I am a Disney Hater

At least I used to be. In my old age I've lost a bit of the passion and the fire and now I just get slightly irritated by all the ways they try to manipulate me and take my money.

I just took the boys to see Chicken Little. I will admit, first and foremost, that I do not have the patience for animation. I barely have the patience to sit through any movie, but an animated movie is an especial challenge. So I wasn't expecting to like it, and it delivered pretty much what I was expecting, with a bizarro War of the Worlds/Matrix twist thrown in for good measure. But I was irritated by this: once again, Disney delivers a movie with the mom missing in action. For family values' sake, it would be nice to have just an occasional children's movie with a nuclear family intact (thank you, The Incredibles). But my irritation goes beyond family values. I FEEL MANIPULATED!!! What are those Disney people trying to say?? Are they just really unoriginal [let's see--one or both parents absent in Snow White, Cinderella, Pinocchio, Bambi, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, Cinderella, Finding Nemo, Brother Bear and I'm sure multiple others that I haven't seen--perhaps Mulan? Peter Pan?] or are they trying to affect me and my children somehow on a deep, subconscious level? Perhaps Walt Disney had parental abandonment issues and felt the need to thrust them upon every child in America, nay, the world, who connects on an emotional level with Ariel, Nemo, Aurora, and whatever all the main characters' names are.

I feel the fire returning. Disney can say and do anything in the movies they make for children because everyone in the world will take their children to see them, no matter what. (Take off your clothes.) Phallic castles are just the beginning. How does Disney manipulate? Let me count the ways.

I'm glad I got that off my chest. Now, Pepper, if you're reading this, I need to talk to you about getting some tickets to Club 33. . . .

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hey if club 33 is what I think it is...we want to come too. Or, you may just be making jest, but we still want to go.
Anonymous said…
the straight story is the best disney movie i've seen. all about fam vals. no animation.
Emily, good news! We have more in common.
I too, am a fanatical Disney Hater.

(don't get me started on Disney World, aka Hell's hell)
Anonymous said…
I wonder how Ms. Morality (aka DZNY GRL license plate) would react to this. . .
Emily said…
I'm pretty sure that license plate was her sister's. Ms. Morality, are you there to speak up for yourself?
Emily said…
Also, the Straight Story is perhaps one movie that could have used some animation! Or something funky to get that lawn mower dude doing something. Actually, I haven't seen it all the way through. I'm sure I would like it.
Anonymous said…
"Straight Story" is an interesting title for a Disney movie. . . considering that many of their employees live "alternative lifestyles." :)

Emily, you're right about the license plate. I just remembered it and it made me laugh. In reality, though, I do wonder how she feels about Disney. I always value her opinions on issues.
Anonymous said…
Just want everyone to know that, although Emily claims to be passionate about the issure, she probably hasn't ever watched a whole Disney movie--not because she walks out incensed, but because she can't stay awake.
Anonymous said…
I think I agree with you on the Disney Story lines more so than the missing parent issue, but I can see your point. That being said, can we keep the Pixar films out of the Disney group. Their animation and story lines have always been some of my favorite.

Steve, I always enjoy your comments.

Emily, Let me know a date, time, and number of guests; I will look into reservations for Club 33.
Anonymous said…
What is Club 33?
lemoniepants said…
amen!
i also hate disney.
why doesn't anyone EVER say anything about the lack of parents in the disney world?
it's stunning.
Suzie Petunia said…
Whoa there!! Hold on, Sparky. Mulan had a mother AND a father.

Ok, I pretty much agree with all the rest. :) However, I am grateful for the hours of sleep and/or actually-get-something-done time all of the afore-mentioned Disney movies have given me. Amen.

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