I can't believe I haven't done one of these until now. :) Enjoy!
10) Miriam (The Prince of Egypt)
I believe that Dreamworks' "The Prince of Egypt" is one of the most underrated films ever created, and Miriam is no exception. Only a supporting character in a film that is almost entirely about her brother, Moses, Miriam manages to shine despite her rather minor role. She isn't traditionally pretty (paling in comparison to the lithe and exotic Tzipporah,) but she has an innate, inner goodness that shows throughout her being. Despite having spent her whole life enduring backbreaking work, hunger, and abuse, Miriam trusts the God that she loves to care for her, no matter how far away he may seem. Spirited, faithful, and a shining example of how strong beliefs can help toi endure anything, Miriam is a great example of a great character in a very great film.
9) Meg (Hercules)
Say what toi want about Meg, but she's unique, particularly for Disney heroines. Sarcastic, jaded, and even bitter, Meg is a far cry from the original creation, sweet, happy, upbeat Snow White. Meg is in many ways the modern young woman; she has baggage (because she's old enough and mature enough to have it,) she's got insecurities, and at times, she's got an awful attitude, but hey, she's human. I like than even though Meg is technically a supporting character, she has her own backstory; she doesn't exist purely to give Hercules something to do. I also like that Meg is portrayed as a (mostly) positive character, despite all her obvious personality issues. What's the message here? toi can still be a good person despite of, maybe even because of, your imperfections, and who doesn't get need to hear that?
8) Captain Amelia
Belle is often donné credit for being the "smart" Disney heroine, but in my opinion, that honor goes to Captain Amelia, of the (severely underrated) "Treasure Planet." Captain Amelia might just be the coolest female character ever created par Disney. Authoritative, in-control, whip-smart and clearly highly educated, Captain Amelia is a woman in high position and of high ambition, traits unheard of with Disney women until this point. The only reason she's this low on my liste is because she (*sigh*) eventually caves at the end and falls in love, settles down, and has babies, totally trumping any badass-ness she had going for her. (Just once, I want Disney to create an awesome female character that doesn't end up snuggling into a traditional gender role at the end. *climbs off soapbox*) However, despite her eventual fall from grace, Captain Amelia is a great character, and one of my all-time favorites.
7) Cinderella
I know that she may seem a little passive and weak compared to the other heroines on this list, but for the record, I adore Cinderella. I l’amour her grace, her elegance, her beauty... she's kind of the Audrey Hepburn of the Disney Princesses, with her understated sincerity and quiet regality. I like that she has a breaking point; she's spent so much of her life playing par the rules, so much of her life trusting that everything will work out if she just does what she's told, if she just works harder, if she just is plus pleasant ou kindhearted. When that doesn't work out, Cendrillon has had enough, and it's time to take fate into her own hands (with some help of course.) I think most women fall into this category. Even the nicest girl-next-door can only take so much neglect, and it's when we set out to take control of our own lives that we start to truly shine, just as Cendrillon does.
6) Jessica Rabbit
DAMN. The single hottest woman ever drawn is also a remarkably interesting character, despite being an entirely supporting character. Sexy, bold, and yet kindhearted, Jessica is the polar opposite of how animated women had been betrayed before 1988: (keep in mind that the last major animated heroine was Aurora.) I l’amour her sensuality, her sense of humor, and her seeming obliviousness to the fact that she could clearly do better than Roger Rabbit. To her, they're soul mates. If that's not proof that l’amour is blind, I don't know what is.
5) Jasmine
My l’amour of jasmin is astoundingly new. I used to be Anti-Jasmine, calling her spoiled, crabby, and hard to relate to. With the exception of the latter, I still believe those things, but my view on those attributes has changed. jasmin is pretty significant in the Princess canon for being high-spirited, flirty, and the first princess who feels genuinely intelligent as opposed to well-read ou merely curious. I even like her defiant streak; it makes her plus memorable than if she'd cowered and caved under pressure like other princesses. Whatever the reason, I've been permenently won over to Team Jasmine, and I'm never going back.
4) Odette
I truly l’amour Odette, and I don't think she gets enough credit. On a purely superficial note, I think that luscious Farrah Fawcett hair of hers is to die for, but plus than that, I like how spirited she is, without ever losing her princessy personality. She's what I imagine Cendrillon would be like if Cendrillon were plus of a modern woman. Even though she is beautiful, Odette isn't concerned with being a trophy wife. She wants to marry Derick, but only if she feels he truly loves her for who she is, not her beauty. Even when faced with living life as a swan, ou worse, Odette doesn't fade away. Rather, she seems to thrive on the adversity, even challenging and bickering to Rothbart's face. In my opinion, Odette is the perfect princess: lovely, enchanting, and with a spine of steel.
3) Belle
I'm not going to spend much time here because everyone knows why Belle is so likable. Intelligent, well-read, highly-relatable, and a huge step vers l'avant, vers l’avant for Disney heroines at the time, Disney's bookworm has a huge fanbase of hardcore fans, and I'll be the first to admit I'm one of them.
2) Esmeralda
I'll touch plus on how important Esme is during my suivant installment of the "Disney Feminism" articles, but for now, here's a sneak peek: I think Esmeralda is remarkable because she's confidant, sexy, and a mature woman rather than a fledgling teenage girl. She earns her own money, doesn't seem to depend on anyone, and can fight her own battles, but what's more, she stands up for something just because it's right. Unlike other heroines, she isn't motivated par a boy ou family issues. She does the right thing because it's right, independent of outside factors. She has a conscience, and I l’amour how she's portrayed as highly positive despite her brazen sexuality and confidence. (These traits are usually frowned upon, particularly in tradtional Disney films.) Keep an eye out for my article on "The Tough Girls" for plus on Esme.
1) Ariel
And of course, toi just can't beat the classic. Just like Belle, I won't spend any time on Ariel because you've heard it all before. I just l’amour her, despite all the reasons I probably shouldn't. :)
"God will not abandon you. So don't toi abandon us."
10) Miriam (The Prince of Egypt)
I believe that Dreamworks' "The Prince of Egypt" is one of the most underrated films ever created, and Miriam is no exception. Only a supporting character in a film that is almost entirely about her brother, Moses, Miriam manages to shine despite her rather minor role. She isn't traditionally pretty (paling in comparison to the lithe and exotic Tzipporah,) but she has an innate, inner goodness that shows throughout her being. Despite having spent her whole life enduring backbreaking work, hunger, and abuse, Miriam trusts the God that she loves to care for her, no matter how far away he may seem. Spirited, faithful, and a shining example of how strong beliefs can help toi endure anything, Miriam is a great example of a great character in a very great film.
"I'm a big tough girl. I can tie my own sandals and everything."
9) Meg (Hercules)
Say what toi want about Meg, but she's unique, particularly for Disney heroines. Sarcastic, jaded, and even bitter, Meg is a far cry from the original creation, sweet, happy, upbeat Snow White. Meg is in many ways the modern young woman; she has baggage (because she's old enough and mature enough to have it,) she's got insecurities, and at times, she's got an awful attitude, but hey, she's human. I like than even though Meg is technically a supporting character, she has her own backstory; she doesn't exist purely to give Hercules something to do. I also like that Meg is portrayed as a (mostly) positive character, despite all her obvious personality issues. What's the message here? toi can still be a good person despite of, maybe even because of, your imperfections, and who doesn't get need to hear that?
"Doctor. To Muse and blabber about a treasure map in front of this particular crew, demonstrates a level of ineptitude that borders on the imbecilic! And I mean that in a very caring way."
8) Captain Amelia
Belle is often donné credit for being the "smart" Disney heroine, but in my opinion, that honor goes to Captain Amelia, of the (severely underrated) "Treasure Planet." Captain Amelia might just be the coolest female character ever created par Disney. Authoritative, in-control, whip-smart and clearly highly educated, Captain Amelia is a woman in high position and of high ambition, traits unheard of with Disney women until this point. The only reason she's this low on my liste is because she (*sigh*) eventually caves at the end and falls in love, settles down, and has babies, totally trumping any badass-ness she had going for her. (Just once, I want Disney to create an awesome female character that doesn't end up snuggling into a traditional gender role at the end. *climbs off soapbox*) However, despite her eventual fall from grace, Captain Amelia is a great character, and one of my all-time favorites.
"No matter how your cœur, coeur is grieving, if toi keep on believing, the dream toi wish will come true."
7) Cinderella
I know that she may seem a little passive and weak compared to the other heroines on this list, but for the record, I adore Cinderella. I l’amour her grace, her elegance, her beauty... she's kind of the Audrey Hepburn of the Disney Princesses, with her understated sincerity and quiet regality. I like that she has a breaking point; she's spent so much of her life playing par the rules, so much of her life trusting that everything will work out if she just does what she's told, if she just works harder, if she just is plus pleasant ou kindhearted. When that doesn't work out, Cendrillon has had enough, and it's time to take fate into her own hands (with some help of course.) I think most women fall into this category. Even the nicest girl-next-door can only take so much neglect, and it's when we set out to take control of our own lives that we start to truly shine, just as Cendrillon does.
6) Jessica Rabbit
DAMN. The single hottest woman ever drawn is also a remarkably interesting character, despite being an entirely supporting character. Sexy, bold, and yet kindhearted, Jessica is the polar opposite of how animated women had been betrayed before 1988: (keep in mind that the last major animated heroine was Aurora.) I l’amour her sensuality, her sense of humor, and her seeming obliviousness to the fact that she could clearly do better than Roger Rabbit. To her, they're soul mates. If that's not proof that l’amour is blind, I don't know what is.
"If I do marry, I want it to be for love."
5) Jasmine
My l’amour of jasmin is astoundingly new. I used to be Anti-Jasmine, calling her spoiled, crabby, and hard to relate to. With the exception of the latter, I still believe those things, but my view on those attributes has changed. jasmin is pretty significant in the Princess canon for being high-spirited, flirty, and the first princess who feels genuinely intelligent as opposed to well-read ou merely curious. I even like her defiant streak; it makes her plus memorable than if she'd cowered and caved under pressure like other princesses. Whatever the reason, I've been permenently won over to Team Jasmine, and I'm never going back.
"I need to know that he loves me for just being me."
4) Odette
I truly l’amour Odette, and I don't think she gets enough credit. On a purely superficial note, I think that luscious Farrah Fawcett hair of hers is to die for, but plus than that, I like how spirited she is, without ever losing her princessy personality. She's what I imagine Cendrillon would be like if Cendrillon were plus of a modern woman. Even though she is beautiful, Odette isn't concerned with being a trophy wife. She wants to marry Derick, but only if she feels he truly loves her for who she is, not her beauty. Even when faced with living life as a swan, ou worse, Odette doesn't fade away. Rather, she seems to thrive on the adversity, even challenging and bickering to Rothbart's face. In my opinion, Odette is the perfect princess: lovely, enchanting, and with a spine of steel.
"I want so much plus than this provincial life."
3) Belle
I'm not going to spend much time here because everyone knows why Belle is so likable. Intelligent, well-read, highly-relatable, and a huge step vers l'avant, vers l’avant for Disney heroines at the time, Disney's bookworm has a huge fanbase of hardcore fans, and I'll be the first to admit I'm one of them.
"God help the outcasts, the poor and downtrod. I thought we all were the children of God.."
2) Esmeralda
I'll touch plus on how important Esme is during my suivant installment of the "Disney Feminism" articles, but for now, here's a sneak peek: I think Esmeralda is remarkable because she's confidant, sexy, and a mature woman rather than a fledgling teenage girl. She earns her own money, doesn't seem to depend on anyone, and can fight her own battles, but what's more, she stands up for something just because it's right. Unlike other heroines, she isn't motivated par a boy ou family issues. She does the right thing because it's right, independent of outside factors. She has a conscience, and I l’amour how she's portrayed as highly positive despite her brazen sexuality and confidence. (These traits are usually frowned upon, particularly in tradtional Disney films.) Keep an eye out for my article on "The Tough Girls" for plus on Esme.
"I don't know when, I don't know how, but I know something starting right now: someday I'll be part of your world!"
1) Ariel
And of course, toi just can't beat the classic. Just like Belle, I won't spend any time on Ariel because you've heard it all before. I just l’amour her, despite all the reasons I probably shouldn't. :)
