This post has been burning on my heart for a year; ever since I saw "Frozen 2". I've been hesitant to write it because I know that people have been over the "Frozen" craze since "Let It Go," smashed its way into everyone's lives in 2014. One half of the population was instigating it, and the other half was sick of it after the opening week. The same applies for the song, "Into The Unknown."
I sympathize, I truly do. But I have to write about this. This is one of those times where the beauty that I see compels me to share it with others. However, before I begin, this will require some explanation to insure that I am not misunderstood. I will have to wait for the next post to share what I see. This post will be devoted to an unfortunate, but necessary bit of demolition around Disney movies such as "Frozen."
I'm sure you've noticed that the very word "Disney," has become so overloaded with different meanings that a certain cynical disdain for them and for the people who enjoy them has become popular. For example, you've probably heard things like:
"That's not real life! I don't want my kids growing up expecting their lives to be like a Disney movie!"
"Aren't you just SICK of a woman getting saved by a MAN? It's insulting to women!"
"I hate how they show marriage as being the answer to all their problems!"
Or perhaps the more subtle, but very real embarrassment people display when they accidentally own up to still being familiar with a character of an animated movie they grew up with. I'm sure you've seen that. The reason is that "animation" is inextricably linked in their minds with "childhood." Thus the idea that any familiarity with a "cartoon" shows that they must still be lacking mental maturity.
As the comedian John Mulaney might say, "Now, we don't have time to unpack ALL of that--!" But, if I intend to be taken seriously, I think I should at least briefly lay out a few rebuttals to such sentiments.
First of all, I've never understood why grownups compelled themselves to be ashamed of feeling a fondness for, or at the very least a sense of nostalgia over animated movies or cartoons they grew up watching. I mean, Pixar creates movies that are stunners; movies that are truly impressive and compelling art, and they are animated. Nobody throws shame on anyone for having an emotional response to the opening scene of Pixar's movie, "Up."
The whole point of any story--told in any medium you please--is to create something beautiful that people can learn from. Wisdom for life, ideals to strive for, and earnest warnings by showing the consequences of bad choices. If a story has these qualities, then it is worth watching, reading, or experiencing.
"No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally--and often far more--worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond," C.S. Lewis once observed.
"[Children]...must be trained to feel pleasure, liking, disgust, and hatred at those things which really are pleasant, likeable, disgusting, and hateful," C.S. Lewis also tells us. "All this before he is of an age to reason; so that when Reason at length comes to him, then, bred as he has been, he will hold out his hands in welcome and recognize her because of the affinity he bears to her." (C.S. Lewis, "The Abolition of Man.")
People claiming that animated movies are only for young children betray a lack of understanding about the nature of stories. Movies that are attempting to be (or posing as) good stories deserve to be considered on their merits alone. If they have redeeming qualities, such as valuable messages, compelling characters, or even aesthetic beauty, they should be evaluated without the baggage that comes with the word "Disney."
Which brings me to my second point, which is yes, Disney animation romanticizes life. Disney movies usually depict a character who wants something, and they have to go on a journey and/or overcome great difficulties to get it. I see no problem with that. Further, I see no problem with romanticizing the journey a little, or dramatizing the villains a bit, or making other characters charming or compelling. You know why? Because you can choose to see life that way!
Bear with me here. I believe that each of us is a story being written. It is right to see ourselves that way, to be excited at all the glorious possibilities and potential each of us has in the choices we make. Now what's wrong with training yourself to appreciate the "small," or "simple," pleasures of life?
Allow me to give a few examples.
Pocahontas, and the dazzling animation of the wilderness of America.
Brave, and its depiction of the woods, the river, and the rugged beauty of the Scottish mountains.
Tangled, and Rapunzel's picturesque tower, where she bakes cookies and paints and crafts before she even sets foot out in the world.
The romanticized scenes of Prince Eric's kingdom as he drives Ariel around.
All of these things were drawn specifically to appeal to us, and they do. Why? Because they want to show you common things in the world as beautiful.
Watching Pocahontas makes something within each of us yearn for days before Creation was spoiled and faded. In Brave, it awakens that yearning in all of us for adventure. In Tangled, we see creativity and arts and cooking depicted as charming...when those are things we could easily do today if we were inclined. In "The Little Mermaid," we're rushed here and there, seeing a hum-drum marketplace through Ariel's eyes, as if we too were seeing it all for the first time.
The animators know their game. So do the story-writers (hopefully), and the people who write and perform the musical score. The whole intention of a movie, (as with any art form) is to make you feel a certain way. What they make us feel, think, or want to do gives us a clue to whether the story is good or bad, or mere propaganda. Our job is to be discerning of the art forms we take in. Relish the good, throw away the bad, and be vigilant about the propaganda.
When I watch old Disney movies, I don't think they deserve all the contempt that is heaped upon them. True, many of the stories are dated, and several characters are not as developed or believable as our modern sensibilities would prefer. But the things they hold up as good and admirable are still good today. All the evil portrayed by the selfish or scary characters is still just as evil as it ever was.
As for the complaints about the older Disney princesses; mainly the contempt they receive for the unforgivable crime of needing to be saved from the unassailable forces set against them...I would suggest that they are not thinking of the story in its entirety.
Bear with me for one more example.
Cinderella, in the old Disney classic, is an unfortunate girl mistreated by her own family. She has no ability to fight back or escape. She chooses to remain kind-hearted and to face her hardships every day with dignity. People who pour contempt on this fictional character for not being able to save herself are not taking into consideration the setting of the story. To our modern ears, it may seem offensive that a woman would not be able to escape a bad home-life, but in the time this movie depicts, that was an all too common reality. If she left her bad situation, she would be a beggar on the street and utterly destitute. She wouldn't have had the options that we have today.
When she went to the ball, she wasn't attempting to seduce the prince as an attempt to change her fortunes. (Which is more than can be said for some of the other Disney Princesses! Looking at you, Ariel.) She just wanted to look nice at a formal party--something she attempted to do herself, before her family destroyed her dress and left her behind.
The Cinderella story is often maligned by today's modern girls, who sneer at the very idea of poise or grace. This is a misunderstanding of all that the story was trying to convey in the first place. It seems to me that the character qualities that Cinderella displays are good ones to appreciate, instead of blaming the victim for the abuses she suffered.
And by the way, is it so very demeaning to depict a woman set in difficulties that she has no way out of? Is that not a sad reality for many women today? And what's wrong with depicting a man stepping in to fight for her as a noble thing? I mean, isn't that what we should be teaching little boys to want to do? Inspiring them to defend the helpless and oppressed? Does that not reflect the very heart of our God? Why does this concept offend so many Christian women today?
"A real woman can handle anything life throws at her by herself," a wise old adage says, "but a real man won't let her."
And now to the criticism that Disney portrays marriage as the ultimate problem-solver. Of course marriage does not solve all problems. Nor, I would argue, do any of the Disney movies actually claim that. A "happy ending," for most of the Disney heroes, is the idea that two people who love each other can get married and start a life together, having overcome all the obstacles that were keeping them apart. A new beginning, though of course a movie has to end somewhere.
I know it's popular these days to speak disparagingly and cynically of marriage. But we must keep in mind, marriage was invented and instigated by God Himself, before the Fall. It is taught throughout the Bible as a good, worthy, and honorable thing--and yes, a thing intended to bring about lasting good, happiness, and yes, pleasure! Of course it isn't always sparkles and flowers and rapturous kisses. But that is where marriage should begin, at least. I like the glorification of marriage in the old Disney classics.
So you might be wondering why I'm devoting a whole blog post to defending Disney movies. Why does it matter? They're movies. Either you like them or you don't, right?
Well...I needed to write this defense not so much because the movies themselves are so important, but rather because I find the attitudes behind the above criticisms concerning. They are the symptoms of deeper, skewed perspectives.
It doesn't so much matter to me if you let your kids watch "Cinderella," or not. But I do find the cynicism about life in general and marriage in particular to be concerning.
The stories we take in as children are far more influential than we give them credit for. Children don't care much for "moralizing," or even Scriptural lessons on being kind or patient. But children pay attention to a story that depicts kindness and patience as being beautiful things. Those subtle messages that animators and storytellers create for us are meant to inspire us to feel and to want certain things. It would be wise, therefore, to let children feast their hunger for stories on good ones that promote things that you want promoted! Just like C.S. Lewis said, children imitate what they see long before they can reason for themselves. It would be good for children to see simple pleasures and good character qualities glamorized and romanticized; it might inspire them to emulate them. Because, rest assured, if you don't take the trouble to promote good things for children's minds to feed on, this world will indoctrinate them with its own propaganda.
I'm shocked and grieved at how carelessly this generation hands over their children to the influence of the evil one. Even if they do teach a lot of the right things in their homes and even take their children to church, they don't always bother to concern themselves with what Media their children are taking in; both Social media and the Art mediums, such as books, movies, and music. Unless you capture the imagination of a child at an early age, you will lose any hope you have of influencing their minds. How many young souls have been ensnared by the bait of false beauty because they were starving for real beauty?
Disney movies are important to me because I was the kind of child who was captivated by magic and beauty and song. Stories were very important to me because that was my main way to go on adventures. The musical scores with all their sweeping majesty, charming whimsy, and wistful themes were powerful tools that God used to awaken my soul to yearning. Even as a child I was staggered by the desires that I felt within me; often they manifested as physical pain. I was too young to understand why; all I knew was that there had to be more of that beauty out there somewhere, beyond me, beyond my life, beyond this world...and that I wanted it. My whole life has been haunted by that inconsolable yearning. C.S. Lewis describes this feeling in his books as "Joy." It is, of course, the desire for God Himself; one of the ways that He has "set eternity in the hearts of men."
I realize, of course, that not all children are like I was. So whatever inspires them, it is our job to guide them along it until they reach God...for He is behind all the goodness and beauty and pleasures in this life.
I suspect that too many children these days do not feel a love of beauty and goodness because their imaginations have not been allowed to develop. The grownups with their cynical attitudes about life and marriage teach children that fairy-tales and everything about them are silly lies. What happens, in fact, is that the children are being indoctrinated with that very cynicism, before they are even able to choose for themselves. And if their mom or dad scoffs at any whimsical or magical scene, that tells them they shouldn't enjoy it; that it's all nonsense. Not only is that not fair, it's incredibly damaging to a child's imagination and innocence.
If you want children to value innocence, beauty, kindness, justice, and doing what is right no matter how scary it is, why not let them think on stories where those things are promoted? A child may feel disappointed when he finds the world to be shabbier than Disney animation. But what if he has the idea that he ought to be brave and good no matter what because he saw it in a movie he loves? Because that is applicable to real life, no matter where or how they learn it.
So, bearing all this in mind, I want to share in the next post my own personal thoughts on Frozen 2's scene and song called, "Show Yourself."
~Cadenza
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