Disney movies rated "PG"???

Last night I hosted a Disney Movie night with some of my friends. As much as it didn't go quite as planned, it was still really fun to watch some of the classic tales. We ended up watching Tarzan, Mulan, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

However much fun it was, in each of the movies we watched there were things that made me somewhat upset. Mostly over their portrayal of religion and gender roles. These are things as a child I didn't pick up on, but now as a young adult are easily recognizable.

I think that's how faith grows too. As a young child in faith and a new believer, you don't always recognize the signs of temptation or the devil in general, but as you grow deeper in your faith, you are more aware of your surroundings. Also, when you're younger, you're more apt to try new things and search for your meaning and purpose in life. But when you are older, you have found where your passion and your gifts lie and try to focus on those and how to glorify God using those talents.

These thoughts somewhat tainted my experience of watching Disney movies, but at the same time they are the classic tales that are fun to sing along to. I guess because of many professors who have taught me are "post-modern" believers, I have learned that stereotyping and reinforcing those stereotypes has brought this society to what it is today. Physical appearance was the most obvious characteristic that was over-emphasized and -exaggerated. In Tarzan they have this big macho man who is musclar and the 'ideal' look for a man. In Mulan, they sing a song about how men like ladies that have skinny waists and are proper. Lastly, in Hunchback, Quasimoto was told by his master that he is ugly and a monster, which is reinforced by the 'hero' in the movie is this stunning looking male with blonde hair, blue eyes, and whom is built. The heroine in this movie is also with beautiful looks, and falls for the hero, and not Quasimoto (which he likes her). As much as there are many negatives, there are some good ideas that develop through the movies. For instance, in Mulan, they are really trying to show that you should just be who you are, not who other people want you to be.

Anyways, this is just my ramblings about Disney after watching 3 movies last night. I like being able to take multi-media and relate it to my life and faith journey. Kinda cool as I see these ideas developing in me, and as I see myself growing too.