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My youngest daughter wanted to see Tangled this past weekend for her birthday. So, she managed to get her sister, her sister's husband, her mom and dad, her boyfriend and three of her nearest and dearest friends to the theater to see it.
What can I say? It's a Disney Princess movie, every little girl from 3 to 90 enjoys a Disney Princess movie. The story revolves around Rapunzel, who is kept in a remote tall tower by a youth obsessed woman who pretends to be her mother. The woman wants Rapunzel because she has the magical healing power of her long, golden hair, which keeps the evil woman young.
Rapunzel wants out, but has no idea how to escape. Enter Flynn Ryder, a thief and generally self centered ruffian. He climbs up the tower to escape from the Royal Guard who is pursuing him. There he meets Rapunzel. They make a deal . . . he takes her to the city for an annual event that centers around the missing princess's birthday, and in exchange, she gives him back his stolen loot that she had hidden.
Ok, so they go out into the wild world, experience adventure, close calls, and a few musical numbers and by being totally charming and pure of heart, she causes Flynn to fall in love with her. Flynn repents of his evil ways and helps Rapunzel escape the evil woman keeping her captive. Eventually she discovers she is the lost princess, and is united with her parents in the castle. She and Flynn marry and live happily ever after.
Liked the movie. Really enjoyed it personally because I love Zachary Levi, who did the voice of Flynn Ryder. He stars in Chuck, a great show if you haven't even seen it. Anyway, we all had a great time and enjoyed the movie.
Then I came home and thought about it for a couple of days. I realized that the movie had a message that they probably weren't going for, but it's there just the same. Listen, I raised two daughters successfully and I see the subtle messages they get from the media growing up. If you are aware of them, you can talk to your children about them, and counter some of those messages that girls get from the media they see.
So what was the message of the movie? Rapunzel, by her innocent soul and unconditional love, totally rehabilitated that thieving scoundrel Flynn Ryder and made him a proper consort for a Princess. Uh huh.
Let's get back to the real world, shall we? So fast forward 10 years into the future with an 8 year old girl who saw this movie. Let's call her Sarah. Sarah meets Jailbird Justin, a young man who has spent a little time in the slammer for stealing and lying and various scams. He has partners in crime which are not very nice people, but this matters not to Sarah, who understands that a lot of love and devotion and support will turn Jailbird Justin into a new man, her prince! Realistically, about 4 years later, Sarah's and Justin's tragic love story will be featured either on a "Ripped from the Headlines!" Law and Order episode, or they will be featured on "The First 48," following homicide detectives as they try to figure out who murdered Laura.
This type of movie sends the message that men are social projects and can be turned around from their criminal ways by some love. I learned very early on that men were not social projects, if they needed fixing, they needed to fix themselves, that I certainly was not capable. However, I know several adult females who still think they can somehow change some scum bucket man into their prince. It doesn't work, but this movie, aimed at young girls, sure does send the message that it does.
It IS a good movie, but if I had younger children, I would certainly use this opportunity to discuss the issues above that I have outlined. When they are teenagers, you will be glad you did.
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