Unexpected Profanity in Family Movies: A Hilarious Review

Animated movies are generally considered safe viewing for the whole family. However, sometimes, an unexpected curse word slips through, creating a hilarious and sometimes awkward moment. This article dives into some family-friendly movies that have featured surprising instances of profanity, exploring the context and impact of these moments.

The Surprise Factor of Curse Words in Family Films

Hearing a curse WORD in an animated movie often catches viewers off guard . It’s unexpected, especially given the Perception that these films are designed for a younger audience and family viewing. This surprise can lead to humorous reactions, though it can also be awkward if you're watching with family members who are less than amused. The appearance of such language is especially jarring since most animated movies make it a point to stay family-friendly, making such moments stand out. Profanity in animated movies can add an edge to the humor and make the content more appealing to older viewers, while simultaneously raising questions about the appropriateness of such content for children.

Let's explore how different films handle these moments.

DreamWorks: A History of Pushing Boundaries

DreamWorks, in particular, has a history of pushing the boundaries of what's considered acceptable in family movies. From the "Shrek" era to more recent releases, this Studio isn't afraid to infuse its films with edgier content.

This approach has made their movies appealing to a broader audience, attracting not only children but also teens and adults who appreciate the more sophisticated humor. The challenge lies in balancing this edginess with the need to maintain a level of family-friendliness. While Shrek got away with a lot using the excuse of using 'ass' to describe a donkey, not every movie will get this excuse. Dreamworks likes to create movies for all ages and wants to include the curse words, but there is a challenge balancing this with being family-friendly.

Teenage Kraken: When Mermaids Want to Curse

In Dreamworks' Teenage Kraken, there's a scene where a character wants to use a curse word but substitutes it with a milder term

. The mermaid says “mother flippin' mermaid” when what she most likely wanted to say what “mother f***ing mermaid.” This instance is interesting because it shows the writers wanting to add edginess while maintaining a family-friendly rating. In a movie that involves mermaids and fish, it is difficult to make such content fly, so they use a substitute bad word, such as flippin'. This approach may be seen as a clever way to engage older audiences without fully crossing the line into inappropriate content.

Antz: A Surprising Dose of Adult Humor

In the movie Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, there is a therapy dog who loves to curse and say a bunch of nonsense in the movie

. The language includes several words and blurs. It’s hard to tell what he is even saying; it sounds like the F word, B word, and even possibly the D word. A lot of what Parito says is censored, which might imply that some of his language could have crossed the line. The question is raised if therapy dogs should be cursing or not, or is it a new form of therapy.

Research Beforehand

Before selecting a family movie, research reviews and parental guides to identify any instances of strong language or mature themes. Websites like Common Sense Media provide detailed information about the content of movies, helping parents make informed decisions. While you cannot know all curse words, you can get a better understanding of what to expect before watching the movies.

Consider Your Audience

Take into account the age and maturity level of your children. Some children may be more sensitive to strong language than others. For younger children, this might be something to steer away from, whereas older children might not be as bothered. Tailor your movie choices to what is appropriate for your family’s values and sensibilities.

Use Subtitles or Closed Captions

Employ subtitles or closed Captions to get a better understanding of what words are actually used in the movie

. If a character is rambling, closed captions will tell you if curse words are used. This not only ensures that you catch any questionable language but also gives you the option to mute or discuss the word with your child.

This table further displays the good and the bad of using closed captions.