Other critics take issue with a scene in which a dragon does a ``mocking impression of a Christian evangelist,'' and for scenes portraying violence. Asked one: ``Is becoming more adept than males at violence really progress for women?''
This kind of mixed reaction is typical for Disney movies. It seems to be a curse no Disney release can escape. Why?
``Because it's Disney and because it's a film for kids,'' according to Chuck Kleinhans, associate professor of radio, TV and film at Northwestern University.
``The public is very invested in Walt Disney products,'' he explains, ``because Disney has a reputation for making films it's safe to take/send your kids to . . . films that have `good messages' and `positive endings' and affirm `family values.' ''
But it's precisely because Disney films are believed to influence children that critics find it easy to be negative about them, he adds. ``Either a film will be seen as too goody-goody or, from a more critical point of view, a reinforcement of some doubtful values.''
``Pocahontas,'' for example, was seen by some as an ``ambassadress of multiculturalism'' who works for peace between her people and the English. But, Kleinhans notes, others denounced the film as a ``soft sell for imperialism.'' (Yo!, Poca, you don't fall for a guy who comes to conquer your people and grab your land.)
``Disney will always draw criticism,'' says Kathy Merlock-Jackson, Disney historian and chairman of the communications department at Virginia Wesleyan College, simply because it ``sets the standard in animation. Everybody else either imitates it or reacts to it.''
