Peter Pan

Except for the underlying theme- that parents should be more understanding of their children as they were once children themselves. This movie may have worked well into society back when it was first released in 1953- where gender role views were clearly defined and boys were one way and girls were another. However this movie- even with being regarded as a Disney Classic- cannot be considered, now, something that the whole family can enjoy without some controversial questions and raised eye-brows. Before I go into the racism and sexism of the movie, let's first take a look at how Mr. Darling treats his daughter Wendy's sense of creativity. He calls them "idiotic ideas"- now any child self aware enough may internalize this and may whether consciously or subconciously bring it out in conversation with a parent making for quite an interesting and uncomfortable talk. Now speaking of uncomfortable- there is the subject of the the Indians in the movie. They are described as "quite savage", "cunning but not intelligent" and "Red" men. Not only that but the lost boys actually go to HUNT them. If that is not blatant racism then I'm not sure what is. Now as far as the sexism goes, other than the one line 'girls talk too much' the sexism is not necessarily spoken in the movie but rather spread out throughout the movie in how they treat Wendy and the other females of the movie. First- Wendy is given the role of mother and care taker- a role "traditionally" given only to females where we now know that is not all women can do and something that men can partake in as well- while the lost boys and Wendy's two brothers go off to hunt (the indians). Now- in the movie it seems that girls can only be of two things- one as already mentioned caretakers and swooning over Peter and the other is vindictive and jealous. The mermaids for one actually try and drown Wendy (they admit to it too) and Captain Hook uses TinkerBell's jealousy over Wendy and Peter to his advantage. If that is not enough then the violence should concern all parents. Peter Pan ( a boy) cuts off captain Hook's hand and feeds it to a croc. There are sword fights. Children being violent toward adults and vice versa- especially that above all. There is violence- not just peter against captain hook but violence toward other people, the indians. There is "domestic" violence per say; Tinkerbell against Wendy. Overall this movie is outdated and as my suggestion and opinion should only be shown to our children if one plans to explain why it's ok to name call people of others ethnicities, why it's ok to be violent toward adults and vice versa, and why it's ok to be sexist.

My 3 year old was turned off pretty quickly. My five year old boy was interested but getting a little vibe he didn't like (like moving trees and more he couldn't verbalize) to the point that he didn't care to watch it much more than 15 minutes and was eager to try a different show.

excellent movie in my opinion. animation is beautiful, charecters are original, and the movie itself takes you off into a totally different world! people say its to violent, but i say its just being true to the book. not to mention that no one ever gets hurt, (except for one crew member that was shot, which i always thought was a little harsh, even if it never actually shows him getting hurt) either way the action just gives the movie that extra bit adventure. Hook is a villian, but like most male disney villians, he is much more goofy and bumbling than truely evil. i dont think that anyone but hook is a bad role model in this film. Peter Pan isnt being rude or sexist when he says that 'girls talk to much', hes just being a boy!! Wendy, John, and Michael are just fine role models in the way that they all dream of adventure, and want to find the magic in life that is quickly slipping away from them because they are all growing up. the mermaids all seem to like peter, but he seems pretty oblivious to this, making it more of a crush on the mermaids part. Tinkerbell is NOT a bad role model! if anything shes a good role model. she is independent, sassy, smart, and able to fend for herself... (something that some girls do lack in this movie) really, tinkerbell is the first EMPOWERD girl that disney ever created. though she gets jealous and upset at times, i think thats just what makes her charecter so lovable... i have to admit, the Indian thing is a bit racist, but its not in a mean way. in fact, Tiger Lily (the indian princess) is a very strong charecter in this movie, (and i think she is a wonderful role model for kids.) Over all i think this is a wonderful, magical film. Its a classic and should be thrown a way for a few racist comments in the film. i think you should see the film, youll always carry it in your heart!