Have you seen Tangled?
I finally watched it (thank you Netflix Instant) because I heard that so many people liked it.
I. Was. Horrified.
Seriously… a girl with “magic hair” escapes from a tower where she has been held captive by a woman she believes is her own mother.
The most important piece of information is that when she leaves the tower, with a MAN, she is seventeen years old. Of course, she turns eighteen the following day, but by then she’s practically ready to marry the guy, ahem, man.
Which, naturally, she does.
I’m sorry, but there are so many things wrong with this.
1. Her beautiful hair turns brown and stops growing when the magic is gone.
2. Flynn (her “hero” and husband-to-be) is a convict on the run.
3. Her “mom” mentions that she’s getting fat through a witty song.
4. Did I mention that she’s SEVENTEEN?
I really try to to avoid outright proclaiming my opinions on matters such as this, but I really could not believe that this is something a child would watch. Ever. Under any context.
Have you seen it? What did you think of it?
xoxo
I felt the same way! My roommate convinced me to watch it last weekend on Netflix… I was confused as to why people were crazy about it… it was honestly a little lame.
I haven't seen it.. but it sounds like it's sending all of the wrong messages to children. We try so hard to correct these problems.. and here they are making a children's movie causing them. Ridiculous!
Well..I mean, isn't that all Disney animated movies?
Ariel who has to give up everything, including her identity, for a man. God forbid Prince Eric grows some gills. Nope, Ariel has to give up her friends, her family, her home and her entire life for him
Beauty and the Beast? A pretty girl with no money falls for a rich, abusive monster. But she loves him so much that she makes excuses for the abuse
Yikes…sounds like Disney needs some girl power.
I thought it was a cute movie. The little green things was just too cute for words.
I actually thought it was really cute with the theme to go after your dreams and be proactive about achieving them. I can totally see where you're coming from though.
lighten up.. you are way too stuck up about this. Relax.. it is a disney movie. They are all like this. Go write and complain about EVERY SINGLE other Disney movie then.
I understand where you're coming from… in high school I did a project about how The Lion King basically teaches children that females are helpless on their own and always need a male to save them. The female lions live under the control of the evil hyenas until Simba goes from a cub to an adult and can return to rescue them from repression… In Disney's defense, Tangled is a re-interpretation of Rapunzel, which was just sexist to begin with, so I'm not sure Disney's truly at fault for this… blame the Grimms Brothers
I liked it! I think you are reading a bit to much into the movie. Could you not say the same thing about almost every movie there is? Besides I watched tons of movies where princesses were chasing after princes when I was a child & I did not grow up thinking life is all about boys. I think the movie was simply just supposed to be a movie. Entertainment and that is it.
I haven't seen this, but I think it's great that you're speaking out about intrinsic sexist messages, especially in children's films. While it may 'just' be a Disney movie, it does propel certain values which make an impact on young kids, ESPECIALLY young girls who are so impressionable anyway. As someone who's pursuing an academic future in gender history, it makes me mad that so many people, so many women, dismiss the sexist messages that are still conveyed in the international media, and believe that gender equality is something to be laughed at (just check out the sexist groups/pages on facebook and how many girls 'like' them).
Anyway, I could go on forever. Sorry for the rant.
C x
well, the story takes place in a middle age-ish country, so Rapunzel would be considered even too OLD to marry, being herself eighteen years old.
In middle ages it was really common for girls to marry at 14/15 with men that were even 10 years older or more…
Disney's movies are a bit sexist, but the problem, to me, is that they choose to re-interpretate fairytales that were written in ages in which things really went like that…
I mean, Grimm's fairytales are settled in the German's middle ages/reinassance (Snow White), Perrault's ones were written in 17th/18th century, Andersen's ones (like the little mermaid) were written in 19th century.
Women were in a lower social position,then.
And the "Perfect Woman" had to be modest, devoted to her man,and had to know what was her role in the society…etc.
But, to be true, did growing up watching these movies have a bad influence on us?
I think that the circumstances prove that it didn't 😛
These movies have to be seen for what they are, sweet, romantic fairytales 🙂
By the way, Tangled is one of the less sexist among disney movies…i found it sweet and lovely, even if it hadn't that i-don't-know-what- that gave "greatness" to the other disney's masterpieces…
Pretty much every single heroine in fairy tales/stories/movies is under the age of 18. It was noted above that this story takes place during the Middle Ages, very true. It's hard to watch children's movies now as adults and NOT notice every single thing like this. As a child, 17 still seems so far away (not to mention very "adult"), and it honestly just doesn't matter to them. It matters that she's pretty, he's charming and they have a great story. In no way did I believe I would grow up to marry at 17, it's a cartoon movie, not a lifetime dream. I no more believed I would marry that early than I believed I would marry a prince. It's all imaginary and for fun.
Some things should be read into and dissected; Disney movies do not fall into that category.
yeah thats pretty disturbing… i havent seen it yet and now i dont think i will. xoxo jillian:: enter to win Upper Metal Class Jewelry
I love this movie! It has actually become one of my new favorite Disney movies which I watch quite often, be it with family or the children I nanny.
I think a lot of Disney movies, or just children's movies in general, send different messages to their young audience and to their older, adult audiences. Many of these movies are filled with deeper messages and innuendos, but I think it's just which audiences they reach that is important.
Obviously, living your dreams is something this movie is trying to convey to the younger viewers…isn't this what YOU tell YOUR readers to do everyday??? And has it not become your "mantra"?
It's a Disney movie, meaning it's for CHILDREN. CHILDREN don't read into things the way you have done.
While every one is entitled to his or her own, completely valid opinion, and I do see your point, please remember who the intended audiences are for these movies.
Hey, what's a blog without opinions? I haven't seen it but think I will now so I can form my own opinion. Thanks for your take on it.
I'm guessing you wrote this just to make your blog seem more controversial to get more traffic, but hey maybe you actually do feel that way, which makes you incredibly uptight. Its a CHILDREN'S movie. Little kids aren't going to analyze every aspect of the movie, all they see is a fun adventure. All Disney princess movies are the same. I'm guessing you watched them as a child and you turned out okay, right?
you're right, previous anonymous commenter, children don't analyze every aspect of movies. they generally accept what is in movies and what adults tell them as fact. that's why we should be even more careful about what messages we're sending children about blonde hair, gender roles, and body image.
I haven't seen it but I think that sounds strange! The song about being fat is really bad. I would think with the newer Disney movies they would have a better message. Good for you for posting your opinion! I will have to watch it eventually!
Heya Carly!
I honestly think your view of it is a bit extreme. For one, the story is clearly set in a medieval time where it was quite normal to be married at that age and the princess would technically already be an old maid for not being married yet. Do Fairytales ever feature the princess out on a speed date at age 25? No, it isn't strictly realistic.
Furthermore, the "mother" is the villain in all of this so children are meant to hate her. The disparaging comments she makes are in no way meant to be sent as a "good, proper" way to be dealing with your daughter. She's a terrible person and the way she deals with Rapunzel highlights that.
The fact that Flynn is a convict on the run, to me at least, symbolises the beauty of second chances. I didn't think it glorified being a thief, because in the end he does see the error of his ways.
As for the fact that her hair stops growing and turns brown…my first reaction was, "Oh, wow, she looks adorable with that cure pixie crop," so in no way does she turn ugly. The magic is simply gone which could even be seen as something positive, as well as a necessary plot point, in the story.
I truly think that it is a beautiful story that is asking you to follow your dreams. Most fairytales are at least somewhat gruesome. They're meant to be frightening (the original Cinderella featured the evil step-sisters cutting off their toes to fit into the slipper). I'm afraid that we can't always pretty everything up.
I see where you're coming from, but really do, strongly disagree.
-Nina (just-frocks.blogspot.com)
In the movie Sleeping Beauty, she's 15 when she meets the prince & then they get married when she's 16. Disney is just trying to be historically accurate as usual. Also keep in mind this is a movie for children & children don't read into stuff as much as adults. Maybe you would've liked this movie better if you were 15 years younger?
Carly,
Normally I agree with your posts. Not so in this case. What Cait said pretty much hit the nail on the head. Didn't you watch Disney movies when you were a kid? Did you ever once stop to think how inappropriate it was for Snow White to be living with 7 men? How Ariel shouldn't have given up everything for a man? Probably not. Kids don't read into the movies the way you have so I really don't think it's an issue. Actually you and I are the same age and I watched Tangled last month and LOVED it. It's an old fairytale, aimed to be cute and enjoyable for the whole family, and I think Disney succeeded once again. The movie was pretty historically accurate as far as her age. Also, Disney didn't write the story of Rapunzel so you shouldn't be offended by a fairy tale that's been around for ages. I think you are looking too much into it and I hope to hear your response on a future blog entry.
hahahahahahhahaa…….hahahahahahahaa.
wow. good one carly
I'm really glad I'm not your child. It's a movie. Just a movie. Get over it.
I actually completely agree with you. Just because children don't "get" everything in the movie doesn't mean it isn't impacting them. If they watch all these movies, they are going to believe that this is how things are.
Yes, people can say we watched this movies and turned out alright…but I am sure that there are somethings that we learned or saw in these movies that we actually came to realize later on weren't true.
I feel like you are looking way to hard into this. Relax, it's a children's movie! I thought it was adorable and a really good movie. My little sister is 8 and she never focuses on anything like that and she loved it. Seriously, it's a movie…it's pure fun. No need to nitpick it.
You must a liberal.
Carly, I love your blog and read everyday but I really disagree with this post. As several others have said, although she is seventeen, this movie is not real life and is not taking place in 2011 (Although, really, if you watch a few episodes of 16 and Pregnant there are still girls getting married around this age. Not that it is a good idea, but it happens). Rapunzel is not a modern girl, she is a fictional character who has spent her whole life in one place only interacting with one other person. Children are not taking any negative messages away from it. They are humming the catchy songs and looking forward to the 'Happily Ever After' ending. It's just a Disney movie.
With that being said, I strongly reccomend you see 'The Princess and the Frog' from 2009 based on your review. The movie is set in the 1920/30s and the main character works two jobs, does not believe in fairy tales or 'magic' and dreams to open a restaurant not marry a handsome prince. I really think you would like this movie as it corresponds to your aforementioned views.
I usually love what you have to write, but this post is quite silly. I know that we are all entitled to an opinion and this is mine:
1. Her beautiful hair was because her mom drank the flower water, so the glow from the flower went into her hair. I know that you are a smart girl and must have learned about recessive and dominate genes. Both of her parents have brown hair. Do a punnett square, while there is a small chance that her hair will be blond, it most likely is going to be brown. And I'm 100 percent sure that it will not have healing powers.
2. Flynn is getting a second chance, but he was also an orphan and lived in the middle ages. There were so few opportunities for him.
3. It's a song. And rhymed. Disney does tend to be geared towards children, who love a good rhyme.
4. Most of the above people mentioned that this does take place in the middle ages. And I know plenty of people who married young. I honestly believe that how old you are does not matter, but your maturity level does.
I think that children should be able to watch this movie, if they want to. It's an old classic story re-spun to appeal to both boys and girls. It's one of the (many) jobs as a parent to make sure that you instill ideas that you truly value, and leave some things at what they are.
I don't think they touched on Flynn's age in the movie, but I'm pretty sure he's not that much older than Rapunzel. The movie shows that he's just trying to figure his life out too, and he doesn't hurt anyone. It's a pretty classic example of someone rising against the odds and becoming something better, so I think Flynn is a much better character than you give him credit for.
If you're gonna hack at it, you might as well say, "Well, if she was really stuck in a tower for seventeen years, she would be ridiculously psychologically damaged." Because she would be! But it's a story. That's all.
I like Mulan. She saves the guy in the end and kicks ass (can I say that on here?) in the process, despite being doubted.
Overall I like this movie but I hate that her hair turns brown when it loses it's magic. UM HELLO nothing wrong with brown hair! 😉
For someone who reads a lot, you must have missed the classics. When this love story was written, omg, you know what I'm not even going to school you. I'm just astonished at how dense you sound.
I've never seen Tangled. Kinda grew out of them a while but my roommates still watch them all the time!
J. Crew Giveaway on my blog 🙂
http://www.katiesbliss.com
Well, to address a few of your points…
1. Rapunzel's hair was only blonde, ever-growing, and magic because of the flower her mother drank while sick. Her hair would have been brown, like both of her parents, otherwise. When the magic was cut, it reverted to it's natural state. I actually thought it was quite nice that her hair changed. It freed her from the thing that kept her captive by the witch and allowed her to develop outside of her magical hair.
2. During the time period Rapunzel was written (I'm sure you know Tangled is based off of the 1700s Grimm's Brothers story), a young man of Flynn's status would really have very little options. He did the wrong thing but I think he proved himself to not really be a bad person. He isn't violent or malicious whatsoever.
3. Flynn's age is never touched upon. I actually assume him to be not too much older than Rapunzel- he doesn't look it.
4. The movie is intended for children. To children, 17 years old is a LONG ways away. I don't know about you, but I certainly felt that way as a child. None of my young cousins that have watched this movie with me have ever expressed any other opinion- I'm 19 and they think I'm old. Rapunzel's age is not an issue to them.
5. To a child, Rapunzel and Flynn's relationship certainly seems to progress in longer than a day. Of course the movie is only set in a 24 hour time span, but honestly I didn't even notice that- I can't say that kids would either. So much happens in between the time they met and the time they marry it seems pretty normal. And actually, I think they mention in the end that Flynn didn't propose right away. Also, it's a Disney movie. I mean, really.
6. My cousins found the evil witch more of a scary and problematic character than Flynn the criminal. I mean, the witch was guilty of kidnapping and imprisonment, and some would say child abuse. Flynn was pretty harmless compared to her.
7. Touching on a previous point- that this story is set in the Middle Ages and was written in the 1700s- an 18 year old Rapunzel would be considered old for a bride.
I could go on, but really, it's a cutesy Disney movie intended for little kids. The only real problem you've addressed is the mother calling Rapunzel fat, but really that just goes along with her whole evil character. Disney movies really aren't intended to be debated and analyzed, but if you must do so, do it intelligently. At lot of your issues with the movie most would not intelligently consider to be issues at all.
I haven't seen the movie at all. I'm not much on Disney movies since they stopped doing them in watercolor anyways.
BUT. I do realize the constant themes of Disney movies as portraying women as helpless or sub par to men. I don't believe young children read that much into it. Heck, remember Mary Kate and Ashley? All of their movies/tv shows had something to do with them not having a Mom and a Dad having to raise twin girls by himself.
I do believe you could be reading too much into it because I feel that as adults we lose the sense of "magic" that Disney makes it's money off of and we only see what's really there. I have yet to see a three year old feminist lash out at Cinderella for not being a role model.
Even though I disagree, at least I can do it respectfully unlike a few other anonymous psoters
And to add a point brought up by someone else: Mulan was THE BEST Disney princess EVER.
How are you able to call what you do writing? Seriously. This post sounds to me like "Oh no! I've ran out of things to bitch about so let's hate on this movie I just watched on netflix." Get a life please. Gross just gross.
I guess I didn't take it as literally, but I did dislike the fact that her turns brown to symbolize the end of the magic. But then again, the Disney princesses never really get to "know" the prince.
All of the anonymous poster should "Get a life." If you don't like reading something then STOP READING IT. That little "x" in the right top corner of the screen? Yeah. Click that.
I really did like this movie! When it comes to fairy tales (and Disney in general) I guess I really do not take the stories literally at all.
Last year in Lit class we had to read the The Classic Fairy Tales and you would be surprised at how Disney makes them not at all gruesome. Snow White was supposed to be 12 and living with 7 men, then a man comes and wants to worship her dead body?
In reference to other Disney movies, Rapunzel spends much more time with her "prince" than any of the other princesses. Cinderella spent one dance with him and then was madly in love…
I really loved how they portrayed Flyn saving her from her mother and how realistic Rapunzel was in her views on life. Also the music was great in regards towards Broadway and Disney music!
Don't you people have anything better to do than sit around and criticize someone for her beliefs? You may not agree with her but that doesn't give you any right to be so tactless. This is her blog and she's entitled to her opinion. If you don't have anything positive or constructive to add to the conversation, don't say anything at all.
Oh god… I completely agree. Kids are affected by what they see, and this movie does send wrong messages. The most blatant being that when her hair "dies" and I guess is supposed to be less beautiful, it becomes brown! That's kind of insulting… and I understand you're not writing this for a kid to read and rethink watching the movie! It's your adult opinion. It's a bad movie nonetheless. The hair thing reminds me of Tina Fey's book: she says in it that she changes "blonde" to yellow in books she reads to her daughter, so that it doesn't seem better, but just another color.
Oy vey. While reading this I figured people were going to go insane…and they did. I just have to say that really this is every Disney movie. And although it was based on Rapunzel and that's set in the 1800's. So in *that* time period marrying that young was absolutely appropriate. I don't know about the other harsh commenters, but my opinion on you still stands, I think you're wonderful, I'm still going to be an avid CP reader. Everyone has an opinion and I think some of these people need to realize that this is a post about a DISNEY MOVIE. Not a controversial political or religious subject. Yeesh!
I agree that Disney movies do not exactly send the best messages.
I think Mulan was probably the only one that sent positive ones. But if you think about it.. it's not as popular as the other Disney Princess movies. Why, you ask? Because what sold were the movies that had the girl being saved by man and living happily ever after as a "Princess". #problem1 and 2.
For those of you that say "it's just a Disney movie", need to think twice.
If you know these disney movies, then they clearly had an impact on you in some way or another.
Young children are very impressionable. Therefore these movies are going to have an impact them in some way or another, too.
Also, Carly is a successful blogger and deserves to have her followers post valid arguments to her blog. Leave the name calling and negative comments out!
Not sure what I enjoyed more- your post or the wild range of comments. But I feel this way about most Disney movies. Oh and go back and read all the Grimm fairy tales. They are actually really scary and dark. I was in my 20's before I realized how not child appropriate all this kiddie stuff really is.
Oooh and does anyone remember when the Lion King first came out how the animators added in the word "sex" in the puff of dust or the cloud or whatever it was?
I think everyone needs to lay off. The sheer furiousness of some above commenters make it seem as though Carly had attacked them personally.
I agree Carly. I thought it was a fun movie and I enjoyed it but there is nothing light hearted about a 17 year old girl running away with an ex-convict. And the fact that he turns good is totally unrealistic. Plus it was a slam to brunettes…haha. Oh and I agree with ^Melissa.
I don't get why Carly thinks she is being attacked. most of the people who disagreed with her did so in a pretty respectful and detailed way. Also, lets not forget how crazy her entire analysis of the movie was. Yes, it's her opinion but she's yet to respond to the thoughtful, realistic and much more analytical responses against her opinion. At the very least, she could acknowledge that the people who don't agree with her are making valid points.
-Karen
What did I think? It's my new favorite Disney movie. I think you read way too far into it and missed the most important part of this movie: the FEMALE is the hero. She saves the prince, not the other way around.
1. What's wrong with short brown hair? And the magic isn't gone – it's inside her, which is another great message.
2. Aladdin was a thief.
3. You're really going to nit pick at one line in a song? They probably needed a word that rhymed with something else.
4. All the Disney princesses are really young. And people don't even notice! I didn't even realize she was 17 until you said something.
I appreciate your review of the movie, but I think next time you watch a Disney movie you should not worry about being so critical and just sit back and enjoy a fun, adorable movie with underlying positive messages.
I absolutely love Tangled!! It's my favorite Disney movie – so adorable and funny!
To address the "age" issue, Aurora was 15/16 when she met her prince in Sleeping Beauty. Second, what's wrong with brown hair?? I have it, and, judging by your pictures, so do you! Third, as mentioned by another commenter, Aladdin was a thief.
All Disney movies require some "disconnect from reality" when you watch them. You're way too critical about the whole thing. Let your inner 7 year old out!
And before you say anything, I'm a college senior and at one of the best business schools in the South.
I agree with your views in a way,though I have to admit that's what I liked about it. Okay, that sounds terrible. I mean I like how complex the characters and their relationships are. The person she perceives to be "good" is really manipulating her, whereas the "bad" people might not be that bad. I think it's empowering that she stand up to her abuser in the end and refuses to go along with her. When Flynn gets stabbed though, I was shocked. Pretty graphic for, as you say, a children's movie
As a mother, I am disgusted by this movie and all of Disney Movie at that, some might think that we are reading too much into it and that is fine, everyone has their own opinion, but someday people are going to have to wake up, our society is ridiculous, sex crimes specially against minors has increased, it is no longer surprising to hear about it on the news because it is an everyday story. I have 3 daughters and 1 son, so yes this bothers me a lot, I guess I do read too much into it because in the little mermaid, when the priest got a boner looking at ariel was disturbing to me. just because it is animation, it does not mean that it is ok or pg. I do not want to be one of those ignorant moms that has no idea what their children is really watching. If that is the case I minus well let my 6 year old watch South Park because at least they do not hide behind manipulating themes to get their disgusting messages out to the media. and for the record, "its just a movie" is not an excuse, a childs interpretation is not the same as an adult, to them is nto just a movie, it is very much real! Vee