John Reviews Kids Movies

In which John Green takes a long, hard look at some of his son's favorite movies, including The Lego Movie, Despicable Me 2, The Croods, and Penguins of Madagascar.
Children's movies turn out to be really interesting, discussing everything from what makes us human to how we should wield our suddenly enormous power to shape our biosphere.
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[@tnpl_home]

Ah the early days of "The Anthropocene reviewed"

[@tri-slosher]

I highly recommend that anyone who hasn't seen Megamind go see it immediately.

[@LynsanityXOXOXO]

Sunwoo Kim I have a strange attraction to Megamind.

[@PenntheDragon]

Code: Seen it and Code: Recommend on Google+

[@Frankiigii]

I liked Megamind way more than my kids did.

[@kimmycheyenne]

agreed

[@JelloMiniatures]

Yes! Megamind! Really clever film.

[@katculbertson2444]

Henry saying he wants to marry his mother is adorable and totally in line with what John said about little kids not understanding romantic love. All Henry has been taught at this point by society is that you marry a woman who you love a lot. And he loves his Mommy a lot. He'll figure it out eventually.

[@dragonflies6793]

When I was little I used to think I'd marry my twin for the same reason.

[@AceHawk37]

I'm calling it now, Henry is going to grow up to be one cool kid

[@abbybertoldi2698]

don't call craft

[@jayan.s.1672]

I JUST CAME FROM PHAN VIDEOS *frustrated crying laughter*

[@erical1808]

Jaya N.S. OUR BLOODY PHANDOM GETS EVERYWHERE I SWEAR. AND I LOVE YOUR PROFILE PIC

[@levitthardy6587]

the damn phandom I swear (even though I'm apart of it 😂)

[@landryray6894]

gracefulwater I feel ya. But don't swear... craft.

[@jimle1370]

Hank finally found his Penguin of Madagascar in Puss in Boots 2 is a cinematic loop that I was totally not expecting but am totally here for.

[@RussoFamilyVlogs]

John and Hank become reincarnated as lumberjacks LogBrothers (im so sorry)

[@wafflewarble2980]

John and Hank move to the Netherlands: Clogbrothers John and Hank start a plumbing business: BogBrothers John and Hank fall foul of an evil witch: Frogbrothers John and Hank start a fitness channel: Jogbrothers John and Hank start a Yes tribute band: Progbrothers John and Hank go down an, uh, alternate career path.... Flogbrothers

[@TheVlog]

***** There is no need to be sorry. Be proud.

[@Frankiigii]

The vlogbrothers star in a fashion show. John and Hank Preen.

[@kingjules7604]

John and Hank become watch-makers CogBrothers

[@jamesheritage1209]

They become plumbers BogBrothers I incidently am not sorry

[@aacsmiles]

This is about to get incredibly nerdy, but I think John completely missed the point of the Lego movie which makes it so brilliant. The movie doesn't just blindly praise the creative types by going "Look at us creatives. We're so unique and awesome. We're so much better than those conventional types who couldn't put their shoes on without instructions."This is a trope in movies that I just hate because some people just aren't creative and that's okay. We need creativity, of course, but we also need those conventional types in order to have a functioning society, as demonstrated by the movie. What makes the Lego movie so special is that it acknowledges the importance of the strengths of all people, creative or not. Notice how the main character, Emmett, isn't very creative himself. What he is good at it understanding the instructions. He understands the nuts and bolts of how to build something solid. It is because of this that his double-decker couch survives the crash, while his friends' creative plane doesn't. His friends may be better at thinking on their feet and creating unique things, but Emmet is good at thinking practically and building something that will last. In the end, it is the union of creativity and practicality, as well as inclusion rather than exclusion, which wins the day.

[@victoresan]

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[@morijames1380]

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[@haley4783]

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[@lilly4836]

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[@toastinggoodness]

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[@TheOtherKT]

The bit about Penguins of Madagascar reminds me of a line in Crash Course World History. The greatest evolutionary advantage? Being useful to humans.

[@Nhoj31neirbo47]

An interesting take on this regarding flora is the movie / book Botany Of Desire by Michael Pollan.

[@TheAceOverKings]

***** I read his book _The Omnivore's Dilemma_, and well, this. Cows and Corn. Cows and corn _everywhere._

[@Efflorescentey]

Useful but not delicious.

[@shaunaaaah]

John you need to show your kids Studio Ghibli movies (Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Ponyo, Kiki's Delivery Service, etc. [except Grave of the Fireflies]) they're cute, have great messages, a lot of them feature young female protagonists, and they're beautifully animated.

[@mayam9575]

And totoro that was my favorite movie growing up

[@cupcakelover616]

Just watched Grave of the Fireflies today. It was beautifully depressing. But yes, definitely not for children.

[@chazzergamer]

While I mostly agree I would keep Princess Mononoke out of their reach until their in their early teens.

[@excellentcollins]

I love Studio Ghibli movies,they are all fantastic.My favourites are Howls Moving Castle,Kikis Delivery Service and Spirited Away

[@thingamabitch]

I wish I watched these when i was a kid! Show them Grave of the Fireflies when they are older. It's a very beautiful, very sad movie... and it also seems like the kind of thing you would enjoy, John.

[@limegreenjbfan2546]

Is is possible that Dave's struggle from the penguins movie mirrors that of dave green? I mean "humans have treated dave poorly on account of how he is not cute".

[@TheVlog]

Megan I've seen so many Dave green references

[@avagreen9060]

Megan I am extremely cute but still ignored so I'm as confused as you are.

[@freyaguppy]

Megan I am knew here, who is Dave Green?

[@user-db9zp6mi5m]

Phil's Fox Jumper john and hank's secret brother

[@epsilonjay4123]

I know that I'm 3 years late on seeing this, but I have to say this regarding POM: If you had watched the TV show (a precursor to the movie) you would have seen how the penguins were nothing like what they were in the movie, and how the main plot point (Private not getting recognized enough) was completely ridiculous. They had several episodes on that... Yeah, they already solved that problem. And the penguins were much more high tech than in the movie as well.

[@cleodello]

*Despicable Me:* Love creates a family, even if it is a little out of the ordinary. *Despicable Me 2:* Well...families with both a mom and a dad are better.

[@earthling_parth]

Yeah, I didn't like that 180

[@CarbonDioxide.]

Despicable Me 1 & 2 are both right

[@celestealonso6957]

Also, Penguins of Madagascar is very good because BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH

[@Jimmymonicajaneselvigthorloki]

Penwing🤣

[@TutuOnAbridger]

John I feel like you missed a lot of the subtlety of the LEGO Movie. I actually went into the movie expecting the message that you claimed it gave, but I was actually surprised and delighted at the nuance of the message delivered. Remember, when everyone was trying to build their own submarine, without direction, it literally fell apart. Over and over throughout the movie Emmet, despite not being a "creative type" like all the master builders is still able to bring his expertise at following instructions to bear. In the end their plan to break into the offices of Lord Business required them to work together following a plan instead of everyone doing their own thing and this meant building things following the instructions. Yes, it was a movie that showed the value creativity and ingenuity, but it also acknowledged the power of organization and cooperation to shape the world around you. Also list "Telling John Green he missed the resonant thematic layers of the LEGO movie" under you tube comments I never thought I would write.

[@LukeMaps]

Came here after Hank's Puss in Boots Last Wish review. I ❤ the cerebral commentaries!

[@superpcstation]

Same :D

[@KaijaSchmauss]

I can kinda relate to Henry's desire to marry his mother. I vaguely remember saying something like that about my dad when I was like 2 or 3. Mostly because, as a 2/3 year old, I didn't know very many men.

[@user-rr3xz6nm9z]

It's very similar to the Oedipus complex

[@simpsonman956]

Erin Hernandez More to do with the fact that one has no idea what marriage is until about age seven. Between birth and then, marriage just means "two people who love each other".

[@KaijaSchmauss]

***** Yup. That's pretty much all it was for me at that time. Marriage was two people of the opposite sex (because I had absolutely no idea there was any sexuality but straight then) who loved each other. I knew my dad loved me, so my toddler brain connected the dots.

[@PassTheMarmalade1957]

***** I've heard some kids in single parent families declare that they are going to marry their mother/father because they want a brother or sister (after being told, of course, that "In order to have a baby, you need to have a husband.")

[@feltmatemily]

While I don't recall expressing a desire to marry my own father (though I loved him dearly), my own little boys have both declared their intention to marry Mommy when they grow up. My three year old announced, a few months ago, that he was going to marry Mommy. I told him that he couldn't marry me, since I was already married to Daddy (among other reasons). "Well then," he declared, "I will marry Eli!" (His five year old brother). Sorry buddy, you can't marry Eli, he's your brother. "That's right!" yells the five year old, "you can only marry your SISTER." Ahem.

[@kaitlynelward8203]

How to train your dragon: presents one of the most realistic romances in any children's movie, yet is based around the idea of friendship

[@AllDaGoodUsernamesWereTaken]

I think friendship is the foundation of any good relationship, romantic or platonic so maybe thats why

[@leahmcpherson7560]

Would you say he's a giant squid of anger?

[@estellet1406]

Leah McPherson thank you for making my day.

[@Naiadryade]

Yessss

[@silliestlily]

Leah McPherson no, he's an octopus. Obviously.

[@Naiadryade]

silliestlily Giant cephalopod of anger!

[@goliathgeek678]

I forget your a dad sometimes.... Hey wait, so am I...

[@zeiger256854]

French the lama, you're brilliant.

[@IceMetalPunk]

Might want to take your kid out of the oven; don't want to overcook him.

[@danielsilva-us3zn]

Steve Ince are you a native English speaker?

[@taylerterror7572]

Anne O'Donnell There's no need to be so snarky about correcting someone else's grammar, friend. Mistakes are allowed to be made even on the Almighty internet. And if you're going to be all mean to someone about their grammar you should remembered the apostrophe in "you're".

[@danielsilva-us3zn]

Tayler Terror girl, I like your style.

[@MarioTheStoryTeller]

*I love the Lion King but hands down I think the 1990 Ninja Turtles is the best kids* *movie hands down.* *Stay AWESOME people of the internet:)*

[@jimgordan4944]

My favorite is Aladdin Mario.

[@joejane3281]

I think Lion King is better.

[@joejane3281]

Btw I love your channel.

[@MarioTheStoryTeller]

Aladdin is pretty good too.

[@MarioTheStoryTeller]

Joe Jane It definitely amazing.

[@mattbenz99]

The other day I watched the movie Monsters University and I was shocked by how much I could relate to the characters. I mean minus the part of the movie about scaring small children it felt somewhat like my experiences in college so far with the studying/stressing over exams and making new friends I felt like I could have been someone in this movie.

[@estherrawr]

I usually consider myself to be very young in the grand scheme of things (i'm nineteen) but the fact that i have only seen one of those movies suddenly makes me feel very old. (also, every time someone mentions Werner Herzog I remember the time I confused him with Roman Herzog while in class. definitely one of my weaker moments.)

[@MidtownSkyport]

estherrawr Don't worry, I've only even /heard/ of one of these movies, never mind seen any of them.

[@naturesmusical14]

As a fellow 19-year-old nerdfighter, I also am feeling old for only having seen one of these movies. Because my friend told me to.

[@AnnaGlin]

estherrawr huh I'm 18 and have seen 1 of them, but all of them are on my list ... I enjoy (good) kids movies and why shouldn't I :)

[@TheVlog]

estherrawr I'm 18 and I've never seen any of them, also, I've already got grey hairs, so that's a thing....

[@ADADEL1]

estherrawr You get used to it.

[@EvieHeffner]

John: "The kids are alright." Me: *immediately thinks of Fall Out Boy*

[@audrikachattaraj6502]

Same, thnks fr th mmrs of my teacher yelling at me because I was singing that too loud

[@tropetrinitytrilogy8533]

+danisnotonchairs SAME!

[@rachelporter1378]

But, John, don't you know that the kids aren't al-, kids aren't alright.

[@CatherineLu]

Very insightful reviews of kids (kids'?) movies. :P You need to do more of these for like, Big Hero 6 and other things. I don't know if it's because I'm growing up and just noticing things that were always there, but it feels like kids movies these days are starting to have deeper and more serious undertones for adults to understand and appreciate. I mean I get that some level of that has always been there just because the nature of kids' stuff is that parents sort of have to watch it with them, but it feels like older movies bank on a more 'universal' kind of thematic language, whereas these new films have gotten more complex... maybe?

[@kouhaisempai4800]

Catherine Lu I kinda hope so. And when you look at history, it does seem that we are having a bit more respect for our children and realizing that they understand more than we expect them to. Whether or not kids' movies are actually getting more serious or if we're just looking into it as adults, either way has me watching them and allowing myself to be a bit of a big kid for a long time to come. I think that's a pretty good thing.

[@jacethekingslayer]

Catherine Lu I disagree--I have found while rewatching my favorite children's movies (mostly falling within the Disney Renaissance period, though not all are Disney movies) that the ones from my youth were just as insightful as newer movies. It really just depends on what you're looking for, I think.

[@AmazingGracer45]

Hmm, I do very much understand what you're saying, but I also realize that the whole 'children's cartoons being complex' thing was actually really popular in the 90s (especially with TV Shows, which are honestly declining in quality now)! Maybe it's just something we start to realize as we get older? But yeah, I love it when animated movies have a lot of substance, and unfortunately the fact that they do is often ignored by the general public.

[@thingamabitch]

***** Actually, there are plenty of complex cartoons now, but they're all really recent. Adventure Time, taken as a whole series, is complex even if its individual episodes are not. And keep an eye on Steven Universe, it's going to be great.

[@kipiscandy]

***** Have you ever watched Phineas and Ferb? The newer ones are lower quality, I think, but for a while there they touched on some serious issues and had a lot of complex humor.

[@catherinecase1142]

Was this the first video where we heard John mention the Anthropocene? (And now we finally have a full-length review of Penguins of Madagascar in 2021!)

[@twiggyvlogs6441]

I'm not sure why KZbin wanted me to re-watch this now but that review of the Lego movie could basically be a review of the Barbie movie and that's pretty cool.

[@shifat-day4251]

of course penguins made it into the anthropocene review, it's all coming together

[@catty324]

Please someone tell me that it was a Fall Out Boy reference at the end and not me being too fangirly

[@aposiopetic]

Crystal Cao It might have been, or it might have been a reference to The Who (which is what the Fall Out Boy song is referencing)--the phrase has been around for a few decades now :)

[@nerdrat7784]

I hope it was because I screamed as my parents looked at me like I was crazy. Which I am

[@catty324]

Ari Multhauf oh wow I didn't even know that, nice bit of trivia thanks :)

[@CelineFarran]

My heart practically stopped when he said that the kids are alright so I'm really hoping that was a fall out boy reference

[@cosettebadger7178]

Immediately I started going "THE KIDS ARENT AL- KIDS ARENT ALRIGHHHHHHTT" too because, you know, fob

[@JohnSmith-rb6zj]

If you have a problem with interspecies romance, you're gonna hate Doctor Who.

[@annashklover3023]

Ohhh yessss. Also I love your name and profile pic!!!

[@lillianhauser-howells7809]

HAVE WE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE BEE MOVIE

[@lifeontheledgerlines8394]

@@lillianhauser-howells7809 Definitely not

[@grantlee4331]

I recommend anything by Brad Bird. The three obvious ones: The Iron Giant, The Incredibles and Ratatouille. Oh man. I can talk about The Incredibles forever.

[@pratyay_barman]

Hank reviewed Puss in Boots & here's KZbin algorithm recommends me John reviewing the Penguins of Madagascar. One of the few examples when algorithm working as it should.

[@Rallllllllllll]

Did anyone else think of Fall out Boy at the end? No? Just me? I'll show myself out then.

[@emmam837]

THE KIDS AREN'T ALRIGHT

[@Rallllllllllll]

Emma M YES IM NOT ALONE

[@MoonSafariFilms]

That's a reference to The Who. Also, get off my lawn.

[@badlandsbry3243]

Yess! Haha

[@moxierosenberg494]

You are never alone in the land of band references.

[@AvengerofGallifrey]

LEGO is corporate Denmark, not America. ;)

[@estantedoph]

You need to review the disney classics. PLEASE!

[@rachelagron6172]

The algorithm brought me here after Hank said "I have found my Penguins of Madagascar"

[@sonnytots]

I'm going on 20, and I love kids movies. I feel like a lot of people tend to dismiss them as just dumb entertainment for kids, when really a lot of them are intriguing and thought-provoking. Not to mention they are the hardest movies to make, every move the characters make is deliberate and has been made by someone who has spent a long ass time researching how living things move. Animation is such a dynamic and fascinating art form that deserves to be recognized and celebrated.

[@LazyMangaArtist]

4 minutes and one second? Is there a punishment coming?

[@e.dodson1571]

LazyMangaArtist I wondered this too!

[@e.dodson1571]

Neeeeevermind ... it now says 4:00 flat. :)

[@DoYaLoveMeh89]

Mine said 4:01 for a second and once the video began playing, it went down to 4:00... There's something fishy going on here...

[@taliarose6567]

I wish, but for some reason, youtube adds a second to videos. Because of this, the punishment rules were revised to exclude videos that are four minutes and one second long. Hope this helped!

[@SayItAintTso]

On my computer it says 4:00, so maybe it did on John's too. :P

[@alicepow593]

Are we gonna get Hank reviewing children's movies soon?

[@TamannaDas]

Alice Pow Oh how I would love that!

[@DianaMcManaman]

It has been three years but I AM STILL HOPING

[@friendlyneigborhoodbean]

@@DianaMcManaman three more years STILL HOPING

[@emiliarodriguez3549]

So this video made me feel incredibly stupid because I never noticed they were two separate species in The Croods

[@andrebasden]

This is one of my favourite vlogbrothers videos yet. Incredible. So well done. Thank you.

[@joewatson6178]

MORE KID MOVIE REVIEWS! This was a really interesting concept, please do more of these John!

[@StephenEggett]

My favorite takeaway from the Lego Movie is that neither extreme conformity nor extreme individualism is necessarily good. The master builders are shown in a positive light in contrast to the dull rule-following denizens of Bricksburg. But, it is important to note that the master builders are spectacular failures (see the submarine building scene) until they learn to work together, as a team. The same theme song that is panned by Wyldstyle early in the movie, turns out to be exactly what the heroes need. Everything is awesome, everything is cool when you're part of a team. :)

[@yogurtfluff1]

Octopi are awesome and I would really love if they were protected.

[@LyricalDJ]

James Smart I was expecting John to make a reference to that octopus who was used for football predictions (I think) in Germany.

[@hippopajamas]

He remains this enthusiastic about Penguins of Madagascar. I think that's beautiful.

[@KevinLanigan]

The LEGO Movie has honestly become one of my favorite movies. It has more layers than one would expect and I just keep watching it over and over again. Brilliant work.

[@pinkpandamiranda]

I love that I got recommended this after watching Hank's love of Puss and Boots 2

[@sheaelliott942]

My fascination of John's reviews of children's movies leaves me with very mixed feelings.

[@OneUpdateataTime]

That was the deepest yet short review I've ever heard of children's movies.

[@kennedyhardy8786]

I could listen to John talk for the rest of my life he's just so mesmerizing how smart he is and it's just I can't even

[@marloesnoordermeer2646]

John i adore you sooo much! I am from Amsterdam, so when i read TFIOS I was blown away by how well you described everything!! I am your biggest fan!!!

[@TheVlog]

Marloes Noordermeer There are some older videos where he's in Amsterdam, walking around outside, really great city

[@vlogerhood]

TheVlog Indeed, he lived there for several months writing the parts of TFiOS that take place there.

[@marloesnoordermeer2646]

TheVlog​ vlogerhood​ thanks!!

[@marybach9925]

It's cute how you think you're his biggest fan

[@evonkong.611]

Mary Bach lol wtf??

[@elizabethcallan3564]

coming here after reading TAR where this is a chapter is surreal and wonderful

[@FlaminSmiles]

it's for videos like these, this in depth look at everyday things...viewing the world more complexly i suppose, that makes me love this channel. keep on keepin' on.

[@thedoctorlovescats]

this is the precursor to john's Anthropocene Reviewed on the Penguins of Madagascar I love seeing how long this has lived in his brain

[@Kristiekins2]

I appreciate a critique on The Lego Movie that isn't just ADFAELWKFJALEFKJ AMAZING SHUT UP. Even if it is only half a minute long :P

[@kouhaisempai4800]

Kristie McDonald To be fair, he pretty much gave it a "ADFAELWKFJALEFKJ AMAZING SHUT UP" rating at the end. xD Prefaced by more critique, though!

[@Cartel734]

Kristie McDonald The Lego Movie: Dismantling consumerism and conformity, while at the same time, promoting consumerism and conformity.

[@Istoriel]

To be fair, it's difficult to give a clearly-articulated critique when you're COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY! Haha. But seriously, this movie starts as a fun, silly adventure, and by the end turns into a masterpiece that touched me on multiple levels. It somehow manages to celebrate both individual creativity and teamwork. And the layers... Well, it's a great movie I think everyone should see!

[@quiroz923]

Ehem: "The Lego Movie lovingly deconstructs common clichés in western narratives that may be related to Campbell's monomyth, highlighting and commenting while at the same time paying hommage to the hero's journey's tropes" or something like that i dont know.

[@Naiadryade]

Leave it to a Green brother to consider things complexly. ;)

[@hobimato]

Woo updated on my birthday! P.s what ever happened to the bunny at the end of the description box? It's been gone for a long while ;-;

[@estellet1406]

adrian drew I miss the bunny... here's one :) (\(\ ( - -) ((') (')

[@TapOnWood]

This is an oldschool styled vlogbrothers video. Made me really happy.

[@jfarrow3856]

This is the best VlogBrothers video since John reviewed children's television!

[@ellielinchristian]

🎵And in the end, We'll do it all again, I think you're my bestfriend, Don't you know that the kids aren't alright. 🎵

[@ivpartridge]

French the Llama Fall out boy for the win

[@SyntheticReign]

Ellie Christian *I'd do it all again. Dammit, my blood is 80% lyrics.

[@juststeveschannel]

Interesting that I was just listening to an NPR story this morning covering the debate in the scientific community about whether the "anthropocene" is an actual thing to be defined as such, and if so, where it should begin; kind of like when they were debating whether Pluto should be considered a planet or not. That was interesting, and then John has apparently settled the issue.

[@Naiadryade]

The Anthropocene is totally a thing. Though as I understand it, there is not 100% consensus on this in the scientific community (yet).

[@the1exnay]

Naiadryade there is not 100% consensus on anything really. so that doesn't really say much about the reality of the situation

[@Naiadryade]

True. I suppose I mean that the Anthropocene has not yet been named an "official" epoch by various geological societies, though it is currently under serious consideration.

[@juststeveschannel]

There's one debate over whether to recognize it as a thing, based on the fact that the human age is really still a blip on the geological scale, and if it is, whether it begins in the mid-20th century with the industrial revolution and the advent of nuclear testing that leave permanent geological markers, or with the advent of agriculture, when humans basically started to really make a mark on the planet (even though it wouldn't be noticeable by any geological markers).

[@Elvishswimmer]

juststeveschannel I recently watched a fascinating video called "How Wolves Change Rivers" kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6TEZoJ4nb2tY7M And it all was about Yellowstone park and how much the lack of wolves there affected the environment and how them coming back has changed things radically. I can't help but think that it was -us- removing the wolves in the first place that changed the rivers (and ultimately us that put the wolves back, but that is another thing). If even things like human-led extinction of species (or just localized extinction) causes dramatic environmental changes, I can't see how we wouldn't leave some sort of mark on the geological record. I also have 0 knowledge of geology to know what those geological markers are, but I can't help but think there has to be -something-.

[@orlaparr4652]

I'm so proud to call myself a Nerdfighter, not just when I see your educational videos, or read John's books, but when watching the funny, stupid videos, but mostly when I see the community built around this channel, P4A, and VidCon, as well as the friendships and love between the people here. I met one of my best friends, someone I have never met in person, through Nerdfighteria, which is incredible. So thanks, John and Hank, for building this platform for awesome. DFTBA

[@DrewColpurs]

I feel like there's a lot more to Lego Movie then described. Yes, on the surface it's business making itself look good, but there's also the themes like what it means to be "special," and a brilliant, much more realistic interpretation of the "away dad" cliche. The entire ending really throws a lot out there, and I think it turned out brilliantly.

[@jomoody798]

I like the poster.. Really good movie. The author must be a hug sadistic

[@shannonmorrin6821]

My favorite movie that I remember watching as a kid is "My Neighbor Totoro."

[@footstepsintherain47]

This was utterly fantastic. Thoroughly enjoyed this video - thank you! Please do more! :)

[@luisaalves9210]

Omg! You should do this reviews more often!

[@jennyms1998]

you forgot that benedict cumberbatch's inability to say "penguin" makes the movie 20% cooler than any of the madagascar movies

[@pingupingu18]

Thanks for this video John. I really don't like when older people disregard animated children's films because they're just "cartoons" . I find that most animated films I watch have a lot more heart that any live-action films I've seen.

[@PenntheDragon]

Tell me about it, but I like to think that animated films are starting to get their respect.

[@Myoldusernamewasgood]

Oh children's movies have had this coming a long time.

[@creativityjune3591]

Animated movies are some of my favourites! I'm super nerdy about them too, I love watching behind the scenes on character design, storyboarding, and deleted scenes.

[@TheGeekyDad]

Feeling you with the monotony of watching the same thing over and over and over....its almost like they know exactly how to appeal to children...its almost like a formula...then you find yourself enjoying it too...then you start to identify with the adult characters...then you don't know what to think anymore

[@docnevyn5814]

The Geeky Dad One of Malcolm Gladwell's books talks about how they developed Seaseme Street (focus groups of kids, went with whatever got kids to pay attention) vs Blue's Clues (child psychology/education science that kids actually need that much repetition and the long pauses that bother adults)

[@madeleineameliacoopergreen5398]

Doc Nevyn Hi, I adore Malcolm Gladwell! Do you mind telling me the name of the book you read this in? I would love to check it out. I keep begging my mom and dad for "The Tipping-Point", but they insist it's somewhere in our house (I've looked!).

[@docnevyn5814]

I believe it was "What the dog saw"

[@madeleineameliacoopergreen5398]

Doc Nevyn Thanks so much. I'll pull that out of my book tower once I'm finished with "Blink". Have a fantastic day!

[@kimm]

See, I thought the Lego movie was about a Dad who desperately wanted to have something that belonged just to him and not to have to share everything cool he owns with his kids who intend to wreck it. (Or so says the mom that plays with children's toys for a living. Just kidding girls, if you are reading this, whats mine is yours, at least after we've filmed it on KZbin.... hahah).

[@calypsoshanley]

Happy Birthday, John!!

[@thelucyperkins]

Okay, the puns in "Penguins" are golden. My favourite cartoon by far.

[@spikeguy33]

I love serious stuff in kids movies!

[@simpplyveronica]

Wow. How do you manage to take something as simple as a goofy kid movie and give it so much meaning? haha, can I be as amazing as you guys please?

[@yuvala8652]

"it's almost entiretly about adult problems, like dealing with your tiny yellow minions once you don't want to be evil anymore"

[@TheGibo3]

This should be a series

[@TheGreatSteve]

Of all people John, you should know that Lego is already plural!

[@ljmastertroll]

Humans and Neanderthals? Now my family tree makes sense.

[@cathaldunne6741]

Henry Green watching his dads old videos in 10 years time will just push him over the edge

[@mayabidoll]

This is a super fun kid's movie review! I'm used to analyzing story from an animator's perspective so this video was a nice way to look at it from a different angle than I normally do. :)

[@curtistilbo]

Its so funny to hear your opinions on these movies, thumbs up if you want more!

[@brittanyalways7276]

Can we make this a regular thing? Because I really actually enjoyed it.

[@thewinterizzy]

I love the penguins. Loved them in Madagascar, in their television show, and now their own movie! They make me laugh so much.

[@whereisangie]

i had never heard of the anthropocene before this video, so i've started reading up on it and it's absolutely fascinating! john, thanks for introducing me to this term :)

[@juliusdictatorperpetuus1205]

What about WALL-E? Okay, Henry was either too young or not born when that film came out, but that has some pretty deep themes, though no new ideas, really. Then there's Bee movie, if anyone saw that. Essentially it's just a film in support of capitalism.

[@juliusdictatorperpetuus1205]

And it may be a book, but Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is much more interesting when one becomes older. Neither of the films really captured the ideas in the book very well.

[@marybach9925]

Oh god I can't stand wall-e

[@juliusdictatorperpetuus1205]

Are you serious?! Wall-E is one of the best kids' films ever. I think you need to lighten up and appreciate the comedy in the film, which is admittedly of a slapstick nature, but still. It's about the capitalist, consumerist lifestyle we live today, and how technology will soon control us instead of helping us, as it was supposed to do.

[@cleodello]

Julius Dictator Perpetuus Made by capitalists and consumerists (I've seen my share of abandoned wall-e toys, made with materials that are not earth friendly).

[@juliusdictatorperpetuus1205]

The film is not against consumerism and capitalism, rather it suggests the manner it is done these days controls us, and will do so more and more into the future. As for the Wall-E toys, I blame the evil Disney corporation, not the good people directly involved in the creation of Wall-E.

[@czchrissa]

Have you seen Rise of the Guardians? Favorite animation movie ever

[@kingjules7604]

You went into some impressive depth with that O.o especially with the Lego Movie

[@mimi_wandering]

I find it interesting the various time frames which people define as the start of the anthropocene. Anyway, love the critiques.

[@moa4269]

You need to watch Big Hero 6, And Home. It's so Amazing.

[@LLivLLaffLLuv]

The Anthropocene Reviewed, draft 1

[@Toreiishi]

Love that poster you got in the back! ;)

[@angelique715]

I love these videos, but I want to confess something. I subbed to the vlogbrothers months ago. I love both Hank and John but I didn't know until yesterday that THIS John Green is the same one who wrote The Fault in Our Stars and now, I love this channel even more!

[@HannahTarr]

How do you feel about the recent discovery that Brontosaurus and Apatosaurus might actually be two different species?

[@docnevyn5814]

Hannah T Brontosaurus never existed. Wrong skull attached to skeleton of different dinosaur. Can I interest you in a Diplodocus?

[@OrUptotheStars]

Doc Nevyn New information is coming out indicating that Brontosaurus might be its own species after all www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/04/07/398026287/is-it-time-to-resurrect-the-brontosaurus

[@heather23renae]

John, I don't know if you could get the kids to sit down for some old school animation but I highly recommend anything by Don Bluth! Like Anastasia or An American Tail/ Fievel Goes West, A Troll In Central Park, All Dogs Go To Heaven, The Pebble and The Penguin. I should note that these movies tend to be a little scarier than your average modern familiy/kids movie but when I was a kid I LOOOOVED Them.

[@Hag_of_Fangorn]

You missed the BEST one... The Secret of NIMH!

[@MiddleAgedNerd]

JoAnna Wheaton You beat me to it by 17 minutes. Amazing movie.

[@Hag_of_Fangorn]

***** Hahaha! I used to say he was my cousin when I was a kid. And, no, he's not!

[@Hag_of_Fangorn]

Middle Aged Nerd It's been making me do the ugly-cry since I was itty-bitty. Amazing is RIGHT!

[@heather23renae]

JoAnna Wheaton Never really liked that movie haha. It's like, the only one of his movies I don't like and I always feel a bit bad about it lol.

[@J_T_B]

This would be great to do more often

[@MegSays]

I love your videos SO much, John! :)

[@helenb9909]

That review of The Lego Movie basically entirely applies to Barbie

[@2GoatsInATrenchCoat]

I knew I'd find this comment if I sorted by newest 💀 thanks for not disappointing me

[@KY_CPA]

John's first Anthropocene Review?

[@SamsonZhangTheSalmon]

Lol the ad that played before this video was an Emerson ad starring Hank.

[@shereitograce7844]

I would like to see John or Hank or both review the books they read to their children, or other popular children's books