Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Disney's Frozen is Just a Movie, Not a Morality Play


To A Well-Behaved Mormon Woman:  I really wanted to post a comment on your blog about your impressions of the Disney movie Frozen, in Frozen: Not Gonna "Let it Go"... and also in  Frozen: My response to Outrageous Reactions...  but you closed out the comments, I don’t blame you. After the onslaught of responses, some so tasteless and rude they are not worth the bit space they take up on your blog, but it was their entitled opinion, as was yours and your impressions of the movie.  

The social online forum has opened up a means for all kinds of engaging conversation and while I think it takes a great deal of personal fortitude to Testify as you do in your blog and profile, it also opens an avenue for those that respond anonymously with false bravado and self-righteous scorn. 

Maybe the vitriol came from what some people may have perceived in your post as an attack on Disney. I know some folks who actually have an odd reverential devotion to all things Disney.  I am not one of them, although I do like the entertainment of the classic animation and catchy theme music, and that is where I wish to add my two cents.

Like you, I am a Grandmother and enjoy an entertaining movie with my Grands, ONCE, in one sitting. If I sat through three screenings of the same movie, like you did, I think maybe I’d begin to sense some subversive subliminal message too. Personally, I don’t want to think too hard about “messages” when at the movies, especially with the kiddies. Trying to minimize bathroom trips takes enough energy.

One of the reasons movie theaters are darkened is the expectation to help the brain temporarily suspend reality, reduce distractions and be entertained. At least that is my expectation, especially after I shell out sometimes close to $50 by time I’ve purchased tickets, popcorn and whatever else the little “grands” think they just have to have before the movie begins. We are there to be entertained and leave the realities of life outside for a couple hours. That is not so say we don’t talk about what we just saw in a movie, but I don’t dissect it.

It’s not my intention to minimalize you impressions. Clearly, you felt strongly about what you sensed and as I read through your blog, I understand. Your faith is strong and confident in unchanging moral absolutes, as you state in your testimony.

To be clear, I hold much more liberal views than you, but when I found your first post on the movie, I thought it was entertaining, although I do not agree with you that there is a hidden agenda within the movie plot. I was genuinely surprised at the polar opposites of opinions in response to your observations. I mean, really?!? It’s an animated movie based on a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, with carefully crafted characterizations in the animation. I think anything subliminal about it would be the universally pleasing countenance of all the characters, even the trolls are not very troll-like along with deliberate color combinations that every child and fan would recognize next year as potential Halloween costumes or Christmas gifts. Disney is that deliberate.  But unless a child is directed to a certain line of thought, I hardly believe my 7 year old, 16 year old or 17 year old grandchild would make the assumption that “Let it Go” is an allegorical performance expressing sexuality. Actually the 7 year old was struck by Elsa’s inner determination to accept her individuality, take ownership of her gifts and powers and most importantly understand the importance of her family. That particular 7 year old is pretty spirited herself, maybe she can relate.

I hope the next movie you see with your grandchildren is thoroughly enjoyed in a single viewing. Enjoy the show. Let them entertain you!