Angelina WagnerAs kids most of us grew up watching classic movies such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “Mary Poppins” and “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” However, when we watch these movies as adults these childhood movies no longer have the same meaning.
All of a sudden as we sit and watch these movies as adults, we notice things that we didn’t as a child. I know personally that when I watch some of these movies with my little cousins I notice things I would never have thought of when I watched these movies at their age.
A perfect example is my little cousin Matthew. My cousin Matthew is only 2-years-old and his favorite movies are “Finding Nemo” and “Shrek.” Both movies have so many jokes that I know a 2-year-old would not and does not understand.
In “Finding Nemo,” a funny part of the movie is when the sharks conduct their own version of an AA meeting. I know I found that part particularly funny, but my 2-year-old cousin? Matthew definitely did not understand what this particular scene was relating to and I feel sure that many other young children do not understand it either.
The adult jokes in “Shrek” are by far two times worse then the adult jokes found in “Finding Nemo.” I don’t know if it is because Mike Meyers was a part of the writing process or if the movie was meant for an older audience, but I was shocked at some of the lines I heard. The movie is rated PG, but the jokes are something I would most likely hear walking down the halls of my high school or here at Cabrini.
There is a part of the movie where “Shrek” talks about Lord Farquaad feeling small in certain areas causing him to build a large castle. I know what Shrek was insinuating but what do parents say when kids ask what Lord Farquaad is compensating for?
Sure “Finding Nemo” and “Shrek” came out a while ago, but the same thing is happening in newer movies such as “Shark Tale” and “Shrek 2.” There were probably more adult jokes in the movies that have come recently to theaters then the so-called children’s movies that came out last year.
In “Shark Tale,” the movie included a parody of
“The Godfather,” but how many little kids have seen “The Godfather?” Why would a children’s movie be based on a movie that is rated-R and for adults?
When I went to see “Shrek 2” over the summer I was again surprised at the adult jokes that were scattered throughout the entire movie. Especially towards the end of the movie when Pinocchio is caught wearing a pink thong.
I know that my friend who saw the movie with me was laughing hysterically during that part of the movie. Honestly, it was hard for me to laugh knowing that right in front of me there was an 8-year-old laughing along.
The whole time I was thinking should this 8-year-old know what a thong is and should he be laughing at the fact that Pinocchio was caught wearing a thong? I just think that sexual innuendos should not be featured in children’s movies.
I understand that sexual innuendos would be considered crude humor but wouldn’t crude humor fall under sexual content leading to a rating of PG-13?
On the other hand, should these sexual innuendos even be allowed in cartoon movies?
I just think that some of the content in these so-called children movies are not appropriate for the demographics they are geared towards. No wonder why younger generations seem to know more and more about adult topics.
I think it says a lot when a 20-year-old gets more enjoyment out of a movie like “Shrek” then a 6-year-old.
Posted to the web by Cecelia Francisco
