No Anna or Elsa, they're too busy being cash cows
12. Moana
There's something about her that's just very forgettable, maybe it's because her movie evokes such apathy in me. Everything about her just screams "perfect modern role model" even 더 많이 so than princesses like Belle, Poca, 뮬란 또는 Tiana and I find her even 더 많이 "marketable", "manufactured" and obnoxiously flawless than Rapunzel. Even becoming chief feels like some gimmicky "role model" thing, like "look, she's a strong leader". If I was introduced to her when I was younger like the 이전 princesses maybe I'd like her fine but then again I actually DON'T like Simba either (he bores me) and he has a very similar "becoming leader of my people" arc, and at least his movie, which I don't even 사랑 as much as other people, is actually memorable.
11. Merida
As for Merida, two things worth noting, she's the only princess who did something that borders on morally reprehensible BUT she tries her hardest to redeem herself 의해 the end of the film. Her character development is well done for the most part, as is her relationship with her mother, though I do feel like Elinor sacrificed 더 많이 than she did. I used to have a 더 많이 vitriolic reaction to her, but I got over it, she is cool and like Moana, she might have benefited from being put in a better movie. However, unlike Moana, I do feel like they took a bit 더 많이 time to make her "human" rather than a "role model", nor do I feel the need to consistently bring up other DPs and even non-DPs when I talk about her, so that's something.
10. Aurora
Now, here's a character that I don't have high on my list but I actually find myself defending quite a bit, I've even written two 기사 about Aurora. I don't think she's complex 또는 super duper deep, and a few of her 팬 do go overboard, but she's not a blank slate either and her detractors need to stop 연기 like her 팬 "over-analyzing" her is this sweeping epidemic. She's still one of the least 인기 princesses, so calm down. In regards to Aurora herself, of all the princesses, she's the one most concerned with love, romance and a prince, and 당신 know what, there's nothing wrong with that. I just wish we saw 더 많이 of her, but in the short time she was on screen, I enjoyed this regal, obedient, hopelessly romantic girl.
9. Belle
I used to find her snobby, and she still is a little bit, but now I think her "stuck up outcast" persona is kind of endearing. She is willing to level with people, like the Beast, 당신 just gotta meet her half way. And it's not like the townspeople are saints, they're clearly ignorant and shallow. She is intelligent but not in the way people think, it's in how she's able to persuade conversations in her favor, she uses that a lot on other characters. I like that even though she's 더 많이 mature and well spoken, she has a bit of a childlike curiosity and enthusiasm, considering her taste in books. And I wouldn't downplay what she did for her father too much, it seems like an easy choice in the moment but if 당신 really think long-term, it actually is a pretty scary and tough decision to make. So yeah, there's quite a bit to like about Belle.
8. Rapunzel
She was my least 가장 좋아하는 for a while but she's back in my good graces now. As mentioned before, her "relatability" and "marketability" are a bit over the 상단, 맨 위로 but she does have a few moments of realism. Particularly, whenever she's near Gothel 또는 faces the fears that have been ingrained in her head. Like when Gothel sends the Stabbington brothers after her for her hair, that's Rapunzel's worst nightmare coming to life and her reactions are lowkey heartbreaking. Punz is probably one of the most realistic and slightly horrific portrayals of a mental abuse victim in film, without delving into adult territory of course. I like her 사랑 and talent for painting and how it plays a subtle role in her finally realizing the truth. In my opinion, hobbies like hers, 또는 Belle's reading, are the right way to humanize a character and make them relatable, not those cheap obvious "normal girl" tropes 당신 find with Anna.
7. Pocahontas
One quality that I'm glad 더 많이 people are noticing in Pocahontas is that she's a combination of qualities. She is calm and wise beyond her years but she's also playful and energetic. A lot of people think she loses her personality as the film goes on but I actually think her duality is big part of why she becomes so mopey and confused. She's a balance between the rebellion (Ariel) and nobility (Belle) of other princesses. Some characters would run off with John Smith, (Jasmine) other characters would stick with their tribe, (Mulan) Pocahontas is in the middle so she's torn between her wise side and wild side. And none of these traits feel contradictory, she's just 더 많이 confident and well versed in some areas (compassion for nature and people) and extremely slow in others. (de-escalating conflicts) It would have been nice if she had a "breather" scene equivalent to Ariel's 일 out in the town to showcase her fun side 더 많이 but still, she kept me engaged.
6. Snow White
Because these films are fairytales and fantasy, aspects of a character can be a exaggerated, case in point Snow White. Her over the 상단, 맨 위로 optimism is so in your face that it's easy to paint her with a broad brush and overlook many characteristics that go against the common notion that she's this docile lamb. Firstly, she's surprisingly level headed and proactive when faced with a dire crisis. She devises a plan to earn her keep with the dwarfs, using her skills (cooking, cleaning) to her advantage. Her motherly nature combined with her bossy attitude actually makes for a pretty good leader. She has a slight spunk to her, which is highlighted whenever she teases 또는 scolds the dwarfs, especially Grumpy. She is innocent and naïve, and later her naivety (believing in the wishing apple) combined with her sternness (scolding the 동물 for trying to warn her) gets her into trouble. Snow White is a pretty straight 앞으로 character but we shouldn't let our judgment be clouded 의해 preconceived notions and ignore the not-so-subtle nuances in her personality.
5. Tiana
I just recently wrote an 기사 about her so I don't want to repeat myself too much. The biggest issue with Tiana is when she turns into a frog, she becomes significantly 더 많이 overbearing and insufferable. As I stated previously, the writers went too far in making Tiana and Naveen "foils" of each other with her work 모토 and his fun motto. This isn't helped 의해 the fact that she's shockingly 더 많이 thickheaded than Naveen. However, whenever she's human, a 더 많이 well, "human" Tiana is present. She genuinely just seems like a serious but well mannered young lady who just wants to make her father proud, and in the back of her mind she does feel somewhat drained 의해 her passion, so her mother and friends' criticisms of her lack of fun and 사랑 do not fall on completely deaf ears. Her character development is flawed but she does her learn the error of her ways and I admire her general characteristics, diligence, maturity, practicality, all of which I aspire to have myself.
4. Ariel
What I can say about Ariel that hasn't been said before? She's a self absorbed, stubborn, spoiled brat who's completely oblivious to how her actions affect others and never takes full responsibility for the mess she indirectly started, but still I 사랑 her. She doesn't mean to cause everyone grief, it's just her singular minded unrelenting determination clouds her thinking. In my opinion, the only thing Ariel did that was morally wrong was not having the foresight to know Ursula's intentions and even then, majority of the blame for Ursula's actions fall on Ursula, not Ariel. I gravitate towards Ariel a lot because her story kind of resonates with me. I'm quite frankly sick of living with my family and I'm dying to 옮기기 out, I still 사랑 them but I'm in a time of life where I'm just ready to go. It's the same with Ariel, I understand her desire to get out, be free, explore and just live her own life. We all have to leave the nest at some point. I also 사랑 her thirst for adventure and knowledge, her exuberance and her fierce tenacity, she's just an all around fun character.
3. Jasmine
I'm slightly frustrated because I know the upcoming 알라딘 remake will completely drain all personality from her character and further perpetuate lame arguments against the original, just like with Belle and Cinderella. She was never concerned about 사랑 또는 marriage, all she wanted was to be free and to make her own choices in life, IF 사랑 comes along her way, that's fine. I 사랑 how she's constantly trying to take matters into her own hands, even though she fails at every turn. I know it's realistic but it would be nice if she accomplished something whenever she takes charge but the film is not her story, it's Aladdin. Her bold and fiery personality is complimented 의해 her cunning intuition, the 분 she got a good look at "Prince Ali" she knew he looked familiar and later, she tricks him into revealing himself. She is a quick thinker, a fast learner and knows to adapt to situations, but she's not up to speed on everything (like the concept of paying) and her outbursts can get her into trouble. Overall, despite being not being the 별, 스타 of the story, 재스민 속, 재 스민 is a well rounded out and extremely interesting character.
2. Cinderella
I could just cite the increasingly famous "Cinderella: Stop Blaming the Victim" video 의해 ScreenPrism because they pretty much hit the nail on the head about 신데렐라 and how amazing she is. I'm so happy that 더 많이 and 더 많이 people are pushing back against the vocal minority of strawmen who pick apart 신데렐라 and her movie as well as the other princesses. It's wonderful how she's kind of become a symbol of what Walt intended for 디즈니 to represent, having faith, having inner strength and enduring hardships. In addition to being "ever gentle and kind", she actually has a subtle sly sense of humor and a pretty realistic outlook on life, for example she doesn't let faith do all the work nor does she let her one chance at happiness slip through her fingers. Unlike her weird remake counterpart, who just sits back 노래 to herself and accepts her fate. Oh yeah, way less problematic than original character. Anybody with an ounce of goodness in their 심장 and has ever put up with mistreatment can relate to 신데렐라 and her story. 당신 can't always be aggressive and behave anyway 당신 want, sometimes 당신 have to choose "practicality over justice" as ScreenPrism says. She's a very realistic and inspiring character who's message still holds up and is relevant over 60 years since her film's release.
1. Mulan
My list has changed from my time to time but #1 has always remained the same. I have always found 뮬란 to be inspirational and relatable. I see a lot of myself in her, she's a naturally unmotivated and lazy person but if she's doing something she really cares about, she'll try her best, even if she chooses less than honest methods. Some would say her character growth is unrealistic but if 당신 watch any 디즈니 movie, like Tarzan, character development taking place over a musical number, which takes place over a course of weeks is common. Plus, I think it's 더 많이 that 뮬란 had inklings of the qualities that lead her to victory deep within, such as nobility and cunning, she just wasn't utilizing them properly, taking the easy way out works for fighting in a war, it doesn't really work for doing household chores.
I admit that luck and help from her friends, who are men, were part of her achievements but I don't think even she herself would deny that. 뮬란 takes note of the detrimental aspects of both femininity ("with good breeding and a tiny waist") and masculinity ("just because I look like a man doesn't have to smell like one") and she encounters women like the Matchmaker and men like Chi Fu but 뮬란 still loves women and men. She does try to conform to their values and even retains some of those respective qualities, but they're ultimately not for her. She's not the perfect woman, nor she is a man, she's just Mulan, a brave, intelligent, family oriented young woman who grows to be a bit 더 많이 confident.
This is why her story resonates with a lot of people, including myself. 뮬란 struggled to find her place in the world, and through grit, wit, and a little help from others, she made her own. When she's given a chance to further leave an impact as the Emperor's adviser, she declines, because, throughout all the amazing things she did, her biggest priority was still her family. She never wanted to make this huge revolutionary change, she just wanted to prove herself, be comfortable in her own skin and make her family proud, that's it. And I hope all of these qualities can still remain in the upcoming remake.
Well there 당신 go, you'll probably notice something with my bottom two but I've made my issues clear in 이전 articles, I won't beat a dead horse. It felt good to really get my thoughts out there and address a few arguments that I've wanted to refute for a long time. Anyways, thanks for reading!
