Thoughts of a Disney Fan

Youth Speak! By Leticia Cheng, LCHS senior and Valley Sun intern

I’ve been getting in touch with my inner child lately by watching all the animated Disney movies I used to love when I was little.

One thing I’ve noticed is that at 17, these cartoons are completely different from when I was 7. I’m watching them with a totally different perspective and I’ve realized that Disney subtly puts pretty racy material into its films, especially considering that it’s a movie studio that has always been around to entertain children.

For instance, in “Mulan,” one of my all time favorites, there’s a brief comment on cross dressing and drag shows. Also, when Captain Shang takes off his shirt and displays his impressive chiseled body, it’s so funny watching Mulan check him out.

Another thing I’ve discovered is that “Aladdin” is actually a very sexy movie, mainly because of the risqué outfit Jasmine wears. Not only that, but I think that Jafar is a dirty old man. Sure, he wants to marry Jasmine so he can become sultan, but it’s probably also because of other reasons. Shortly before the happy ending of his defeat, he makes Jasmine a slave and banishes Aladdin to the ends of the earth. But just look at the way Jafar looks at the princess in that scene. It’s gross! To make matters worse, she debases herself by seducing the disgusting villain. True, she does that to distract him from Aladdin who’s about to enter and make a surprise attack, but still!

In “Hunchback of Notre Dame,” probably the most scandalous of them all, the writers just had to explore all of Frollo’s revolting sexual fantasies. To make matters worse, Frollo’s not only the bad guy, but a leader of the church. In the film, we see him sing a song lusting after Esmeralda, a quick-witted and skillful, but sexually alluring gypsy, while there are seductive images of her dancing in the fire.

What is it with Disney wanting to make their villains dirty old men? In “Pocahontas,” our heroine has an hourglass figure and wears a dress that is several inches above her knees. “The Little Mermaid” could have also covered Ariel up a little more.

And while this has nothing to do with the unnecessary and inappropriate content I’ve been ranting about, when I watched “Beauty and the Beast” recently, I couldn’t help but think that it was kinda gross the way Belle was in love with Beast and versa. Maybe it’s just the weird way my mind works, but what it basically seems to me is that a human is in love with an animal. Like if my boyfriend was a friendly lion who didn’t attack me. (Okay, awkward image.) Yes, I know that the movie is all about inner beauty and that Beast isn’t really a beast, but he is. At least until he learns to love and someone loves him in return. That’s what the curse is all about, right? I’m never going to be able to watch this wonderful movie again without this repulsive thought running through my head again.

I don’t mean to lash out at Disney like this because I love Disney! I even have Disney movie marathons with my friend Laura. (By the way, Laura, we’re long overdue for another one.) Disney films contain superb animation, awesome music, engaging plotlines and aside from the gratuitous sexual matter, they’re brilliant. There’s a lot of talent in the company of Disney.

What I also like is the good messages the movies promote, like the fundamental theme that good will be rewarded and bad will be punished. Another thing, even though I’m a fan of the ladylike princesses in beautiful dresses, I enjoy how in the more modern Disney movies, a lot of the heroines are more assertive, clever and resourceful. They can be great role models.

But I also think that with all the ways Disney targets its productions towards kids with the promotional tie-ins with McDonalds and everything, I don’t see why it’s necessary to have scantily clad female characters and subtle sexual references. Most of this stuff will go over kids’ heads anyways. I never noticed or understood it until I rewatched these movies when I was older. So why put it in? Are we trying to make kids grow up faster? No, no, no! Bad idea! Their wonderful innocence and uncomplicated view of the world needs to be preserved for as long as possible, especially in our corrupt society that is already selling thongs and who knows what else to 5-year-olds.

So, Mickey Mouse, how about for the New Year, we make a resolution to make more snow white entertainment again?