Comments on: Braving the princess cliché: Disney misses the mark with Merida’s makeover http://www.about-face.org/braving-the-princess-cliche-disney-misses-the-mark-with-meridas-makeover/ Wed, 05 Jun 2013 08:05:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Sarah Hansel http://www.about-face.org/braving-the-princess-cliche-disney-misses-the-mark-with-meridas-makeover/#comment-161113 Sarah Hansel Sat, 25 May 2013 17:12:44 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=14385#comment-161113 **shouldn't be a Disney princess at all **shouldn’t be a Disney princess at all

]]> By: Sarah Hansel http://www.about-face.org/braving-the-princess-cliche-disney-misses-the-mark-with-meridas-makeover/#comment-161112 Sarah Hansel Sat, 25 May 2013 17:12:20 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=14385#comment-161112 Thanks Amy! Those are really interesting posts. I love all the discussion that's happening on the internet about this issue. I especially like Animated Holiday's point about Pocahontas and Mulan's redesign, and it's interesting that she asserts that Merida should be a Disney princess at all. Thanks Amy! Those are really interesting posts. I love all the discussion that’s happening on the internet about this issue. I especially like Animated Holiday’s point about Pocahontas and Mulan’s redesign, and it’s interesting that she asserts that Merida should be a Disney princess at all.

]]> By: Sarah Hansel http://www.about-face.org/braving-the-princess-cliche-disney-misses-the-mark-with-meridas-makeover/#comment-161110 Sarah Hansel Sat, 25 May 2013 17:08:37 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=14385#comment-161110 I totally agree, Kate! I can sort of see where Disney wanted to "gussy her up" for the coronation, but to take away the bow is just ludicrous! And given the symbolism of the constricting fancy dress in the film, I think almost any fancy dress would be inappropriate for Merida. I totally agree, Kate! I can sort of see where Disney wanted to “gussy her up” for the coronation, but to take away the bow is just ludicrous! And given the symbolism of the constricting fancy dress in the film, I think almost any fancy dress would be inappropriate for Merida.

]]> By: Sarah Hansel http://www.about-face.org/braving-the-princess-cliche-disney-misses-the-mark-with-meridas-makeover/#comment-161107 Sarah Hansel Sat, 25 May 2013 17:06:12 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=14385#comment-161107 Excellent response, Carlos. I agree with everything you said. I think what's especially interesting with this issue is the power the internet has had--the change.org petition and all the blog posts against the "new" Merida have really made a difference and caused Disney to take notice. Excellent response, Carlos. I agree with everything you said. I think what’s especially interesting with this issue is the power the internet has had–the change.org petition and all the blog posts against the “new” Merida have really made a difference and caused Disney to take notice.

]]> By: amy http://www.about-face.org/braving-the-princess-cliche-disney-misses-the-mark-with-meridas-makeover/#comment-161096 amy Sat, 25 May 2013 16:08:32 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=14385#comment-161096 I think the latest post on animatedholiday.blogspot.com is also relevant in this discussion. :) I think the latest post on animatedholiday.blogspot.com is also relevant in this discussion. :)

]]> By: Kate Allen http://www.about-face.org/braving-the-princess-cliche-disney-misses-the-mark-with-meridas-makeover/#comment-161086 Kate Allen Sat, 25 May 2013 15:14:32 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=14385#comment-161086 You're spot on, lady! I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed that the dress new Merida wears is the same dress she has to tear apart in order to loose her arrows! (In fact, the only time she wears that dress when she does NOT have her bow, she's frowning, grumpy, and complaining to her mother that the dress is constricting and too tight, a complaint that falls on deaf ears. She's also only wearing it because she's about to become the prize of one of three young men. I can hear Princess Jasmine's commentary on being a prize for suitors now...) You’re spot on, lady! I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed that the dress new Merida wears is the same dress she has to tear apart in order to loose her arrows! (In fact, the only time she wears that dress when she does NOT have her bow, she’s frowning, grumpy, and complaining to her mother that the dress is constricting and too tight, a complaint that falls on deaf ears. She’s also only wearing it because she’s about to become the prize of one of three young men. I can hear Princess Jasmine’s commentary on being a prize for suitors now…)

]]> By: Carlos http://www.about-face.org/braving-the-princess-cliche-disney-misses-the-mark-with-meridas-makeover/#comment-160657 Carlos Fri, 24 May 2013 23:25:36 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=14385#comment-160657 "On one level," you write, "it’s encouraging that Disney has officially inducted this unconventional Princess into their lineup." True, but we should also recognize why Disney now has stronger female characters than in the past. It's because marketers know what sells. We have reached a point where enough people are familiar with, and tired of, the old princess model to raise a fuss. Knowing that, Disney and others pull out the revised, "liberated," Princess. (Though "liberated Princess" may be an oxymoron.) Yes, I'm sure the creators also believe in a stronger woman, but she's not there because Disney is ahead of the curve. The forward thinkers will always be ahead of the corporate thinkers. You'll always have to drag them in the direction that reality is changing. That's what posts like yours do. It takes time to educate them, and by the time they figure out the princess issue, they'll be behind on something else. Keep at it. The post is mightier than the sword. “On one level,” you write, “it’s encouraging that Disney has officially inducted this unconventional Princess into their lineup.”

True, but we should also recognize why Disney now has stronger female characters than in the past. It’s because marketers know what sells. We have reached a point where enough people are familiar with, and tired of, the old princess model to raise a fuss. Knowing that, Disney and others pull out the revised, “liberated,” Princess. (Though “liberated Princess” may be an oxymoron.) Yes, I’m sure the creators also believe in a stronger woman, but she’s not there because Disney is ahead of the curve.

The forward thinkers will always be ahead of the corporate thinkers. You’ll always have to drag them in the direction that reality is changing. That’s what posts like yours do. It takes time to educate them, and by the time they figure out the princess issue, they’ll be behind on something else.

Keep at it. The post is mightier than the sword.

]]> By: Sarah Hansel http://www.about-face.org/braving-the-princess-cliche-disney-misses-the-mark-with-meridas-makeover/#comment-160646 Sarah Hansel Fri, 24 May 2013 23:11:57 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=14385#comment-160646 haha thanks girl :) haha thanks girl :)

]]> By: Sarah Hansel http://www.about-face.org/braving-the-princess-cliche-disney-misses-the-mark-with-meridas-makeover/#comment-160645 Sarah Hansel Fri, 24 May 2013 23:11:37 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=14385#comment-160645 Thanks Margaret! It definitely seems like the "normal girl" is becoming more common in children's films. Now if only marketing teams would just stick with an original character instead of trying to conform her! Thanks Margaret! It definitely seems like the “normal girl” is becoming more common in children’s films. Now if only marketing teams would just stick with an original character instead of trying to conform her!

]]> By: Sarah Hansel http://www.about-face.org/braving-the-princess-cliche-disney-misses-the-mark-with-meridas-makeover/#comment-160641 Sarah Hansel Fri, 24 May 2013 23:09:51 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=14385#comment-160641 Thanks for the info! That's interesting (and a bit disheartening) that the new images are being marketed in the UK. Thanks for the info! That’s interesting (and a bit disheartening) that the new images are being marketed in the UK.

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