MovieChat Forums > The Brave Little Toaster (1987) Discussion > Probably the most depressing kids' movie...

Probably the most depressing kids' movie I've ever seen


Don't remember what I thought of it when I was little, but looking at it it looks really depressing. There's so much doom and gloom in it, and some pretty scary parts for a kids' movie.

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There's some nice fun sections to balance it out, so it's okay. Also what I felt as a kid is pretty much what I feel now (because I have the movie).

I never found it scary either. I guess the clown could be if you're scared of clowns yourself, and there's the horror movie type setting of the parts shop (which is a parody, so it's more funny than scary), but that's my two cents anyway.

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The most depressing part is when all the cars are going to their doom, and one refuses help as it drives into the grinder, lamenting how worthless it was.

It was literally a suicidally depressed car. That helps kill itself.

That's just messed up.

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Oh gosh :S I don't remember it seeming to refuse help. I thought the cars were kind of having an ironic fun with the circumstances, like the dogs in the pound in Lady and the Tramp actually enjoying their sad-sounding howl-song.

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Because there once was a time when people trusted children to understand a story.

A story that has different characters who exhibit all traits. Characteristics that the children themselves have felt.Children are scared a lot. They fear being alone and lots of things seem eerie or strange to them.

The Brave Little Toaster was weird and helped me learn about how I react to stories. In this movie the group of friends loved each other very much. They became their own family. I'd never seen that before in a kids movie. They had an unusual loyalty to the Master, a part of the movie that I decided I didn't agree with. As a child that's a powerful thing. To look at a movie, not agree with a part while still enjoying it.

I'm not glorifying my childhood in the least. I saw 3 Ninjas Kick Back and Home Alone 3. It wasn't all gold. I do remember being moved by movies a lot as a child. I was always in tears about something.

Pixar is the only animator left that trusts children with their stories.
Everyone else is just in it for the 80s covers soundtrack and double entendre and fart jokes.

*Insert witty line about lack of witty line HERE*

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I definitley agree with your post. I feel that just because such and such is a "kids movie", doesn't mean it has to be stupid and something only little kids would enjoy. I've always loved Pixar too.

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It reminds me of Charlotte's Web in the sad department, but this was even worse... the abandonment/darkness makes you want to crack... especially someone as sensitive as me.

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It's actually not that bad. It's funny - this and a few other movies I remember quite distinctly what I thought of them as a kid. Probably because I've never seen them since. I remember being really freaked out at one point about the blanket getting burnt up (does that even happen? Is it a risk? I don't know) and being kind of disturbed by a few things. But I think it was really good for me. I remember the movie very fondly and that it made a great impact upon me, so I think kids are a lot tougher than people give them credit for.

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This is one of my favourite movies from my childhood and i think that is one of the reasons. I remember feeling different emotions towards this movie than all the other kids stuff i watched.

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As a kid I loved this thing, I didn't think it was a depressing at all. Keep in mind, kids know nothing of depression. They know nothing of mortality, of death, or mourning. All the dark scenes in this movie are over their heads, and the scary stuff will frighten them, but they'll forget it in a flash.

The really scary stuff will haunt their nightmares, but it's okay to have nightmares. It's human. Part of growing up.

I don't remember any of the sad or scary parts other than the junkyard scene, from my childhood I mean. I was too absorbed in the novelty of talking appliances.

We all gotta realize that when kids see movies, they're seeing these concepts for the first time. They've never seen anything like what they're seeing. They don't identify the complex emotional overtones, the symbolism. That's for the adults to pick apart and perhaps eventually explain to their kids.

I'll bring the BEARDS.

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I was probably 4 when I saw this and the "symbolism" of the dying flower scene did not go over my head. I enjoyed this film but I certainly remember all of the sad and scary scenes; a number of the characters die, including the various cars, and most of the time the main characters shout at and make fun of one another. It can be a pretty dark

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How about all dogs go to heaven??

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How about all dogs go to heaven??

Amen to that. I love that movie, it was the saddest and depressing childrens movie that I've seen that I remember the most. That movie made me cry first time I saw it as a kid and I still cry when I see it.

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I actually think that American Tale is the most depressing kid's movie. It is just too gloomy for me to watch.

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That's what some critics at the time of its release though too, which is why the sequel was much more light hearted.

COOKIES AND MILK!-Ed

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