The Case of the Best Disney (or Pixar) Princess Part 2
Welcome Back, Cassettes! This week we’re following up with our second episode of our Disney Pixar Princess March Match-Up!
Special thanks to Haley Osburn for being our guest judge! You can follow Haley @mspook11 on Twitter or @haley_is_fearless on Instagram. You can also visit her Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/HaleyAndLeahShow1
Ariel vs Moana
Ariel
First appearance in the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale, though the character she is based on has no name
She is “officially” the fourth Disney Princess after Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora (although there were other princesses before her)
The Little Mermaid (1989) is the known as the film that started the Disney renaissance, and for that reason quite possibly the most important Disney animated classic; It saved the studio
It’s worth noting that without Ariel, no other DIsney princess after the 1980s would exist
Voiced by Jodi Benson, Ariel is a strong-willed and passionate character known for her beautiful singing voice
Although she follows the trope of falling in love with someone she didn’t know, her headstrong personality set the stage for Disney princesses of the renaissance and after
Ariel is loving–she has many friends that help her on her quest to be with her true love
Her song “Part of Your World”
The Little Mermaid was also the first Disney film scored by Alan Menkin, who’s music is partially responsible for making Disney the animation powerhouse of the 1990s
Moana
Disney’s studio created the storyline for Moana based on Polynesian culture
The name Moana means “Ocean” and the film explains “The Long Pause” when Polynesians stopped voyaging for nearly 2000 years
Auli’i Cravalho was 14 years old when she was cast as the title character
Moana is strong-willed like many other Disney princesses of her time, and disobeys her father’s wishes much like Ariel
Moana, however, achieves her goal of saving her people and doing what’s best for them; her motivation is her love for her people and not romantic love
Moana (2016) was directed by the same duo that directed The Little Mermaid (1989) Ron Clements and John Musker
Jasmine vs Repunzel
Jasmine
Based on the character Princess Badroulbadour from the Aladdin tale added to 1001 Arabian Nights
She first appears as Jasmine in Aladdin (1992) and is officially the 6th Disney Princess
Jasmine is free-spirited and unwilling to follow the rules set by her kingdom’s tradition
Jasmine is independent, despite the fact that she has lived a lavish life within the palace. She isn’t afraid to go for what she wants in life.
During the climax of Aladdin, Jasmine seduces Jafar; This is an important moment for her and the movie because she distracts the villain enough for him to be defeated
Despite not being the main character of the film, Jasmine is a scene-stealer and is more than just a love interest for Aladdin
Jasmine is the catalyst for the Aladdin story while also telling s story of her own
Rapunzel
Her character and story has loosely been adapted from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale.
This movie expands upon why Rapunzel was locked away in a tower away from everyone else.
Disney added Rapunzel’s healing power which adds to her character
Rapunzel is the first Disney Princess that holds a magical power of her own with a movie centered around her and that power.
Voiced by Mandy Moore, Rapunzel is free-spirited and rebellious
Despite the fact that she is literally locked away, she doesn’t see herself as someone in need of rescue
When Rapunzel leaves her tower, she does so on her own and only because it’s her decision to do so
Rapunzel is a trusting person, never truly questioning why she’s been locked away until she finally sees the outside world
Her character undergoes a great change throughout the film, but her strong will and faith in others still stands, despite the fact that the person she trusted most lied to and manipulated her
Belle vs Pocahontas
Belle
Based on the protagonist in La Belle et la Bête, Belle is voiced by Paige O’Hara
She is known as the most beautiful girl in town despite the fact that she is also considered “peculiar”
It’s important to note that Beauty and the Beast (1991) was the first ever animated movie nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars
The critical acclaim this movie received helped cement Disney’s place as an animation juggernaut and put the Disney Renaissance in full swing
Belle is smart and kind, known for disregarding her own dreams of adventure in exchange for her father’s freedom
Because of Belle’s indifference toward conventional beauty, she is able to accept the beast for who he is and saves him and all the people in his castle from a lifetime of torment
Pocahontas
This character is based on the real Native American woman of the early 1600s
The movie is not accurate to her life, though she did ease tensions between English settlers and the Powhatan Tribe
Her rescue of John Smith is debated; According to John Smith’s account, his head was to be crushed before Pocahontas intervened. However, some historians believe that he might not have been in danger at all
Pocahontas also had no romantic relationship with John Smith, and him leaving for England while injured at the end of the film did happen
She is voiced by Irene Bedard, her singing voice by Judy Kuhn
Pocahontas is another free-spirited princess, not wanting to conform to tradition and ready to live a life of adventure
It’s her wisdom that helps the people of her tribe and the settlers alike to understand each other in the film (and from historical accounts, real life)
Tiana vs Merida
Tiana
Voiced by Anika Noni Rose, Tiana is the last of the 2D animated princesses
Tiana is arguably the hardest working of the princesses, her work ethic and restaurant dreams being a major plot point of the film
Tiana is not royal at at the beginning of the film and has no interest in being a princess, yet she eventually falls in love with Prince Naveen
It’s important to note that Tiana is the only princess from the United States (where Disney Animation is located); The only Disney princess in the 20th century, and the first and only African American Disney princess
Tiana is her own hero, determined to solve her own issues and ready to make her own dreams come true through hard work
Ultimately she learns not to focus too much on her dreams, but to find a balance between work and other important parts of life
Merida
Merida is the first human Pixar princess
Voiced by Kelly MacDonald, Merida is the only Scottish princess
Brave (2012) was an original story, though it contains elements of Scottish folklore
Merida is known for being headstrong and skilled with a bow and arrow
She defies her parents’ wishes and fights for her own hand in marriage, which goes against the customs of her people
Wanting to control her own fate, Merida does whatever she can to make her own wishes come true until it’s at the expense of her mother
Merida is able to go through a change in the movie that ends with her finding some middle ground between her and her mother
She’s a relatable princess for every young girl that has been at odds with her mother at some point in time