Sam’s 2nd birthday brought a wave of big boy stuff into the house—tunnels, books, Lincoln logs, blocks, clothes, and Cars stuff. By Cars I mean both toy cars and toys associated with Cars, the Pixar movie. Once upon a time, he pointed to the TV, said “Off” and then turned it off (so boring); now he jams DVDs into the player—all because of Cars. But Cars isn’t just a movie, it comes with stuff.
I’m conflicted by how corporations electronically swoop into homes and brand children. Movies are sometimes reduced to bait for consuming. Children are used as corporate billboards and shills for marketing departments. They’ve managed to get children to both promote and consume.
And for those of us who love movies, because children’s movies come with stuff, children’s movies get the money to get made. No one wants a Laura Linney The Savages’ doll—complete with angst and a Dad who writes with his poop.
Did I say I was conflicted???
Because I am…I totally love watching Cars, Nemo and Sesame Street with Sam. I’m a story junkie. He and I have already discussed how Cars is a classic story with a hero who makes a bad decision because of his character flaw which then lands him on his adventure. OK, maybe Sam didn’t completely follow that but he can say “McQueen” and someday he’ll get the Steve McQueen reference. Plus, I like the Tin Lizzie, Doc Hudson toy cars. They’re zoomie. And forget about the Lightening McQueen sweatshirt. I want one for myself.
I guess that’s the problem…when I was a kid, I wanted to go, Boldly Go, where only those who lived in big cities got to go…A Star Trek Convention. Star Trek, Kiss and Star Wars started this merchandising phenomenon and don’t you know I was hooked on all three. In my 20s I finally got to go to the Red Lion Inn out by theSeaTac airport to see Lavar Burton and all the other Trekkies. Obviously, I'm a lost cause.
And yet, I still want Sam to want to read books and watch old movies and for his clothes to be a logo free zone (except for that sweatshirt), for him not to want new sneakers even when he’s busting out of the ones he has, for him to know why trees are more fun than toys. I don’t want him to be someone's shill.
Maybe if I just fast forward through the McDonalds' ad (they’re a sponsor of Sesame Street now L) and go right to Elmo...I may not be able to forgo the Elmo doll, but I have no weakness for ¼ Pounders.
1 comment:
Great thoughts, great writing, great pix, great daught.
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