Over the weekend, my friends and I decided to go see the classic Disney movie Beauty and the Beast–only this time it was in 3D. Yes, a bunch of 20 year old girls sat in a theater with cool 3D glasses, thrilled to see Belle fall in love with the Beast again.
But can you blame us? It’s an all-time favorite princess movie that our generation grew up with. Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Rapunzel, Jasmine, Ariel, Mulan, and Pocahontas were our role models as little girls. We had all the dolls, movies, and games. We were living in the fantasy world where princesses find their prince and live happily ever after.
No wonder our age cohort is so messed up.
We grew up watching these Disney princesses live lives where in the end, they got everything they ever wanted. They may have gone through hard times (with evil step sisters, magic spells, and being an outcast), but eventually every princess gained respect, found herself, or found Mr. Right (who usually was a very handsome prince who was madly in love with her). Not bad, eh?
The fanatasy world has disappeared and we are now set in reality. Where there are no castles or fairytale kingdoms. The male characters portrayed in these movies do not exist in real life. Not a Disney fan? Compare this to any modern day romantic comedy film. Guys do not go out of their way and treat girls like “princesses,” especially when she does not act like one.
We dream of a perfect life where Prince Charming or the Knight in shining armor comes to our rescue. Romance like that is locked up in the Disney vault with all of its movies. We live in a different world filled with hook ups, one night stands, ex-girlfriends, and foolish girls begging for guys’ attention. That doesn’t sound like a typical fairtale to me.
I do believe chivalry is still out there, it is just rare to find. Fairy Godmothers, talking animals, and magical spells only exist in our fairytale fantasies. Us girls just have to keep our standards, morals, and dignity as high as our heels, and I assure you your princess dream will come true, well today’s version of it anyway.
Image from: freedisneyclipartsite.com
In-text photo by Taylor Axelson
Staff