"Just a kids movie" is no excuse....

[Vault101]

Just somthing I have been thinking about just now,

"family movies" or "kids movies" often have a reputation for being bad, and some people say "well its a kids movie" BUT I say theres no excuse for bad movies, (though the kids are gonna enjoy it eather way I guess)

reason I was thinking of this was because I was thinking about the star wars prequels (random I know) Ive never actually seen them except for bits and I know...they just arnt that great,and you know Im not even a star wars fan

and I remember some people had pointed out in their defence that "star wars was/is now kind of for kids anyway" (also could be seen as a somwhat passive agressive insult to older fans implying they are losers)

WRONG, weather or not those films were made to target towards children (as in Jar Jar Binks) is no excuse for them being bad films, even aside from that certain charachters annoyingness

so what do you think? do you cut some movies some slack because they are "for kids" do you think star wars is "for kids"?

 

[tFMechanic]

For me a movie can be cut a little slack for being "for kids", but not if it's truly horrendously bad. Choosing not to go for a more serious tone or being somewhat 2 dimensional is okay for a movie aimed at kids, but bad is bad no matter what the target audience.

As for Star Wars being 'for kids' - What? How do you even get there? Maybe it did/does appeal to a somewhat younger audience because of some of the cooler sci-fi/fantasy stuff, but I would never call it a kids' movie. Also, as a Star Wars fan I can say that I do prefer the original trilogy to the prequels. I don't think they are as bad as some people make them out to be, but they just don't hold up as well in comparison to the original 3.

Back more to the original topic - for an example of a "kids movie" that still works regardless of its' audience: Kung Fu Panda. In my opinion, anyway.

 

[tFMechanic]

crap, double post. sorry.

 

[War Penguin]

Well, the problem is that movie producers see these movies as an easy way to get money. Kids have terrible tastes and low standards, making it easier for producers to make the movie and get cash. The parents can't really say no, because (A) they always come out in summer, meaning that these are "air conditioner movies" meaning that during the hot weather, they can just go to the movie and just get some cool air and/or (B) the kids will be bored and cranky and will bug there parents to bring them there. It sucks, I know, but that's how it works.

As for Star Wars... yeah, I have no freaking idea where you got that from.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

As for Star Wars being 'for kids' - What? How do you even get there? Maybe it did/does appeal to a somewhat younger audience because of some of the cooler sci-fi/fantasy stuff, but I would never call it a kids' movie. Also, as a Star Wars fan I can say that I do prefer the original trilogy to the prequels. I don't think they are as bad as some people make them out to be, but they just don't hold up as well in comparison to the original 3.

As for Star Wars... yeah, I have no freaking idea where you got that from.

Straight from the mouth of George Lucas, unfortunately. Around the time the Special Edition was released, he made the rounds talking about how Star Wars was always aimed at children. I'm surprised you guys had never heard about it before.

OT: Not only do I agree that something being for kids isn't an excuse for it to be terrible, I'm of the opinion that children's programming, if it's good enough, can be enjoyed by people of any age -- who should not feel self conscious for watching it. I'm 21, and I still watch more cartoons than I do live action TV -- discounting movies, of course. The main reason for this is that there's a lot of great cartoons out there, and most of the "mature" series that are on TV more than once a week are pretty stupid. I'll take Phineas and Ferb over CSI any day, to say nothing of the crappy reality shows and infomercials that make up so much of what's on cable these days.

 

[Strain42]

I recently bought the first season of Rocko's Modern Life on DVD and let me tell you...I am BAFFLED as to why I was allowed to watch this as a kid. That show is lewd, crude, filthy, loaded with innuendo and in some cases downright nasty.

...and I wouldn't have it any other way. See, I actually remembered a lot of the lines, characters and stories from when I was a kid and enjoyed it because it was a fun cartoon with well animated humor.

But now that I'm older, I get all the jokes, and I'm able to enjoy it on the same levels as when I was a kid, and levels beyond that.

It's part of the reason why Pixar movies are so good as well. Because sure, a lot of it is aimed at younger audiences, but it can be enjoyed by anyone.

 

[emeraldrafael]

I judge them on difference scales. You cant put up say... shrek, and compare it to... 12 angry men. you just cant. I still hold kids movies to a degree, where tehy have to have plot, but its more based on a kids perspective then an adult.

 

[TheNaut131]

Well, I can agree with this but it mainly has to do with television. All week I've been watching Hey Arnold episodes on Youtube. When I was younger I enjoyed the show. I didn't worship it, but found it simply something fun to watch. Now that I'm older I can truly appreciate it and I've found out it's a lot better than I remember. There are some pretty deep episodes, the characters are overall enjoyable, and the humor is genuine. I can't even remember most of the episodes I'm watching, yet I still find the show amazing.

Also, Spongebob Squarepants. When I was younger...I fucking hated the show. Well, hate is a bit strong. Let's just say I didn't find it as interesting as everything else that was on Nickelodeon. CatDog, Hey Arnold, Doug, Rocko's Modern Life, etc. Looking back...that show was fantastic. The newer episodes are horrible garbage, but seasons 1-3 are hilarious. They're a lot funnier and take themselves a bit more seriously than the newer episodes. i.e. Spongebob isn't a total moronic, high-bitched, yellow 5 year old in seasons 1-3.

I think the key to making enjoyable children's television programming, and perhaps movies as well, that isn't total crap is to make sure a portion of adults can stomach it too. So this way, parents won't feel ashamed for letting their kids watch it, they can actually enjoy watching it with their kids, and when those kids look back on the show some day they can realize how much of it they didn't understand as well as how amazing the show truly was. Or at least that's what my experience with Hey Arnold can has showed me.

 

[Spade Lead]

I'll take Phineas and Ferb over CSI any day, to say nothing of the crappy reality shows and infomercials that make up so much of what's on cable these days.

And that right there made me stop reading this thread. If you think Phineas and Ferb is the pinnacle of TV today, you just have bad taste. I hate reality TV with a passion, seeing as how it is all faked and staged, but shit, PHINEAS AND FERB?

Seriously, I am done. Don't bother responding, I don't care anymore.

 

[Furioso]

I'll take Phineas and Ferb over CSI any day, to say nothing of the crappy reality shows and infomercials that make up so much of what's on cable these days.

And that right there made me stop reading this thread. If you think Phineas and Ferb is the pinnacle of TV today, you just have bad taste. I hate reality TV with a passion, seeing as how it is all faked and staged, but shit, PHINEAS AND FERB?

Seriously, I am done. Don't bother responding, I don't care anymore.

Have you ever actually seen phineas and ferb? Its actually pretty funny

Oh yea and me being the Pixar freak that I am, I would have to say all of their stuff (except cars 1 and especially 2) And was the animated Batman show intended for kids? If so then that one has to be here

 

[Strain42]

Seeing as how this a forum full of My Little Pony fans, maybe this isn't the best place to have a discussion like this*


*The aforementioned statement may not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Strain42 but...come on, someone had to say it.

 

[RoyalSorceress]

That's the main problem with 4Kids tv. "It's just a show for kids, we don't need to put an effort into it. If fact why don't we cut as many corners as we can to save money. They won't notice, they're just kids."

(In case you can't tell, I hate 4Kids tv)

 

[Mr.Numbers]

Just somthing I have been thinking about just now,

"Family movies" or "Kids movies" often have a reputation for being bad, and some people say; "Well its a kids movie" BUT I say theres no excuse for bad movies(though the kids are gonna enjoy it either way I guess).

The reason I was thinking of this was because I was thinking about the Star Wars prequels (random I know.) I've never actually seen them except for bits and I know...They just aren't that great, and you know that I'm not even a Star Wars fan

I remember some people had pointed out in their defense that "Star Wars was/is now kind of for kids anyway". This also could be seen as a somewhat passive aggressive insult to older fans since it is implying that they are losers.

WRONG, whether or not those films were made with children as the target audience (E.G Jar Jar Binks) it's no excuse for them being bad films, even aside from that certain characters are incredibly annoying.

So what do you think? Do you cut some movies some slack because they are "for kids"? Do you think Star Wars is "For kids"?

You're a brilliant poster, most of the time, but the abuse of the English Language in this was terrible. So I fixed up as many of your errors as I could see to make the post a bit more legible.

Sorry, I'm being a bit of a Nazi, but it was a bit odd considering your normal glowing posting record

Anyway, Star Wars should have been made for the original fans, which it wasn't, and kids movies aren't just to entertain, they are to keep the child's interest. Since they have shorter attention spans, they need to be entertained differently. It's why you don't enjoy kids shows, but can't look away anyway, they produce an effect akin to mild hypnosis.

Really, it's a low state of epilepsy, I wish I were making this up.

Will source later, this was mostly for Vault Dweller.

 

[Sandernista]

My answer to the whole 'Just a kids movie' is Adventure Time.

ADVENTURE TIME

Which is amazing btw.

Also, Pixar works too.

 

[Nigh Invulnerable]

Cartoon does not have to mean "dumb" or "for kids" at all. I think Brad Bird's animated films are excellent examples of animated films that maybe get a PG or G rating but have a very broad appeal. Iron Giant, The Incredibles, and Ratatouille are amazing. Also, someone knocking Phineas and Ferb has clearly not seen much of it. Tons of parental bonus humor in that show.

 

[LobsterFeng]

Oh yes, the prequels were definitely made for kids that's why they have: decapitation, mass murder, long and boring politics, being burned alive, murder of children, etc.

No but seriously, most of my favorite shows are kids cartoons so... meh.

 

[Kolby Jack]

Of course Star Wars is a kids movie series. It's magic knights (light vs dark) fighting in space with laser swords, adorable robots, aliens and fuzzy critters. Have you ever scene a more stereotypically evil villain than the Emperor? Only a kids film could get away with that sort of characterization. The only idiots who claim Star Wars isn't for kids are the idiots who saw Star Wars 30 years ago WHEN THEY WERE KIDS and are only now adults. Everybody as an adult still likes the things they liked as a kid. I'm 22, barely an adult, I know, but I still love many of the old cartoons I used to watch when I growing up.

The problem here is that when people hear the words "for kids" what they actually interpret it as is "for toddlers." Star Wars appeals to most kids ages 9-15, hence why there is a CHILDREN'S CARTOON ABOUT IT on Cartoon Network right now. And it's not some "no-deaths, no violence, no complex storytelling" bullcrap either; it's pretty much on par with the level of death, violence, and storytelling as any of the films, maybe worse/better in some cases.

But don't get me wrong. I love Star Wars, but I'm not going to try and claim it's something only an adult could truly appreciate. I've told people this many times before, and I'll say it again: Liking things aimed at children doesn't make you childish!

 

[Sleekgiant]

I think kids movies are better done than movies for adults...Despicable Me is one of my new all time favorite movies....so I don't know where your observation came from.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I'll take Phineas and Ferb over CSI any day, to say nothing of the crappy reality shows and infomercials that make up so much of what's on cable these days.

And that right there made me stop reading this thread. If you think Phineas and Ferb is the pinnacle of TV today, you just have bad taste. I hate reality TV with a passion, seeing as how it is all faked and staged, but shit, PHINEAS AND FERB?

Seriously, I am done. Don't bother responding, I don't care anymore.

It's not the pinnacle of TV, but it's a darned good show, and pretty close to the pinnacle of daytime TV -- which is when I usually watch TV. At night I'm either hanging out with people, watching movies, doing schoolwork, or doing something else that is more productive than watching TV. I make an exception for Doctor Who, but I really don't watch many evening dramas. It's all been downhill since Battlestar Galactica made dark and depressing cool anyway; where's my hopeful sci fi, like Star Trek?

Getting back on topic, Phineas and Ferb is formulaic, but it's an excellent example of how having a formula can lead to some pretty funny results -- far more so than, say, the old Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner shorts, which were a low point for the classic Looney Toons shorts. A lot of the jokes come from the many new and different ways they can shake up the formula -- and also from the characters growing awareness that their life fits a formula. There are several episodes where the characters themselves do things because they've recognized parts of the show's formula, and they try to figure out why things happen that way. It's well written, it's funny, and you can tell the cast and crew honestly enjoy making each episode. Heck, even the new song that is featured in each episode tends to be pretty good.

Spoiler: Can you honestly tell me this isn't funny?

[edit]The sing along subtitles are there because this version of the clip is from some best of thing. The actual show doesn't do that, unless of course it would be funnier that way.[/edit]

Finally, note that I didn't say it was the best show on TV, or even that it was the best cartoon; I said it was better than infomercials, reality shows, and CSI. If you would rather watch any of those than Phineas and Ferb, you're the one with the problem, not me.