Disney's Live-Action 'Aladdin' Changes The Narrative Of The Helpless Princess | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Disney's Live-Action 'Aladdin' Is Changing The Narrative Of The Helpless Princess

Love them or hate them, the new live-action movies are taking a feminist spin.

186
Disney's Live-Action 'Aladdin' Is Changing The Narrative Of The Helpless Princess

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers of the live-action "Aladdin."

I will be the first to say that I genuinely really love Disney. Their animated movies are part of my childhood and the childhoods of so many other kids around the world. With that being said, I find myself really conflicted about their new live-action remakes of popular movies. I mean, I loved the new "Beauty and the Beast" (because who can't love Emma Watson — even if she can't sing?), but the whole concept of remaking something that was already really good screams "let's make more money" to me.

But I think "Aladdin" actually made an important difference when it came to a remake. It changed the narrative regarding women, and it gave Princess Jasmine a voice that she so desperately needed.

When I first heard that they were remaking "Aladdin," I was skeptical to say the least, mostly regarding Will Smith as Genie, because I didn't think that anyone could play the role better than Robin Williams. However, Will Smith did a wonderful job as Genie and gave it some new flavor and truly made the role his own.

I was really interested to see how this new "Aladdin" was going to stack up against the old one in terms of its treatment of women. In "Beauty and the Beast," Belle is already a strong female character, so Disney didn't have to work to make her any different than what she already is.

But in the original movie, Jasmine has no voice, no character growth, and not much of a personality, and I wanted to see what Disney was going to do with her character now that they had the chance to remake the movie.

Let me say this: the live-action remake of "Aladdin" turned Jasmine into a strong, badass bitch who isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes in. And I'm here for it.

If you're a fan of musicals at all (guilty as charged, over here), you might have already listened to the soundtrack for this without seeing the movie, and you might have stumbled upon the song "Speechless." This song belongs to Jasmine and Jasmine alone and it shows how important standing up for what she believes in is to her. The song highlights a new character trait that Disney gave Jasmine. Disney made her a strong character who believes in making her own way in the world and standing up for others. They created a character who becomes the sultan, a male role. They gave Jasmine the ability to choose if she wanted to go after Aladdin. Disney made everything about Jasmine strong. And I'm beyond excited with the way that she was portrayed in this movie.

Disney, I'm giving you a round of applause for finally realizing that the damsel in distress narrative wasn't working and giving us a strong Jasmine, even if it was a little late.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

131927
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

30489
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

28046
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments