think about what the movies are selling.  I think Coco has some similar themes to Encanto and from a similar culture it might be interesting to watch that one.   Despite knowing this I can still watch Disney and will be watching any new movies eagerly!