I've seen a lot of kids movies over the years, mainly because I have an elementary-age child and I was once a kid myself who enjoyed many magnificent movies of the 80's and 90's. As an adult and mother, I now have a different point-of-view and can see the glaringly adult themes that I was oblivious to as a child. And it doesn't necessarily just apply to kids movies, but films that are intended for a younger audience, but still not entirely appropriate. For example, the movie Clueless, one of my all-time favorite films of the 90's, is all about the main character, Cher, losing her virginity. Add some cute clothes and some decade-defining catch phrases (As if!) and you have every 13-year old girl flocking to a movie that is a tad on the inappropriate side for that age group. To be fair, Clueless is loosely based on the Jane Austen classic, Emma. There are far worse movies that are aimed at younger audiences, so at least this one had a little substance to it, even if that just means loosely adapting a beloved author to fit the social mores of the current times and making $$$ off it....
I saw Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs over the weekend with my son, and let me start by saying I thought it was hilarious. The main characters were voiced by Bill Hader (Superbad, Hot Rod) and Anna Farris (House Bunny, Scary Movie). It was adapted from a short kids story that my son had read in class last year, and he, as was I , very excited to see it. While some kids' movies can bore me to death (Doogal, Veggie Tales), make me uncomfortable with the theme or message (Igor) or just plain irritate me (I refuse to see that Disney atrocity about the James Bond hamsters that came out this summer. I mean, if I'm that annoyed with the trailer, I can't imagine sitting through the entire 2 hour feature presentation). But Cloudy, I'm happy to say, was thoroughly entertaining, funny and at times, endearing. They even managed to make the kissing scenes humorous, which let's face it, if there's the need to have kissing in a kid's movie, and it's not based on a fairy tale, then humorous is the way to go. I'm not saying that it compared to Up, my new gold standard for the genre, but it wasn't a bad way to spend a few hours. I liked the little insiders' moments they threw in just for the parents (For example, "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy playing as the background music for a viral video, featuring a cat as a DJ was too funny, but I could not fight the image of Rosie Perez dancing at the beginning of Do the Right Thing). I definitely had fun at this one and will most likely buy it when it comes out on DVD.
Here's a list of the Best Kids' Movies, just for kicks:
1. Monsters, Inc.
This will never change from the #1 spot, as it was the first movie my son really loved when he was around 1.5 years old, so it's sentimental. I have literally seen it HUNDREDS of times and could probably recite every line verbatim, but only at gun point. Plus, it's Disney/Pixar animation, starring Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi and John Goodman, with a score by Randy Newman. What's not to love?
2. The Emperor's New Groove
One of the funniest, and somehow slept-on, kids' movies of all time. It's David Spade at his sarcastic best, and the voice of the character Kronk, played by Patrick Warburton, will go down as one of the best voices for this generation's animated movies. He got his start on Seinfeld and has also voiced as the annoyed boyfriend in Bee Movie, also doing the digital sound intro trailers as that character. Remember the line?: "Got anymore of those cupcakes? They were sick."
3. Alice in Wonderland
This one is more about my childhood, but still one of the best, Disney or no. I am not hugely fond of singing in movies, the songs have to be exceptionally catchy and it has to make the movie rather than detract from it. But I cannot even imagine the characters without the music to go along with it. I tried reading "The Walrus and the Carpenter" aloud to my son without the melody from the Disney version, but could not do it. It is forever ingrained in my consciousness. I can't even say the words who-are-you without imagining big puffs of hookah smoke coming from my mouth forming odd shapes in the air. Lewis Carroll and Disney? Brilliant. Lewis Carroll and Tim Burton? We'll have to (excitedly) wait and see.
4. Up
I know, this one is already in my top 5, and it just came out last May. This animated gem just snuck up on me and hit me over the head. I cried 3 different times during this movie. I didn't really know what it was about when we went to see it. I had only seen the trailer of the house taking off with the balloons attached and just figured it would be some feel-good kids silliness. The balance of sadness with silliness is what makes this movie brilliant, along with stunning animation and very imaginative story line. This will undoubtedly be added to my DVD collection, and I may even watch it alone, whenever I need a good cry.
5. Ice Age
Ok, another one that I have seen over and over again, and another one that I was happy to watch repeatedly. I love the characters and the music featured in the film, and although they haven't captured the magic of the first in the last two installments, this is a great kids' film to be able to revisit again. And again. And again. And again.
6. Shrek
Mike Myers? Eddie Murphy? Cameron Diaz? This movie could have been about anything when you name those 3 actors, but they came together for a hysterically funny movie that managed to bring fairy tales and hilarity together all at once. I don't know if there has been a kid's movie that has brought together the movie-going audience together so flawlessly: parents, kids, young, old, boys, girls as the Shrek movies. I like them all, but the first was the originator, so that's where the credit is due.
7. Ratatouille
Another newer movie, and again, Disney/Pixar. I am just in love with the originality of this movie. A rat as a gourmet chef, really? But leave it to the geniuses at Disney to make it work. I mean, the whole damn company is based on a talking mouse that can do just about anything, so a cooking rat should be no prob. Why not?
8. The Little Mermaid
Again, more about my childhood than my son's. Although, he has seen it, I have the DVD. The score, like Alice, makes the movie and you cannot get the the songs out of your head for days, maybe weeks. It made me wish I had a Jamaican talking crab as my nanny. The party would never end!
9. Aladdin
Robin Williams absolutely completes this classic tale with a huge dose of hilarity that could only come from his energy and talent. The equal mix of comedy and score make this one a must-have in the DVD collection.
10. Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
I am a child of the 80's, so Pee-Wee will forever live in my heart as the guy with the red bow tie making me laugh my butt off every Saturday on Pee-Wee's Playhouse, then this movie came out, and I have never been the same. I could have gone just fine through life without the "movie house" scandal and the awful pictures that followed, because Pee-Wee will always be the guy that just wants his bike back. Hilarity ensues.
Or, if we are just talking about animated movies, then #10 is:
Flushed Away
I'm a bit obsessed with the Brits, so obviously I'm going to love a kid's movie whose lead character is voiced by one of my all-time favorite actresses, who happens to be British, Kate Winslet. Add London as the back drop (although in a sewer), Hugh Jackman as the co-star and a fantastic soundtrack, and you have the uber-cool, ultra-funny Flushed Away. What other kid's film do you know opens with a Billy Idol track? Didn't think so.
