Nostalgic Euphoria or Just Cheap Thrills?
With the premiere of READY PLAYER ONE, the movie going public is subjected to an action packed romp filled to the gills with references, easter eggs (literally) and blatant ploys to play off your nostalgic feelings. And with the success of such recent projects as STRANGER THINGS and every sitcom being relaunched from WILL & GRACE to ROSEANNE, it’s obvious that such efforts are rewarded with big box offices and great viewership. But should we be ashamed? Is it embarrassing how easily we’re made to feel nostalgic and how much value we assign to such projects? Or is it just good fun that makes us feel good, and the critics of it should just take their negativity and shove it?
Is it a little bit of both and is there a level of nuance we need to feel good about it?
From my experience critics don't always know what movie is going to strike the right chords with each demographic that watches the movie. Look at the Rottentomatoes reviews where the critics and the audience ratings often diverge. People yearn for different emotions when they go to a movie. Some excitement, some melancholy, some nostalgia...and not everyone gets the same emotion from the picture. I'm looking forward to the movie as the book was fun and nostalgic with it's references.
Connecting a product or brand to an emotion is big business. Every brand plays on this in one way or another. Once you become aware of this and reaffirm this thought in your daily life you will find it is easier to break free of the grasp.😊
Now that I'm getting on in age, this flood of nostalgic content having a resurgence in media today, has been thoroughly enjoyable.
I think it not only allows many of us to relive some glory days, but also shows a younger audience just how fucking cool we were before the technology boom.