"When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you" Probably the most famous song lyric in Disney history. Lyrics so timeless that 70 years later, we still sing that tune. (from the 1940 movie "Pinocchio") That is just one of many timeless songs that it would be impossible to actually make a list of favorites. Disney not only creates memorable songs, but many movies are just as timeless. Ever since 1923, Disney has been making magic that can never and will never be matched. Disney will never die.
I get the feeling that many people my age are turning to Disney more than ever, and I understand. We are potentially about to live in some dark times come this next year and we are going to need to turn to something that gives us hope. In comes Disney. We grew up during the "Disney Renaissance" beginning with "The Little Mermaid." Disney has taught us some important lessons that got us through difficult times in our lives. It taught us that skies are the limit and adventure is always out there. Most importantly, it showed that bad things inevitably happen, but in the end, the good will aways prevail.
Now I could go on forever about all the Disney movies, but I am just going to mention a few of them that really meant a lot to me and others. "Mulan" and Pixar's "Brave" told girls and women that you do not need to be a male to be the hero. In "Tangled" and the newest Disney animated movie "Moana," (I highly recommend seeing it because it is definitely top three Disney movies now) they teach everyone that there is a bigger world to explore. In "Aladdin," the smallest person can make a big difference. In "The Lion King," we learn that if your dad dies and your uncle blames you, your uncle did it and is a big fat butt-jerk.... also remember who you are. Finally, in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," it teaches us that no matter who we are or what we look like or even what we believe, we all deserve to be free and we all deserve to be loved.
I said before that it seems like many people my age are turning to Disney. You might be asking why, and I understand. We are a complicated generation. Disney movies are timeless. They teach us to keep our inner-child alive. Within the last six years, Disney and Pixar made both "Toy Story 3" and "Monsters University." Those movies felt like a send off for us who were getting into the college phase of our lives. They told us that no matter what, it is ok to stop and remind yourself where you are. Disney will always be there for us when we need it the most.
"If you had the chance to change your fate, would ya?" ~Brave