An expert has claimed that Disney's Beauty and the Beast is a "dangerous" movie to watch.
I never thought that sitting down to watch a Disney movie would come with a warning, but here we are.
Disney was probably a staple of all of our childhoods, and most of the time it is innocent fun for the whole family.
Except for the odd movie like The Lion King and Tarzan, that still leaves a bit of trauma that I feel today.
One movie that I wouldn't expect to come with a warning is Beauty and the Beast because what is so bad about a movie featuring a singing teacup?
It turns out, quite a lot... except the tea cup is fine.
Dr. Victoria Cann, a lecturer in Humanities at the University of East Anglia, argues that the 1991 Disney classic carries a more insidious risk.
Speaking to The Sun, Dr. Cann explained: “This is the most dangerous because the Beast always feels on the verge of violence. What it shows is a classic case of Stockholm Syndrome, where the captive falls in love with their captor to ensure their survival."
Dr. Cann added: "It also gives the unnerving idea that if a woman perseveres long enough, she can change an angry partner.
"At the end, the Beast then turns into this blonde-haired white man for another happy ever after, giving the idea that now he’s good looking, he can’t possibly be angry or threatening."
Dr. Cann’s critique was not limited to Beauty and the Beast. In her 2019 discussion with The Sun, she also raised concerns about Aladdin (1992), specifically regarding Princess Jasmine’s portrayal.
“Princess Jasmine is feistier as a princess. But she is still portrayed as a possession of wealthy, powerful men,” Dr. Cann said.
She also criticized the character’s costume, stating: “Dress-wise, she is basically in a bikini top to show off her very slight stomach, which seems to be an attempt by white filmmakers to make the dress of Middle Eastern women look more exotic and sexual.”
Of course, in many recent Disney movies, the story and characters have been a lot more progressive.
Do you think that Beauty and the Beast has some sinister undertones that we should protect our kids from?