for a world free of sexploitation
The Easter 'Bunny'
It's the school holidays...and it's raining. I had already promised my 4 year old son that we would go to the movies during the holidays as a special treat, so I checked out the kids movies currently on offer. I settled on 'Hop'. It seemed like a nice balance between something my kids would enjoy and something myself and husband could happily sit through. And I'm also a Russell Brand fan (he voices the character of Hop) so it seemed like a good fit.
So we headed to the movies this morning and settled into the theatre to watch a happy holiday movie about the most lovable of children's characters, the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny (EB for short) had come to Hollywood seeking fame and fortune, but the poor little guy had nowhere to stay. He walks around Hollywood for a while with his little map and tourist guide, looking forlorn. Then the light bulb comes on above those little rabbit ears! Where do you think he ended up? Why, of course! The Playboy mansion with the iconic bunny prominently displayed upon those huge metal gates. EB had a word with the man of the house via the security camera at the front gate (the voice of Hugh Hefner) stating something to the effect of 'sexy bunnies from all over the world stay at the Playboy mansion' and that he thought he qualified as a sexy bunny (my apologies...I can't remember the exact quote).
So I guess my question if this...how in the world could any of the people involved in the production of this movie have thought it appropriate or amusing to include a brand that peddles pornography in a G rated children's movie? There were no actual 'bunnies' depicted in the movie. Hugh Hefner only lent his voice to the movie. I know Playboy has already saturated the children's clothing market with their cute little 'bunny' products. But as far as I am concerned, this is just one more step in the wrong direction. And the people headed in this direction are not taking a stroll along a country lane. They are sliding, out of control, down a treacherous and slippery slope.
Comment
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Comment by Anne Katherine Powles on April 21, 2011 at 12:38pm -
I have to disagree. I took a 5 and 7 year old. Not a memorable movie. However two much more repellent themes to me were the perpetuation of a lie that rabbits deliver chocolate eggs and the subjugation of the poor chickens and ulitmately that their justifiable revolution was squashed by the only human in the movie! Although there were references to sexy bunnies there were no examples of sexual exploitation. I do not think children should grow up without knowledge or discussion of sex as that in itself leads to possible exploitation. If the children had asked about the sexy bunnies house then there would have been an opening for the adults to discuss the whole matter at the level of the child's understanding. Neither of my charges noticed that point, they were just were sad the rabbit had no accommodation.
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Comment by Emily Harding on April 19, 2011 at 2:06pm -
I guess I was fooled by the G rating. Next time, I'll be sure to assume that nothing is safe viewing for my children until I have first previewed it!
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Comment by Merryn Smith on April 19, 2011 at 11:58am
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Sorry but really Russell Brand come on! Mr Katy (sexy tweenie marketer's wet dream) Brand, he of the sexy girls school 'St Trinians' film fame, the notorious 'I f*#ked your granddaugter' radio scandle and other myrriad 'well covered in the tabloids' sexscapades!! He's a one man self confessed 'media whore' (and loving it darlink wink wink) who has deliberately built his whole act around the 'no sex we're British' saucy - how's ya father - 'safe' sexisim of the 'carry on' films. And all for an American cheesy palet (you can see his naughty antics in his latest remake of that 80's gem Arthur)The playboy mansion is spiritual home surely! I'm a little surprised that you're surprised about this one....
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Comment by Nicole Theofilos on April 18, 2011 at 6:23pm -
Such a depressing response from someone I know....
"the kids and I went yesterday, to be honest I think its one of those things that go way over the kids heads and are snuck in to amuse parents. buts its not your disney-style family movie thats for sure."
When will people get it that it's not ok to slip adult themes into G rated kids movies??
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Comment by Collective Shout on April 18, 2011 at 5:52pm -
Playboy is also promoting this on twitter:
http://friendfeed.com/playboyfeed/e78bdeb9/are-you-going-to-see-mov...
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Comment by Collective Shout on April 18, 2011 at 1:59pm
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Thanks for letting us know about this Emily. I have shared it on facebook and twitter. Many have said they were intending to take their children to this movie, but won't be doing so anymore.
You might also be interested in this info from 'bin the bunny' (UK)
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Comment by Matthew on April 18, 2011 at 1:04pm
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Wow. This is really depressing. I don't understand how the producers can justify this kind of inclusion of adult content in a kids' movie, even if it is only a short scene. I just skimmed a few online reviews of Hop, and some did mention the playboy mansion scene but said that the references wouldn't be understood by kids and that nothing risque was really shown. Of course, what an excuse. That just makes everything okay. Makes me sick. :(
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Comment by Nicole Theofilos on April 18, 2011 at 12:42pm
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Glad I read this before taking my 4yr old daughter to see it.
Sadly, I bet most people I show this article to will say 'there was no playboy bunnies in it? no problem, what are you whinging about?' or 'They put that in there for the adults'. So so sad how uneducated people are.
Preschoolers shouldn't even know that playboy or the bunnies exist. Talk about brainwashing... let's just stamp the logo and what it means into their tiny little minds before they're even capable of understanding it. Lets prime them for a life of wanting to be 'sexy' while they're still babies. Makes me sick.
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Comment by Kate on April 17, 2011 at 2:51pm -
Shocking. Why do adults insist on mixing inappropriate sexual references with children's entertainment? And it's such bad taste paying Hugh Hefner to do a voice in a children's movie, even if it's just a few lines! If they think it's going to go over kids' heads and just lend their accompanying adults some laughs, they're wrong - what about when families buy the movie and kids watch it over and over again? As they grow up it will probably form the basis for their understanding of what the Playboy mansion is. And that's a worry! Especially when they work out that the 'sexy bunnies' are not animals at all, but women.
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