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Why did 'Spaceballs' gain a following amongst younger people?

posted 10 years ago by ofrah1
27 replies | jump to latest

One day, I was listening to the director's audio commentary for the film and in it, Mel Brooks mentioned that with the release of home video, the film eventually gained a following amongst KIDS because they saw it as "a space fairy tale." I found that remark interesting because in reality, the film contains swear words (including one instance of the "F-word") and some bawdy jokes.

What I want to ask is WHY did Spaceballs over the years gain a following amongst YOUNGER AND YOUNGER PEOPLE, even though the content makes it clear that the film was intended more for teens and adults?

**Just to be clear, I am making an OBSERVATION, NOT a judgement; it's NOT like I'm saying, "Kids watching Spaceballs? Oh, you better believe that's a paddlin'." (points if you know the TV show I am referencing).**

[–] therefdotcom 8 years ago

because for the most part it consists of kid's humor.

[–] residentevil6901 8 years ago

I was 14 when this came out, I really didn't care for it, thought it was kind of funny but more dumb then anything. Even today I watch it and feel the same way about it. Lol kind of funny, I felt the opposite of everybody I guess.

[–] Hendry_William_French 8 years ago

Spaceballs is basically a space fairy tale as well as being a comedy. I first saw this movie when I was around 7 and it was the perfect kids movie in retrospect because it covers to many themes including action, romance & sci-fi. Just stuff that's easy to get into for a young viewer (as well as an older one).

He was my C.O. in Nam. CIA listed him as MIA but the V.A. ID'd his M.O. and put out an APB.

[–] CognacJacquet 8 years ago

I think it's like Grease - I think I was 8 or 9 when I went through my "must rent it every weekend" phase which lasted about a year or so, and I just didn't pay attention to what I didn't understand. I was shocked years later when I finally clued in.

I was almost 12 when Spaceballs hit theaters - I thought it was stupid but funny. i was old enough/pop cultured enough to get most of the references. When it was released on HBO (or whichever premium cable channel) my father recorded it. My 3 year old brother thought it was hysterical and watched it on almost a daily basis. He had no frame of reference whatsoever - Mel Brooks just knows humor and how to play it.

[–] AmeriGirl26 (12358) 5 years ago

Oh that's easy. Some of us watched this with our parents when we were 9 and up, and loved the movie ever since. Duh!

[–] PaladinNJ (20316) 3 years ago

The question I always wondered: Why is Alien popular among young kids? They shouldn't even have been able to see it. It was rated R in the late seventies when they started cracking down.