For each themed movie review, you will write a 1-page (single space, about 500 words) review based on the given guidelines. You can choose a version of a movie based on your preference. Please also note that I DO NOT grade on length. I grade on the quality of your writing, reflection and participation. The following page can also be used to help you find where you might locate a particular Disney movie:
https://www.justwatch.com/us/provider/disney-plus
Our third themed movie review and discussion is centered around the idea of “childhood, boyhood, and manhood” – the representation of children, childhood and family relations in the Disney movies. Please choose one movie from the following series (yes, you pick and whichever version as you like): Bambi, Dumbo, Winnie-the-pooh, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Lilo & Stitch, Toy Stories, Incredibles, Wreck-it Ralph, Cars, Up, Inside Out, Zootopia, Coco, Soul, … (what else? Feel free to add) to watch and then discuss:
- Please indicate which year/ version/ edition of the movie you have chosen to watch. Explain your reason for choosing this title (movie) and the specific edition. In on sentence, summarize the storyline of the movie.
- Who is the main character? What is the main character’s age and distinctive characteristics and how is the main character represented? How might such representation in the movie inform or reflect our society’s notions on how a child should behave and what childhood looks like?
- How is the family relation portrayed in the movie? Does the main character have any family members and how are the family relations like? Does the representation of family or family style perpetuate any common notions of gender, family, parent-child dynamics in a society?
- In view of this movie and other Disney movies you have watched, what are some common notions about childhood in Disney movies? In your opinion, how might Disney’s depiction of childhood impact how children perceive themselves, their activities and expectations?
