Apparently, someone at Disney/Pixar decided to upgrade Princess Merida for the Disney "Princess" collection. So, she's a bit older, and a bit curvier, which can happen when girls grow up. Watching a daughter turn into a young woman can be startling (if not downright shocking), but that's what they do! Especially if, like me, you put a kid on an airplane, and four months later the young woman returns in her place. Sadly, growing up to be attractive seems deemed 'sexualization' by the feminist cohort. But it's what little girls (and little boys) do.
The most quoted critic is the film's former co-director, Brenda Chapman, who was replaced during the film's production.(See the UK's Guardian and The Hollywood Reporter for more.)
From all the heat, light and noise, you'd think Disney had let Merida go the route of Miley Cyrus.
Speaking of whom, I couldn't find quite the same outrage about her VMA appearance as I did about Merida. Here are my searches at the Guardian and the Reporter. Yes, there were critical articles, but no one was espousing that Miley turn back to her Hanna Montana persona, either.
Silly me. I still think beauty in any form should be celebrated, not denigrated. Yes, not every girl will grow up to be a Hollywood "princess" (which is actually a Good Thing). And not every boy will grow up to be a leading man, which is also good. Parents need to instill a solid sense of self-worth (not self-esteem) in their children, and teach them how to be the best person they can be. I have seen both men and women who are outside of the leading man/princess ideal, who have learned to be their best, and who present themselves quite well. As a result, I find them handsome or attractive.
It's much more about character, and much less on looks.
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