"Oh yes, the past can hurt. But you can either run from it, or learn from it.” states the great and colourful, inspirational yet confused monkey Rafiki from The Lion King. I know I’m throwing it way back for most of you, but children movies are straight up, real, and have many life lessons. To having many layers like an onion (Shrek), to wanting to live rather than surviving (Wall-E), to just keep swimming (Finding Nemo)… so many life lessons hiding behind quirky characters and entertaining story lines, it is truly great actually. Just think of how many subliminal messages were pushed into our young minds, some for worse, but some for better. For a classic, world known cartoon to state not to dwell in the past and learn from it, by referring to Simba about learning from Mufasa’s death, pure genius to put that in kids heads! We would have not realized it then, though we may be able to go back into our past decisions and mind sets to think how we followed some of these lessons without realizing it. Learning from Ratatouille, with “everyone can cook” and “your only limit is your soul”… look how many things in your life you weren’t afraid to do even when other people told you that you couldn't. Look at Monsters Inc., a film surrounded by friendship. “You and I are a team, there is nothing more important than our friendship”, which I know can apply to many of your guys experiences in the past. That is why my kids will be watching cartoons that I grew up with, and hopefully if they keep creating GOOD children films, newer ones too.
Like I said however, these movies can also send not so positive subliminal messages as well. Mostly surrounding womanizing and prejudice. The common prince saving the “damsel in distress” has and will be talked about in feminism articles for years. Cinderella, Snow White, and all princess fairy tales pretty much… except for Brave, great ass movie… show a fragile woman being swept off their feet by a prince charming riding in on a gallant stead… BLAH BLAH BLAH! Those scenes being pushed into kids heads leave as great as an impression as good life lessons. Girls start to think they have to wait for a boy to save them from a situation or they have no say in a relationship and that men are their superior. Its been talked about for years about these subliminal messages in children movies and fairytales, take a look at this short video for examples.
Overall… I will forever love Disney, Pixar and all cinematic adventures that truly make me feel like a kid again. Now I know about these messages and are more aware, my mind will only intake the fun in these movies… and sometimes the sad moments where I ball my eyes out (the last Toy Story when Andy dropped off his toys… I couldn't handle it!!!). Don't be afraid to live like a kid and enjoy films like these. Show your kids them… as long as you explain the importance in the movie and make them see the good life messages and not the bad, they can truly enjoy the experience even more, and so can you!
Love;
Rachel
Want more real life shit, follow me on Instagram True20something or search the hashtag #true20something. MUAH
No comments:
Post a Comment