"The Lorax" 3D (26/30 on the Daddymeter)
Galaxy Theatre, Saskatoon
March 23, 2012

Didn't have high hopes for this one, but it was better than I expected.  The movie is based on Dr. Suess' book of the same name, and follows it the book accordingly.  To make it a full length feature the writers added a secondary plot that makes "The Lorax" a story within a story, within a story, but it works.

The Daddymeter:

1) Happy Daddy?  Like I said, I didn't have high hopes, but I did enjoy this film.  Creative characters, an easy to follow plot, playful rhymes, lots of colour, just like the books.  They kept it simple, and didn't try to make it something it wasn't.  I like that.  I Didn't have to think too much, but it gave me something to think about.  It was also only 86 minutes long.  Too many kids shows get too long.  Here are some highlights.  Remember these comments are within the context of a Dr. Seuss film!
- Some really neat 3D effects.  I jumped a couple of times, and Ava did spill pop on my lap once.  Jesse needed a bathroom break anyway, and he ran into the women's bathroom and locked himself in the stall before someone could bring him to me.  Thankfully he only had to go 'number 1'.  Maybe he left the seat up.
- Some surprisingly good action sequences and chase scenes.
- Music was fantastic.  Strangely reminiscent of "Jesus Christ Superstar"
- The 'love story' was exactly how a grade 5 boy feels when in the presence of a beautiful grade 6 girl who is (in relative maturation) twice his age.  I could relate.  And it's hard to not fall for Taylor Swift, no?
- Lots of little laugh bits, "She's a woman?"
- Danny Devito was born to play the Lorax.  Oscar?!

Happy Daddy? Yes. For sheer fun, and surprisingly well rounded entertainment quality I am giving this one an 8.5/10

2) Happy Kids?  My kids liked this film, all of them, from my 3 to 5 to 7 and 9 year old.  Outside of my 3 year old, they all sat through the entire movie.  This is rare.  They laughed a lot, and liked the music.  They sort of shimmy-danced in their chairs.  They also followed the story, and were engrossed in the movie enough that they didn't resort to the usual 'he got more popcorn than me' type of scenarios. 

Happy kids?  Yes. They laughed, followed the story, and didn't get bored.  they didn't rave on and on about it, but they definitely enjoyed it, and told me so.  8.5/10

3) Happy World?  Dr. Seuss is known for his moralising tales and this is one of his most popular in this regard.  It is a cautionary tale, and one worth heeding.  Let's use our resources wisely, or one day they may be gone.  The producers handled this exceptionally well.  They lured the audience in with the colour and simplicity.  As the movie progressed They slowly added to the depth of the message without detracting from the story, making it laborious, or feeling like you were being preached at.  The "How Bad Can I Be?" song was particularly poignant.  A small piece of me died when they cut the last tree, but this happens when your last name is Wood.  As well, the critical social commentary of Thneedville as a modern suburban city was difficult to miss, and a point well taken.  "But why would you want a real tree? They are so dirty."  Ending the movie with the a signature Seuss quote was also a nice touch: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”


Happy World?  I sure hope so, this is the Lorax!  Don't mess with The Lorax!  They could have blown this but they didn't.  9/10

Well done producers. the Daddymeter gives this film a 26/30

"Arthur Christmas" 3D (23.5/30 on the Daddymeter)
Galaxy Theatre, Saskatoon
December 22, 2011
Daddy, a 3, 5, 7, and 9 year-old in attendance

I Took my kids to this 3D movie over the Christmas break in Dec. 2011 at the Galaxy in Saskatoon.  I ordered a large popcorn and shamelessly asked for four extra bags.  I Came back for my one free refill later.  Daddy must provide.  This makes it somewhat affordable.  I walked in with water bottles exposed.  Micah kinda got worried, he likes to follow the rules, but I take the thrills I can get these days.  Daddy knows that water is a human right, and daddy refuses to pay $4 per bottle.  

1) Happy Daddy? This movie was  a surprise Christmas treat.  I was expecting to endure it with my kids and enjoyed it with them.  Some highlights:
- It kept my attention.  I hate some kids movies. 
- There were some good action sequences (I loved the mission impossible style Christmas present drop!).  It made the whole Christmas shopping, wrapping, delivering thing heroic and in need of military precision, which it does!
- The story, and parental subplots, were decently deep (how to transfer generational legacy/wealth/etc.).

Happy Daddy?  Not over the top, but yes.  The whole thing kind of came together by the end and there was enough fun and adventure throughout to keep my adult attention.  8/10

2) Happy Kids?  The kids liked it.  Jesse went to the bathroom twice.  I got a break.  Got some water.  The others all stayed in the whole time (pretty good for my brood).  N]They never got seriously bored or wanted to go.  I was happy with this.  They liked it, but they don't really ever refer to it like other movies that they really like.

Happy Kids?  Yeah.  It's a tough season to keep kids happy, so much expectation.  This movie put a flashy spin on an old story.  8/10

3) Happy World?  Good general holiday season/Santaish (Santaish looks a little like satanist) message, but lacking any real nativity style depth, so don't go for that if that is what you are looking for.  I was quite moved by the sibling rivalry and overcoming of fears theme.  Every kid needs to learn about these things.  This movie definitely reinforces the whole materialistic Christmas message cloaked in good feelings.  But who doesn't want a little shallow commercial holiday spirit during the holidays.  Thanks for delivering Arthur Christmas!  7.5/10

Overall a good movie.  23.5/30 on the Daddymeter!

I'm starting to blog about movies I've watched in the theatre with my kids.  I am going to rate them on a daddymeter.  Here is the criteria, which will be a work in progress.  All rating are for kids aged 4-12 and work on the movie experience premise of happy daddy, happy kids, happy world.  For a movie to rate high it must score in all areas. 

Critieria:

1) Happy Daddy (Enjoyable Adult content): Every daddy wants to enjoy the movie with his kids.  No daddy wants to feel bored, and that he is putting in time.  But daddy also realizes that this is a kid's movie so some compromises must be made.  Daddy realizes that clever movie producers can do both: please daddy and kids!  Daddy doesn't want to subject his children to age inappropriate material, but he also doesn't want to be bored.  How did this movie balance this?

2) Happy Kids (Did the Kids like it?):  No daddy can enjoy a movie if his kids aren't happy.

3) Happy World (Does the movie have a good message?): Was there a message from the movie that will make my children wiser, better people in the long haul?  I'm not talking about labourious moralizing, but subtle messaging that nudges kids in the right direction.  

Any movie that can hit all three of these is a good movie in my daddy books.