Disney Movies equal piece of mind
Today’s article is by Brooke, contributing writer to Mouse Extra
I don’t view myself as a totally conservative parent, occassionally I let a few bathroom jokes slip by from my 3 and 5 year olds. However, I was appalled recently at our local theater when viewing “Surf’s Up.” At one point during this flick, my knuckles turned completely white as they gripped the arm rests and I held my breath wishing the language would change. It didn’t. When Cody, the lead penguin, called out to his compadre, Chicken Joe, “Whats up, peckerhead?”, I nearly fainted. Of course, thats the precise moment my three year old daughter exclaimed “Peckerhead? Whats a peckerhead?”
Now, I’m aware this is a PG rated film, but the kids received toys in their happy meals promoting this movie. And the targeted age for a happy meal is the 3 to 6 year old crowd, right?
I would like to thank Disney for the peace of mind their staff creates when producing their movies. Parents can rest easy during any Disney flick. I can safely say even throughout the Pirates series, my children are entertained without the crude language. I now know by learning the hard way, to stick with the Disney flicks for brillant and wholesome cinema the entire family can enjoy.
David said,
June 27, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
Just to make it clear, it was Brooke and not me that used “Peckerhead” in a posting!! LOL!!
Eric said,
June 27, 2007 @ 7:23 pm
I agree for the most, but in recent films, notably Home On The Range and Ratatouille, I can think of a few double entendres. Children most likely wouldn’t get the jokes, but when they hear the adults laughing, they are sure to repeat them.
And I have had enough bodily function humor from all animated films. It’s a cheap joke, and the writers should have higher standards for themselves.
Mike said,
June 27, 2007 @ 8:45 pm
You hit the nail on the head. Thats the problem
Jason said,
June 28, 2007 @ 4:23 am
I agree with you. There were a few instances in that movie that made me really think that it was not a kid’s movie. Not only the language used, but also the peeing scene as well as the trophy/masturbation joke.
Come to think of it, most of the non Disney offerings contain things like this. From the moment Shrek said “I’ve got to save my ass” in the first movie and Donkey said “Who the hell doesn’t enjoy a parfait”, I knew those films were not for small children.
I think this is what makes the Disney films stand out to parents and sets the bar so high for the company. Parents definitely can trust the Disney films to be for all kids. Though there have been some off-track moments (the boob joke in Home On the Range which earned it a PG by the way) Disney has always offered good wholesome family entertainment in their animated flicks.
Matt said,
June 28, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Yet another reason I don’t see or support non-Disney animation. They still heavily rely on flatulence jokes and other washed up jokes, but the “joke” Brooke mentioned is surprising to me. I’m sure I’ve seen the preview, I just never payed much attention to it and I had to think for a moment when reading Brooke’s post before realizing what they had done.
David said,
June 28, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
Not since Pirates 2, which let me down somewhat, have I been excited for a film like I am for Ratatouille. For some reason, ever since I first heard the quirky storyline and then saw the first promo where Remy’s buddy says “once you get past the gag reflex…”, I have been anticipating this film. I hope the deliver…
Eric said,
June 28, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
Ratatouille is excellent. Saw the sneak preview and am taking the niece and nephew to see it again this weekend.
Mike said,
June 29, 2007 @ 1:29 am
Here’s what I don’t get. The Transformers is a happymeal deal with kids toys (including simple transformers for toddlers) and its PG-13. Plus, they apparently had to trim some scenes for that rating
Jason said,
June 29, 2007 @ 2:13 am
Well, on the same note Mike POTC is clearly going for a kid’s audience and yet 2 and 3 are really not kid-friendly films.
Hayley said,
June 29, 2007 @ 4:57 am
Can I just intervene here quickly and say that it is very refreshing to hear people talk about the wholesome values that they look for in family friendly films. Like the comments before mine, it is apparent in films like Transformers and POTC 2 & 3, that they are marketed to children and wholly not appropriate for chilldren. I have nieces and nephews that see these ads and beg to go and see these films. But after seeing many of these things myself, I am shocked at the line of young kids sitting in the theaters with me. Disney still gives us family films to see on a regular basis that help to keep our kids away from the PG-13 ratings that are thrown at them everyday.
Jason said,
June 30, 2007 @ 10:45 am
I saw Ratatouille today, one of the movies mentioned as having parts not suitable for children, and I think it’s telling of Pixar/Disney’s way vs. all the other studios’ ways.
I think the part referred to is when Remy’s dad says, “Shutup and eat your garbage”. I still don’t know how I feel about shutup in a kid’s film. I dunno, does that seem nitpicky to you guys?? In any case, that’s gotta be the “worst” language ever heard in a Pixar film. It’s certainly better than hearing “Who the hell” from Donkey.
Another part is the “sexual” part in the film where Linguini thinks about putting Remy down his crotch (it’s not as bad as it sounds). Personally, I think Pixar handled this perfectly. The joke could have been grosser with a crack at how it’s smelly or something, but it didn’t go there. In a Dreamworks film, I’m not so sure it wouldn’t have gone there. I mean, in Shrek 3 Donkey sees Shrek fully nude.
CB said,
August 17, 2007 @ 7:55 am
I think some people here that obviously know how to use the internet, should search for parent reviews for movies so they can know if a non Disney movie is really kid friendly.