Disney Challenge: Classic Princesses

You can’t appreciate the modern princesses without recognizing the ones who came before!! This month we’ll be taking a look at the original Disney Princess lineup, and one…new addition. Make sure you check back in every Tuesday in February for the newest addition, and feel free to watch along as we go!!

Week 1: Snow White

Here we go with the first feature-length animated film from Walt Disney! The entire challenge wouldn’t even be possible were it not for the early beginnings. Like many of these, it originated as a Brothers Grimm fairytale that Disney adapted, and some of the darker themes can still be seen—I mean, bring back her heart? So dark.

Maybe one of these days I should do a breakdown of Disney villains because the Evil Queen has to be up there, right? I remember being scared by the anthropomorphic forest elements as a child—the branches as “hands,” scary trees, etc.—but the design of the Queen is timeless. The black and purple gown, the silhouetted face and red lips, all personifies evil before she even speaks a word.

And “seven untidy little children”? Rude. Though if some strange lady wants to come along and clean my place, I imagine I’d let her live here rent free too. Just whistle while you work, and don’t forget to sweep the hardwood floors.

Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?

Week 2: Cinderella

Cinderelly! Cinderelly!

Who has more woodland helpers at this point, Snow White, or Cinderella? I wanna know where I go to apply for some birdos to help me get dressed in the morning. And talking mice like Jack and Gus Gus, and Bruno the doggo…but you can keep that asshole, Lucifer. “Lucifer has his good points too…there must be something good about him?” Though I sometimes forget how much of this movie is basically just a Tom and Jerry cartoon.

And who doesn’t want a fairy godmother?! She was my favorite as a kid. And the dress she creates for Cinderella is timeless. But here’s a question: the mice become horses, and the horse…becomes a coachman?

A dream is a wish your heart makes!

Week 3: Sleeping Beauty

This is the last of the classic princesses, and the first thing I noticed was how much the color pops compared to the older two. The theme of these early princess movies was mainly true love, and how finding a prince to love you can raise your station in life from scullery maid to fair princess, but let’s not discount the importance placed on woodland creatures.

It’s weird that she was evil to begin with, but all of this could have been avoided had you just invited Maleficent? Maybe it got lost in the mail. And what a brilliant plan to foll her. Surely Maleficent will never recognize the three elderly women caring for Aurora who look exactly like the three elderly fairies in height, weight, voice, and wardrobe.

“It looks awful!”
“That’s because it’s on you, dear.”

THE SHADE.

Week 4: Princess Leia

YOU HEARD ME.

I’m aware it’s a technicality, but it’s my site and I don’t care. I love her.

Star Wars has been in my life as long as Disney has, and she’s been my Princess since I was a child. Luke is a whiny butt, and Han is rogueish, but Leia was always my favorite. So snarky, and yet warm at the same time. She’s saved herself more often than not.

And the best part may be that we get to see her entire arc through the years. From the young Rebel leader, all the way up to General Leia Organa. I miss her every day.

“Into the garbage chute, flyboy!!”

And with that, we’ve finished February! All the modern and classic princesses. Check back in a few days for the March movies!!