For so many of us, Disney movies were basically our fairy godparents, raising us just about as much as anybody else. So, it can be challenging when someone comes along and calls these animated classics out.
But that's exactly what Keira Knightley has done recently, talking about the choices of entertainment that go on in her own household.
Elizabeth Swann was a breakout role for Knightley in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, starting with 2003's The Curse of the Black Pearl.
So, when it comes to knowing her way around a Disney movie, it's safe to say that Keira Knightley has, at the very least, an informed opinion on the process.
Banned movies? Seems a little harsh, but okay, let's hear her out.
According to Knightley, it's frustrating for her because The Little Mermaid is a well-made movie, and "the songs are great, but do not give your voice up for a man. Hello?"
Ariel's always been fascinated with the human world, but after meeting Prince Eric, that desire goes into overdrive, prompting Ariel to make the deal.
The reason for Cinderella's banning is because "she waits around for a rich guy to rescue her. Don't. Rescue yourself, obviously." The statement was followed by applause from The Ellen Show's audience.
There's her fairy godmother, and the Prince. She even has birds help her get dressed and a pack of mice that help make her dress and assist in her escaping from her bedroom after her stepmother locks her in.
Along with kids programming like Peppa Pig and Dora the Explorer, the actress offered up Frozen and Moana as Disney movies with a way less problematic message.
On the red carpet for the premiere of The Nutcracker, she told the Press Association that she "wonder[s] what Elsa would say to Ariel and Cinderella." (via Metro)
At first, watching Frozen, we can't believe that Elsa would stay in the way of true love, but ultimately, the movie teaches us that those first flirty moments don't tell us anywhere near enough about a person, and, ultimately, that Elsa was probably right.
"She’s like 'absolutely that is not okay' and in fact everyone in Frozen is not okay with that. What would Elsa say to Ariel, who gives up her voice for a man?" said Knightley.
Knightley championed Ariel's heroism in saving her Prince, Eric, but also thinks that Elsa would have given Ariel some reasonable advice.
In talking to her kids at storytime, Bell took the time to pick apart some of the more dicey sections of the tale.
She wouldn't expect her own kids to take food from strangers, so why wouldn't she question it when Snow White does it?
As in, why are we all acting like it's totally normal for this guy to ride up and kiss an unconscious stranger?
Granted, Knightley wasn't going around promoting Elizabeth Swann as an example to be followed.
@LoTCosplay, who cosplays as another iconic Disney princess — Belle from Beauty and the Beast— would go on to explain exactly what she meant about just scratching the surface.
So yeah, there's something to be said for having the conversation in the first place, but it's reasonable to question if outright banning the movies is the way to go about it.
Also a fair point. The Prince didn't really do a whole lot to "rescue" Cinderella. If anything, it was the mice who helped her rescue herself.
Which is a reasonable argument, although it doesn't mean that we can't also discuss the squicky and/or problematic parts, too.
I don't know about "fake morals" since these are good conversations to have, but the Triton comparison isn't out of place.
There's no doubt that the culture we consume can change how we think and feel.
At the very least, Keira Knightley and Kristen Bell are making sure that these conversations are happening.
