The New Disney Princess

[HardyGirl]

Thank you, Hugh! If you guys really thought this was "no big deal", there wouldn't be 4 pages of replies on this topic. I know it isn't as important to you as your superheroes are, (and just let someone change Superman's or Batman colors, or costume or concept, and you'd have something to say!), but I consider myself a fairly strong woman. When I was a kid, I had role models like The Bionic Woman, Wonder Woman, Charlie's Angels, and so forth. What do little girls have today? Princesses. And I played princess when I was little too, but I knew there was more out there. I've taught after school care w/ grade schoolers, and I teach pre-school now, and I watch the way these girls play. They go from princesses, to Barbie to Bratz (or something like them). Disney had a winner w/ Brave. I myself saw the movie and really enjoyed it. There was no Prince saving the fair maiden. This was something really different. Well if Disney cared enough to create this strong woman, they should care enough to maintain the integrity of the character, warts and all. Not every Disney leading lady becomes a princess. If Disney is going to bestow this honor on Merida, then it should be the way she is. Even at the end of the movie, Merida's mother accepted her for who she was and was grateful her daughter had the strength to save her. Can't Disney accept her too? That's all I'm saying.

I find it amusing that so many in this thread have no problem with superhero geeks dissecting the bejeeezus out of superheros and how they are marketed, yet once it gets put in the "girl/Disney" context, it's like "What crybabies!"

Hey, let the women/other fans of Disney have their voice. They've earned it.

Or, as Hardy Girl might say, Disney DESERVES it

[Earth 2 Chris]

Are kids really going to look at this and say "Hey, they changed Merida! They made her all girly!" No, they're going to say "It's Merida!" and remember the tough, "Brave" character she was.

If Disney put her in a crown, long gloves and an ornate ball gown, I could see the uproar. But this seems pretty nitpicky to me. The photo shown displays a brassy, confident character, as opposed to the very demure, somewhat aloof princesses that stroll around Disney World for the most part.

She did hate that dress, but almost every piece of merchandise had her in it...and the new design still keeps some of the "rips" in the design, where she busted out of it just by breathing.

Chris

[The Toyroom]

You know, Megara in Disney's Hercules was pretty much a hooker.

I don't know if you can even go there, considering EVERYONE in Greek mythology slept with EVERYBODY and EVERYONE....including their mother!

[huedell]

I just don't see that big of a difference between the before and after....I could see if it was a fat or ugly girl and then they changed her..but she was already cute..will girls even really notice the difference ??

SOMEbody's noticing it... and I'm in the "I don't blame them for being affected by it" camp.

The Disney Princesses already have a bad reputation for being "questionable role models" for young girls, in that you could make a case for many Disney heroines being weak women overall (and many HAVE done that. Google it!). So, this new quirk in the system is to be that much more expected. People have their eye on Disney's moves in this context.

I find it amusing that so many in this thread have no problem with superhero geeks dissecting the bejeeezus out of superheros and how they are marketed, yet once it gets put in the "girl/Disney" context, it's like "What crybabies!"

Hey, let the women/other fans of Disney have their voice. They've earned it.

Or, as Hardy Girl might say, Disney DESERVES it

[huedell]

You know, Megara in Disney's Hercules was pretty much a hooker.

Whatever you choose to call her, Meg DID indeed appear to me to be a very, VERY naughty girl.

I had just seen Mad Dog And Glory around the time I saw I Hercules. and I was like "Geez, Meg is just a more deliberately conniving version of Thurman's Glory character."

[Ssylyss]

it's not like she is a beloved and iconic character that has been around for 75 years and the powers that be suddenly changed her iconic costume and eliminated the red trunks or something.

Just because something hasn't been around for 75 years doesnt mean it's not equally loved. I personally don't see the big deal. I wasn't bothered by the red trunks changed either, but I'm not passionate about these character.

[toys2cool]

I just don't see that big of a difference between the before and after....I could see if it was a fat or ugly girl and then they changed her..but she was already cute..will girls even really notice the difference ??

[Brazoo]

I have 5 nieces, and I think this stinks. In the movie that character hated that outfit, and didn't think wearing it felt true to who she was. I thought it was an important detail in the movie that addresses a very real issue little girls face - not that I want to get all preachy about it here.

It also doesn't surprise me too much, Disney's too classless to sell anything but vapid beauty.

[Nostalgiabuff]

it's not like she is a beloved and iconic character that has been around for 75 years and the powers that be suddenly changed her iconic costume and eliminated the red trunks or something.

[LadyZod]

There's really not that much difference between the two images...it's not like one's a nun and the other is a hooker...Geez

You know, Megara in Disney's Hercules was pretty much a hooker.

[BlackKnight]

I'd buy that for a dollar

Thats Gonna cost alot More than a Buck Brother.

[BlackKnight]

There's really not that much difference between the two images...it's not like one's a nun and the other is a hooker...Geez

Whats Wrong with nuns ?

[LadyZod]

So... let me get this straight... they gave her a sparkly dress, gave her a bath and made her put her bow away when she meets and greets kids in the park?

Not seeing the problem.

[toys2cool]

Here you go D....enjoy....lol

I'd buy that for a dollar

[thunderbolt]

in a few years....