There’s one thing that we always go back to whenever we’re feeling down or upset about our current situation in life: children’s movies. Something about the nostalgic animation or the easy happy-endings bring joy to our adult lives. The power of friendship and love seems to outweigh our responsibilities for just under two hours, but we often walk away with a renewed outlook on life.
Many of our parents and cynical adults pass them off as silly and childish, but the movies we watched from our youth are actually some of the most critically challenging pieces in the media. So children’s movies, this one’s for you.
Motif Mania
Now it may seem that having a happy ending to a movie can be trivial, but VALLEY argues that that’s far from the truth. Why must a movie have a tragic ending with murdered characters and a depressing storyline for it to be considered a work of art? Motifs and thematic elements are not unique to Oscar-winning movies: Turning Red, for example, explores the complicated relationship between a mother and daughter (similar to Oscar-sweeping Everything Everywhere All at Once). Using her red panda persona as a metaphor for her maturing self, the movie explores the main character’s transition into her teen years — an ingenious idea.
In fact, we argue that creating a meaningful piece of work that is accessible for all age groups is a talent that not many storytellers and directors can execute. Children’s movies often have elements that make them understood in more depth when adults rewatch them. That’s the magic of these movies that VALLEY thinks make them a top 3 movie genre.
Self-Reflection
Additionally, it can be argued that children’s movies will always have something important to take away in their attempts to foster adolescent growth. As a result, while adult movies tend to portray toxic relationships, relying on the audience’s critical thinking skills, children’s movies will depict positive character growth and traits that every person should aspire to.
For example, Shrek initially had an ogre who was anti-social and had a cynical perspective on the world, until he was introduced to the richness of friendship and love during an adventure. On a deeper level, it explored themes of insecurity and bigotry and its consequences all while showing how to overcome them as well. Similar ideas can be found in adult movies, but none are so accessible as a movie made for the youth.
A Two-Way Mirror into Reality
Finally, many children’s movies have depicted reality as an introduction for a world that they will eventually have to adapt to. However, they obviously choose to do it in a tame and positive way that encourages them to create change. On the other hand, adult movies tend to show mostly the consequences of becoming a member of society and discouraging positive change. Many of adult movies do so to show that expecting good at every situation is impractical, but sometimes positivity can do some good for the film industry (which is an idea that has seemed to get lost in the sauce).
Zootopia, for example, parallels being a minority in a world that seems to work against you, and the trials that one must work against to break through. Such motivation can encourage children to put good out into the world. And let’s be honest, when’s the last time you’ve seen a critically acclaimed movie that made you want to do the same?
All in all, VALLEY is not here to hate on award-winning movies for doing exactly what they’re supposed to: create challenging plots. All we’re saying is that maybe the overlooking of children’s movies should be reduced because these gems can truly be as impactful as those sweeping awards season. Especially the “Holding Out for a Hero” montage at the end of Shrek, which should have put it in the running for Best Picture.
What are your thoughts on children’s movies? Let @VALLEYmag know on Instagram!
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