Up discussion (Possible spoilers)

[Drtooth]

I really wonder why they think kids are so dumb. I mean, I have seen some pretty sophisticated kids shows, with brilliantly written scripts. and YES, even currently (Check out Martha Speaks and Word Girl for example). In fact, a lot of the time, kid's shows are more intelligent than the adult shows.

Seems like kids movies all follow the same formula of jaded toilet jokes, jaded pop culture references thrown in at the last minute, stereotyped flat personalities (usually based on ethnic stereotypes that would otherwise be offensive), and of course, slang not even the lamest 40 year old trying to be hip has used for 5 years, at least 3 years before the script has been put into production. And of course, the easy to make trailers, since every character is contractually obligated to say at least 4 good one liners in the entire film.

 

[frogboy4]

I really wonder why they think kids are so dumb. I mean, I have seen some pretty sophisticated kids shows, with brilliantly written scripts. and YES, even currently (Check out Martha Speaks and Word Girl for example). In fact, a lot of the time, kid's shows are more intelligent than the adult shows.

Seems like kids movies all follow the same formula of jaded toilet jokes, jaded pop culture references thrown in at the last minute, stereotyped flat personalities (usually based on ethnic stereotypes that would otherwise be offensive), and of course, slang not even the lamest 40 year old trying to be hip has used for 5 years, at least 3 years before the script has been put into production. And of course, the easy to make trailers, since every character is contractually obligated to say at least 4 good one liners in the entire film.

Catering to the lowest common denominator is usually a sure-fire thing. It's like McDonnald's food. It's fast, it's cheap, it's crude, it's standardized and it's profitable. But if you had a good choice would you settle for it or would you go somewhere better? Some say yes, some are too used to gray hamburgers and beef tannin fries to know the difference. (No offense to McD's customers. Just my personal taste to prove a point.)

 

[Drtooth]

Catering to the lowest common denominator is usually a sure-fire thing. It's like McDonnald's food. It's fast, it's cheap, it's crude, it's standardized and it's profitable. But if you had a good choice would you settle for it or would you go somewhere better? Some say yes, some are too used to gray hamburgers and beef tannin fries to know the difference. (No offense to McD's customers. Just my personal taste to prove a point.)

I see what you mean. of course, I have to ad this, with movies you pretty much pay a flat rate. Like 10 bucks a person. A meal at a good restaurant could cost upwards to 30 bucks or more, while McD's is like... 3 bucks a person at least. You may have to choose between the 2 in the matter of price (a class thing). You don't have that same problem with film. For the same price as crummy movies, see some GOOD movies if you're kids are old enough. They'll thank you one day. And then we'll see less and less talking doggy films. Of course, it's anyone's guess about DTV talking doggy films.

I actually am starting to dislike going to kid's animated movies since everyone brings hyperactive 5 (and under) year olds... you know, ones that always have to ask who every character is every 2 minutes... I like Bolt and all, but I had the worst time I ever had at a movie seeing it, with a bunch of little kids running around like they were the Warners, and bouncing around... and Mommy didn't even try to stop it. I was very happy that Up was full of sophisticated adult animation fans, and I didn't even hear one "Mommy! Who dat man?"

 

[Baby Gonzo]

Actually the first time I saw Up, the audience (A mixture of some adults and some families) was actually quite tame and I was glad of it. There were, perhaps one or two moments in which a kid laughed at an inappropriate time (near the beginning), but I don't think they knew how to react.

It was the second time I went to see it that the audience was annoying. It wasn't the entire audience, but a group of chatty teenagers who sat behind my dad and me. They came in during Partly Cloudy, so we decided not to get up and move, but we regretted it. They giggled and talked (loudly) and I am not exaggerating when I say they didn't go two minutes without saying "Awwww!" throughout the whole movie! I'm glad they enjoyed it, but these people were old enough to know that there were other people in the theater who were trying to enjoy the film. They also kept kicking my dad's chair throughout the movie. The ironic thing was, this audience was composed mostly of adults.

 

[JJandJanice]

I really wonder why they think kids are so dumb. I mean, I have seen some pretty sophisticated kids shows, with brilliantly written scripts. and YES, even currently (Check out Martha Speaks and Word Girl for example). In fact, a lot of the time, kid's shows are more intelligent than the adult shows.

Seems like kids movies all follow the same formula of jaded toilet jokes, jaded pop culture references thrown in at the last minute, stereotyped flat personalities (usually based on ethnic stereotypes that would otherwise be offensive), and of course, slang not even the lamest 40 year old trying to be hip has used for 5 years, at least 3 years before the script has been put into production. And of course, the easy to make trailers, since every character is contractually obligated to say at least 4 good one liners in the entire film.

Well to be fair, when you look at the success of some of this films (such as Alvin and the Chipmunks or Sherk etc), it's not hard to see why those kind of movies are being made.

I mean in all honestly all movies companies are going to follow whatever trends that's in right now to make a quick buck.

 

[Drtooth]

I think the first couple of Shreks were quite good... the third really screamed "Rewrite this! " multiple places. Alvin was also a pretty good, if woefully miscast (at least on the part of Dave) film (could have done without the fart under the towel, the raisin bit, and the reference to porno music though). I'm sort of enthusiastic for the second one, fan service aside.

I whole heatedly think that G- Force was written in a night or over a weekend after Alvin became a surprise hit. Plus, Disney always has one talking Dog film up their sleeves about this time. Seems they traded dogs for Hamsters, but it's the same deal. I really wish they took the message when Underdog flopped. I keep saying Underdog would make a GREAT movie... too bad it didn't get one.

I will say, that Shorts thing by Rodreguez actually looks interesting... though he sorta stole the telepathic baby bit from Cyborg 009. I did like the telephonesis joke.

 

[Bob1995]

I haven't seen UP yet, mainly due to my sister (who would rather waste money on seeing Horrid school Musical #166 or watch Abbysmal Disney Channel "sitcom" #996 (and you Know what I'm pointing at).

On another note, Pixar seems to be the only thing keeping the "Disney Magic" alive, as the main Disney is off making BAD sitcoms for their "tween audience; PUTRID movies like Beverly Hills Chuahua(I can't even spell it correctly), HSM3, and G-Force (which looks like Beverly Hills chuahua in disguise). Pixar, On the other hand, cranks out quality films EVERY year, which has good stories, awesome humor, and exellent animation. ANYBODY who doubts Pixar's abilities must have somthing wrong with them.

 

[Scott S]

I was COMPLETELY dissapointed as I left the movie theater. I mean just think, how many months will it be before I can buy this movie on DVD and watch it over and over and over.

 

[JJandJanice]

On another note, Pixar seems to be the only thing keeping the "Disney Magic" alive, as the main Disney is off making BAD sitcoms for their "tween audience; PUTRID movies like Beverly Hills Chuahua(I can't even spell it correctly), HSM3, and G-Force (which looks like Beverly Hills chuahua in disguise). Pixar, On the other hand, cranks out quality films EVERY year, which has good stories, awesome humor, and exellent animation. ANYBODY who doubts Pixar's abilities must have somthing wrong with them.

I don't agree with that at all. Sure Disney is cashing in on the "tween" craze and to be honest, I can't say I blame them. But Disney still makes movies that are touching and still very good for the whole family to watch, such as Bolt, Meet the Robinsons, and I'm guessing the upcoming Princess and the Frog. Pixar has just yet to make a dud, but they only come out with a movie every year, Disney with the live action, animated or whatever makes what maybe three movies a year or more. Of course not all of Disney movies are going to be a huge hit with almost everyone.

On another note I have a sad tale to tell everyone that my mother told me. A nine year girl who has sick with a dying illness was really really doing bad, all she wanted to do was see Up, however she was so sick her mother wasn't able to take her to the movies. She call Pixar and they sent one of their workers over to bring the DVD and let her watch it at home. The young girl was so weak, she wasn't able to keep her eyes open to watch the movie so her mother was telling her what's happening. As soon as the movie was over, she passed away. The Pixar worker wasn't able to stop crying, which I probably won't be able to stop either, one of the saddest stories I've ever heard,

 

[Drtooth]

I don't agree with that at all. Sure Disney is cashing in on the "tween" craze and to be honest, I can't say I blame them. But Disney still makes movies that are touching and still very good for the whole family to watch, such as Bolt, Meet the Robinsons, and I'm guessing the upcoming Princess and the Frog. Pixar has just yet to make a dud, but they only come out with a movie every year, Disney with the live action, animated or whatever makes what maybe three movies a year or more. Of course not all of Disney movies are going to be a huge hit with almost everyone.

I don't even think the Tween thing is the problem, mate... Disney just didn't know what to do with animated movies for the longest time. Their last big hit was Lilo and Stitch, and that came after several flops too. That's why Disney was about to move to an all CGI format. In fact, buying up Pixar and letting it run Disney's animation department was the best decision, and frankly only really good one, Disney has made under this new guy. My least favorite Pixar films (relatively speaking) were Bug's Life and Cars, and even they were great. Pixar cannot make a bad film. Disney has made several. Look at Treasure Planet and Dinosaur... the last had brilliant animation, but it was more boring than doing math homework at a boring aunt's house on a Sunday afternoon in the winter.