Adult Moments in Kid's films

[ThePurpleStuff]

(This is my first thread on the escapist, so sorry if it might be sloppy or anything like that, we all got to start somewhere.)

Don't you miss them? I certainly do, over the years it seems that the higher powers responsible for the classic films we grew up with aren't treating our new generation the same way we were treated. Their usual mentality is "death is bad, swearing is worse than death, blood will turn you into the devil" that stupid propaganda shit they feed to kids. What, are kids these days so young, so ignorant that they can't make a good kid movie that is also for adults? (Pixar, you're doing great, no hate against you, keep up the good work. I'll continue my support if you keep giving us wonderful movies I could show my kid's someday.)

Alright, I know, there are tons of movies out there that are as good as what Pixar makes, but I'm talking about those exceptions to the norm, the ones that insult the intelligence of the viewer. To give an example of what I'm trying to talk about, I'll bring up one of my all time favorite love-hate series, The Land Before time.

The very first movie, an original film directed by the famous Don Bluth, Executive-produced with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, quite possibly the first film I ever saw growing up. It gave me an amazing experience and a whole different look at life as I knew it, it taught me about death, the loss of a loved one, growing stronger from the loss and moving on to a better life. That no matter where you are, they will still be there with you, in your heart and mind for as long as you live.

Spoiler: Video of the famous scene that changed my life forever.

Turn the volume up since the sound is very quiet, I couldn't find a better video.

This movie is my all-time favorite animated film amongst every one I've ever seen, now what do I hate about this franchise? Well, the other 12 movies and the cartoon that spawned from them. There are 13 movies in total and I only love one! That's a major problem! I could go into details about each one, but that would take me hours and I've only seen the 2nd to 8th movies, also the tenth, I haven't seen the 9th and beyond. I don't want to make this just a rant on some kids movies, so I'll stop here. (Also, I know that Don, Steve and George were not involved in the other 12 movies and the cartoon, but still it's the same string of movies so I can hate on them for not being consistent.)

To start discussion, do you know of any other kid's movies that went the same route as The Land Before Time? (Lots of sing-a-long songs, absolutely no deaths anymore, pathetic antagonists that not even a one year old would be afraid of, trying desperately to tell a story and failing at it.) Any type of movie, animated or not, as long as it was aimed towards children counts. It can be old, new or even a foreign film no one outside your country has seen yet. Also, if it was extremely adult and violent, something a kid shouldn't have seen in general, those count as well.

Sorry for making this so long.

 

[mParadox]

I'll be fair... Who framed Roger Rabbit?

That was a very obscene film. The funny thing is that i didn't find it so when i was a kid.

That and the supposed death of Ash in Pokemon: Mewtwo Returns

Oh and the dead of Mother Deer in Bambi.

@OP: Congrats on your first thread.

 

[ultrachicken]

Land Before Time... good memories...

I forgot what I was going to say, but man did I love Land Before Time.

 

[Gigaguy64]

OP...you stole my post.
Granted it wasn't until i was older that i understood what was going on, it still moves me to this day.
The Land Before Time is still one of my favorite movies.

And the song that plays during the credits is also moving to me.

 

[Jekken6]

Toy Story 3. All of it.

 

[Brotherofwill]

There's still children's movies that deal with adult themes. I know Disney kind of regressed a bit on making actual challenging content, but that's just Disney.

What about Pixar? What about Toy Story, or hell Up? Up has an awe-inspiring, tear inducing magnificent moment right at the beginning that doesn't treat kids like dumb little idiots who can't deal with love or death. Pixar fucking owns.

Anyway, I agree with you. Land Before Time kicked various amounts of ass. I loved it as a child and hated all the spin-off shit.

 

[Scarecrow]

I'll be fair... Who framed Roger Rabbit?

That was a very obscene film. The funny thing is that i didn't find it so when i was a kid.

That and the supposed death of Ash in Pokemon: Mewtwo Returns

Oh and the dead of Mother Deer in Bambi.

@OP: Congrats on your first thread.

yeah..roger rabbit is a great film.

But did you know that they did a remake of bambi, and his mother dosn't die!

 

['Aredor]

You said it best yourself, the reason why the sequels were a lot worse (only seen the second, but I'll take your word for it) is that the original talent wasn't involved any more, it was just a quick way to make cash off the original that missed the point because no one cared about upholding the quality.

Which is why I make it a rule never to watch any sequels that don't involve those who originally created it, which in turn is why I can't give any further examples. I can name one instance where the opposite occurred, though: Harry Potter. While the first two parts are quite carefree and childish, things slowly start getting darker and maturer as the children grow up.

But generally speaking, children's entertainment nowadays probably does tend to be too timid, gone are the times of gritty fairy tales and fables designed to teach children something. But then again, parents these days don't read to their children, anyways, so...

Now on to some pointers on how to improve your topic: The title is a bit misleading, I was fully expecting to hear something about inappropriate adult moments (such as sex scenes or too much gore). Don't ask me for a better word, though, I'm drawing a blank here. Furthermore, you might want to include a TL;DR so that those with a lack of patience can also chip in. Other than that, nicely done

 

[The Cheezy One]

Mulan, when the ancestor ghosts are arguing about why she is doing what she is doing, one says something like "My grandaughter isn't a transvestite!"

 

[ThePurpleStuff]

There's still children's movies that deal with adult themes. I know Disney kind of regressed a bit on making actual challenging content, but that's just Disney.

What about Pixar? What about Toy Story, or hell Up? Up has an awe-inspiring, tear inducing magnificent moment right at the beginning that doesn't treat kids like dumb little idiots who can't deal with love or death. Pixar fucking owns.

Anyway, I agree with you. Land Before Time kicked various amounts of ass. I loved it as a child and hated all the spin-off shit.

I have no hate against Pixar, I love all of their work! The ones you mentioned are amongst my favorites they have made! We're both in the same boat here dude, lol.

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

What about the Lion King? Im mean, look at it! It's basically a classic Life-Death-Rebirth story that features elements from Hamlet, the story of Moses and even an homage to the Third Reich! Even Mufasa, whose meant to be the wisest and most respected character (aside from Rafiki) blatantly tells his son that they kill and eat other animals. Besides who could forget that scene where little Simba finds his Father dead?

The road to El Dorado. Never seen a Disney movie with insinuated sex in it till that one.

Don't mean to be pedantic but that's because its a Dreamworks film. Dreamworks is actually quite the master of these.

Does this count?

Spoiler

Really messed me up. I mean, WTF? I grew up fast the day I saw it.

Oh god! Its been ages since I last saw this. This is actually something special. This is one of the rare films that quite basically told our kids "This is Life. Deal with it". This movie awed, frightened and actually made me physically ill as a kid.

 

[Byere]

Definitely agree on Toy Story 3.

Outside of sadness, a LOT of jokes in kids movies often go over the heads of children... or are just subtle. While it's not "adult", in the beginning of Chicken Little a bull walks out of a china shop.

And the song that plays during the credits is also moving to me.

If We Hold on Together - Diana Ross

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

Toy Story 3. All of it.

...I still need to see it. Should I bring kleenex?

OT:

I would say Land Before Time but the OP ninja'd me. Hmm...

Oh yeah, The Fox and the Hound! Tod the Fox deals with racism (speciesism?) and Copper has to deal with choosing between running with his crowd or sticking by his friend. That has some adult themes.

Spoiler: Unrelated but pretty scary for me as a kid

Spoiler: Cruella Deville

She gave little me nightmares

Does this count?

Spoiler

Really messed me up. I mean, WTF? I grew up fast the day I saw it.

From what that vid shows us, yes. I can't imagine what that would have done to little me.

 

[FortheLegion]

Any type of movie, animated or not, as long as it was aimed towards children counts. It can be old, new or even a foreign film no one outside your country has seen yet.

Does this count?

Spoiler

Really messed me up. I mean, WTF? I grew up fast the day I saw it.

I don't remember the plot at all to this movie only that it disturbed me profoundly i was like 6 or 7 when i saw it. I still remember them dieing SO MUCH HORRIBLE BUNNY DEATH but now i think i could easily handle it....... But it still haunts me......

 

[ThePurpleStuff]

Does this count?

Spoiler

Really messed me up. I mean, WTF? I grew up fast the day I saw it.

Oh god.. I remember this movie, just for this, I'm gonna edit the top post, this movie is so fucked up it's insane, my mom and I watched it together.. it gave me a slight fear of rabbits.

 

[Plinglebob]

I'll be fair... Who framed Roger Rabbit?

That was a very obscene film. The funny thing is that i didn't find it so when i was a kid.

I used to really like Who Framed Roger Rabbit when I was a kind and when I finally watched it again recently I was surprised at how much adult humour and word play there was in it.

 

[Fenra]

I remember watching the lion king in the cinema as a kid, enjoyed it but didnt think of it that deeply... being 7 at the time.

Then I came to watch it many years later at university and never realised how dark that film gets a times or the deeper questions it asks. Found myself crying at the death of Simba's father.

Then of course theres the entire pixar filmography (not sure if thats even a word) thats deeper in humor and message than most children can understand. Kinda the same with the first 2 shrek films, humor wise at least theres jokes in there for just the adults.

Also not sure how much this counts but since I saw it as a kid first time, the nightmare before christmas, when i rewatched it last year for the first time, its a lot more morbid and freaky than I remember it being heh

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

Hunchback of Notre Dame!! Talk about adult! Genocide, Discrimination, Death, Sex, Religion.
Disney had some serious cahones to make this the way they did.