Writer’s Workshop: A Movie I’m Regretting
by Jenners • 07/22/2010 • BB/The Little One, Writers Workshop • 43 Comments
This week, I’m choosing Prompt 2: A movie you probably should have previewed before letting your kids watch.
Well, after the screaming night terrors that followed our double-feature of Hellraiser II and The Exorcist, I decided maybe the Little One wasn’t ready for horror movies yet. (Totally kidding!!! I’m not THAT bad of a mom!)
Seriously, though, it has been difficult predicting what movies will scare or be too intense for the Little One (he is 5 by the way, and, if I’m being honest, a bit of a pansy). He had nightmares after watching The Rugrats Movie at school (scary trees and clowns), and his recent discovery of the joys of Tom and Jerry took a downward spiral after an episode featuring a particularly scary dog. Yet he watched all six episodes of the Star Wars movies without a single problem! (And yes, I realize Star Wars isn’t really age-appropriate, but he was really just in it for the light saber action.)
In addition, he isn’t a kid who watches a lot of TV or movies by nature. I was bound and determined that he would not be a kid obsessed with TV, and my little plan worked. (To my detriment, I’m finding now. It would be so nice to have a hour or two when he would just sit quietly and watch a movie. But I’ve made my bed and now I have to lie in it.)
But my single biggest mistake to date has been allowing him to watch Toy Story 3.
It isn’t because of nightmares.
It isn’t because of content.
It isn’t because of the insanely high price of theater tickets where a child’s ticket is only 50 cents cheaper than an adult ticket.
It is because the movie captured his imagination to a degree not unlike the Kung Fu Panda Debacle of 2008 (which resulted in karate lessons and a sprained muscle for me when I was reenacting one of the kung fu moves from the film).
The kid is obsessed with playing Toy Story. All day long, I’m forced to adopt the persona of Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl. I’ve played countless games of Stop the Shredder (where a red cape doubles as the fire of the incinerator). I’ve held and rocked a stuffed dog that is a stand-in for Big Baby. I’ve been forced to enlist in the Space Rangers and rid the house of Emperor Zurg’s minions countless times. I’ve learned to dance the salsa so I can accurately recreate the moves of Spanish Buzz. All day long, we live, eat and breathe Toy Story 3.
Me in My New Space Ranger UniformI’m charged with protecting the LGMs.
And with this obsession comes the need for Toy Story toys and merchandise. And if you’ve been to a store lately, you’ll know that Toy Story 3 has pretty much taken over retailing. There is Toy Story 3 everything. I’ve fought off requests for Toy Story 3 pudding, Toy Story 3 fruit snacks, a Toy Story 3 booster seat, Toy Story 3 band-aids, Toy Story 3 crackers, Toy Story 3 beach towels, Toy Story 3 pencils, Toy Story 3 bubble bath, Toy Story 3 sheets, Toy Story 3 Pez dispensers, Toy Story 3 cereal, Toy Story 3 underwear … any trip to Target or Wal-Mart is like taking a walk through a minefield. I attempt to avoid the traps, but it is useless. The kid can spot Buzz Lightyear from 2.5 miles away. His relentless requests become overwhelming, and I inevitably crack … ending up a with a cart full of Toy Story 3 merchandise I don’t remember putting in there. (No joke: On a trip to Target today, I saw Toy Story 3 apples!!! Apples!!! They were just regular apples but in a Toy Story 3 box. ENOUGH!)
So, in retrospect, I wish I’d previewed Toy Story 3 first. Then I would have seen that it was a brilliant piece of film making that would capture any child’s imagination and dominate their playtime. And I should have known that with Disney being involved, there would be an avalanche of merchandise. I should have realized that I would be reenacting Toy Story 3 for 8 hours every day and fending off requests for Toy Story 3 merchandise 24/7. It was a rookie mistake, and I won’t make it again.
Pretending that Despicable Me doesn’t exist,
P.S. Have you seen Inception yet? I dragged Mr. Jenners to see it opening weekend (I thought I’d need help understanding it), and I loved it. And for the record, I was able to follow it … although I did my homework ahead of time so I at least understood the basic premise. If you like trippy, play with your head, intelligent thrillers, I’d recommend it.
It seems that Toy Story 3 is a movie that parents regret taking their child to go see. I think you are the third person to have mentioned it though I guess in your case it's more because of your son's obsession with it rather than the actual content
It's one of the reasons why I refuse to show E anything that involves Disney or princesses because I don't want to have to deal with one for the next 18 years 
I'm really curious about Inception. I've heard great reviews of it from everyone I know who watched it. In fact, Leo was a guest on a few Japanese shows here which makes me more curious because he is heavily promoting it here. I guess having a Japanese actor in it didn't hurt either…right?
OMG I KNOW this feeling! I wrote on the same movie and although I don't have to play toy story for 8 hours we can NOT go into any store at all without requiring some sort of TS3 something!
As you said, I will not make this rookie mistake again! HA
After my son watched Kung Fu Panda he was kung fu-ing things in his sleep. Which was hilarious….except that he was sleeping with us.
I so wanna see Inception! And, uh, as much as I hate to say it, when my kids were small and took naps I would sometimes take advantage of that time to watch scary movies. Well, one day I was sitting on the living room floor, totally entranced in Hellraiser and Mikal toddled in and sat on my lap. It was several minutes before I realized I was holding my 2 yr old AND watching Pinhead! I quickly turned it off, but he did see a few minutes and I think it's warped him for life, lol.
It was the Toy Story 3 Lego train that helped Lucas make it through swim lessons.
ah bribery
You must see Despicable Me and then you must video yourself imitating the youngest girl. I love her – despite the fact that I'm blanking on her name right now.
Ah Jenners….I feel your pain! We saw TS3 on opening day. After I recovered from the heart failure over ticket pricing, I quickly realized I probably shouldn't have gotten rid of Connor's Toy Story toys from his youth. Now Catherine is doing the same thing as your wee guy! She's full into Jessie mode. I could've made a fortune (and saved one) off those old TS toys!
Argh! Am I the only one who hasn't seen this movie?! That being said, hopefully the Little One's attention span will be short and you will soon be on to something else. Although, knowing Pixar's ability to start a cult-mentality in the 2-10 year-old set…maybe not.
This is too funny! I was cracking up at you, learning to salsa. I saw Decipicable Me and Inception all in one night. Definetly avoid Decipicable Me or you'll be helping him build a rocket ship to the moom. Inception was great!!!!
Hi! I'm really wanting to see Toy Story 3. My kids have already seen it….so I guess I'll be waiting for the DVD.
A few months ago I read your Goldilocks and the 3 Bloggers post. I was a new blogger then and learned soooo much from your fairy tale. I recently found it again over at Kevin and Amanda's blog. I hope you don't mind but I am posting about it on my blog…of course giving you the credit and linking right back to your post. It is wonderfully written and has such great info too.
I am a new follower now…and I'm glad to have found you again!
Looking forward to reading lots more!
I find the coolest stuff through you. FIrst, heritage.com and now faceinhole.com
how do you find these??? My son loved loved loved inception.
My kids got to see Toy Story 3 with their grandmother, so we haven't seen it yet. Thankfully they haven't been sucked into the marketing frenzy. My kid have seen all of the Star Wars movies too and love them.
I can't wait to see Inception. We were planning to see it last weekend but our babysitters were both sick. Hopefully they feel better this weekend.
That is too funny! I gotta say, even *I* have a craving for Toy Story 3 cereal after watching that movie. It was brilliant!
I haven't seen Inception yet, but I've been waiting months for it! I probably should actually read more about it before I do… but I'm terrified of spoilers, haha.
I was so not expecting your reason for previewing Toy Story 3. I love it and I love that you've been playing the parts of everyone but Woody – bc I'm guessing, your son is woody?
Great post as always.
I have not seen Inception. "Grown up" movies always have to wait for the DVDs
that is hilarious! ours is tinkerbell! who knew one movie could turn into in all out addiction to being all things fairy!
Jason & I loved Inception too
Okay so to recap:
1. Toy Story 3 = EVIL
2. Inception = Good
I never would have thought.
Poor you! Loved the FaceinHole picture… Have you tried printing out a version with the Little One's face in the suit? He'd love that. (PS Whatever you do, stay away from Where the Wild Things Are. Talk about disturbing and dark.)
I don't miss those whiny days. I think I've pretty much got hubby trained where he doesn't whine incessantly anymore. Oh, we weren't talking about THAT? LOL
First time reader of your blog (and now follower- well, after I submit this comment) and darn happy to have found you. GOOD STUFF.
Can't wait to read more when time permits (I'm supposed to be working right now).
Toy Story 3 was good. Our son (who is almost 5) loved it, but it did not prompt the all Toy Story all-the-time phase. We're still stuck in Star Wars land — been over a year now. R2D2 especially. He loves those movies.
We don't get to the theater often here but we love the pay per view. My boys are 18 months and seven so I'll probably be able to avoid an obsession with this movie, but the time will come when youngest is captured by one of the pixar shows.
I loved Toy Story 3! I may go see Inception tonight with a friend.
Hahaha… I can just picture you dancing around the house being Spanish Buzz. It actually sounds like fun, although I'm sure it does get old. And seriously… Toy Story 3 appleS?! What the hell??
Ah, it's good for him and YOU! Teehee. DO NOT! I repeat DO NOT go see Dispicable Me. By far, my favorite movie ever!!!
Loved Toy Story 3. I knew I would though b/c I love the other 2 as well. I sat & cried at the end. It didn't help that I was sitting next to my 13 year old baby boy who is no longer a baby. He was, of course, laughing at my tears until we realized his 4 year old little sister was also crying.
I also hate the INSANE merchandising that goes on with kids movies. Don't they know that kids are going to love the movie anyway? We're already going to watch it 35ooo times at home on dvd. Do we really need to see it on sheets, towels, clothes, food & toys? Def overkill.
Loved Toy Story 3. I knew I would though b/c I love the other 2 as well. I sat & cried at the end. It didn't help that I was sitting next to my 13 year old baby boy who is no longer a baby. He was, of course, laughing at my tears until we realized his 4 year old little sister was also crying.
I also hate the INSANE merchandising that goes on with kids movies. Don't they know that kids are going to love the movie anyway? We're already going to watch it 35ooo times at home on dvd. Do we really need to see it on sheets, towels, clothes, food & toys? Def overkill.
Hi there!
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LOL, my son has watched all of the Star Wars movies, too, and they never scared him at all. And I personally get the creeps when Palpatine gets Force lightninged by Mace Windu and also when Anakin turns to the Dark Side…. but not Ace. But CATWOMAN (from the campy 1993-era Batman 2) made him CRY. CRY!!! All she did is shred up some clothes and make a catsuit.
Sorry about the Toy Story obsession. I hope it passes soon.
You're going to hate me SO much for telling you this.
My son is seventeen. When the first Toy Story came out, he was two. He was obsessed from that moment on.
AND HE STILL IS.
You're welcome.
I'm so happy my daughter is older and doesn't…wait…Hannah Montana…ugh…
We were all about the original Toy Story and Toy Story 2, and I spoiled The Boy rotten with merchandise. We had guitar strumming Woody and Woody and Bullseye – we have a couple of Buzz Lightyears; I think we had Jessie.
But Mr. Potato Head was the favorite, hands down.
I am glad he is beyond the age of succumbing to marketing for Toy Story3…cuz I'd know I'd cave and buy stuff.
I played Toy Story a lot, but didn't mind. It's probably my favorite Pixar movie, so it was fun for me (and I worked all day, so it wasn'nt for hours and hours on end).
We went through an intense Garfield phase – we even had lasagna and birthday cake (which I had decorated at the store to say 'Happy Birthday Garfield') on more than one June 19th dinners.
Life for The Boy is a serious of intense phases – now it's Animaniacs, all the time. Yikes.
I my goodness – can I relate. Have Little One glance at T Rex's blog and I'm sure he'll spot the handful of little Toy Story guys he carries EVERYWHERE!!! We finally stopped letting him watch Toy Story while he has his breathing treatments. He, at only 2 1/2, car recite nearly the entire movie. And he only watched it maybe an hour a day at most.
We did take him to the movie. His review – "Kind of scary" but when asked if he liked it he said, "'kay". So there you have it. I'd hate to see what he would be like if he said the movie was "awesome"!
Ok – to show you what a hermit I am, I have yet to see any of those three movies (although I am very interested in Toy Story 3 — I am already prepared to cry — and Inception).
On another note, I distinctly remember my parents finally forbidding me to watch Caspar the Friendly Ghost. I kid you not – I would cry during every single episode because all the other ghosts were so mean.
Z is a major film/tv merchandise junkie. In fact, we haven't even seen Toy Story 3 (because he has decided that he doesn't want to watch movies in the theater anymore) but we have Buzz, Woody, Mr. Potato Head and a Hamm bank (courtesy of evil breakfast cereals) on the coffee table.
you are hilarious in your little space suit.
i really liked inception, but it exhausted me.
i kept forgetting that each level of dream
had so much more time.
It's so funny how you get pulled into these character roles. You know you love it though!
My ex said Inception was like the best roller coaster ride you could ever go on!
Well Jessie, I guess you have learnt a valuable lesson. We have never yet been to the movies but someone in our house is a big Mickey Mouse fan and we have every character in duplicate and triplicate and we play Mickey Mouse Uno daily, over and over again.
ugh. playing toy story 3 all day makes me cringe. does it make me a bad mommy if i admit that i hate playing "imagination" games with joseph? puzzles, art, blocks, yes. "house" "farm" … no.
I have been interested in seeing INception- glad to hear that you liked it!
That doesn't really count….your non-preview resulted in hours of fun and a love of buzz light year. My move mistake made everyone cry…even my husband.
Hands down, worst movie I've shown Baby Girl was Benji. I didn't even realize it had a bad part, but there is a part where the little dog gets kicked across the room. You can not even imagine the drama that ensued. It was horrible. She was completely devastated.
And I love trippy, play with your head, intelligent thrillers. We went to the movies this past weekend. I wish I would have seen it.
My parents never took me to any movie that had merchandising tie ins. Funny how you as you mature you begin to see more and more of the genius behind all of the "unfair" parenting you'd once believed you were being subjected to.
We have not made it to Toy Story 3 yet..mostly because EVERYONE I've talked to said it made them cry. We did go see Despicable Me last weekend and thought it was adorable!