Lessons from Disney

I don’t know if I’m the only one, but I seriously get so inspired by Disney movies.  Even if it’s just a Disney song that comes on as I’m cleaning the kitchen, I get so overcome with thoughts about life and a motivation to be good.  If that seems a little crazy, here’s my reasoning.

Oh.  And before I start, this is a joint post.  Derek’s words are in bold and my words are not so bold.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Embedded in The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the theme question:  Who is the monster and who is the man?  Is the monster the hideous man who rings the bell tower, or is it really our “just” minister who seeks to rid this world of what he considers evil?  Or the goat that goes around headbutting everybody? As you watch the movie, the decision is easily made.  It's the goat. What makes a person a human is their ability to feel, not necessarily what they look like.

Phoebus is definitely a man, too.

"Hey, isn't that uh Feeble?...Doofus!...Phoebus!!!"

Another theme comes from the song, “Out there.”  Quasimodo’s only wish is to live one day as a regular person.  “Not above them, but part of them.”  Even though the townspeople go through their days doing menial tasks, that’s not how he sees it.

"Out there among the millers and the weavers and their wives

Through the roofs and gables I can see them

Ev'ry day they shout and scold and go about their lives

Heedless of the gift it is to be them

If I was in their skin

I'd treasure every instant"

What if we could live our lives like that?

And just because I’m obsessed, here are the two songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3otyDyFIe8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoFqnoebywo

Other lessons from The Hunchback:

• Never sleep with your mouth open--you could end up with a mouthful of feathers
• Don’t ever tell someone that they are shaped like a croissant is
• Frollo is just creepy
• If you get pet gargoyles, make sure to name them Victor, Hugo, and Laverne

Mary Poppins

I never really liked Mary Poppins until I had an assignment to watch it in 10th grade AP Euro.  (I think I was finally old enough to understand what was even going on the whole time)  But holy cow!!!  I LOVE IT.  Two things I want to point out. 1)  Bert is awesome.   He teaches us that no matter our circumstances, there is always beauty to enjoy and things to be optimistic about.  My favorite part:   “What did I tell ya? There's the whole world at your feet. And who gets to see it but the birds, the stars, and the chimney sweeps.”  Because honestly, who wants be a chimney sweep?  Not me. But Bert rejoices in what he gets to do.  A sweeper’s as lucky as lucky can be!  From him we learn that whatever our post we should do the best we can. (We also learn that showering is optional).

2)  This movie emphasizes the importance of family.  Mary Poppin’s calling wasn't to clean the house, fly around town on an umbrella, or even to visit lonely men and then laugh on the ceiling (or even to help the medicine go down). Her job was to bring the Banks family closer together.  After so many years of leaving their children in second (or third, or fourth) place, the Banks parents finally realize what matters most.  Not huge bank deals.  Not pamphlets and marching through town.  It’s doing the little things their kids need.  And then they all go off to sing a heartwarming song about kites.

Other lessons from Mary Poppins:

• Don’t jump into a chalk drawing. You never know what might happen
• The feminist movement was still annoying, even back then. “Well done! Sister suffragettes!” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvk1NZDFvZU
• The feed the birds song is just creepy
  
  

Lion King

My favorite part of this movie is when the weird monkey guy Rafiki leads Simba to a pond to look at his reflection.  After a minute of initial frustration, Simba realizes that somewhere inside of him, his father is still there.  And then through the clouds Mufasa (“oooh, say it again!”) comes in.  “Simba.  You’ve forgotten who you are and therefore you have forgotten me . . .Remember who you are.  You are my son.” 

 Um….cool, right?!

President Spencer W. Kimball said that perhaps the most important word is remember (Liahona June 2007).  We’re not just here, trying to survive and Hakuna our way through life.  We are spirit sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father.  Who LOVES US.  But we have to remember that.  And remember Him.  

With that knowledge we then have the power to go forth, fight hyenas in fire, and someday, hopefully hold our babies on Pride Rock.

Other lessons from the Lion King:

• Premarital licking is inappropriate, even for lions
• Even if you’re feeling the love tonight
• Hyenas are just creepy
• Nobody likes a bossy bird

We haven't even gotten started on the lessons from Toy Story ("You have been chosen.  You must go!"), Beauty and the Beast (Once you grow up it's okay to eat 5 dozen eggs for breakfast), and Lady and the Tramp (Seriously, the Siamese cats are just creepy). So basically, our advice to all of you is to get out there and keep watching those Disney movies!