This video is a favorite of mine that I discovered quite a long time ago. In this video, Jon Cozart, also known as "Paint" on YouTube, parodies several Disney movie princesses (Ariel from The Little Mermaid, Jasmine from Aladdin, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and Pocahontas from Pocahontas). He takes their individual situations and incorporates them into the real world. He provides each of the stories an alternative ending and makes each princess come face to face with real world problems.
The first up is Ariel, the mermaid princess. Ariel is living in her perfect little sea world, but something is destroying her ecosystem: British Petroleum. Obviously, there is a large environmental crisis concerning BP's oil spill. The Little Mermaid has to deal with the fallout of it. Ironically, she is drowning in her very own natural habitat where she's supposed to be able to survive in the first place.
Next, Cozart gives us the point of view of Princes Jasmine. He pokes fun at the "war on terrorism", making Aladdin an alleged terrorist part of the Taliban who is unjustly interrogated by the "nation of the free". This brings up the problem with racist behaviors and thoughts towards Middle Easterners in general.
Then, we are greeted with a chorus of "a whore!"'s. Belle is criticized for marrying Adam, AKA the Beast, by the townspeople, and she has to face charges of bestiality. They accuse her of being a witch as well as Satan, and then it is sung that PETA was going to take the Beast away from her.
The fourth, and arguably the most enjoyable out of these four, featured Pocahontas and her experience after John Smith, her initial love interest in the movie, left her to go back to England. The problem with imperialism is discussed, especially focusing on the guns, germs, and steel brought to the New World by English, French, and Spaniards. Pocahontas has also learned to fight back against them, behaving like the "savages" Europeans made Native Americans out to be.
This song is definitely a clever way to both point out and criticize certain problems that are prominent in real life, as well as poke fun at what Disney movies are all about. The cliche "happily ever after"'s that are prominent in many Disney movies don't actually exist; hence the lyrics: "If you've ever wondered why / Disney tales all end in lies / Here's what happens after all their dreams came true", which starts off the song. There's a definite comedic element to this, which makes it all the more enjoyable.
If this was as brilliant for you as it was for me, Paint's "After Ever After 2", which features Mulan from Mulan, Cinderella from Cinderella, Tiana from The Prince and the Frog, and Elsa from Frozen, is just as impressive and won't disappoint.
I think it is very clever as well, and I think it also tries to show that what is in the media, especially Disney, isn't always real.
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