Spy Kids, Sharkboy, and Lava Girl vs. decent writing

[CrossoverManiac]

Is there any chance that good kids TV and movies beat back from the tide of crappy writing and 3-D gimmacks

[Grant]

Is there any chance that good kids TV and movies beat back from the tide of crappy writing and 3-D gimmacks

It seems no one wants to write kids flick. Most of my friends are aspiring screenwriters but all they want to write movies with gangsters, hookers or people who just curse a lot. Whenever I look at what sells in Variety it's never a kids movie it's always something more edgy. I had an idea for a cool kids movie. I might write it and see what happens.

The first Spy Kids was pretty well done I thought. Not perfect but definately a step in the right direction. Sharkboy and Lava Girl looks awful though.

[Chuckg]

I actually /liked/ both of the 'Agent Cody Banks' films.

[Dr. Banner]

Is there any chance that good kids TV and movies beat back from the tide of crappy writing and 3-D gimmacks

What's a "good" TV and movie for kids?

One that they and their demographic will enjoy, or one that you would enjoy?

[CrossoverManiac]

What's a "good" TV and movie for kids?

One that they and their demographic will enjoy, or one that you would enjoy?

Both. Spy Kids is dumbed down crap. Better movies than Spy Kids: The Land before Time (the first one, not the bizillion sequels), An American Tail, The Secret of NIMH, and The Last Unicorn. I enjoyed all of these as a kid and still love them today.

[Z-man]

Both. Spy Kids is dumbed down crap. Better movies than Spy Kids: The Land before Time (the first one, not the bizillion sequels), An American Tail, The Secret of NIMH, and The Last Unicorn. I enjoyed all of these as a kid and still love them today.

The first Spy Kids wasn't bad. However, it is completely and totally impossible to make a good 3-d movie. The entire (I'll be charitable here) plot is nothing but an excuse to throw things at the screen.

[Valmore]

What's a "good" TV and movie for kids?

One that they and their demographic will enjoy, or one that you would enjoy?

It has to be something that both kids and parents can enjoy. Because most parents take their younger kids to movies and watch with them - as they darn well should. But making something that only appeals to kids leaves the parents bored, and, in turn, makes parents less likely to want to take their kids to movies.

Disney around 1989-1992 was making some decent flicks that had appeal to both groups. "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin" were both laden with hidden adult humor while still maintaining youth appeal. Disney and Pixar have made some wonderful films - "The Incredibles" and "Finding Nemo" were excellent films for children and had adult appeal.

[StoneGold]

I enjoyed all of these as a kid and still love them today.
Read what you wrote right there, tell me what stands out about it to you.



Odds are, if you saw it as a kid, it could have the crappiest writing ever, but it doesn't matter, because you saw it as a kid.

[CrossoverManiac]

Odds are, if you saw it as a kid, it could have the crappiest writing ever, but it doesn't matter, because you saw it as a kid.

I can tell you I still enjoying watch at least one of those. I own a copy of The Last Unicorn and to me, it's one of the best animated movies made in the West.

[Artemis1]

"Spy Kids" was pretty good as far as kid movies go. Not bad. A good resulution to the conflict. 4/5

"Spy Kids 2" was the best of the series. Very impressive. 5/5

"Spy Kids 3-D" was horrible. 2/5

I will never want the book adaption "Sharkboy and Lavagirl".

[Taltos]

The Chronicles of Narnia
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
Sky High

These all look like good live action kid's movies to me.

[Taltos]

I actually /liked/ both of the 'Agent Cody Banks' films.
Yeah I saw the first one on digital cable and I liked it.

[cosmicspidey]

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory


These all look like good live action kid's movies to me.

That's supposed to be kid-friendly? I thought it was supposed to be all creepy and weird and Tim Burton-esque. I can't imagine a Tim Burton movie aimed at children.

[Taltos]

That's supposed to be kid-friendly? I thought it was supposed to be all creepy and weird and Tim Burton-esque. I can't imagine a Tim Burton movie aimed at children.
Judgeing from the previews I reckon it is. I imagine it will enjoyable for all ages, like Shrek.

[Trench]

It should be noted that Shark Boy and Lava Girl was co-written by by Racer, Robert Rodriguez's nine-year old son. Kind of like what Carney did with his son in his "Sugar Buzz" comics. I actually rather respect that.

Here's the IMDB listing. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424774/)

[Grant]

That's supposed to be kid-friendly? I thought it was supposed to be all creepy and weird and Tim Burton-esque. I can't imagine a Tim Burton movie aimed at children.

Why not? My brother and I watched his movies before we hit our teens.

[Guts/Batman]

I stay away from these movies whenever possible. Of course, I like blood and guts.

Albeit me not being the target audience but Lavagirl and Sharkboy. Is it just me or does the title suck?

Sometimes Hollywood strikes me as the greedy type.

[ChrisII]

I find it kind of weird that Spy Kids and Sharkboy and Lavagirl are done by the same guy who did Sin City and the El Marachi films...

[Rabid Trekkie]

Never had an interest in the Spy Kid series. I did like both of the Agent Cody Banks movies though, just the right mix of good writing and funny gags that kids would like.

And I can't believe no one has mentioned Iron Giant, A Nightmare Before Christmas, and the Animated Batman movies. Iron Giant is like the dream come true for boys, I mean your own personal robot! Parents get to relive that and yet also understand a different level of the story than the kids will get. Nightmare Before Christmas is great too, adults find themselves really sympathizing with Jack while the kids are going "He took off his head! That is soooo coooool!". And if I have to explain why anything connected with BTAS is on here you are dead to me.

[graviton]

Someone posted earlier that the edgier films make the money. Not if you look at the numbers. G and PG rated films pull in the most dough. You can run a Google or Yahoo search if you don't believe it. (I didn't believe it at first!)