The Stories We Tell Our Children Have Consequences 

"We're glad you got everything you ever possibly wanted [while disregarding everyone else's life]" is an eye-opening summation of the moral in Disney's Little Mermaid. It reflects the ugly side of the me-centric philosophy of our western culture and demonstrates how it subtly proliferates. Great observation guys.

My absolute favorite version of the Little Mermaid was the one that had her turn into seafoam but God saw her and showed her mercy. He made her into a spirit who could go to Heaven if she collected a thousand smiles from children. The story ended with the words: "Maybe her soul is near you right now. Give her your smile." It really struck a cord with me and I didn't want any other version ever again. Even now when I randomly smile I sometimes think of the little mermaid and if she got to Heaven yet.

This video reminded me of my grandmother who was a great storyteller. And they always had a lesson. These stories actually happened to her. I will tell one because it's short. On my grandmothers 7th birthday she was gifted her very own fishing pole. She was the youngest and her mother gave her a stern warning "Do not go to the pond by yourself. You must wait for your father or sister to bring you!" Well. She just couldn't wait so she went against her mother's wishes. She cast in her line of her brand new fishing pole. She gets a bite! It's a big one. She struggles to reel it in. To her horror when it broke the surface all she saw what was to her mind, two horns! She thought she caught the devil and threw the whole brand new rod into the pond. She realized when she was older she had actually caught a catfish!! But it was a good lesson and it's one I tell my grandchildren!

The Little Mermaid DOES live happily ever after in the original story, because she gets to serve God and earn salvation as she always wanted to.

So true Father. I think even as adults we can easily just accept what's put in front of us due to the music and fairytale but forget to analyse what is the true story behind it!

I took my daughter to see this movie and came out angry at the lie Disney put out. “I Want More” is the worst. My daughter thought I was ridiculous at the time, but a few days later she came to me and said she agreed with me. Thanks be to God!

The original "Little Mermaid" doesn't end with her becoming nothing but seafoam. It's not a tragic ending, but bittersweet and a beautiful illustration of love and selflessness. In the original story by Hans Christian Anderson, the Little Mermaid's grandmother tells her that while a mermaid lives 300 years, humans have much shorter lifespans, but they have an eternal soul that lives on in heaven. The Little Mermaid longs for both the prince and to have an eternal soul. She later hears from the Sea Witch if she wins the prince's love and marries him that part of his soul will flow into her and she will become human. If she fails and he marries another, at dawn the Little Mermaid will die of a broken heart and dissolve into sea foam in the sea at, the fate mermaid's when the die. She does fail. He marries another, but her sisters come with a dagger they bargained from the Sea Witch. If she kills the prince and lets his blood drip on her feet, she will turn back into a mermaid. She loves him and cannot do this and instead, casts herself into the sea. But, while her body returns to foam, she is caught up by a daughter of the air, ethereal earthbound spirits, one who tells her that she has become one of them because she strived with all her heart for an immortal soul and after 300 years of doing good deeds for the people of the world, and because of her selflessness, she will have gained an immortal soul and rise up to heaven.

Ariel wasn't directly responsible for all this mess. Yes, she made a very risky decision in trusting Ursula, but the only thing at stake was her own life, not the fate of all the sea kingdom. It was Triton who rose the stakes, because he took Ariel's place in the contract with Ursula out of love for his child. Ariel didn't even dare to ask him to do so, she was willing to accept her fate.

You are always thinking and pondering our world. Thank you for your teaching and bringing us to not just accept but to discern what is going on around us. God Bless. Claire.

I think it's important to say that adults with well-formed consciences should have a greater capacity to critically evaluate media and decide how it shapes their world-view. It's a complex topic, but I feel really passionately about this. Mature, adult Catholics are not beholden to only watch media/entertainment that aligns with a catholic anthropology/world view. If we're making living our faith the focus of our lives in a way that leads us to mainly take in media that is edifying and promotes the good, true, and beautiful, we can still watch secular TV shows and movies and appreciate the good that is to be found in them without it having a negative impact on us or it being sinful.

I think Lord of the Rings is one of the best and most impactfully beautiful stories. It enhances and reveals reality.

Since I found Father Mike and switched parishes where were so blessed with 2 wonderful priest, they make me so hungry to keep digging into the faith. I gave up real TV without even noticing. Our priest also says to feed your soul with things that’ll help you.

This is one of the most brilliant episodes of Acension Presents I’ve seen yet. Such beautiful insights are what we need. Thank you Father Schmidt.

As a mom…I totally 💯 agree 👏 As a child of the 90’s… I TOTALLY agree

Hey Father Mike, I used to tell my patients, that if you are what you eat and you are what you watch. What you put in your body effects your health; and what you put in your head effects your soul and your mental health. If people watch CNN all day, they will get depressed and or anxious b/c they cannot control all the bad news they see. If they play video games all day pretending to shoot other people, they may not have a proper respect for life, maybe. Maybe all things in moderation, but we do have to be very picky about what we watch. You cannot un-see these movies and television shows and the images formed in the memories of children are there for a very long time. Also the message as you mentioned, it is insidiously hidden behind the good graphics and great music so we have to be very careful to counter that message with a Christian message. I went to Catholic School and that helped because we talked about these things, and I pray for the ones that don’t get to school or even church b/c they are so easily led astray. You are what you eat and you are what you watch! 😊 So if you wouldn’t eat McDonalds everyday because it isn’t healthy, than don’t watch TV everyday, because it isn’t healthy either.

Yasssssss!!! Oh thank you for this video! I have been saying for years that even though I watched these movies growing up, there is something about them that makes me say I dont think my kids should watch them! I have thought too that so many of them seem to send a message of defying your parents rather than being obedient and portray the main characters (basically kids) as “knowing better” than their parents.

What I love about Fr. Mike and his videos, he takes a topic, maybe gives a new spin on it, and that allows us to think deeper about it on our own.

I have a confession ... I don't think I have ever seen this, shocking I know, however it was a laugh out loud video of a grown man talking about this cartoon with such knowledge and enthusiasm ! It is great practice to scrutinise just what we allow ourselves to watch.

I completely agree with this. It's important especially to show your kids good art until they are able to distinguish for themselves what is good.

Go Father Mike! So true. What you put in your heart your mind your soul with what you watch listen to and take in you become on some level. I always told my son this and he has taken it to heart

Father I thought you were going to go there but you didn't. Isn't the story of a person who wants what they want no matter what, no matter if it's in what they're ordered by God to be, no matter the cost to her or family and all the applauding of her choice at the end--isn't that today's way of living? Society is calling us to be happy for what someone achieves no matter how they got it. No matter if they 'should' have wanted it. It's what THEY WANTED so 'yeah' for them??? Father MIke you are such a joy!! Keep 'em coming!!!

The message of the little mermaid is a lot more nuanced then that its more for the parents see if Tritanus hadn't been such a tyrant and let her explore her interest in a safe way none of the events would've happend. He could've let her be human for a bit with him guiding her and showing her why humanity is dangerous for herself and that would've been the end of that instead he destroys all that is precious too her and pushes her out. It does say to kids tho listen to your parents otherwise the consequences will be dire ut it also says to the parents do not be too zealous in your attempt to protect your kids so as to provoke them sometimes you have to let them go or else you'll push them away and they'll end putting themselves in more danger.

For this reason, I've never let my daughter watch any of the Disney princess movies. None of them teach any discernment whatsoever, just that "fall in love and go with the guy though you don't truly know him " reckless handling of relationships. As Catholics, the vocation of matrimony is too important to be constantly painting it that way to children. People always think I'm extreme, but I do believe that the stories we tell have consequences. Thank you, Father, for this in-depth look at the principle.

Love this for today. You reap what you sow...

Yes!! Thank you for sharing your wisdom Fr. Mike!

This is a timely message about what we let into our heads and hearts in the name of entertainment. I watched the new movie Babylon yesterday, and I wish I'd left after the first 10 minutes. The opening scene was so hedonistic and depraved, and then there was a similar scene toward the end that I felt dirty and sad. I will do more research and be more discerning next time!

Whoa. I see it completely different. We as humanity rebel against our Heavenly Father when we sin (just like Ariel-when she signs Ursula’s contract), our Father took our place in punishment (when Triton signs the contract he begins to frail), God sent His only son to save us - whom I view to be prince Eric (Prince Eric says in the movie: “I lost her once, I’m not going to lose her again” as he goes to save Ariel). I feel like someone in the film making process left Christian symbols. I also view the ending as God reunited with His bride the church (on earth as it is in Heaven.) We didn’t deserve heaven but God wanted us anyway. There’s a lot more I see too. (Scuttle-the Holy Spirit warns Ariel to stop Eric from marrying the sea witch.) I also learned that Ariel means - Lion of Judah. God is in everything. It’s just really hard to see it unless He reveals it to us. I truly believe He makes all things good again. All things are possible. He revealed this to me. It maybe possible it was only for me to receive but I felt like sharing (so maybe He wants me to share it with you too.) ✝️🥰🙏🏽💗❤️ Love y’all. ☺️

You nailed Father! I was a pop-culture junkie my whole life. If there was a pop movie or TV show especially sci-fi or fantasy, I had the t-shirt, the video game, the collectible. Now sadly, I realize much of what I took in trying to be happy was in fact kind of detrimental to my imagination, and some of it ate away at my faith foundations. I know I have to be a lot more thoughtful about what I watch and really think about what I take-in. I was an English teacher for many years, so I have no problem reading things that are from other perspectives or cultures and appreciating their literary worth, but I don't want to follow paths that lead me away from a Christ-centered life. Yeah, even things as cute as Disney can be filled with philosophies that are antithetical to our faith. I have of late begun to fire networks that I felt actively promoted things that were negative. I don't want to give them my money. I am finding things that are more in line with my faith and giving my money to those endeavors. I have started many a TV series in the past few years only to go, awe man, when they are so creepy dark, and they started really pushing me out of my faith context. I was like ugh. I still really love Lord of the Rings. I think Aragorn is a great Christ like figure. He is the unrecognized king. He is humble in service to the good. He devoted with purity to his beloved putting her first. He goes down to the dead to come again and slay evil and is at the end crowned king. His beloved give ups everything to be his perfect bride. In the end, the king kneels in humility to the good for he is the servant king. Pretty nice. There are things out there that up lift the good; you just have to be selective.

I love how Fr. Mike can tackle these issues and speak about them with charity.🙂 It is Important to monitor the entertainment we consume and ask what the moral and point of a story is.

I don't think that the moral of Disney's Little Mermaid is "bad decisions have no negative consequences," but rather "social prejudice is bad" and "familial alienation can lead to estrangement." The main conflict of the story stems from the fact that King Triton categorically dismisses all humans as "savages" and refuses to even attempt to understand his daughter's interest in them and their society, and then violently lashes out at her when she expresses her romantic interest in the prince, which leads to her becoming disaffected from him, and in a state of mind that makes her inclined to make bad decisions. By the climax of the movie, it becomes obvious that Ariel was wrong to have made her Faustian pact with Ursula, as it leads to catastrophe, but when Eric acts heroically to save the day, Triton realizes that not all humans are evil, and comes to the realization that he was wrong to have been so closed-minded towards Ariel's affection to them. By the conclusion of the story, both father and daughter realize the respective errors of their ways, and forgive each other, proving that their love for each other is stronger than their resentments. TL;DR: Disney's *The Little Mermaid* is "Romeo and Juliet if it had a happy ending."

So very true … sort of like “you are what you eat”. What about a New Year’s resolution to feed our minds/eyes/ears healthy stuff!

While I understand the point Father Mike made about Ariel escaping the true consequences of her actions, I think there are aspects of this that are being overlooked. Firstly, that Ariel's decision supposedly wasn't going to affect anyone but herself--I think it's a little unfair to characterize Ariel as someone who intentionally put an entire people at risk to get what she wants. Secondly, King Triton seems to have the most significant character arc in the film; he is the one who destroys Ariel's collection in that terrible scene (the collection not a shrine to one human, but to her curiousity about the world above that no one allowed her to express), he is the one who expresses remorse, he chooses to sacrifice himself for his daughter, and he ends up forgiving her and giving her legs. Maybe not the usual take-away of the film, but I appreciate this growth and willingness to be open to genuine love (though I agree, it would have been nice for Ariel to have faced some consequences, or have been the one to talk to her father in the end). Thirdly, there is a parallel to be made for a character curious and longing for a world above in spite of the luxury of her own life, and our faith that underlines our own longing for the transcendant. I completely agree with Father Mike--stories do matter! All of his points are very valid. I'd just like to offer another perspective, and to suggest that the way we interpret stories can also be more expansive.

When the movie first came out on DVD, I had two little children. It sounded like a good story so we watched it together. But I, like Father Mike, saw that Arielle was completely disobedient to her dad-- And I didn't want that to be the lesson to my children. So I explained to them that one should not be disobedient, even if it means giving up what you want. And so, I think in the original story, when Arielle becomes seafoam, that's a more accurate consequence of her disobedience! I, for one, was glad Father Mike shared the original ending.

The Little Mermaid was the only animated Disney film my mom didn’t let us watch as kids. She wanted us to be old enough to grasp that no matter how pretty and fun and enchanting, Ariel was a bad role model. When I did finally see it around sixteen, I didn’t have much interest in seeing it again because she drove me crazy. Imagine a whole generation of girls growing up thinking that a) they’re adults at sixteen years old and b) flouting family commitments and selling your soul is the mature, proper way to go about getting what you want. Oof 🙈 Also interesting note - in the original Little Mermaid (at least my version) mermaids have no eternal souls and so instead of live for thousands of years and then turn into sea foam, she wants to be human to gain eternal life. The sea witch tells her she has to make the Prince fall in love with her to become human, but if she fails she’ll automatically turn into foam. When she fails to make the prince love her, she has the chance to kill him and gain her thousand years back. She refuses and turns into foam, but then is raised into an air spirit who can eventually gain Heaven if she finds enough good children. The moral implications are so beautiful and numerous with this story!!

Wow Father... I never would have realized these things. Thanks

I though Ariel was a spoiled brat when I watched it with my four year old daughter back in 1994. I was furious, and my friends thought I was crazy (which happens all the time, but I don't care.) Good video Father, and thank you.

One really good story that is being told right now is The Wingfeather Saga. It's a book series by Andrew Peterson, and now is also an animated show too. A very beautiful story that is grounded in reality. The Green Ember series by S.D. Smith is also very good for families to experience together.

When my brother was 6yrs old he was helping our dad in the yard raking leaves. My dad at one point told him he'd make a good pile it in the calvary. At 17, trying to make some changes in his life, sat in front of our dad and just started to cry. He looked at dad and said, I didn't kill Jesus Dad." For all those years my brother thought he said he was "Pilot in Calvary." My dad felt aweful!

Interestingly I just returned from 2 days at Disney World with my adult children and 2 granddaughters, ages 4 and 6. We had a marvelous time, but my 4-year old granddaughter would continually ask, “Mommy, is “this or that” real or pretend.?” The answer was always, “pretend”. So yes, life is not a Hallmark movie nor a Disney movie, but it is sometimes fun to innocently escape this harsh cruel world for a fairytale ending. It is just fun to use our imaginations to bring a smile. 😄

Father you have tremendous love for little children, God bless you. I like the comment "what you sow that will you reap". I do got stuck at that phrase.

Well said! We replay the messages we take in over and over again in our minds so be careful what you take in!

Well, I did not get such an insidious meaning from the movie. As a teenager, I was rebellious against a tyrannical father. I think I was normal. I felt I could make some decisions for myself at 14. My Dad became stricter with me at 14 than he had been when I was 10. And with no explanation except “ I said so “. Did not jive with the expectations of increased knowledge and critical thinking he had always demanded from us. No such thing exists as “ living happily ever after “ - as almost all of the old Disney movies depicted. What was the difference here? Evil person tricks a young girl and ruins her life temporarily, but eventually, things work out and she lives “ happily ever after “ - just like Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty. These other Disney princesses were completely unrealistic in their “ goodness “. All stories give us something from which to learn. Ban movies, ban books? Not really a great idea. Discuss the value of them - good idea.

I remember reading the original story as a child and she turned into foam. I just thought it was a sad story.

I agree with you father Mike. The generations that have grown under this is "influence " of Disney remakes, are now the ones who think are entitled to everything regardless of their actions!! Leaving others to pick up the broken pieces... Sad but true. So Glad you are a changing influence in our colleges for our youth!!👍😁👍👍😃

I'm not sure if this is the original or a variation of the original story, but the book version of "The Little Mermaid" that I remember had the mermaids/mermen all destined to become seafoam after they die. They had a lifespan of 300 years, but would become seafoam in the end, whereas the humans lived much shorter lives but had an eternal soul. The book had a bittersweet ending because the prince didn't choose her and she died, but she went to heaven instead of becoming seafoam because she chose not to kill the prince to save herself and had a soul due to being turned human.

Thank you! This is one of many reasons why Disney has no place in our home. I wish more Catholic families would stop following the crowd and kick that garbage to the curb where it belongs. Fill your children's hearts and minds with the good, the true, and the beautiful. Everything else is a waste at best and a danger to their souls at worst.

I’m so glad to hear this message from you! You once made a podcast about watching the new Batman movie and how dark it was. And I’m not gonna lie, I was worried about you! Obviously, you are super duper strong in your faith and love of God, but just generally speaking I especially worry about our priests and nuns and the content they consume. I know it must be extremely difficult to balance purity with staying in touch with pop culture. Thank you for all that you do! May God continue to bless you! 🙏🏼

This really hit home 6:30-7:44 Thank you, Father Mike! 💟

You are spot on Father with this! I always like to find the inner meaning of the stories I see/read and how they are shaping my mind. God bless you Father!

Thank you for speaking the truth. The more our priests speakout bravely against the culture of evil the more the sheep return to the shepards and the church. Pray for more Holy priest that are fearless even unto white maryrdom.

Thank you for your warning. I must be attentive to my actions to keep on that narrow path. Yes I really want that extra piece of food...40 day fasting uncertainty.

This is something that occurred to us as our children grew. My husband pointed out that in Disneys LM, Ariel makes “a deal with the devil”, then beats the enemy at their own game.

Great video, Father! Thank you for drawing attention to this. I completely agree.

I actually feel bad for the actress playing Ariel in the live action, because it absolutely doesn't matter what skin color Ariel is, but disney picked her so that if people complain that the movie is poorly made, they can just say everyone who didn't like it is really a racist 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🫠

Loved your point here. Regarding buzz kill -- I love the term "fun sucker." I think I first heard it from PJ O'Rourke, but I could be wrong. I think he was saying wives are fun suckers but, of course, any of us can be. In the context of your video, I say, "Long live the fun suckers."

Hahah you are an awesome buzz kill. Thank you for sharing this and getting us thinking about what we watch casually and mindlessly. I will be picky for my family. Thank you!🙏🙏

Our world is so messed up. Come Lord come soon. He will not be mocked.

I’m aware of these real life lessons but never thought to distinguish that and fiction. In addition Ariel’s need for instant gratification that frustrates her until she gets what she wants reminds me when you spoke of denying ourselves once in awhile. Awesome. I’m trying to pull back but Amazon has a tight grip on me, lol. I’ll keep trying 😊

I’ve been going through a spiritual warfare attack involving demonic activity in our home for the past 3-1/2 years just after my daughter was born…we had to relocate residences 3 times & the archdiocese had to get involved to help me & my child. As I started learning about all the MANY entry points for what bought this into my life, I realized how magic is glamorized & introduced to kids at a very young age (I’m a victim of this myself..) one of the first things I discarded of when the situation started with all the Disney movies involving magic & sorcery which also involved these false realities of “happy endings”… I’m struggling to find suitable entertainment & screen what my child (almost 4 years old now) watches. It’s a battle in itself but I’m blessed & thankful God opened my eyes & removed the blinders to stuff like this. Thank you Fr. Mike for this video. 🙏 … (I pray for you all the time by the way & that you keep doing what you do…your videos have helped me tremendously in what I’ve been going through…)

Thank you Father Mike! Although I am grateful my daughter didn’t really ever fall for those happily ever after stories, it’s a great message you sent here. I as a parent should be more cautious of what I have my kids watch, even if it’s a family movie night, to assure we spend that time learning important lessons, that will please our Lord!

Thank you, Fr Mike! Once again, you help shape the questions I ask myself . Who do I want to be in a month or by the end of the year? What will I choose to shape me. 🙏

When Father said "Bro", it got me!

You're right, Father, but what bothered me when I first saw the Little Mermaid is that she sold her soul (her voice) to get what she wanted. I never let the boys watch it after that

THANK YOU, Fr. Mike, for this video! As a German, I know all the original fairytales of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, and many of them do NOT have happy endings; in fact, many of them end in a gruesome or sad way. In the original "Little Mermaid," she actually gets to make a choice in the end. After the prince rejects her and falls in love with a human princess (who is NOT an evil witch but a perfectly decent person), she is faced with the choice to either kill both the prince and his bride in their sleep or to end up turning into sea foam. She decides to sacrifice her own life instead of that of her beloved. But as the sun comes up and she's about to turn into sea foam, she is "rescued" by the Daughters of the Wind who welcome her up in the clouds as one of their own BECAUSE she made that self-sacrifice. In other words, she kinda goes to Heaven instead of dissipating in the ocean. Now, THAT is an amazing moral, wouldn't you say? Of course, our "I am my own god" society won't allow anything real and true and beautiful to be passed down to our children, hence the Disneyfied version.

Loved Father Mike's mimic of Mowgli's face when he sees the girl haha

When getting the writers together for jungle book Walt Disney told them NOT to read the Rudyard Kipling book

I've always liked the original ending of "The Little Mermaid" better than the Disney one. She turns into sea foam -- in the old fairy tales, becoming part of nature is a metaphor for healing.

You’re right, Fr. Mike. I just finished reading “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” by Victor Hugo. In the real story, Agnes/Esmeralda was left unattended by her mother and exchanged by the gypsies for Quasimodo. Her bereaved mother became a nun named Sister Gudule. Phoebus did not save Esmeralda, but forgot all about her and married another. Sister Gudule and Esmeralda both die on the gallows, on the same night! It’s a tragedy. Disney seems to alter stories to make them happier.

Thank you father Mike great reflection something to think about❤

I am a big Disney fan. Growing up, I loved Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Aladdin. I still love Disney classics. But I’ve also seen on the internet/social media, memes that show the scenes of every Disney Princess throwing themselves on the floor or ground, crying 😭 and the meme says something like “This is why girls are so picky bc Disney gives this false implication that every Prince is going to sweep them off their feet and they will live happily ever after” when I saw that meme, I thought to myself, wow-that’s true! Thanks a lot Disney! 😂 I get it. Cinderella will always be a childhood favorite of mine. But I think I read The Brother’s Grimm version, that the sisters cut their feet to try to fit the glass slipper. And Sleeping Beauty, in The Brother’s Grimm (I’m pretty sure that’s the version), Sleeping Beauty is “Taken Advantage of” while she’s out and becomes pregnant. Like, wow! 😳 I’m not so sure these original stories are meant for kids 🤷🏻‍♀️idk but I definitely get what Father’s point is. Also, the only complaint I have about the new Little Mermaid 🧜‍♀️ is that her hair isn’t RED enough 😂 it needs to be extreme deep RED! Thanks for the video and observations 😊 I never really thought of Little Mermaid like that but nonetheless I still loved the music and all. 🤩

Wow, you're an amazing priest! This video is proof of that. You make us think about things from a totally different perspective. I never thought about this before, actually. You're right, tho. I'd say this is true even for adults. What kind of stories are we telling ourselves? Those have consequences too.

Wow thank you! I'm going to read these fairy tales and fables as written by their authors...

great insights Father Mike, awesome stuff as always to help us form our conscience's correctly so that we are better Catholic's and followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

This reminds me of Brothers Grimms stories, even within their own lifetime they took out darker themes from the original recorded versions, in my opinion to the stories detriments. I was raised with the original version, and I am very glad for it. 2 books I love, the moral compass and the book of virtues

Father Mike is absolutely right. I am a children's illustrator and soon to be published author (in fact, my first book will be published by Ascension Press in 2024). Just a few short years ago I started to deeply reflect about the kind of messages that I want to put into my stories. The publishing industry discourages this by claiming that we shouldn't "moralize" to children, but if that's so, then what is the point of creating stories for children? To just entertain them? As adults we have to be aware of how the stories we tell will impact children, because our stories will impact our culture and the trajectory of humanity. And more importantly, our stories can either help bring children closer to God or further from God. That is a huge responsibility and it is the duty of a storyteller to take it seriously.

I must say I agree with your conclusion Father, but I respectfully disagree with your case study. The film, “The Little Mermaid” does have a lesson. It tells of the dangers of being an overbearing father. Are we going to ignore the scene where her father smashes all of her collection because he is prejudiced against humans? Which is the reason she seeks out Ursula. She does also apologize for her mistake in the third act and Ursula is about to turn her into a shrimp when her father sacrifices himself for her. He realizes at the end that he was too strict and has to let his daughter go. If you want to pick films with bad lessons or no lesson there are tons of modern films that make good examples. This is the reason I don’t like Avatar. Jake doesn’t learn anything other than humans bad. A bad lesson. The little Mermaid has a lesson. You might not like it, but don’t pretend like it isn’t there.

So true...when we sanitize the lessons and morals of the historical children's tales...what does it say about our society? And its direction?

Word.

AMEN!!!! Thanks so much Father! Just last night I realised how picky I can be with what shows I want to watch. I found it a struggle to find shows that gave that depth to life that I'm, searching for. I hope we all will be able to find those type of shows that shape our hearts in a good way. If anyone finds some PLEASE SEND! 😁🙏🏽🙏🏽

"You gotta pucker up your lips, like this"...I was telling a co-worker who came in all fancied up and smelling good that one just the other day...😆 That's the only Disney movie soundtrack I've ever purchased...it's so good. I always nail the seagull squawking part in 'Kiss the Girl', lol. And, I agree, every party needs a proper pooper, so..., I'm it for all my bashes. I like distilling out and dissecting the unconscious messages for everyone. I especially like doing it with video games that ppl like so that they know the unconscuous implications of the unseen forces dictating to their belief systems and directing their adherence to contemporary norms... this is, too, also probably why I don't have too many gamer friends...😆 Ratatouille. That's another good cartoon movie. It has a lot of messaging about the interior forces that shape the workings of our exterior lives. I've always dug it anyways.

Better to be a "picky buzz-kill" that mis-shapes your heart and life than a media poisoned sleepwalking Catholic. Many thanks, Father Mike!

A story that I like that helps us engage with reality is A Monster Calls. "Stories are wild creatures that when loose we don't know what havoc they may bring".

Ok - basically got the idea and I can't say you're wrong, but that doesn't change the fact that this podcast got me singing "Part of your world" all morning 🙈😁

Such a excellent, eye-opening video! Thank you, Fr. Mike!!

Steven Greydanus and his site Decent Films should be mentioned in this context.

Thank you for the laughs, and for the sermon.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! As a mom of littles who is trying to make sure their minds, bodies and souls are being filled with only good things, this affirmation/confirmation is beyond needed. When family, friends, and the rest of the world question my parenting decisions as often as they do, it is inevitable that self-doubt rears its ugly head from time to time. Thank you for being the "joykill"! Maybe, just maybe - if the truth is killing our "joy", maybe we ought to ask if it really is joy. And questioning from where that joy is coming. And thank you for the Sebastian impression. My inner child is one happy camper. xD

My sentiments EXACTLY! I watch Disney a lot, and I am always looking for a good meaning. Most have an okay meaning. At least the older movies

I love the music and enjoyed the film, but when I became a parent, I never let my kids watch the film since it sent the wrong message. Good job!

Humorous presentation of an important lesson. Disney is not the only studio that drastically rewrites the book, or the facts, for the screenplay. As you point out, the things people are commenting on suggest that we need to accept our entertainment for exactly what it is.

Yes yes, I think we're on to something here! And now I look around at my peers who don't know the first thing about.. for example, sacrificing their own interests for a greater good. Oh father Mike, would you be so kind to consider to do a video on how to cultivate good catholic virtues in everyday life? 🙂 I'm sorry for the broken English.

Excellent message and loved the joke at the end. Most pop culture entertainment is actively subversive to a Christian mindset and has been for decades. It's hard to stop noticing once you start. Disney in particular is big offender. I am also usually the kill joy too in my circle, so I can relate. It's impossible stop the stream of pop culture for the average person, so maybe some mental antibodies might help.

My best friends mother taught me that everything in life is a choice, and your life reflects those choices.

Ha! Beauty and The Beast glamorizes abuse--and extreme abuse, at that! Imprisonment, isolation, rage...all packaged in beautiful songs and gowns. Even I love the songs, despite seeing the abuse, tsk, tsk.

We interrupt this broadcast of profound Catechism in a year to talk to you about Disney Princesses

Dear Father, thank you for this message! I think Matt Fradd had a great episode of PWA with Sean Fitzpatrick about the necessity of grim, dark and sometimes sad-ending fairytales for our growth and valuable life lessons. I have to nitpick a little bit - I've read The Jungle Book (and I haven't seen any of film adaptations) and it doesn't end in this dark way as you described it, not at all. Mowgli kills and skins the tiger with the help of animal friends and lives in the jungle, there is no village slaughter. You just changed this fairy tale, like a movie company :D

The Little Mermaid has always seemed somewhat problematic to me, including for some of the reasons you explained today. I’m hoping the new version corrects some of these issues!

I like the singing at the end.

I saw all of the Disney Movies as I grew up. Seems like every Friday night, there was another Disney movie to see at, a Dollar-A-Carload. All I was left with are fond memories. I also grew up grew up reading Nursery Rhymes. With all of the transgenderism and genital mutilation being introduced to kids these days, I hardly think Disney movies are the problem; at least not the Disney movies from my generation. I am 65.

Well said