Many terrific family movies are based on fairy tales. Here’s a collection of some of the best.
SHREK (2001)
Quality **** Acceptability +1
Mike Myers plays the title role in SHREK, a fractured fairy tale about a smelly ogre who finds that it takes a princess with a punch to finally soften his heart. SHREK is a delightful computer animated comedy with only a few minor elements to take the bloom off its family-friendly rose.
Read the Movieguide(R) REVIEW.
ALSO read the reviews for the sequels
PUSS IN BOOTS (2011)
Quality **** Acceptability +1
PUSS IN BOOTS stars Puss from the Shrek series, who strives to become a hero in his home town but has been blackmailed and called an outlaw. With incredible 3D effects, PUSS IN BOOTS is entertaining, fun, and mostly family oriented, but does have some sexual undertones concerning cats, so caution is advised.
Read the Movieguide(R) REVIEW.
ALADDIN (1992)
Quality **** Acceptability +2
ALADDIN follows the rags-to-riches story of a resourceful “diamond in the rough” who uses the help of a Genie to save the mythical kingdom of Agrabah and win the heart of a princess. ALADDIN is a sweet cinematic confection bursting with kinetic energy and firmly grounded in the message of the importance of personal honesty and integrity. ALADDIN contains fairy-tale magic which is shown to be unsatisfying compared to true love and personal honesty. Some scenes may be too intense for very young children though none of them have the violence of the wolf-pack scene in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
Read the Movieguide(R) REVIEW.
LITTLE MERMAID (1989)
Quality **** Acceptability +1
THE LITTLE MERMAID is an allegorical movie with strong Christian overtones. When love induces Ariel to make a bad deal with Ursula the sea-witch so that she can try to win the heart of the human Prince Eric, King Triton sacrifices himself to save his daughter. The film is superbly colorful, incredibly well-animated and in two adorable musical numbers, “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl,” the sea literally becomes a living orchestra.
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937)
Quality **** Acceptability +1
A beautiful young woman oppressed by a wicked Queen dreams that one day her prince will take her away to a life of happiness in Walt Disney’s animated masterpiece, SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS. Although many are concerned about the film’s portrayal of witchcraft which God condemns, it must be noted that the witchcraft is shown to be evil which can only be overcome by true love. This storyline can be a discussion starter to explore the concept of God’s love overcoming evil when the Prince of Peace rescues His Bride from the clutches of the adversary.
Read the Movieguide(R) REVIEW.
LION KING (1994)
Quality **** Acceptability +2
A magnificent example of Disney animation, THE LION KING is an heroic tale of good versus evil which embodies many Christian allegorical elements. The sinister usurper Scar plots to kill his brother and nephew so he can become King himself. While there are several minor areas which call for discernment in THE LION KING, the good far outweighs the bad, and the film conveys a clear message of hope, reconciliation and appreciation for the majesty of creation.
Read the Movieguide(R) REVIEW.
EVER AFTER
Quality **** Acceptability +2
EVER AFTER turns the classic Cinderella story into an imaginative, entertaining masterpiece without magic or fairy godmothers. Drew Barrymore and her prince charming get a little lesson on love from Leonardo da Vinci in this update of a classic. Containing a Christian worldview, it has many moral lessons and recommendable attributes.
Read the Movieguide(R) REVIEW.
TANGLED
Quality **** Acceptability +1
TANGLED is Disney’s comical animated version of the Rapunzel fairy tale, wherein a thief gives Rapunzel a chance to escape the old hag who stole her from her parents, the king and queen. Despite an unresolved moral conflict, comical action violence and some Romanticism, TANGLED is beautiful, funny, exciting, delightful, and touching – with a redemptive, sacramental quality that lifts the movie, and its magical themes, into a more sublime entertainment.
Read the Movieguide(R) REVIEW.
ENCHANTED
Quality **** Acceptability +1
In ENCHANTED, an animated heroine is pushed down a well into the cruel, uncaring real world of New York City, where she finds her real love. ENCHANTED turns the archetypal fairy tale story inside out in a delightful, positive, morally worthwhile way.
Read the Movieguide(R) REVIEW.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Quality **** Acceptability +3
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST follows the fantastic adventures of Belle, a beautiful, but bored French girl whose life takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself imprisoned by a brooding Beast with a mysterious secret that holds the key to their future. With its newly enhanced format and the addition of a great new scene and song, this movie is a must-see for all except the very young or easily frightened.
Read the Movieguide(R) REVIEW.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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