The day she stopped watching full length animated movies
Modern full length animated films have come a long way since the 1937 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Technology has improved, plot lines are inspiring and the dialog is packed with subtle humor intended for the accompanying adult to enjoy. With annual releases from powerhouse studios including Pixar, DreamWorks and other independents, there’s enough content to keep us entertained for years to come. Until your daughter starts to look to other content which may include Barbie Diaries, Nerdy Nummies, high school musicals and other teen-themed full length movies. I’ve screened some of them: I like a few, others I defer. But clearly my daughter is expanding her horizons.
Rather than putting the genie back in the bottle (as my readers will know that I don’t parent this way), I decided to help her explore different genre. It was done for two reasons. First, I want to remain involved in her exploration so she doesn’t stumble upon inappropriate content before she’s ready. And second, I get a chance to re-discover some old classics.
Modern stories aren’t about a damsel in distress needing to be rescued by a prince, anymore. They have long departed from this archetype; stories now have a focus on rescue your-damn-self and uplift the experience of the unfortunate in the process. Explore movies that are themed along her interests, also.
I started with the 1922 black & white, original The Three Stooges. Before you turn your nose up and say that your kids are too sophisticated for such slapstick humor, consider that children at 7 or 8 years-old find this type of nonsensical humor to be truly entertaining because the setups are uncomplicated and the laughs it brings are genuine and visceral. It was true original comedy through timing and silliness rather through innuendo and irony. She thoroughly enjoyed the episodes we watched. Since my daughter is a budding cellist, we explored a few music-themed movies like Music of the Heart, based on a true story of an inner city school teacher running a violin program inspiring lives and eventually founding the Opus 118 Harlem School of Music. Another was Mr. Holland’s Opus. We also dug up a copy of The Karate Kid from 1984. She was introduced to classic taglines like, “Wax on, wax off,” and saw an inspiring underdog story. She came to appreciate Mr. Miyagi’s, “First learn stand, then learn fly” sage advice.
Fiction or non-fiction, movies can serve as visual novels opening her mind to all sorts of storytelling. Not every story is a damsel in distress needing to be rescued by a prince. In fact, modern day stories have long departed from this archetype; stories now have a focus on rescue your-damn-self and uplift the experience of the unfortunate in the process. It will teach empathy and compassion. Good movies teach about striving to get to a happier place, not a happily ever after place.
My daughter still loves the animated movies though and we continue to go to the theatre to see the latest releases. But, if your daughter is branching out to other genre of motion pictures, help her explore by starting with the classics. They are timeless for a reason. Then explore movies that are themed along her interests. Another great idea would be to tie the book to the movie version. We are now reading the L. Frank Baum’s classic of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I told her that when we’re done the book, we’ll watch the (original 1939) production. To which she screamed, “There’s a movie?” Oh yes, and that’s only the beginning.