MovieChat Forums > iCarly: iGo to Japan (2008) Discussion > An adult's view

An adult's view

posted 15 years ago by chibiedo
13 replies | jump to latest

First off I'm not a fan of the tv show and find the girl who plays Carly to be snobbish, rude, and sarcastic. But curiosity got the better of me and so I decided to check out the movie. I did not see this movie from beginning to end. Just towards when they arrive at the hotel to where Carly and her friends get ditched on the road. But it was enough to annoy me.

Since this is being directed to pre-teen and even younger kids I'm guessing the studio probably assumes that these kids wouldn't be able to tell the difference if the setting was California or Japan. What is the point of saying it's "actually" filmed in Japan when it's really being filmed in California? It's false advertising. Or maybe I'm just getting too wound up on the minor details? And yes I know it is pricey to have a tv show in the actual location but still...

But what irked me the most was the sheer lack of research and prepping this tv movie had. If they were attempting and I stress the word attempt at trying to show their viewers a different culture in a positive light then they failed horribly.

* Asian actors being the bad guys. Sterotypical much?

* I know Japanese is a really hard language but they could've at least used proper sentence structure. Just from listening to it was such a informal way of speaking. I didn't even know what they were saying except for the over usage of the word "baka". Can hardly read and write the language myself *fails*

* There seemed to be absolutely no cultural education to this movie other than being in Tokyo.

* There is NO desert located outside of Tokyo.

I'm super curious if iCarly has hit international waters and is actually being shown in Japan like Spongebob is. I hope it's not because even if this was supposed be ment for fun and entertainment it is nothing more then disrespectful. Yes I know I'm getting all wound up on a kid's show and shouldn't complain if I'm not a fan but truthfully...I'm just sick of the type of live action show trash that's being bombarded to kids.

[–] jimmers 15 years ago

Yeah, I thought the same thing.

That basic research apparently couldn't even go far enough to realise that in Japan cars are right hand drive, and drive on the left.

I don't want to get into American-bashing or whatever, but you do have to have to wonder about the motivation behind the people who make this filth. Do they deliberately and cynically put these things in so American teenagers don't have to interrupt their enjoyment of a masterpiece to wonder why the car is on the "wrong" side of the road, or are they just so lazy and arrogant they can't be bothered to check basic details?

Either way - it doesn't look good, does it.

[–] immjr 15 years ago

I can imagine, you telling your kids this... The look on there face must be pure horror...

[–] chibiedo 13 years ago

I blame lack of knowledge towards another country and putting humor and money first than doing proper research. It doesn't bother me so much now about driving on the wrong side of the road it's just how they executed the portrayal of a different country and what the assumptions their target audience will gather.

[–] Nobbes 15 years ago

I like it and am an adult.
So what?
And your complaints are ridiculous. It's only a movie.

[–] timespada 15 years ago

I have to express that I love this show, its currently the best show on Nickelodeon and It always brings a smile to my face which is the purpose of comedy regardless of "political correctness"

[–] cool302 15 years ago

agreed nobbes i am a huge nick fan been watching nick for 20 years since i was 5 in 1989!

Spongebob rules!!!!

Movie logic versus Real logic people!

[–] shawnlaib-1 14 years ago

This is coming from a very large fan of the show: I loved this movie and thought it was one of the best episodes in the series. It didn't bother me that they messed up on some of the cultural stuff, it was just a movie, and a very good one at that.

HOME IMPROVEMENT IS THE FUNNIEST SITCOM EVER!!!

[–] ioan77 14 years ago

Dude, get a life. It is just a movie. You're reading too much into it. You didn't bother watching the whole thing; you just prefer to make disparaging comments instead of enjoying the <b>teen</b> humor of iCarly.

Point 1: Doesn't matter that the bad guys were "Asian;" just part of fierce competition. They could have reversed the roles if the competition was in Seattle and have Spencer leading the "Asians" or Frenchman on a wild goose chase to Yakima.

Point 2: Yes, you fail at the language yourself, so why bother making a big deal about words kids won't know?

Point 3: They weren't there to learn about Japan, except Fredward.

Point 4: Nobody said that they landed in a desert; the kids said it was *like* a desert. Get the facts right, at least.

I'm an adult, I borrowed the DVD from my (adult) boyfriend. (And for the record, Jennette McCurdy aka Sam rocked her dance moves in the Pageant episode!)

[–] chibiedo 13 years ago

Even if it is just a movie the assumption is that they're in Japan. At the bare minimum the writers and producers of this show could have done their research and decide to at least be respectful to the culture or at least the Japanese. Instead they give a westernized standpoint view of what they think Japan is and what is Japanese. Even if it's ment for comedy, teen humor and the focus isn't culture it's still depicting another country. This is why there is the term ugly american. Because the assumption is that we are ignorant towards another country/ culture different from ours.

As for the language...There are kids out there, American kids who are fluent in Japanese, either as their first or second language. They would be able to tell the difference.

[–] Stratego 13 years ago

I agree with you. It was very offensive towards the Japanese. IF you want them to be the bad guys (such a stereotype) then at least get your facts straight. I also think the show itself is disrespectful to foreigners and in many other different ways. The other posters are only defending it because they're Americans and/or fans of the show. I have absolutely no idea why someone would like this show, it's absolutely horrible.

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