All right, friends. I am back from a truly triumphant trip to Pittsburgh last week—”family” and “roller coasters” were dominant themes. And while I’m still playing a game of “catch up” on both my real life and The Onlines, I humbly offer the following teaser trailer to Disney’s upcoming feature-length animated film The Princess and the Frog. Behold Disney’s return to 2D animation! Huzzahs!
Now, some of the ladies over at Jezebel are upset because they think that the movie is going to perpetuate racist stereotypes (the firefly, in particular seems to be raising a few eyebrows), but as someone who LOVES to be offended, I’m not worried by this trailer. In fact, I have faith Disney’s not going to screw this one up. Of course, I’m speaking as a Disney Loyalist, so maybe that doesn’t mean much. Thoughts?
Return to real blogging and not the half-assed posting of Youtube videos soon—I promise.
3 Comments so far
Leave a comment
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <pre> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
Oh, I am so glad you posted. I was getting worried. What a relief. Forgive me for this rant–I hope it doesn’t sound too insensitive:
I don’t buy this rascist argument. The other princesses (it probably should just be “royality” to avoid gender bias; see: actor vs. actress) had to struggle against fishism and narcolepsy, and no one threw a fit. These are all rags-to-riches stories plain and simple. It is too easy to say that if Tiana had to struggle against the odds that it perpetuates the stereotype that blacks are marginalized (I will say working for a white woman is a bit much). I am more troubled by the idea that all Disney movies display a grossly heteronormative approach to relationships, namely that a woman is only validated by a man. Even the most sensitive approaches to designing a politically correct princess have huge cracks.
Look as Jasime. Yeah, she fought class bias in India, i.e. combating the caste system. And, she was the first non-white princess. And, she didn’t eat monkey brains (see: Temple of Doom). But she perpetuates the idea that the rich get anything they want, even new laws (commoners being able to marry nobles).
These are children’s stories and cannot be delicate enough to approach issues with political correctness. Shortcuts manifest themselves in stereotypes. It sucks, but no child wants to watch Princess ACLU (plus, it is hard to draw hemp tiaras).
Comment by the minute waltz July 31, 2008 @ 2:39 pmI agree! Like, I can get myself worked up about the feminism issue—like you said, the stories are not of friendship or triumph for these women, they’re about landing a husband. Kids movies need to be made in broad strokes, and sometimes, you need a comic relief character like Gus in Cinderella, or any other number of side kicks, and I think that everyone needs to calm down a bit. I get so annoyed when everyone starts sharpening their pitchforks a solid year before a movie comes out.
I’d rather hate Sex and the City, by far.
Comment by Rachel August 1, 2008 @ 3:54 pmRachel,
You were in Pittsburgh and you did not call me. Therefore you are banned from thoughts, at least until the next time Harry Potter OOTP is on HBO. Which is probably about 10 minutes, but still. Eff you.
And I was at Kennywood twice this month and did not see you. Go figure, since half of the free world was apparently there both times.
Hope you had a lovely time and hopefully we can meet up next time.
Comment by SarahBame August 24, 2008 @ 11:19 pm