Honey, I Shrunk the Kids with Jana Schmieding
Digest
This episode of Bechdel Cast delves into the 1989 film "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," examining its practical effects, 80s sci-fi/fantasy elements, and the "Father's Special Interest" trope. The hosts, joined by guest Janish Meading, discuss childhood memories of the movie, its plot, and the psychological impact of shrinking. They critique the parental negligence, latchkey kid culture of the 80s, and the film's portrayal of gender roles, noting its failure to pass the Bechdel Test. The discussion also touches on product placement, the effectiveness of special effects, and the movie's overall cultural relevance, ultimately giving it a "half-nipple" rating for its squandered potential in character development and gender dynamics.
Outlines
Introduction and Podcast Promotion
This segment introduces the podcast and promotes other iHeart Radio podcasts like "The Girlfriends," "Thanks Dad," and "Love Trapped."
Bechdel Cast Introduction and "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" Discussion
The hosts introduce the Bechdel Cast podcast and begin discussing the movie "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," including its original working titles. Comedian and writer Janish Meading joins to discuss the film's practical effects, 80s sci-fi, and childhood experiences with it.
Practical Effects, 80s Sci-Fi, and Plot Analysis
The discussion delves into the lost art of practical effects in 80s children's films and the imaginative scope of 80s sci-fi. The hosts summarize the plot of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," noting its resonance through practical effects and 80s themes, while also touching on childhood fears and movie tropes.
Psychological Impact and Parental Negligence
The hosts explore the psychological trauma of shrinking and critique the parents' underreaction and negligence, a common theme in 1980s cinema, linking it to "latchkey kid" culture.
Guest's Memories and Tropes
Guest Caitlin Durante shares childhood memories of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids." The hosts discuss surprising romantic undertones and identify the "Father's Special Interest" trope, citing examples like "Flubber" and "Dr. Doolittle."
Break and Podcast Promotions
The podcast takes a short break. Promotions for "Rorschach: Murder at City Hall," "The Girlfriends: Trust Me Babe," and "Mostly Human" with Sam Altman are featured.
"Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" Recap - Plot and Franchise Overview
The recap of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" begins, introducing the Szalinski family and Wayne's shrinking machine. The hosts discuss potential uses, sequels, and theme park attractions related to the franchise.
The Shrinking Incident and Initial Reactions
Wayne works on his shrinking machine, causing neighborly conflict. The machine accidentally activates, shrinking the children and an armchair. Wayne, unaware, discards the shrunken children.
Children's Escape and Parental Urgency
The shrunken children escape the trash and begin a journey through the yard. Their parents realize they are missing, but their urgency is notably low, reflecting 80s "latchkey kid" culture.
80s Culture, Malls, and Social Context
The hosts discuss the mall as a social hub in the 80s, the decline of latchkey culture, and the 1980s socio-political climate, including post-Cold War optimism and evolving family values.
The Ant, Scorpion Fight, and Production Challenges
The children befriend an ant and fight off a scorpion. Wayne discovers his machine works and begins repairs. Production challenges and practical effects are discussed, along with the film's 80s ethos and "yada-yada science."
Thematic Depth, Entertainment, and Shrunken Experiences
The hosts ponder the movie's impact on STEM interest, contrasting its entertainment value with deeper thematic messages. They highlight the fun and romantic moments the children experience while shrunken.
Wayne's Search and The Bee Ride
Wayne realizes he shrunk his children and searches the yard. The children face new challenges, including separation after falling off a bee, and Ron's initial sexism towards Amy.
Sprinklers, Trauma, and Practical Effects
Wayne, on stilts, creates a hazardous situation with sprinklers. The hosts imagine a dark scenario of Wayne's guilt and discuss the viscous water effects and the film's practical effects.
Product Placement and The Ant's Fate
The children find and eat an oatmeal cream pie, highlighting product placement. They befriend an ant that later sacrifices itself fighting a scorpion. Wayne confesses, and Diane helps search.
Parental Negligence and Neighborly Interactions
Wayne apologizes, but Diane prioritizes unshrinking the kids. The hosts criticize the parents' continued slow pace and negligence. The neighbor doesn't believe Wayne's story.
Scorpion Attack and Mixed Special Effects
A giant scorpion attacks the kids, and their ant friend sacrifices itself. The hosts analyze the jarring mix of practical effects, CGI, and stop-motion in the fight scene.
Lawn Mower Threat and Discovery
A neighborhood kid with a lawn mower poses a threat. The parents awaken and resume searching, eventually finding the children with the help of their dog, Cork. Nick falls into a Cheerios bowl.
Machine Repair, Enlargement, and Family Reunion
Wayne repairs the shrinking machine with Nick's help. Russell Sr. volunteers to be shrunk, leading to the children's enlargement. The families reunite and share a giant turkey feast.
Movie Conclusion and Podcast Promotions
The movie concludes with Nick understanding French kissing. The hosts discuss the giant turkey feast and Ron's trauma. Promotions for Will Ferrell's podcast, "Rorschach," and "The Girlfriends" are repeated.
Nora Jones Podcast Promotion and Recap Discussion Start
Nora Jones promotes her podcast "Playing Along." The hosts begin the recap discussion, focusing on character tropes and gender roles in the movie.
Gender Roles and Domestic Labor
The hosts analyze Diane's role as breadwinner and the unequal distribution of domestic labor. They highlight traditional gender roles, with men associated with outdoor work and women with indoor chores.
Amy's Chores and Gender Dynamics
Amy's cleaning efforts are shown, but the house gets dirty again. The discussion highlights rigid gender dynamics, Amy's focus on her boyfriend, and the perceived lack of reaction to bizarre events.
Amy and Russ Jr.'s Romance and Father-Son Dynamics
The podcast analyzes the awkward romance between Amy and Russ Jr. The conversation shifts to father-son relationships and the abandoned arc between Wayne and Nick.
Mother-Daughter Relationship and Amy O'Neill's Performance
The lack of a meaningful mother-daughter relationship is noted. Amy O'Neill's performance and potential as a leader are praised, despite the script not fully utilizing her capabilities.
Amy's Rescue and Male Writer Critiques
Amy's rescue is dissected, criticizing the portrayal of CPR. The podcast points out that the movie, written by men, fails to accurately portray teen girls' interests.
Russ Jr.'s Character and Amy's Sexuality
The podcast critiques the age and intellectual mismatch between Amy and Russ Jr., reiterating the belief that Amy's character is likely gay. Amy's lack of scientific interest is also noted.
Gendered Passions and Subversive Moments
The podcast observes a pattern where the husband's passion is central, while the wife's job is less consuming. A brief moment where Diane is taller than Wayne is highlighted as positive representation.
Man's Work vs. Woman's Work and Adult Women Portrayals
The discussion reiterates that men's work drives the plot, while women's roles are often ancillary. The movie's imagination of adult women is limited to domestic tasks.
May's Role and Domestic Violence Concerns
May de-escalates conflict, but this is framed as a cute dynamic. The podcast questions if the movie subtly addresses domestic violence and neglect due to the neighbor dad's behavior.
Boys' Future and Unsettling Neighbor Dynamic
The podcast speculates that the boys might develop MAGA or fascist ideologies. The interaction between the neighbor parents is described as bizarre and unsettling.
Russell's Obsession and Squandered Opportunity
Russell's obsession with his son's masculinity is noted. The movie misses an opportunity to explore father-son dynamics regarding traditional masculine activities.
Kimmy Robertson and Nick's Contributions
The appearance of Kimmy Robertson is mentioned. Nick's scientific contributions are noted, but Amy is consistently damselled.
Ron's Arc and Casual Sexism
Ron's arc involves overcoming disrespect for girls, but the movie is criticized for its casual 1980s sexism and the boys' dismissive comments about Amy.
Amy's Small Win and Focus on Effects
Amy makes a decision that benefits the group, but it's a small win, and Russ doesn't acknowledge her contribution. The movie is seen as prioritizing special effects over character development.
Joe Johnston's Directorial Style and Inspiring but Flawed Movies
Joe Johnston's style focuses on stunts and special effects. 1980s children's movies were inspiring but often lacked strong scripts, making them seem easily achievable.
Romp Meter and Lack of Obstacle Diversity
The movie scores high on the "romp meter" but its length and repetitive, insect-focused obstacles are criticized. There's a missed opportunity for nighttime challenges.
Science Over Magic and Failing the Bechtel Test
The movie emphasizes science as the driving force, not magic. It spiritually fails the Bechtel test due to limited meaningful interactions between women, with conversations revolving around men.
Hostility Between Moms and 80s Sexism
An underlying hostility is detected between the two mothers. The movie is seen as a byproduct of 1980s sexism and the centering of whiteness.
Nipple Scale Rating and Squandered Potential
The movie receives a half-nipple rating due to squandered potential in character development and gender dynamics, with Amy and Diane's roles not fully explored.
Half Nipple for Amy and 80s Tropes
The movie gets a half-nipple rating, acknowledging Amy's potential and 80s tropes like extreme whiteness, but failing to capitalize on opportunities.
Amy Deserves More: Half Nipple Rating
Amy is given a half-nipple rating for her feminist potential, despite script limitations. The movie's technical achievements are acknowledged, but its script is criticized.
Guest's Podcast and Future Projects
The guest plugs her podcast, "Stage-Based Wisdom," and expresses enthusiasm for discussing more 80s movies, highlighting her interest in practical effects and genre films.
Podcast Outro and Patreon Plug
The hosts wrap up the episode, promoting their Patreon for bonus content and encouraging listeners to subscribe to their podcast.
Podcast Credits and Sponsors
The episode concludes with credits and mentions of sponsors, along with a call to action for listeners.
Keywords
Practical Effects
Techniques used in filmmaking to create illusions and special effects without relying on computer-generated imagery, resulting in a tangible and visually distinct aesthetic.
1980s Sci-Fi/Fantasy Films
Films characterized by imaginative storytelling, exploring futuristic concepts or magical elements, often featuring groundbreaking special effects and addressing cultural anxieties of the era.
Bechdel Test
A measure of female representation in fiction, assessing if a work features at least two women talking to each other about something besides a man.
Latchkey Kid Culture
The phenomenon in the 1980s where children were often left unsupervised after school due to both parents working, leading to increased independence.
Father's Special Interest Trope
A narrative device where a father's obsessive hobby or career negatively impacts his family's well-being, exploring themes of neglect.
Product Placement
The practice of embedding branded products or services within media content, subtly influencing audience perception and purchasing decisions.
Gender Roles
Socially constructed expectations and behaviors associated with masculinity and femininity, often reinforced or challenged in media portrayals.
80s Teen Movies
Films from the 1980s featuring teenage protagonists, exploring themes of high school, romance, and coming-of-age, with distinct fashion and social dynamics of the era.
Gender Dynamics
The social and cultural roles, behaviors, and expectations associated with masculinity and femininity, reflecting or challenging traditional gender norms in film analysis.
Special Effects
Techniques and technologies used in filmmaking to create illusions, visual effects, and simulated environments, including practical effects and CGI.
Q&A
What are some alternative titles considered for "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids"?
The movie was initially considered for titles like "Teeny Weenies," "Grounded," and "The Big Backyard" before settling on "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids."
What is the Bechdel Test and how does it apply to "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids"?
The Bechdel Test assesses female representation in media. "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" struggles with it, as the female characters have limited interactions and conversations not centered around men.
What is the "Father's Special Interest" trope discussed in the podcast?
This trope features a father whose obsession with a hobby or career negatively impacts his family. Examples include "Flubber," "Dr. Doolittle," and "The Santa Clause," where the father's pursuits cause family distress.
How did the 1980s parenting style differ from today, as depicted in the movie?
The movie reflects the "latchkey kid" culture of the 80s, where children had more freedom and less supervision. Parents were less involved, contrasting with today's more protective parenting styles.
What are the key themes explored in the discussion of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids"?
The discussion covers practical effects, 80s sci-fi/fantasy, the Bechdel Test, parental negligence, gender roles, and the effectiveness of product placement within the film.
What was the significance of the oatmeal cream pie in the movie?
The oatmeal cream pie served as a prominent example of product placement, evoking nostalgia and cravings for the snack among viewers. It also played a role in the children's survival while shrunken.
How did the film portray the psychological impact of being shrunk?
The hosts discussed the potential for severe psychological trauma (CPTSD) resulting from the shrinking experience, questioning how characters would cope with such an event.
What were the main criticisms of the parents' behavior in the movie?
The parents were criticized for their underreaction and negligence towards their children being shrunk. Their lack of urgency and focus on trivial matters highlighted a common theme in 80s cinema.
What are the main criticisms of the movie's portrayal of female characters and gender dynamics?
Critics point to rigid gender roles, Amy's limited interests (mall, boyfriend), and the lack of meaningful mother-daughter interaction. The movie also fails the Bechtel test, with female conversations centering on men.
How does the podcast discuss the effectiveness of the movie's special effects and directorial choices?
The movie is praised for its technical achievements in special effects, particularly Joe Johnston's focus on stunts and visual innovation. However, the script is seen as secondary to these effects, leading to plot and character weaknesses.
What is the overall assessment of the movie's themes and its relevance to 1980s culture?
The movie is viewed as a product of its time, reflecting 1980s sexism, centering whiteness, and perpetuating traditional gender dynamics. While entertaining, its thematic depth and character development are considered lacking.
How is Amy's character arc and potential perceived by the podcast hosts?
Amy is seen as having significant potential, with her character exhibiting coolness and leadership qualities. However, the script fails to capitalize on this, reducing her interests and often damseling her, despite her intelligence.
Show Notes
On this episode, Jamie, Caitlin, and special guest Jana Schmieding get shrunk and examine Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)!
Follow Jana on Instagram at @janaunplgd and listen to her podcast, Sage-Based Wisdom!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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