We all have stumbled across at least one Disney movie in our lives. If not just one, then you have definitely stayed up all night binging the classics, like Snow White and Beauty and the Beast. As we have all gotten older and come to understand how cliche these stories can be, it is easy to see the common theme in many of the movies: the girl is lost, she finds her perfect dream man, and they live happily ever after. When you come to think about it, it's a little offensive to the female audience, because Disney portrays this enchanting idea that women need men to save them. While there are a few set Disney movies that stray away from this idea such as Brave, Pocahontas, and Frozen, one movie came out in 2016 that changed the whole course of Disney's set "hero journey." This movie brought dominance and strength to the female community and changed the tides of films to come.
Moana, a beautiful princess who grew up in Hawaii, grows into a strong warrior who sets out on a series of missions to save her people. Unlike any other Disney film, Moana has no significant other, or in fact any other form of romantic love throughout the whole movie. Moana's village was in need, and as the chief of the village, it was her mission to risk her life for the town she loves. The main male lead in the movie was Maui, who is a demi-god who helps Moana on her mission for part of the way. Even so, Moana has no romantic ties and potentially saves the village on her own.
Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with romantic relationships in movies. However, this is the one Disney movie that a strong female leader went on a journey that had nothing to do with romance. Moana was a hero to her village, and no significant other was needed to help her accomplish this. This film was extraordinary and changed Disney forever. It also quite possibly inspired other girls around the world to not rely on a man to be their only hero.
I LOVED this about Moana and I'm happy to see that they are turning a corner in the typical plot that they usually use.
ReplyDeleteIt had never occured to me that this was the only movie about a Disney princess without romance involved at all! I've always liked Moana but this made the movie so much better in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a great point, I never realized this! I think this is so interesting.
ReplyDeleteI have always thought of the classic Disney princesses needing a prince to rescue them. I love how Disney turned this around setting a good example for the younger audience.
ReplyDeleteI never realized this, and that is great that Disney is seeing that these movies don't have to be just one direction they can lead the story down many different paths.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great point to bring up! I never really realized that! This was a great blog post!
ReplyDeleteI've never of thought of the movie in this perspective, but I completely agree that highlighting a strong powerful woman is a great role model for younger girls to look up to!
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