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Description
This is just a ramble I wanted to type out.

I recently had a debate with someone on the internet who criticized my dislike of how the Barbie movie handled its themes and messages, as well as my opinion that “Movies should be entertaining first and foremost.” stating that movies that are purely entertaining are like candy, and I wanted to explain why I think they’re way off base.

Firstly, I want to make it clear that I’m not saying that movies should NOT have themes messages, or artistic statements. What I’m saying is that they shouldn’t overshadow the movie being an entertaining experience. As Stan Marsh once said, “We go to movies to be entertained” Artistic statements may be enough to carry a short film or a documentary, but if I, or my parents, are paying money to go sit and watch a multiple-hour-long production, if I’m not entertained, it’ll just feel like a waste of time, regardless of what message or statement was made.

And if any of you still doubt if I actually like it when TV and movies try to teach things, most of my favorite TV shows of all time are ones that teach preschool/kindergarten grade lessons, but the reason I still enjoy watching them even though I’m past their target age demographic is because the crews behind each of them manage to make the way they get their lessons across entertaining with fun plots, and endearing characters. Yes, I know C is for cookie, but I don’t care, because I’m watching a character I enjoy express his passion for baked goods. I don’t care that I know that being arrogant is not a desirable thing to be, I enjoy watching James the Red Engine, because he’s a dynamic and enjoyable part of the show. And I may already know what the answer to Blue’s Clues is, but I play along because Steve is such an entertaining person to be around. These shows offer plenty of good elements that I enjoy, and the fact that they teach kids basic lessons is just a bonus. This also applies to adult shows like The Simpsons, South Park, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Yes, they’re very reliant on satire, and social commentary, but the reason I enjoy them is because I find the characters and the situations entertaining and hilarious. If you’re not making the point you’re trying to get across as entertaining, engaging and enjoyable to watch as it possibly can be, then I might as well be watching the news.

And just to be clear, a movie can make me feel other emotions besides joy, and I can still be entertained by it. If the movie I’m watching is trying to get me to feel sad, or mad, or scared, or anything else like that. As long as I’m engaged in what’s going on, I’m entertained by it. All, or at least, most of the movies I love have strong themes, morals, and statements, BUT they manage to make all the things I just listed not take precedence over being an entertaining experience. The reason I wasn’t a fan of the Barbie movie was that while it certainly did try to provide an entertaining experience, it eventually let its message take over the story, and morphed into an angry lecture making the most base-level statements about the treatment of different genders in our society. Fundamentally, I’m not getting anything here that I couldn’t get from just watching CNN or reading a news article.

Let me reiterate, if YOU liked the Barbie movie, that’s completely fine. I didn’t, because I felt it put more priority in illustrating/vocalizing their message than making their story entertaining and engaging. If movies and TV shows want to teach lessons or give messages, that’s totally fine, and it’s something I’m in favor of. But they have to make it enjoyable for the audience first and foremost. And Barbie just didn’t do that for me.

But hey, that’s just me, and if you read through this ramble of mine, I thank you.

Description
This is just a ramble I wanted to type out.

I recently had a debate with someone on the internet who criticized my dislike of how the Barbie movie handled its themes and messages, as well as my opinion that “Movies should be entertaining first and foremost.” stating that movies that are purely entertaining are like candy, and I wanted to explain why I think they’re way off base.

Firstly, I want to make it clear that I’m not saying that movies should NOT have themes messages, or artistic statements. What I’m saying is that they shouldn’t overshadow the movie being an entertaining experience. As Stan Marsh once said, “We go to movies to be entertained” Artistic statements may be enough to carry a short film or a documentary, but if I, or my parents, are paying money to go sit and watch a multiple-hour-long production, if I’m not entertained, it’ll just feel like a waste of time, regardless of what message or statement was made.

And if any of you still doubt if I actually like it when TV and movies try to teach things, most of my favorite TV shows of all time are ones that teach preschool/kindergarten grade lessons, but the reason I still enjoy watching them even though I’m past their target age demographic is because the crews behind each of them manage to make the way they get their lessons across entertaining with fun plots, and endearing characters. Yes, I know C is for cookie, but I don’t care, because I’m watching a character I enjoy express his passion for baked goods. I don’t care that I know that being arrogant is not a desirable thing to be, I enjoy watching James the Red Engine, because he’s a dynamic and enjoyable part of the show. And I may already know what the answer to Blue’s Clues is, but I play along because Steve is such an entertaining person to be around. These shows offer plenty of good elements that I enjoy, and the fact that they teach kids basic lessons is just a bonus. This also applies to adult shows like The Simpsons, South Park, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Yes, they’re very reliant on satire, and social commentary, but the reason I enjoy them is because I find the characters and the situations entertaining and hilarious. If you’re not making the point you’re trying to get across as entertaining, engaging and enjoyable to watch as it possibly can be, then I might as well be watching the news.

And just to be clear, a movie can make me feel other emotions besides joy, and I can still be entertained by it. If the movie I’m watching is trying to get me to feel sad, or mad, or scared, or anything else like that. As long as I’m engaged in what’s going on, I’m entertained by it. All, or at least, most of the movies I love have strong themes, morals, and statements, BUT they manage to make all the things I just listed not take precedence over being an entertaining experience. The reason I wasn’t a fan of the Barbie movie was that while it certainly did try to provide an entertaining experience, it eventually let its message take over the story, and morphed into an angry lecture making the most base-level statements about the treatment of different genders in our society. Fundamentally, I’m not getting anything here that I couldn’t get from just watching CNN or reading a news article.

Let me reiterate, if YOU liked the Barbie movie, that’s completely fine. I didn’t, because I felt it put more priority in illustrating/vocalizing their message than making their story entertaining and engaging. If movies and TV shows want to teach lessons or give messages, that’s totally fine, and it’s something I’m in favor of. But they have to make it enjoyable for the audience first and foremost. And Barbie just didn’t do that for me.

But hey, that’s just me, and if you read through this ramble of mine, I thank you.