I really love to watch children’s movies. There is just something about the innocence that draws the attention. We know they are safe… or are they?
I will sometimes go to see new children’s movies for no apparent reason if I am intrigued by their advertisement. I can lose myself in the story knowing that I will not have to endure the complexity of the adult plots. Those which revolved around physical urges, the drive to attain power and money, violence, dark sadness and all those things that are in the world.
I enjoyed watching all the movies with my nephews when they were growing up. I re-watched many of the movies I loved in my own childhood. But what I am finding as I watch with new eyes is that there is something going on with the children’s movies that either I did not see before or they have progressed to a whole new level.
Let’s review a few of the newer ones that I watched this week on Netflix. And yes, I was just watching them for kicks then got angry. So I decided to begin a review.
MOVIES – NOT SO FAVORITE
Trolls
Trolls (rated PG) the official trailer of this animated film for any needed clarification.
Here is a cute movie about a group of Trolls in bright rainbow colors that live to be happy. The plot is basically that the big bad Bergens think the only way they can be happy is to eat the little Trolls. One good Bergen befriends the Trolls after they are captured and through a number of delightful events with a lot of singing and dancing the Trolls teach the Bergens how they can be happy without having to eat them. Happiness is something inside that everyone has if they just reach for it… Sounds innocent enough, until you realize that there is one happy Troll character who’s only purpose is to say Oh my God at the appropriate intervals. If you listen you will hear it when the screen sometimes flashes an OMG. Now this is an animated movie that targets elementary to middle school age children. It is trying to teach that breaking a commandment and using the Lords name in vain is acceptable. And it is teaching it to innocents. This is why as parents it is so important to keep an eye on these things. In every other respect this movie would not put it in your face that anything was wrong. Even if you watched it unless you were sensitive to it and paying close attention you might not even notice. But the little ones notice…
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Moana
Moana (rated PG) the official trailer of this animated film, for any needed clarification.
This movie starts about a curse on a Demi God and a Polynesian princess who’s approached by the sea to search out the Demi God to get the curse lifted in order to save her Island. Other than spirits showing up, a curse and the “Demi God” what could be wrong with the message in this one…Yes, you can sense my sarcasm. Of course again, the lines between the darkness and the light are blurred to the point you almost can not tell the difference. This is intentional so that the dark messages can be introduced to the children making the bad things appear good. The princess has a good heart and is trying to save the Island and the Demi God. The character for the Demi God starts out arrogant and afraid. However, he is changed by his interaction with the princess and his heart is softened and he comes through in the end. I have not even touched on the fight with the demon. Just discussing this one makes me angry I will stop now make your own decision but watch this one before you let the little ones anywhere near it!
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Finding Dory
Finding Dory (rated PG) the official trailer for this animated film, for further clarification.
This story begins following the escapades of Finding Nemo. Dory the fish with short term memory loss, voice by comedian Ellen DeGeneres, remembers she has parents and begins an adventure back across the ocean to California to find them. Nemo and his dad accompany her as her new family to make sure that she is able to accomplish her goal and they make a number of new friends, meet old friends from Dory’s past and ultimately locate her parents. It is full of warm and loving moments, loyalty & integrity messages and perseverance. Then a dark shadow falls on the film with a single message embedded so quietly that you almost do not hear or see, but the little ones do…
They have arrived in the California waters, Dory recognizes a place. It is dark and filled with little hermit crabs hiding under shells. Dory is yelling hello, hello getting louder and louder. It is clear when the little crabs come up and say shh several times that something is wrong. Nemo’s dad says, “I think they are shushing us for something”…Dory says, “Something with one big eye, tentacles, and a snappy thing.” The problem then results when you hear Nemo’s dad quickly tell the monster squid if you just let us go we will worship you …or anything you like. This coming from Nemo’s dad the authority figure. The sad part about this to me is I actually watched this one again for a favorable review because I saw this one in the theatre when it came out. I actually thought that this was one I really liked and could recommend as having no dark message embedded within its contents. Much to my surprise when I watched it again specifically looking for anything from the enemy to influence the innocent what do I see? A message once again embedded within to teach our children to disregard a commandment. I am so disappointed! I really loved this movie which was the sequel to Finding Nemo. I think I need to go back now and look at that one again. Sorry, I will keep looking for more that I can recommend but from the looks of things it is getting very hard…
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Sahara
Sahara (Rated PG) the official trailer of this animated film, for any needed clarification.
I was intrigued initially and thought briefly that this one would be alright. Though it was about snakes I thought these are Gods creatures not something evil. There is nothing wrong with using them as characters. Then the plot thickens. Two snakes, one a young male desert snake with a scorpion sidekick and one a beautiful princess from an oasis. A snake who is used to the lush tropical green and water. Both of them discontented with their original environments. The princess is captured by a snake charmer in a caravan. The desert snake, his sidekick and her brother the snake prince travel to find her. All is fine until the snake charmer pulls out his Pungi (snake charmers instrument) then the snakes go into a hypnotic trance. They used some imagery that appeared to be symbols of mystic runes, then the snake charmer had a head of snakes like Medusa in Greek Mythology and lastly it moved to a Garden with a tree and the female snake was balancing a red apple, then they all had apples. I guess you can read what you want to into it. That one scene ruined it for what I would consider a safe film for the little ones. Unfortunate because the overall plot I found entertaining. Ultimately, the snakes travel through a number of perils in the desert to rescue the snake princess from her fate. They find her, destroy the Pungi that holds them all captive and return to live happily ever after. However, it is like there is a mystic message hiding within the imagery that I would not dismiss as innocent. Once again something I would recommend extreme caution.
42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
Kubo and the Two Strings
Kubo and the Two Strings (Rated PG) the official trailer of this animated film, for any needed clarification.
I must admit that even though potentially inappropriate for children I found the plot of this one enjoyable. That being said it still has the characteristics that make it a manipulation by the enemy. An opportunity to try and make the bad good once again. A temptation to be seduced by the magic that is the basis of the entire story. Kubo is a child who was the union of a mortal man and an immortal from the heavens. His mothers father and her two sister pursue Kubo as they have taken one of his eyes and wish to take the other one as demanded by his grandfather. There are twists in that his mother must do magical battle with her two sisters and sends Kubo away on wings she gives him to escape. When he awakes his toy monkey has been brought to life to protect him, and they come upon a cursed samurai who is in the form of a beetle. They set out on the quest to find his fathers enchanted armor the only thing that can save him. Ultimately, it is determined that the monkey is his mothers spirit and the beetle is his fathers spirit but both are slain during the battle with his two aunts and grandfather. The only survivor is Kubo and his grandfather and they end up in the final battle. Both of whom survive after Kubo wins and brings compassion to his grandfather. So as you can see from this brief narrative the entire story line is based in mysticism and is a manipulation. Sorry folks though I was entertained I would not recommend this one for little ones if it were me.
6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
MOVIES TO WATCH
Zootopia
Zootopia (rated PG) the official trailer of this animated film to be, for further clarification.
I found Zootopia to be delightful. I did not find a single step out of bounds on this one, In my opinion this one is safe for viewing by the children. It is a story about a little bunny who dreams of becoming a policewoman to protect the people from wrongdoing. She works hard because she is so small but overcomes and graduates the Zootopia police academy. She is then put on traffic duty but breaks out on her own to help solve the crime spree of the predators that are reverting back to wild. She befriends a sly fox and together they uncover a plot by a government official that is targeting the predators with a drug that is making them revert back. It is a warm story about dedication, friendship and overcoming obstacles ultimately resulting in resolving the issues that she is facing. I highly recommend this one for a strong moral message without the usual problems. But be sure and watch it first in case I overlooked something…
Ratchet and Clank
Ratchet and Clank (rated PG) the official trailer of this animated film, for further clarification.
The movie started a little slow for me but it hooked me eventually. The only area that I found sensitive was the arrogant Captain’s line early in the movie about his physique. He stated he had the God Like Pectoral Region, but it appeared to be the only reference in the film that was questionable. The story is hard to determine but basically the Galactic Rangers are looking for a new recruit. Ratchet idolizes the Hero’s and wants to be the new Ranger. The arrogant Captain does not see his worth and turns him down. Clank who escaped the nemesis to try and warn of the evil invasion is rescued by Ratchet when he crashes and the two of them set out to warn the Rangers of the impending doom. However, when they arrive the attack is already underway and Ratchet uses his invention to save the day. This wins him a spot as the new Ranger and they work together to defeat the nemesis. There are a number of twists and challenges along the way but they ultimately defeat the evil scientist and save the day. The movie made me laugh. I would say view it for yourself but I think this one is safe enough perhaps.
The Secret Life of Pets
The Secret Life of Pets (rated PG) the official trailer of this animated film, for further clarification.
I laughed a lot during this movie and could only find one strong negative throughout the entire film on the surface and it was the use of the term Holy. I think the scene was in the sausage factory when they have found food and the big brown dog says Holy Schnitzel. Now I know that does not seem like much but the reference to Holy is sensitive. The plot of this one is a little touchy for little ones. A little dog’s owner comes home with a new big dog. There is struggle for control that results in the two dogs being separated from their home. They end up in the clutches of a group of rebel animals in the sewers who are bent on revenge against the humans because they have been mistreated. There is a side plot with a romance angle with a little dog who insists on finding a group of friends to locate the missing dogs. Some of the content is a little touchy for little ones because of the anger issues and the use of a cute fluffy bunny as the mean gang leader. But I have to say that I laughed my way through the movie and did not see the usual dark messaging, maybe a bit too much mild violence and suggestions of violence. Ultimately the fluffy bunny finds a home, everyone ends up friends after all the escapades and they live happily ever after once again. One of the better ones I have seen recently by comparison. Take a look at this one it may be acceptable for some of the age groups.
Alpha and Omega: Dino Digs
Alpha and Omega: Dino Digs (rated TV-G) the official trailer of this animated film, for further clarification.
Finally, a film with some innocence for the innocent. It was a cute story about an Ancient burial ground that was unearthed in an attempt to retrieve dinosaur bones. But the burial ground housed a light that caused the dinosaurs travel through time if the bones were disturbed. It did refer to them as dinosaur spirits but the pink dinosaur says that she was told to go into the light when she was in danger and it would keep her safe. Then she appeared in the future as did her predator the T-Rex, so from their perspectives they were not ever dead. It was a story about a wolf family that moves onto a golf course and the Golf course owners are the ones digging on an ancient burial ground unearthing the dinosaurs. The wolf pups befriend the dinosaur and go on an adventure. They have to help get the dinosaurs back into the light when it appears so they can go back home. There was not much to the story line but this one was for a younger audience. Cute little story, watch to determine but I thought it was innocent enough unless there was a hidden message in the dinosaur spirit references. I would give it a thumbs up.
For the Love of God,
Sparks
