A couple of weeks ago, the new Addams Family movie came out. I grew up watching not only the movies from the 90's, but also the cartoon, and the show from the 60's. They were something I loved, and was very aware at a young age how all the characters were unique, but really just people.
So, when Squishy expressed interest in going to see the movie, I was all for taking her to see it. I wanted her to get to see something I loved as a kid, and share it with her, because I knew she would enjoy it. At the same time, I was worried. Having it be an animated movie gave too much of a chance for them to go off the wall, and far from the Addams of past.
While driving to the theatre, Squishy asked about the characters and such. I explained to her that they were honestly not all that weird, and sort of eccentric old money types that were just weird goth people.
Well, the movie was exactly what I was worried about. There was a handful of references, but it felt like a kids movie that took the characters so they didn't have to think of something original. There was too many bombastic scenes that focused on flash and being as odd as possible. There were tons of supernatural aspects, and it just wasn't the Addams.
Since then, I've found the show from the 60's, and Squishy and I have been watching it. She agrees now how far apart the two are, and enjoys the show better. That is was the interpretation of someone who had never seen the Addams, but just took the concept. Like reading the back of a book and then trying to make a movie from that.
And that's kind of the point of the Addams. That they are weird when most people first see them, and far from societal norms, but if you get to know them, they're just people. And while that doesn't make for as fun a kids movie, it was the point of the movie they did make, which makes it almost hypocritical. They didn't take the time to learn about these characters. Didn't do the work to learn how normal they actually were, but took the idea that people get from the outside, and went from there.
It sort of defeated its own point. And at the same time, showed just how difficult it is to be treated like a person when you exist outside of societal norms.
Let us take the time to learn people. To not be intimidated, or declare people as unapproachable. Let us embrace weirdness, and explore the things outside of what is expected from us. Let us be us, unapologetically.
So, when Squishy expressed interest in going to see the movie, I was all for taking her to see it. I wanted her to get to see something I loved as a kid, and share it with her, because I knew she would enjoy it. At the same time, I was worried. Having it be an animated movie gave too much of a chance for them to go off the wall, and far from the Addams of past.
While driving to the theatre, Squishy asked about the characters and such. I explained to her that they were honestly not all that weird, and sort of eccentric old money types that were just weird goth people.
Well, the movie was exactly what I was worried about. There was a handful of references, but it felt like a kids movie that took the characters so they didn't have to think of something original. There was too many bombastic scenes that focused on flash and being as odd as possible. There were tons of supernatural aspects, and it just wasn't the Addams.
Since then, I've found the show from the 60's, and Squishy and I have been watching it. She agrees now how far apart the two are, and enjoys the show better. That is was the interpretation of someone who had never seen the Addams, but just took the concept. Like reading the back of a book and then trying to make a movie from that.
And that's kind of the point of the Addams. That they are weird when most people first see them, and far from societal norms, but if you get to know them, they're just people. And while that doesn't make for as fun a kids movie, it was the point of the movie they did make, which makes it almost hypocritical. They didn't take the time to learn about these characters. Didn't do the work to learn how normal they actually were, but took the idea that people get from the outside, and went from there.
It sort of defeated its own point. And at the same time, showed just how difficult it is to be treated like a person when you exist outside of societal norms.
Let us take the time to learn people. To not be intimidated, or declare people as unapproachable. Let us embrace weirdness, and explore the things outside of what is expected from us. Let us be us, unapologetically.
Comments
Post a Comment