obj/subj: the captain underpants movie (2017).

letterboxd:

★ ★ ★ - (3/5)

imdb:

★ ★ ★ - (6.2/10)

rotten tomatoes:

★ ★ ★ ★ - (87/100)

Much like the book series from which it was adapted, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie was quickly written off as immature and childish, another addition to Dreamworks Animation's line of unremarkable movies. Besides its small but devout followings in those unafraid to indulge in nostalgia and new online fans, it was largely ignored and not discussed much at all in popular culture.

why this is an example of why you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

Everyone hates potty humor. It's seen as the lowest form of comedy, jokes of this caliber being labeled only appropriate for children. They're obviously source of a cheap, easy laugh with no genuine mirth behind it. And, a lot of the time, that can be true. But it's good to take note of the instances where that's not the case, and nowhere is that more apparent than in this movie.

Captain Underpants author Dav Pilkey was a class clown in his elementary school days, and he began drawing whenever he was kicked out into the hallway, which was fairly frequently. Teachers told him over and over that he had no real talent, that he couldn't keep doing this forever, and he did. That inner child shows itself in everything that Pilkey makes, boldly and wonderfully goofy. Instead of using the word "childish" in a demeaning manner, he takes it for what it is- embracing joy without shame. He treats youth as something to rejoice over and relish in, even turning the tables and demeaning seriousness in the process.

This movie respects his audience and is more than prepared to show them so in a language that they understand. If more people knew this about it instead of just pushing it aside by the title alone, I firmly believe that it would be much more popular. Even if adults do end up watching it, they walk into the movie expecting it to be unworthy of their time, so much so that they've already made up their mind on how they're going to feel about it after it's over. General audiences and especially critics might not be ready to drop those inhibitions and go into this with an open mind. Maybe we all grew up a little too fast, a little too soon.

personal thoughts

I don't think it's an unpopular opinion to say that a decent percentage of modern kids' movies seem to be made for money more than anything else. The filmmakers put up a board of things they think kids like and select things off what would sell, and it usually works. Captain Underpants, however, was born as a passion project. At the core of all its silliness, where certain other films might be hollow, there is an undeniable heart bursting with excitement. It's a celebration of goofiness and beauty in the world that rings true especially to those that might really need it.

For me, laughing at a good fart joke is the same as realizing how cool it is that we're on a rock spinning through space. It's just perfect in its simplicity, being able to sit there, the biggest smile on my face, appreciating that it exists. I didn't grow up reading Captain Underpants like so many kids my age did, so I couldn't recall that feeling. Watching this felt like being woken up. It tells the viewer that childish fun is something to be treasured, not shunned, and that it's okay to partake in that. In a time where everything can feel so awful, dull, and gray, it sparks hope.

It's unfair and kind of ironic to look past it in such a way. As I see it, critical and general audiences are doing something similar to Pilkey's teachers- not giving him a chance. But I am so very glad I did.