Parenting Advice From Joy Berry: Adult-Oriented Kids’ Movies

My granddaughter graduated from kindergarten and the two of us celebrated by spending the day together in the city. After spending time in Central Park, FAO Schwarz, the Disney Store, and her favorite restaurant, we went to see a movie.

I knew that we would have no trouble finding one because, when Hollywood discovered that kids’ movies are cash cows, it started cranking out full-length animated features as fast as thousands of animators could work. In the old days, a new animated feature would come out once in a blue moon. But now they seem to be coming out on a monthly basis, with even more over the summer.

Soon after the feature started, I noticed something very interesting. While engaged parents laughed hysterically at all the right times during the movie, the children seemed to be more interested in consuming their treats and finding something to do to assuage their hyperactivity.

I thought back on something that a very successful producer once told me: “It’s important for kids’ movies to entertain parents, because if they aren’t entertained, they won’t bring their children to the theater.” I remember thinking that the producer had made a valid point. However, in an effort to serve two masters (the need to entertain adults while at the same time entertaining children), Hollywood has completely failed to address the best interest of children.

So what is in the best interest of children? In my opinion, it’s creating entertainment that pertains to subjects that are relevant to the lives of children. This would not include the romantic love stories or the complex competition stories that are often the foundation for most children’s movies. And neither would it include humor that plays off of adult experiences and current events. This kind of humor is funny because it is meaningful to the recipient. But it’s hardly funny to a person who hasn’t a clue as to what the joke is about.

Adults are constantly dragging children to adult-oriented activities and events. So why can’t adults be dragged to child-oriented events and be just as gracious as they expect children to be in reverse situations? Nothing would give me greater pleasure than looking around a movie theater and seeing adults with befuddled looks on their faces while children quietly assure them, “I’ll explain it to you later, but for now, be quiet.”

Now that would be family entertainment that any kid could get behind. Smile.