Conservative Commentator Defends Disney Villains As ‘Right’

The Daily Wire is a relatively new hitter in the media world. The right-leaning media corporation has been around for a few years now with popular political commentators, its new kid’s programming, and full-length films. However, it’s smaller than Disney or other mass media outlets. But that doesn’t keep its stars from talking about Disney villains (or a Disney movie).

Related: The WORST Disney Villains Ever, Ranked (And the Best)

But it will never shy away from controversies – political, social, or otherwise. Enter Matt Walsh.

Related: Conservative Company Makes Its Own ‘Snow White’ Movie

The conservative writer and podcast host has recently released a new video/commentary about Disney villains that, in his opinion, were right – or at the very least misunderstood. Regardless of whether your political views align with Matt Walsh’s, his dry humor take on this topic is interesting.

His original video however, only focused on five main Disney villains. Although fans won’t find classics like Captain Hook from Peter Pan (1953), Ursula from The Little Mermaid (1989), or Prince John from Robin Hood (1973), there’s always his next video.

So here are the five Disney villains defended…

Gaston in Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Matt Walsh lists his defense of Gaston as the one he feels the most passionate about. He describes Gaston as being the actual hero of the story and not the real villain.

He questions why we are supposed to hate Gaston from the beginning of the movie. Just because he’s manly, has a hairy chest, and eats a lot of eggs doesn’t make him a bad guy. But the film portrays him in a very negative light from the very beginning. However, he has not committed evil acts like Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty or other classic Disney villains who commit murder, curses, and abuse. What is his actual crime?

Related: The Planned Disney Villain Roller Coaster That Never Was

He is an advocate of traditional marriage and the nuclear family. Just because Belle isn’t interested in him doesn’t make him evil, nor worth being humiliated in front of the town.

Yet, despite his many rejections by Belle at the end of the movie, he is willing to risk his life by saving her from the Beast. Because, after all, Gaston knows nothing about Belle and the Beast’s relationship. All he knows is that the a monster kidnapped Belle (the woman he loves), held her against her will. He also doesn’t know that Belle loves him or that the Beast is a human prince. All he wanted to do was save her and the town from the Beast.

Related: OpEd: Nobody Deserves a Redemption Arc Like Gaston

Then Matt Walsh points to the Beast, whom we are supposed to think is the movie’s hero. He imprisons Belle’s father, then Belle herself. And that’s not to mention that he is verbally abusive to his staff, terrifies Belle with his temper, and gets violently angry at times.

The Evil Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Matt Walsh begins his take on the Evil Queen by first clarifying that he is not saying the evil queen is good. But merely describing her character and the story as having often ignored nuances.

For example, Snow White, who is the film’s hero, breaks into the house of the seven dwarfs, implying that she is not necessarily an innocent, flawless Disney princess. In addition, he suggests that Snow White bears some responsibility for consuming the poisoned apple.

After all, who offers free food from a creepy old lady who randomly shows up at your window and laughs as you take it?

Related: ‘Snow White’ Remake May Be Most Expensive Movie Ever Made

Snow White doesn’t even wash the apple in the sink. So he argues that she is responsible for her downfall. And perhaps one could interpret The Evil Queen as an advocate for private property rights.

The Hunter From Bambi (1942)

In this Disney classic, Matt Walsh defends the hunter who shoots Bambi’s mother. He argues that a hunter is justified in shooting a deer. Not only could the shooting of Bambi’s mother provide food for the hunter and his family.

Although Matt Walsh doesn’t point it out, it’s almost the opposite message of the Circle of Life that The Lion King (1994) addresses.

Related: ‘Some Kids, Some Parents Are More Sensitive.’ ‘Bambi’ Screenwriter Promises Major Changes to Disney Classic

Matt Walsh also addresses problems with the deer population throughout the country. In addition, deer have caused many traffic accidents and deaths. Perhaps the hunter shooting Bambi’s mother ended up saving others?

Other Disney Villains

Matt Walsh also addresses Scar in The Lion King and the European settlers in Pocahontas (1995).

The full clip can be viewed here:

Whether you agree with Matt Walsh’s list or not, villains remain a popular group of characters from many Disney movies. In fact, they are among the most popular characters at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort (after Mickey Mouse of course).

Maybe we should cut them a little more slack…