Look, I Love Kids, But…
Okay, full disclosure: I’m not a parent. Never been married, no kids, no pets—just a cat named Mr. Whiskers who judges me daily. But I am a movie critic, and for the past 20 years, I’ve seen everything. And I mean everything—from the Oscar-bait dramas to the straight-to-DVD schlock. And let me tell you, kids’ movies? They’re a whole different beast.
I started this journey back in 2003, at a conference in Austin. A colleague named Dave—let’s call him Marcus—dared me to watch every major kids’ movie released that year. I was cocky. I was young. I said, “Bring it on, Marcus. I can handle it.” Oh, how wrong I was.
First up was Finding Nemo. Beautiful, right? Ugh, don’t get me started. I cried. I cried. And that was just the beginning. Over the next few years, I saw it all—Shrek, Toy Story, Ice Age—you name it, I’ve seen it. And honestly? Some of them are genius. But some? Some are just completley and utterely terrible.
Why Are Some Kids’ Movies So Bad?
Let’s talk about Foodfight!. You know, the 2012 movie that was so bad, it became a cult classic for all the wrong reasons. I watched it at 11:30pm one night, and I’m not sure if I was more disappointed or traumatized. The animation was cheap, the plot was non-existent, and the voice acting? Let’s just say it was physicaly painful.
But here’s the thing: not all kids’ movies are like that. Some of them are actually great. Take Spirited Away, for example. That movie is a masterpiece. The animation, the story, the characters—everything is just perfect. I saw it in 2003, and it’s still one of my favorite movies of all time.
But why is there such a huge difference between the good and the bad? Well, I think it comes down to one thing: committment. The studios that put out Spirited Away and Finding Nemo? They committed to making something special. They hired the best animators, the best writers, the best voice actors. And it shows.
The Problem with Sequels
Now, let’s talk about sequels. Because, honestly, they’re a problem. I mean, look at Toy Story 4. It made $1 billion worldwide. But was it necessary? I’m not sure. I think we all knew the story of Woody and Buzz was over after Toy Story 3. But no, Disney had to keep milking it for all it was worth.
And it’s not just Disney. Every studio is guilty of this. Shrek had four sequels. Ice Age had five. And don’t even get me started on The Smurfs. It’s like they think kids are gonna keep coming back, no matter what. And, honestly, they’re probably right.
But here’s the thing: not all sequels are bad. How to Train Your Dragon 2 was actually pretty good. And Finding Dory? It was better than the original, in my opinion. But still, I can’t help but feel like we’re reaching a point of diminishing returns.
The Rise of the Animated Musical
And then there’s the rise of the animated musical. I mean, look at Frozen. It’s been eight years, and we’re still not done with it. Every time I turn around, there’s another Frozen spin-off or remake or whatever. It’s like Disney is trying to squeeze every last penny out of that franchise.
But, honestly, I can’t blame them. Frozen was a phenomenon. It made $1.2 billion worldwide, and it spawned a whole new generation of little girls who think they’re Elsa. And, look, I get it. It’s a good movie. The songs are catchy, the animation is beautiful, and the story is actually pretty good. But come on, Disney. Enough is enough.
And it’s not just Frozen. Every studio is jumping on the animated musical bandwagon. Trolls, Sing, The Lego Movie—they’re all trying to cash in on the same formula. And, honestly, it’s getting old.
What’s Next for Kids’ Movies?
So, what’s next for kids’ movies? I’m not sure. I think we’re gonna see more of the same for a while. More sequels, more spin-offs, more animated musicals. But I also think there’s a chance for something new. Something different.
I mean, look at Coco. It’s a beautiful, heartfelt movie about a boy who loves music but is forbidden from playing it. It’s a story that’s never been told before, and it’s a story that needs to be told. And, honestly, I think we’re gonna see more movies like Coco in the future. Movies that are determing to tell new stories, to break the mold, to do something different.
But until then, we’re stuck with Frozen 3 and Toy Story 5 and whatever other sequels the studios can squeeze out of their franchises. And, honestly, I’m not sure I can handle it. I mean, I’m 45 years old. I’ve seen alot of kids’ movies. And I’m not sure my heart can take much more.
But, look, I’m not giving up hope. I think there’s still a chance for kids’ movies to be great. To be special. To be something more than just another sequel or spin-off. And I’m gonna keep watching, keep hoping, keep waiting for that next big thing.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for some honest news about what’s going on in the world of kids’ movies, you should check out Vermont news today latest. They’ve got some great coverage of the latest releases, and they’re not afraid to tell it like it is.
So, that’s my take on kids’ movies. It’s not pretty, it’s not polished, and it’s probably not what you wanted to hear. But it’s the truth. And, honestly, I think we could all use a little more truth in our lives.
About the Author: Hi, I’m Sarah. I’ve been a movie critic for 20 years, and I’ve seen it all—from the good to the bad to the downright ugly. I’m a cat mom, a coffee addict, and a firm believer that Jurassic Park is the greatest movie of all time. I live in New York City with my cat, Mr. Whiskers, and I spend my days watching movies, writing about them, and arguing with people on the internet. I’m not perfect, I’m not balanced, and I’m definitely not neutral. But I’m honest. And, honestly, that’s all I can ask for.
