Some of Anna's mannerisms and dialogues wouldn't fit with the "timeless" feel of the classic princesses. She's too modern and of her time in that regard.

^I found Rapunzel MUCH more modern, although it's because Tangled was very modern in general (the music, the humour, the slang, the behavior). Frozen was too modern too, but to a lesser extent.

They both have qualities of the classics, and they're both meant to be tough and strong like the revival and renaissance princesses, but I think Punz was too much of the ideal modern woman, and what a lot of feminists WANT to see, while with Anna, they weren't afraid to have her dream of finding love, want to marry a man she just met and assume that her life needed to be saved by men (whereas they constantly made Eugene look like a pathetic thief who needs Punz's help to get away). I'm not saying that the classics aren't feminists- they're wonderful feminist role models- it's just that they weren't meant to be seen as "strong, independent women" the way the renaissance princesses, Tia, Punz and Merida were (they weren't meant to be seen as weak either- it would help to understand this comment if you're not a black-and-white thinker). It's just that Rapunzel (the character rather than the person) was a people-pleaser. We're supposed to see her as adorable, a wonderful person, a strong and independent feminist, and a relatable, flawed character, most of which she is. Disney was very cautious and calculating when they made Tangled.

Tangled embraces the movies which came beforehand. Frozen acts as if the makers were ashamed of them.

The thing is that Anna reminds me more of what people THINK the classic Princesses were about (falling in love immediately, dreaming of a prince aso), while Rapunzel feels like something Disney would create, but with character development added to it.

^Agreed.

I can sum up why Anna doesn't fit in with the classic DPs in one phrase: "Don't know if I'm elated or gassy, but I'm somewhere in that zone!"

^OMG Yes! Brilliant!

But I'm torn on Anna's open demand for love and romance and switching from man to man-- Rapunzel encompasses more feminist ideologies. That being said, I would never go as far to say the classic princesses are wonderful feminist role models- that is entirely blown up and they very much suffer from dated expectations of women.
Even without regards to feminism, Just in terms of mirroring the classic princesses molds, Rapunzel suits better. Frolicking among animals, dreamy, etc. But I think Anna encompasses the ideologies more.

^^ Thanks, Silverrose! :)

Dang, I was about to pick Rapunzel but Magnolia changed my mind.

I definitely agree Frozen pretty unfortunately acts ashamed of the older movies, but Disney in general does now; it isn't just that movie. Look what they did with Rapunzel- her being cute, innocent and girly with housewifely hobbies isn't good enough. She still has to impress everyone with her action-girl skills and be better than the man at everything she does in order to please feminist moms and be a role model for girls. (I am glad the movie still has those traits, however.) You're not meant to see her as a damsel at all even though she definitely has damsel moments. Whereas at least Anna and Elsa, they have plenty of them. Anna may save the day and fight off wolves but she still needs help from a man and her sister, and Elsa too. Of course the movie doesn't want you to think they need help, but it's true.

I would say Elsa fits the best though, even if that wasn't the question. It's kind of nice that all three sort of do in different ways, even though that obviously wasn't the intent of the filmmakers and most of the fans who hate the Classics certainly wouldn't admit it.

@princesslullaby The thing is, if you put the Classic Princesses in the context of the respective time their movies were made - the 1930s and the 1950s - then they are actually way ahead of the usual portrayal of female characters to this particular time. Not exactly feminist icons, but compared to, for example, the usual Doris Day character, they are positively enlightened. And in Aurora's case surrounded by a group of strong female characters.
Anna on the other hand is way behind what I would expect from a Disney heroine nowadays...and I don't mean that she has to fight or something like this. But she should be somewhat competent (all the classic princesses are competent in whatever they do).

yes fart jokes are exactly what fits in with the classic princess. Rapunzel seems to more embrace some of disney traditions like the symbolic birds and she carries herself with a bit more dignity than Anna who always needs to be helped on top of the not so subtle jab at the "love at first sight" while Tangled follows the snarky is attracted to nice they do it without freaking telling the audience that they think the other trope is stupid. also both movies are modern for sure but Tangled seems to take to heart that this is a twist on a story and not an "adaptation" with the source material almost completely forgotten

@SwanPride- I'm not looking in context. Context / time period does not excuse their being not the best feminist role models. I think Anna's ideologies carry more weight than Rapunzel just looking and physically acting more like a classic DP. The open demand for romance really seals the deal for me.

Yeah, I see your point...I was hesitating myself. But I think it would be wrong to reduce the Classic Princesses to "they want a romance". Snow White falls somewhat into the category, but Cinderella certainly doesn't, she just wants a better life, romance is not really on her wish list, it just happens to her. And Aurora, while singing about a prince, mostly wants to meet more people because she feels that she is growing up, and it is time for her to be not under the tump of her aunts all the time. That's why I said that Anna fits perfect into what people think Classic Princesses are about, but she lacks all the positive character traits of a classic princess. None of them would just storm ahead, they usually plan unless they are forced into an unexpected situation. None of them would just ride into a storm like freaking idiots, none of them would throw snow balls at an ice giant.

No, Aurora really mostly talks about a prince--- about her dream where she danced with one, about why she can't have that certain someone, "I wonder why each little bird as a someone". She does mention a few times about being treated as a child, "they never want me to meet anyone" but most of her talk is about her prince/love interest.
I agree about that part of Anna, but I think Rapunzel carries more feminist weight and action whereas Anna is more about being relatable and adorable-- which is what I think the older princesses are about. Granted, it's a tough choice, because neither of them fit exactly into the mold. I guess I think Anna fits better as Snow/Aurora, while Rapunzel may fit better for Cindy, but overall I think Anna just really threw me back to classic Disney while Rapunzel didn't, I see Rapunzel as a bit more like a Renaissance girl.

Well, if the question had been which one is more feminist, than my answer would have been Rapunzel for sure...more feminist character in a way more feminist movie.

I get what you mean with Anna being a throw-back - I think Merida is the worst of the "I want" princesses while Anna is in a way the worst of the Classic princesses.

But Rapunzel feels to me like a modern, more feminist version of the Classic princesses, so I think she fits better because the same way they were good characters for their time, she is a good character for our time...while Anna isn't.

I guess that's your opinion, that you don't think Anna is a good character... I do.

Anna is more classic romance, prince and princess, and Rapunzel is more creative, modern and rebellious.

Anna's dream was similiar with the classic princesses, they're want to find true love, and dream that their Prince Charming will come someday.

" None of them would just ride into a storm like freaking idiots, none of them would throw snow balls at an ice giant." I'm not sure I agree with this. Snow White barged into a stranger's house, cleaned it, lay on their beds, and took it over, basically. I COULD see Snow White doing either of those things.