If Disney’s been reading KidGlue, I think they need to read a little more carefully.
A few weeks ago, I was elated that the Disney Channel had designated Sunday nights as “Family Movie Night,” kicking off the tradition with “Handy Manny’s Motorcycle Adventure.” I suggested that Disney keep up the tradition by continuing to show quality shows/movies that could capture the interest of every family member, much like the “Magical World of Disney” did while I was growing up, showing movies such as The Love Bug and The Shaggy Dog.
So I was extremely excited when I saw that the Disney Channel would be showing another hour long episode of one of their shows: “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse’s Choo Choo Express.” We grabbed our bowl of kettle corn and settled into enjoy the show.
Unfortunately, the show only managed to keep my girls’ interests for about fifteen minutes. For me, it was about half that. The first problem was the plot, which had Mickey and the gang constructing the train so they could go retrieve snow from Mistletoe Mountain. Along the way they even met up with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Hello, Disney?! We haven’t even had Halloween yet! Do you think you could wait until, I don’t know, maybe November before you get my kids hyped up for Christmas?
The bigger problem, though, was that there was really nothing in it to capture an adult, or even an older toddler’s attention. I’m not saying every movie has to be like Shrek, wherein the plot is for the kids with a random joke or pop culture reference thrown in for the grown ups. But counting, picking out shapes and naming colors isn’t really something my four year old and I get jazzed over. We’ve been there, done that. When we sit down to watch a show together as a family, we want to be entertained.
I’m optimistic that maybe when the next Disney “Family Movie Night” comes around they’ll show something friendly to the WHOLE family, and not just trying to stimulate their Christmas sales.
Comments
Ann
October 31st, 2009 - 8:19:17 PM
That is so sad that a four year old has been there and done that with a Micky Mouse movie, a very well done one I may add. I am constantly amazed at the huge rush parents (and now reviewers) seem to be in. It is US PARENTS after all, directing our childrens interests at four, five and six years of age. A Shrek light version for a four year old that an ADULT will be equally interested in?????? I am constantly in a battle with this hurry up culture I am trying to raise my son in. Children are VERY affected by what they see on screen, more that the average adult realizes. S-L-O-W D-O-W-N people. The magical years, if you can keep them, will only last about six or seven years. Cut them short at four, and they are over forever.
Laura
November 10th, 2009 - 8:31:41 AM
I thought the Mickey Mouse Choo Choo Express was a wonderful movie. We taped it and my three year old watches it every day. He absolutely loves it. I agree with Ann, SLOW DOWN. Enjoy the little things with them while they are still young!!! Disney did a perfect job with the movie!!! Thank you Disney!