Disney
Tangled Movie short report
a
report from Snapshots of a Disciple and FEDBP
Disney's movie 'Tangled' is an unusual
story which has all sorts of themes that are meant to plant the seeds of
rebellion and bolster the pride of children to not listen to their
parents as well as plant the seeds of curiosity of evil things that we are told
in God's Word to flee from. For those who do not know the main points here's
the general plot.
A
king and queen of a far away land (apparently Disney's version of a province in
Germany) are about to have a baby. But before the baby can be born, the queen
gets very ill and close to dying. So, the loyal soldiers leave to go find their
last hope for her survival: a 'magic' glowing flower that has the 'power' of life
and health. They find this flower deep in the forest, and bring it back to the
castle and put it into tea, and give it to the queen and she lives and
recovers, and the baby is born healthy. What they didn't know was that there is
a witch who looked ugly, but would come to that flower often in the night and
sing a 'special' 'magic' song to it and it would send out a glow that would
'magically' change her appearance back to a younger pretty lady (in the world's
eyes). So, when this flower is gone, the witch tracks down the king and queen's
new daughter. The witch slips into the baby's room in the darkness of night and
sings to the girl, only to find that the baby's hair now has the 'power' that
the flower once did. So, the witch steals the baby and takes her to a very high
tower deep in the woods. The king and queen look everywhere but cannot find the
girl, but they have a special ceremony every year (on her birthday) where they
(and their loyal subjects) let go of flying glowing lanterns in hopes that someday,
their daughter may see them and return. The witch feigns love for the child and
pretends to be the child's mom, so that's all the girl knows. As the years go
by, the witch leaves the girl alone for hours except when the witch wants to
get rejuvenated by singing to her hair. So, Rapunzel does all sorts of things
to pass the time paint, crafts, games, read, etc, etc. ~ Enter 'Flynn' the
master thief and escaped convict. Flynn is wanted for stealing (among other
things) the disappeared princess's crown from the castle with the help of two
brutish thugs and fellow thieves. All three thieves are found and hunted down
shortly after they steal the crown and they run for their life. To make it
short Flynn outruns and abandons the two other non-loyal thieves and escapes,
and runs to the high-tower where Rapunzel is stuck. Rapunzel tackles Flynn and
after much discussion and dramatics convinces Flynn to take her to see the
floating lights on the next day her birthday. After a wild and tangled journey,
the witch tries to convince Rapunzel to come back with her cooped up in that
tower, Rapunzel refused (not yet realizing that the witch isn't her mom). So,
the witch works with the 2 brutish convicts to turn Rapunzel against Flynn
using lies, a carefully arranged scheme, and false accusations that appear
true. The plan works just after Rapunzel sees the floating lights with Flynn
on the lake. Rapunzel willing goes back with the witch then starts to catch
and unravel the lies and realizes that she's the lost princess. Flynn is barely
saved from death by hanging by some comrades, and runs back to the tower and is
given a fatal wound by the witch, who has tied up Rapunzel and is getting ready
to take Rapunzel deep down somewhere to never see the light again. Rapunzel
makes a deal that she will stop fighting the witch, if the witch will let
Rapunzel heal Flynn. The witch agrees. Rapunzel goes over to Flynn, and in a
quick maneuver Flynn cuts off Rapunzel's long hair and therefore Rapunzel
loses the 'magic' powers, and the witch reverts back to looking like the ugly
witch. The witch freaks out, and with the help of Rapunzel's chameleon, the
witch trips and falls out the window and vanishes in thin air. Flynn dies in
Rapunzel's arms, because with short hair - the 'power' is gone. But after he
dies - she remembers to sing that rhyme-spell, and as she stutters through it,
she sheds tears, one of which drops onto his face and seconds later, he's
resurrected by this 'magic' tear (similar to in Beauty and the Beast), and he's
resurrected (by a rhyme-spell...) Getting back to the story, the princess is
taken back to the king and queen, Flynn is relieved from all crimes, eventually
marries Rapunzel and 'they live happily ever after'...
right but that's how Disney's twisted world always end. Okay that's the
plot now for some details that catch my attention, and the patterns are
alarming especially when taught to children.
Please allow me to note that I don't
like to pick apart little details of Disney's logic, but rather to show the
patterns of lies and deceit and demonic psychology so that other people can
not only see through the evils of the movie, but also see through the evils of
that wrong and deceptive cultural logic. So, I hope that you'll keep that in
mind as you read this.
Where to start? Let's start at the
flower and the glowing hair, and the 'healing' spell song. First off, there's
the lie and legend of trying to find that mysterious 'magic' formula, spell,
flower, fountain that will allow us to live forever or be healthy forever
or... you get the idea. All of that is seeking to live forever on this
sin-tainted earth. The only way to live forever in peace and complete health is
to repent and learn to follow Christ here through tough trials so we can live
in the perfect New Jerusalem beyond this temporary life but if we do not
repent or our willful rebellion against God, that will mean eternity in the
real Lake of Fire forever (Revelation 20:10-15). So, this legend distracts from
getting right with God instead plants the seed of trying to outlive the curse
of sin without God. You'll notice that in all of the Disney movies, they
replace the real God with something else and teach and promote one or a few
false religions.
So, the 'magic' then transfers to
Rapunzel's hair. But that can't happen either we aren't born with special
powers. In Romans, God teaches us that we are born with the want to rebel
against our perfect all-loving Creator, while always lying and excusing our
sin. We have no power we're sheep, and we very easily follow a lying stranger
rather than the real Holy, Holy, Holy God, Creator and Judge. That's exactly
what Jesus warns against in John 10. So, if someone has power, there are only
two sources God, or satan and his demons nothing
else. So, if someone has the power to heal or create the illusion of healing
there is a power behind that: God or satan/demons. None of us are superheroes.
None of us are powerful in ourselves. Those who are growing in following Jesus and
walking in His ways can (maybe) when God allows, be used of God to pray for
someone and God heals them. Today, this is rare because there are a huge amount
of fake and counterfeits which is the working of satan.
Do you see what I'm saying if there's power there's a source of it and us rebellious humans do not possess it. So, let's look at
the 'healing' curse/spell to see what source is behind this 'magic' flower and
'magic' hair.
The song goes like this:
'Flower gleam and glow
Let your power shine
Make the clock reverse
Bring back what once was mine.
Heal what has been hurt.
Change the fate's design
Save what has been lost.
Bring back what once was mine -
what
once was mine.'
Okay - so a little analysis: God's
creation is amazing, but what is displayed here in Disney's cartoon-world is
'magic' (really witchcraft spells). But, if you want to double-check this for yourself, look at who
the prayer is too. Its not to God, its to a flower (and the spirit or *power*
behind that flower).
Another key note here:
bring back what once was mine is repeated 3 times. If you couple that with
the word fate (like they did in this little jingle), and you now see the
selfish and self-centered perspective of this good curse or spell. And
notice, its simple words with a simple jingle that
most children can learn and practice
while learning to blame God when He takes
something evil out of their life
for their own good. Is God good to say no? Satan would say God is evil. Is
that really what you want your kids learning? Me either...
So, that was a brief
look at the 'magic' hair and the power behind it. Next, let's look at the sun
symbol. Yes, I know that for some of you, you're probably scratching your head
on why I would find that so interesting. The movie starts with emphasizing the
sun and that theme continues all through the film.
Here's a clip. '... This is a story of a girl named
Rapunzel. And it starts with the sun. Now, once upon a time, a single drop of
sunlight fell from the Heavens. And from this small drop of sun grew a magic
golden flower. It had the ability to heal the sick and injured. Oh, you see
that old woman over there? You might want to remember her. She's kind of
important... Well, centuries past, and a hop skip and a boat-ride away, there
grew a kingdom. The kingdom was ruled by a beloved king and queen. And the
queen - well, she was about to have a baby. But she got sick - really sick. She
was running out of time, and that's when people usually start to look for a
miracle. Or, in this case, a magic golden flower. [the
scene looks back to that old witch] Ah. I told you she'd be important. You
see - instead of sharing the sun's gift, this woman - Mother Gothel, hoarded it's healing power and used it to keep herself young for
hundreds of years. And all she had to do was sing a special song. 'Flower gleam and glow, Let your power shine, Make the clock reverse,
Bring back what once was mine. Heal what has been hurt. Change the fate's
design, Save what has been lost. Bring back what once
was mine - what once was mine.' All right, you get the gist. She
sings to it - she turns young. Creepy - right? [the soldiers find the magic flower uncovered and
holler 'We found it!'] The magic of the golden flower [put into a tea]
healed the queen. A healthy baby girl - a princess was born with beautiful
golden hair. I'll give you a hint - that's Rapunzel. To celebrate her birth,
the king and queen launched a flying lantern into the sky. And for that one
moment, everything was perfect. And then that moment ended. [scene
shows witch getting into the castle] Gothel broke into the castle, stole the
child, and just like that - gone. The Kingdom searched and searched, but they
could not find the princess. For deep within the forest, hidden in a tower,
Gothel raised the child as her own. Gothel had found her new magic flower - but
this time, she was determined to keep it hidden...'
>> Youtube clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhSVreVsjJo
A few errors there - just from that
short clip. First off, God set the limit on human life-span before the
world-wide flood - at 120 years. "And the LORD said, 'My Spirit shall not strive/struggle with
man forever, for he is indeed flesh; so his days shall
be one hundred and twenty years.'" (Genesis
6:3) Secondly, interesting that they're pushing a form of
masonry/mythology thinking instead of God. Notice that God is not
mentioned anywhere, and yet the sun is given a personhood and a bit of 'magic'
ability, when then transfers to a flower, which then transfers to a girl... There's
much more to say about the witchcraft elements here, but I will stop with that.
If you want to know more, just ask.
So...
Curious: Are you starting to see how God, the real Creator, is smoothly
replaced here with fate, witchcraft, and mythology? It's a subtle trick and not
an accident - it's one of the usurper's (satan)
favorite schemes. Is that really what you want your kids learning? I know I
don't. And, I know quite a few parents who would be frustrated to realize the
ramifications of just those subjects alone - and the long-term problems that
can cause for a child. But, there is one more subject I need to cover with this
movie.
That subject is obeying and honoring
our parents. God's Word talks about this in several places - here are just two.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord,
for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother,' which
is the first commandment with promise: 'that it may be well with you and you
may live long on the earth.'" (Ephesians 6:1-3)
"Children, obey your parents in
all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord." (Colossians
3:20)
This little film does some sleight of
hand tricks to teach children (by example) how they can be disrespectful to
their parents and outright disobey them, and probably get away with it. Yet,
Disney portrays it in such a way that we can so easily pass off Rapunzel's
actions toward her 'adopted' 'mom', because Ms. Gothel is not her real mom.
But, the attitudes are never dealt with, and in real life, girls whose
attitudes never get dealt with become brats - or to put it in Biblical terms:
contentious women, gossips, and busybodies. Does Disney know this? Sure - but
covetousness is how they keep themselves in business, right? How much do we
need to be happy? 'Just a little bit more'... they say.
And then there's the kiss and
full-hugs between a single lady an a single guy. Yet,
God warns single men not to touch a woman in a way that will stir her up
emotionally or sexually - except in marriage. Yet, to Disney, a kiss and
full-hug is nothing... I hope you are starting to see how opposite these
worldviews are - God's Word vs Disney and the worldly culture around us.
So, after reading all of that, I'm
sure some of you parents probably will have some more questions. This report is
not meant to cover everything - for if I did, it would be too long. It's only
meant to highlight - not the mistakes or bad examples, but the patterns that
set a child on the wrong path for years to come with the simple planting of
multiple seeds of rebellion - that, unless weeded out completely, will grow
into a full-fledged rebellion later on. Seeds are funny - we can plant them,
but we cannot determine how rapidly they'll grow, nor change what we planted.
We can only keep rooting out the lies, closing the doors of satan,
and filling our minds, our homes, and our children's lives with the Word of God
and Truth - which is part of God's beautiful perfect character.
A few verses to think on in
conclusion:
"The thief does not come except to steal,
and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they
may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
"Be sober, be
vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring
lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing
that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."
(1st Peter 5:8)
"For such are false apostles,
deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself
into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his
ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end
will be according to their works." (2nd Corinthians 11:13-15)
May the Lord be with you and grant you
wisdom as you keep identifying avenues of satan into your home, and cleaning
how and growing steadily more like Christ - our Master and Savior for all who
are genuinely His.
Please know that you can always email
me any questions that I can help with. Sometimes it may take a day or two to
reply, because of work and life, but I always like getting feedback, because I
learn from the conversations. I only as that you keep it polite, even if the
information I share makes you angry. Okay - fair enough? ~ my
email: Steven.H3@gmail.com. - Also, I'm still taking requests for what Disney
movies to do short reports on, so you're welcome to message me and add to that
list - here on Vine-of-Life or my email or on FaceBook.
Fair well
for now.
your
friend, and a growing servant/life-slave of Jesus, SH
****
Steven Henry is a Bible student and Bible teacher, and a
reporter with the INCPU new team, and regular contributor on the Vine of Life
team of reporters.
