The Oogieloves Movie: Holy Mackerel, I didn't have to cover their ears.

If you are looking for an animated feature that includes adult innuendo or occassional violence or the death of a parent in the first five minutes, then The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure is not for you.

However, if you are looking for a wholesome, sweet and totally adorable movie to watch with your young children, go see The Oogieloves, right now.
The Oogieloves is one of the first movie experiences with my children that did not include the following:

  • Chloe requesting to go sit in the car.
  • Lily hiding under her chair.
  • Chloe with her hands on her ears. 
  • Lily protesting loudly that "No mother should die."
  • Both children crying.
  • Both children attempting to climb back in the womb.
  • Me, ridiculously explaining that it is not "that scary," and " it will all work out," and "just eat some popcorn, because I just paid one million dollars for movie tickets and I refuse to leave."
  • Both children fighting over who gets to put the empty popcorn bucket over their heads to hide from the evil queen/shark/bears/dog catcher.

These episodes all happened at "children's" movies.

Chloe dancing and enjoying. 
My kids are not just sensitive and high-strung, they are children. Children with sweet, kind hearts and vivid imaginations. When that giant shark ate Nemo's mommy: they believed it. When the evil queen in Tangled used psychological abuse to keep Rapunzel in her place: they internalized it.

Real children's movies are like The Oogieloves.

"There is no reason for good to triumph over evil. There is no need for evil in the first place, " said creator Kenn Viselman during the Power of Moms promotional tour earlier this month. Viselman, who is the marketing genius behind Thomas the Tank Engine,  spoke to a small group of bloggers in Philly along with Oogieloves writer Scott Stabile.

The world can be a really scary place for children--especially my oldest Lily, who has battled a brain tumor. Movies and the world of imagination should not be scary for little ones.

"We don't need to scare our kids in 83 minutes," said Stabile.

Scott Stabile, Me, and Kenn Viselman
The movie is a series of short stories that form one overall story. Chloe, who is 3, loved the short adventures (especially the birthday party and pajama dance.).  Lily liked the whole story--but specifically told me that some of the funny moments still keep her laughing. (She says "Holy Mackeral," in reference to a scene when Jaime Pressley kisses a fish, at least 30 times a day).

What I liked was that the movie was fun, easy and interactive. There are no 3-D glasses. There is no anxiety about what film is next. True, I would never go see the Oogieloves without my girls. However, I'd take them again. The movie is set up for children to dance and sing. It is created for parents to act goofy and play with their kids.

My girls were at first confused that I was encouraging them to stand up and dance (afterall, no one is ever allowed to talk during the movies). The Oogieloves represented a re-education for the three of us: children should sing and dance at children's movies.

"We created a film where children can be children," said Stabile.

The world needs more Oogieloves.

The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure is truly G-rated (in fact they are marketing it as Rated GGG).  It is songs we will sing together on long car trips; It is melodies we will sing to our children when they are sad. It is memories we will make together:  It is memories of childhood. Of innocence. of love.

 So, go take your kids, dance and sing--you are supposed to. That is what childhood is all about.

Stay tuned to Yoke this week for a FABULOUS Oogielove giveaway! (It is really fantastic!)

And if you want more rated G entertainment, tweet with #ratedggg

To learn more about The Oogieloves, check out:

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheOogieloves)
Twitter (http://twitter.com/theoogieloves)




Comments

  1. Ohh intrigued! Perhaps I'll take Lia.. Being able to stand up should suit her well.. How can any kid sit still and quiet for 90 min anyway??

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