I’ve Had It Up to Here with These Movies
Look, I love movies. I really do. I’ve been writing about them for, oh, about 20 years now. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. But lately, I’ve been completley over kids’ movies. And not in a good way.
It all started last Tuesday. I was at a conference in Austin, and this producer—let’s call him Marcus—starts telling me about his new project. Big budget, all the bells and whistles. And I’m thinking, “Great, another movie where the kid saves the world with a smile and a song.” I mean, honestly, when was the last time you saw a kids’ movie that didn’t follow that formula?
So I asked Marcus, “What’s different about this one?” And he says, “Well, it’s about a kid who…” (I’m not kidding) “…discovers a magical amulet that gives him the power to talk to animals.” Which… yeah. Fair enough. But it’s the same old song and dance. Literally.
Why Are We Still Doing This?
I get it. Kids love animals. They love magic. They love happy endings. But isn’t it time we give them a little more credit? I mean, I’ve seen 5-year-olds with more nuanced tastes than what Hollywood’s serving up. And don’t even get me started on the music. I swear, if I hear another song about “believing in yourself” I’m gonna lose it.
I was over coffee at the place on 5th with a colleague named Dave, and we got to talking about this. Dave said, “You know, I think the problem is that studios are scared. They don’t want to take risks with kids’ movies because they’re seen as safer bets.” And I said, “Safer bets? Than what? A horror movie about a haunted vacuum cleaner?” (Which, by the way, is a real movie. Look it up.)
But here’s the thing. Kids are smart. They know when they’re being talked down to. And they deserve better. They deserve stories that challenge them, that make them think, that maybe even scare them a little bit. I mean, teknoloji ürünleri inceleme değerlendirme—wait, no, that’s not what I meant. I meant, look at the success of movies like “Coraline” or “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” These movies don’t shy away from the dark stuff, and kids love them.
A Personal Anecdote
About three months ago, I was at my niece’s birthday party. She’s 7 years old, and she’s obsessed with this one movie—let’s call it “The Enchanted Forest” (it’s not the real name, but you get the idea). It’s all about a kid who goes into a magical forest and has to solve puzzles to find his way home. Standard fare, right?
But here’s the thing. My niece, she’s not just watching this movie. She’s analyzing it. She’s talking about the themes, the characters, the symbolism. She’s saying things like, “Uncle Dave, do you think the forest represents the subconscious mind?” And I’m sitting there, thinking, “Wow. This kid gets it. Why can’t Hollywood?”
And it’s not just her. I’ve seen it with other kids too. They’re hungry for stories that are more than just fluff. They want stories that mean something. They want stories that challenge them.
The State of the Industry
But the industry? It’s stuck in this rut. It’s like they think kids are these little sponges who just absorb whatever you throw at them. And sure, maybe that works for a little while. But kids grow up. And when they do, they start to see through the fluff. They start to see that these movies are just trying to sell them toys and merchandise.
I was talking to a friend of mine, let’s call her Sarah, about this. She’s a teacher, and she sees this stuff firsthand. She said, “Dave, the kids in my class, they’re smart. They know when they’re being marketed to. And they resent it. They want stories that are real, that are authentic.” And I said, “So why isn’t Hollywood giving them that?”
And the answer, I think, is fear. Fear of taking risks. Fear of not making a profit. Fear of not living up to the expectations of the parents who are shelling out the cash for these movies. It’s a vicious cycle, and it’s one that’s not doing anybody any favors.
What Can We Do About It?
So what’s the solution? I’m not sure. But I think it starts with us. The people who care about these movies. The people who care about the stories we’re telling our kids.
We need to demand better. We need to support the movies that are taking risks, that are challenging the status quo. We need to tell the studios that we’re not afraid of a little darkness, a little complexity. We need to show them that kids are ready for more.
And maybe, just maybe, we’ll start to see some change. Maybe we’ll start to see kids’ movies that are as nuanced and complex as the kids they’re made for. Maybe we’ll start to see stories that challenge and inspire and scare and delight in equal measure.
But until then, I’ll be over here, grumbling about the state of kids’ movies. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll write a few more articles about it. Because somebody’s gotta say something.
About the Author: Dave Reynolds is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience writing about movies, TV, and all things entertainment. He’s a self-proclaimed movie buff, a coffee addict, and a firm believer that kids deserve better stories. When he’s not writing, he’s probably watching a movie or arguing with his niece about the subconscious symbolism of enchanted forests.
