http://www.i-mockery.com/halloween/bag/great-pumpkin-analysis.php
Read this hilarious critical analysis of this favorite children's classic. Then, choose a classic story of your own and do a critical analysis by completing 2 or 3 character arcs. It can be a "show" or a "story".
Walt Disney's masterpiece, Snow White has been an animated classic since its release in 1937. Snow White was Disney's first animated feature-film, and this becomes quite evident after watching the production and hoping that perhaps it was simply a test run. For one would hope that Disney would not purposefully animate such a senseless story unless it was for trial purposes... Right?
ReplyDeleteSnow White
Firstly, the movie is centered around the concept of "true love." Which would be fine... Until one considers the fact that Snow White was meant to be fourteen years of age. Is Disney suggesting to his young viewers that they are expected to find their true love and plan a wedding at the age when one is fresh out of middle school, the pubescent awkwardness still wafting about them? I should hope not. Furthermore, the princess's lack of common sense not only makes her unfit for marriage, but it makes this movie almost painful to watch. I mean, she is a literal idiot. After fleeing from the queen and the huntsman, Snow White makes no effort to try to find an adequate place to sleep, nor does she seek a place to gather food. Rather, she decides to plop down in the middle of the forest and cry herself to sleep among her "animal friends." Great. Because there's absolutely nothing wrong with teaching children to approach a wild animal with arms wide open squealing at the top of their lungs. But whatever. I think the real issues start when this hopeless princess just so happens to stumble upon a cottage which she affirms to herself is the house of seven "children." Yes, Snow White. I am absolutely certain that there are seven children living in a gorgeous cottage all alone in the middle of nowhere. So what does Snow White do next? Does she look around for someone to help her? Does she try to find a meal? What? Of course not! She CLEANS the place! Well, at least Disney taught kids how to clean up after themselves (or other "children," perhaps.) So after this exhausting chore, Snow White decides she needs to take another nap. As if she hadn't just woken up in the forest a few hours earlier. But we'll disregard that fact. She goes up the stairs and TAKES A NAP in the beds of these "children." So, kids, the moral of the story is, break into houses, and take a nap in their beds. Faaantastic.
The Evil Queen
I think it's safe to say the evil queen is nothing short of a psychopath. "Oh, there's someone prettier than me? That's okay, I'll just kill her. Even if she is a fourteen year-old." You'd think that being single in her 40s-50s would give her a hint. Nevertheless, the queen quickly decides that she doesn't want to be involved in the pointless murder of a child who sings to birds. Instead, she enlists the help of a huntsman with a Dora the Explorer haircut to do it for her. "Oh and don't forget to bring back her heart in a box. I don't plan on doing anything with it, I've just always wanted a human heart." (!?!?!?) Finally, the queen, upon discovering that Snow White is still alive, goes totally haywire concocting some sort of potion and puts it in...wait for it...an apple. The queen then decides that Snow White would most likely accept a poisonous apple if it was given to her by a demented old hag rather than, oh, I don't know, an innocent child!? Hey, I guess it's Snow White's fault for taking it.
Mary, I totally agree that Snow White is rather unintelligent. Her decision making skills are poor, and she would have died without the shelter of many of the supporting characters. As a role model, she lacks many of the important qualities children should develop. However, her lineage as a princess is what many children idolize. This movie never made sense to me, and your analysis shows why this movie is so bad.
DeleteMary, if I were wandering around the woods and an old hag offered me an apple, I probably would have to say I would not take it. Snow White appears to be a little bit too trusting in people, and she seems to be oblivious to the fact that her actions have consequences. She cleaned the dwarves' house and nothing really terrible happened to her. She eats the apple and well...she kinda gets put in a coma. But whatever, as Abbey stated, without character flaws, there would be no good story.
DeleteMary, as any good Disney princess, Snow White becomes a total ditz. I don't like eating any food from people I don't know, let alone an apple from some old hag in the woods. I think in most Disney movies, if one of the characters doesn't have some lack of judgement, there isn't much of a storyline.
DeleteThe worst kid show ever award goes out to Rudolph. Yes, Rudolph. That show that you and your siblings watched every year before Christmas completely goes against what we are supposed to believe. I am very passionate about this movie because my mom would remind us that it was wrong every time we watched it as children, and I know for a fact that my own children will never have this horrific message anywhere near their brains. If you want to see the epitome of trash, click on the link below and refresh yourself in your knowledge of this disgusting Christmas classic that we call "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dailymotion.com/video/xw3olt_rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer_lifestyle
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a blazing jerk throughout this entire movie. Rudolf has a birth defect (his red nose) and Santa thinks that it is an enormous disability. He tells Donner "he better get rid of that nose if he wants to make my sleigh team," as if Rudolph and his parents are not obvious of the fact that he has a glowing and screeching orb in the middle of his face. (Thank you for reminding me of my insecurities, Santa.) A few years later, Rudolph's parents are still hiding their son behind a lie made of dirt that covers the glow of his unique character when Rudolph attends his first flying practice. Nobody can fly but Rudolph, and he is finally happy that a girl loves him and that he can do something right when his nose cover falls off. Who better to show up and drop a snarky comment at this time than good ole Santa dearest. Once again, he tells Donner that rudolf had such a good take off but it does not matter because he is useless with his disability. Since Santa is the leader of some cult like activities in this horrible land, everyone agrees with him immediately, despite the previous display of his unusual talent. They decide that he can no longer play their games and everyone but Clairese begins to harp on him. Rudolph is a prodigy and Santa does not care.
Next, the elves put on a show for Santa and wanted him to listen to their "we are Santa's elves" song. He literally told them to "make it quick" because he had other things to do. The whole way through his posture was horrible, suggesting that he was extremely bored, and when it was finished, he told them it needed more work and followed that remark by leaving and slamming the door. I thought Santa was supposed to be encouraging and kind like my mom was every time my cousins and I made a show for her to watch, but I guess not.
Santa's final jerk move comes at the end when Christmas is going to be cancelled due to the storm. He goes to tell everyone when Rudolph's nose begins to do its thing. Santa comments "woah, your horrible nose, tone it down," until he realizes he can use Rudolph to deliver presents in the storm. All of the sudden, Rudolph is the best thing in the world because he is needed as a headlight for the reindeer pack. Santa completely uses Rudolph and it actually makes me sick.
Head Elf
DeleteIn Christmas movies, elves have always been depicted as little happy fellas with no troubles in the world, even though they had so much to do. Every elf in Rudolph follows this description except for this disgusting head elf. Poor Hermie wants to be a dentist, and instead of accepting this decision, he, like an unsupportive beast, brings every elf in the room into Hermie's personal issue. This rumor is spread in the matter of three seconds and Hermie gets denied a break. This elf does not know how to talk and just screams every one of his lines as if he has never been happy a day in his life, telling Hermie that he will never fit in. Like Santa, the head elf likes Hermie once he defeats the bad guy by taking out his teeth and decides to let him open a dentist shop. Here is the final catch, he can only open this shop after Christmas is over (when he is no longer needed). If this does not make you absolutely traumatized then I do not know what will.
The messages of using others and outcasting those who are different and can be of no use to us is disturbing.
I will never be able to watch it in the same way again. You are right!
DeleteGrace, this is is so funny! I never really thought about Rudolph like that, but it's so true! What a terrible message for kids! Santa is totally selfish, if you ask me. He spends the whole movie trashing Rudolph for his "birth defect," only to use him in the end. And the elf is a total dream-crusher. Maybe he's supposed to represent society because of the fact that everyone is always telling us what we can and can't do.
DeleteGrace, I have never thought of Rudolph in this way before. Your analysis was very insightful, and put a new perspective on this movie. I had thought that the head elf was mean when I watched it as a child, but I never had thought of Santa in the same way. Now that you've mentioned it, I agree with you. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to watch this movie in the same way.
DeleteGrace you ruined my favorite Christmas movie! I'm just kidding, I always knew Santa was kind of a jerk, and the head elf bothers me a lot. My favorite characters were always Yukon Cornelius and the Bumble anyways.
DeleteThe strange twists and turns in the bizarre story of Peter Pan are sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This animated, swashbuckling tale of jealousy, naivety, and carelessness has riveted children since 1953, and continues to fascinate even to this day. The characters of this story all have traits that make them terrible role models for the children who view them.
ReplyDeletePeter Pan
Peter is an immortal young boy, frozen forever at a prepubescent age where pain is funny and his wants are the center of his universe. He kidnaps the Darling children for his amusement, and grants them the ability to fly using pixie dust from his fairy, Tinker Bell. He guides them to his home, a magical island in the middle of the ocean. How could anyone get lost on the way there, knowing to fly at the second star to the right for the entire night? Tinker Bell convinces the boys to shoot down Wendy, and Peter banishes the pixie due to his fondness for Wendy. After ditching the boys with his other friends, the Lost Boys, Peter takes Wendy to visit the mermaids at the lagoon. The mermaids mercilessly tease Wendy and Peter laughs along with them. This exchange shows the fickleness of Peter’s heart. However, he’s only a boy, so it’s completely understandable. The Darling children eventually become homesick and return home, but Peter obstinately refuses to return to society. He is so egotistical that he assumes they’ll return to him shortly. The children are captured by pirates, and Peter must save them. He has been rivals with Captain Hook ever since the boy cut off his hand. Fighting the pirate is fun for Peter, and bolsters his ego. He becomes a triumphant hero for the children, and returns them to London after a successful adventure.
Captain Hook
As one of the only adults stuck on a magical island, one would think Captain Hook would be trying to find a way back to normalcy. Instead, he is pursuing a vendetta against an immortal flying boy. However, it is not enough for him to pursue his revenge on his own, he enlists his pirate crew to help him. He kidnaps the daughter of the local Indian chief and Tinker Bell in order to find Peter’s hideout. He himself seems very childlike, depending mostly upon his first mate, Mr. Smee. His greatest fear is of the great crocodile that swallowed his hand. These childish characteristics make Hook the perfect villain. Lacking sophistication and skill, he is the perfect nemesis for the eternal young boy.
The story of Peter Pan is rather peculiar. I still love it though. I always wondered why a grown adult was picking battles with a young boy though. I can never ignore the fact that the alligator or crocodile creature ticks after swallowing a clock. That was probably the worst message from Peter Pan because as a child I wanted to try it and see. That would have been quite interesting. Although Peter Pan is odd, the movie made a great Broadway show called Finding Neverland, which I highly recommend. It takes the stupidity out of Peter Pan, and it is very touching.
DeleteI'd never considered why Peter Pan randomly decided to kidnap the Darlings. Like, seriously didn't he have any concern for what their parents would think to see that their children were gone out of the house? I've always kind of thought that Peter Pan was a jerk. He treats Wendy quite terribly throughout the duration of the movie, and his rudeness shines through in the mermaid scene. I wonder if he's meant to signify anything significant. His character is quite complex, but in a weird way. This was a good topic!
DeleteI decided that I would like to do my analysis of The Phantom of the Opera. In theater, there are many obvious character flaws that allow for the plot to take place. The Phantom of the Opera was originally a book, but then was converted into a musical, composed by Andre Lloyd Webber. The Phantom of the Opera is the most iconic musical of all time, and is the longest running musical of all time. Many movie versions have also been made of this musical. However, this iconic musical has several aspects that make me question the sanity of the characters.
ReplyDeleteChristine Daae:
Christine is the woman who the musical is focused on. She allows herself to become taken over the "an angel of music", aka the Phantom. She believes that this being was sent by her dead father who had always promised to send her an angel of music. Christine traveled to the opera house to be a dancer, however the Phantom takes notice of her and she then decides she will continue to visit it for singing lessons. This is the first thing that leads me to believe that Christine may not be all with it. If you want singing lessons, my first choice isn't going to be this masked phantom that comes to me at night. I'm sure there are much better options than that. Soon after this happens, Christine starts to become famous. Because of this, the Phantom begins to become more controlling of Christine. Also, to make matters worse, Christine's childhood friend, Raoul, arrives at the opera house and sees Christine's show. He tries to gain Christine's attention and she is love struck by this pompous Count that is quite arrogant. Later that night, Christine decides it's a good idea to go with the Phantom after he appears in her mirror. This is the second thing that makes me think Christine may be losing her mind. The Phantom leads Christine in a boat through the underneath of the Opera House to his "liar". There she sees replicas out of mannequins that he has made to look like her. Yet, she still doesn't run for the woods. However, as the musical progresses Christine grows closer to both Raoul and Phantom, only causing problems for herself. In the end, Phantom kidnaps Christine leading her back into his liar while guards and others rush to capture him. Then, Raoul appears to save Christine. The Phantom gives Christine the choice of choosing to stay with Phantom and Raoul will live, or she can choose Raoul and he will die. This is the problem I have at this point in the show. Christine knows that the Phantom truly loves her, so much that he would do anything to be with her. However, in the end, Christine chooses Raoul, which in the sequel proves to be a mistake. In the sequel, it ends up that Raoul is a drunken fool and leaves her and Christine learns that her child is actually the Phantom's and by the time she realizes that she truly loves the Phantom and made a mistake, she dies. But that's a story for a different day. Christine is so blinded by the fact that Raoul took an interest in her that she doesn't realize that Phantom loved her from the beginning before she was famous and that Raoul only took an interest after she was famous. Also, the Phantom loves her unconditionally, so much so that he even lets her leave with Raoul, before he disappears.
The Phantom of the Opera:
ReplyDeleteI think the Phantom makes his mistake before the show even begins. In the movie version of the musical, it is revealed that the Phantom was deformed as a child, (hence the mask), and was a circus sideshow. He escapes with the help of Madame Giry, who now works at the Opera House. Madame Giry helps the Phantom make a life for himself. In his lair, he composes music, and he is also a musical genius. He is overcome by Christine, and this is when his empire that he has built for himself starts to fall apart. The Phantom teaches Christine to sing, but his love for her is so much more. She basically leads him on the entire show, making him believe that he may actually have a chance with him. Then Raoul comes and screws everything up. Even though the Phantom has loved her from the beginning, Christine chooses Raoul because of his looks and status even though he may not really love her. The Phantom is a little crazy though, don't get me wrong. He sets up a doll that looks like Christine in a wedding dress in his lair. That's not the best way to impress a girl that you like. I think Christine is kind of a jerk in the end to Phantom as well. He gives her an ultimatum, which is never a good idea, and she ends up running across the room to kiss Phantom before running off with Raoul. The Phantom is then left heartbroken, before he has to disappear. The Phantom's fatal flaw is that he puts his happiness and everything he has built into the hands of this foolish and ungrateful girl and his entire empire is ruined
This is very interesting. I always hear about the Phantom of the Opera but have never looked into it. The title did not amuse me so I thought the show would not, but I believe I am wrong. This seems as if it would be a great play, but the characters confuse me already. Christine seems like she does not have a brain or any sense of self respect. She is oblivious to her surroundings it seems. How annoying!
DeleteI have to agree Abbey, Christina is a little bit stupid. I mean, the writings on the wall (James Bond reference anyone? No one got it? Okay then...ill just go be sad somewhere else) that the phantom may be a little bit obsessive. But Christina seems rather oblivious to this. Maybe I'm being a little too rational here, but someone who makes statues of you should probably be avoided. But no matter, the story would be so much less interesting if she ran away at the first sign of trouble.
DeleteI got your James Bond reference Giz, don't worry.
DeleteI do not know what the big deal with SpongeBob SquarePants is...I really don't. Pretty much everybody in the United States of America has seen at least ONE episode. But why is it that SpongeBob can say this? I mean...the show is not even that good. The last good episode was the SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. Nickelodeon had actually planned to cancel the show right after the movie came out. But then...they didn't. Everyone who made SpongeBob SquarePants good though left the show to move on to bigger and better things. New people came in and the show has stunk ever since. I agree, the show used to be good. But now, it's just plain bad and the characters send some terrible messages to today's children (and adults who continue to watch the show for no reason other than loyalty to their favorite childhood show). This is a show that was better left for dead.
ReplyDeleteSpongeBob
SpongeBob spends most of his days working at the Krusty Krab, jellyfishing, and annoying Squidward. There are multiple problems with this schedule though...for one, he works at a fast food place. I mean, don't get me wrong, the fast food industry is something great when you're a teenager just looking to make a couple extra bucks. But SpongeBob has worked at the Krusty Krab for pretty much his entire life. And from what appears on the show, it doesn't appear SpongBob has ever actually had any sort of formal education. Is Nickelodeon implying that it's okay to drop out of school and basically become a drain on society? It appears SpongBob spends money like it grows on trees. Think about all of the welfare he collects...Anyway, he loves to go jellyfishing with his friend Patrick. But...they're not actually very good at it. In fact, a trip to go jellyfishing almost always inevitably ends with them getting stung multiple times. I don't know what Nickelodeon is trying to promote here...maybe that dangerous activities are better than safe ones...I don't know. Whatever the case, this is not a message I approve of. And finally, SpongeBob and Patrick love to pick on their neighbor, Squidward. I get the fact that SpongBob and Patrick like to do stupid things together. But why is it that they always ask Squidward to join them. He said no once. Why does he need to say it 65 million times? I feel like in this case, Nickelodeon does not value the privacy of people who do do not want to go out and hang...in fact, they encourage people to go ahead and annoy their neighbors. This is dangerous, and I feel like it needs to be put to a stop. But SpongeBob is not the only character to send mixed messages. In fact...
Mr. Krabs
Mr. Krabs is the epitome of a terrible person. He doesn't value anyone's life, even that if his own daughter. On multiple occasions, he has humiliated her just for the sake of doing it. He also provides terrible working conditions for his two loyal employees. These two guys have been there since the beginning. Yet, Mr. Krabs insists on treating them like absolute garbage. And why does he do these two things...it's because he's cheap. His cheap attitude is a serious problem and if he were a real person, he'd be admitted to a mental institution. In the show, it appears he values money more than anything else. Nickelodeon is sending another dangerous message to the children of today. They are suggesting that money is worthy of more praise than God. This is in direct violation of the First Commandment. This show needs to be cancelled to save our youth before it's too late.
As much as I hate to admit it, SpongeBob is a horrible show. Some of the stuff on it is so dumb that it is funny and captivating, but the messages behind the characters are not so good. They are the seven deadly sins and you can tell by the way they rule their lives in spongebob. It is not like they are going against the deadly sins, though, but instead embracing and glorifying them through the characters. It is pretty bad.
DeleteI am not going to lie, I still watch Spongebob daily, but at some point I have to turn it off because I feel my brain cells rotting. Are we all just going to ignore on the Spongebob movie how David Hasslehoff appeared and to help Spongebob and Patrick? To get back to Bikini Bottom, Hasslehoff places them between his pec muscles and they launch downward.... Did that really happen? Yes. Yes, it did. SpongeBob also has failed his drivers test for 11 years straight, which is pretty sad. After the eleventh time I would give up. I guess that is some dedication right there.
DeleteBeauty and the Beast is a Disney princess movie most girls swoon over. Girls dress up like Belle and want to be Princess Belle, but what do you say about a girl who decides to have a romanic relationship with an animal? It is a little strange there is a Disney princess based off zoophilia? Belle meets the beast when she is on a search for her father. She wanders off into the forest where she finds an abandoned castle, which is always a great idea to enter. Inside she finds all the common house hold items are unusually animated. This starts out seeming like Belle may be a little schizophrenic, but as it goes on Belle finds the beast who she must stay forever for to take the place of her father. Throughout the course of her stay Belle finds love for the beast as he does her before the rose runs out of petals. It all sounds great and all, but why is a human falling in love with a beast?
ReplyDeleteBelle
Belle is a young, intelligent woman who is enchanted by books. She receives much admiration throughout the town, and it does not interest her. Although all the girls swoon for Gaston, Belle just is not that into him. She is not even slightly into him. She would much rather be reading books, which is sensible. When Belle's dad goes missing, Belle goes looking for him. Instead of a search team, the young woman goes by herself. Then when she sees a mysterious castle enters. Breaking and entering is not even the worst part. Belle is forced to stay there forever to rescue her father, which is kind, but also strange because she has no way of knowing they actually took him back to their village. She has too much faith in a beast who was transformed into a beast due to his terrible personality. Next, Belle is tortured by the beast's cruelty as the talking house objects act as his wingmen and try to hook them up. Then she gets him to open up, and she falls in love with him. Don't get me wrong, I love my cats, but I am definitely not looking for a relationship with my cats. Weird. Then after he gets attacked by Belle's crazy admirer, the beast changes back, but give me the first girl who can change their man's personality in real life and I might believe this story a little more.
Guston
Guston is just an annoying and conceited man who is out for attention. Although all the girls in town swoon over him, he must have the only uninterested girl in town. Sure, Belle may be beautiful and "the best," but then again Guston's personality makes it seem like she's just a mere conquest. Guston actually says he wants to marry Belle due to her being the "most beautiful girl town." Even if it is true, that is a very crappy reason to marry someone, and objectifies Belle. But Guston just cannot handle rejection. So he uses Belle's father as blackmail. He threatens to have her father in an insane asylum if she refuses his proposal, which she does. Then after she shows him the beast who she was spending all her time with, Guston raises an army to have the beast defeated. That is a little crazy in two ways. Normal people do not form militias whenever they are jealous their woman is spending too much time with another man, and it is weird he is jealous of a beast. Guston is actually suppose to be attractive, yet he is going crazy over a hairy beast. Guston's confidence always gets the best of him. Which can be seen when he chooses to battle the beast, which is obviously bigger than him. Come on pick on somebody your own size.