We're 2 Gen Zs Who Watched Gen X's Favorite Christmas Movies. We Don't Get It.
Between modern slang, sometimes cheesy fashion, and earth-shattering technology (don't ask me how to use a VCR), there's hardly a more perfect representation of the "good old days" than a manufactured film. Well, before you were born.
But, unlike most films, Christmas movies sometimes remain culturally relevant. For example, we're sure many Americans of all ages still sit down to watch the 1965 classic "A Charlie Brown Christmas" — or at least know how to tap their feet when "Linus and Lucy" starts.
However, as we looked at some of the big Christmas hits of the 1980s, we realized that some films may not be familiar to our generation.
Here are two Gen Z movies that showcase some of Gen X's favorite Christmas movies and whether they remain timeless or age faster than milk.
"Gremlins" carries the timeless theme that Americans are stupid
Year: 1984
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 86%
Generation Z approved? YES
Gen Z loves anything cute - Snoopy quilts, anyone? - When I first saw the poster for the movie "Gremlins", I was amazed. Gizmo is the Baby Yoda of the 80s. This movie is supposed to be about Gizmo being his adorable little self.
However, the plot is less about Gizmo and more about the arrogance of white people, mostly from the suburbs, determined to adopt and control a species called Mogwai. The Peltzer family, who essentially stole Gizmo, were given three rules: no water, no sun, and no food for the Mogwai after midnight. Apparently they didn't listen and the cute, fluffy animals got pissed off and multiplied.
I was surprised to learn that the film contributed to the PG-13 rating. At the time, parents found the Gremlins' extravagant explosions and bloody confrontations too graphic to watch. Maybe it's because Gen Z grew up with much scarier content (thanks to the internet), but I don't think kids of my generation would find this movie scary.
My favorite scene is at the end when Mr. Wing, the Chinese-American man who picks up Gizmo, subtly confronts the Peltzer family for taking Gizmo without their permission and not following simple instructions regarding his care. I like a satisfying read.
'Die Hard' proves that Bruce Willis will always be famous
Year: 1988
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%
Generation Z approved? Excited, yes!
Would it be crazy to watch a movie about aviation before 9/11? Bruce Willis first boards a plane to Los Angeles, grounded and for no reason.
But aside from being the film that catapulted the dreamy — and disturbing — Willis to mainstream stardom, "Die Hard" is also refreshing because it doesn't recycle the same boring clichés of the action genre.
Unlike some macho characters of the decade, Willis' character, John McClane, seems real: he's fallible, his plans don't always work, and deep down he just wants to fix his marriage. Apart from that, it was also the big screen debut of Alan Rickman. He is a great and interesting villain as Hans Gruber and he drives the film at a breakneck pace.
I'll forgive any claims about Kopaganda, because if McClane wasn't a cop himself, the movie would make the police look bad given their clumsiness when single-handedly taking on a dozen terrorists.
I'm not a big fan of the action genre, but it's not hard to watch this movie for two hours and fifteen. Willis for the win, as always.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is full of outdated jokes
Year: 1989
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 70%
Generation Z approved? NO.
Watching these movies, I learned that awkward dads were a major theme of 1980s Christmas movies. And "Christmas Vacation" is full of stupid dad clichés.
This film tells the story of a father, Clark Griswold, who wants to make Christmas special for his family, but overdoes it. Things fall apart, fires break out and people get hurt.
On the other hand, I didn't like the slapstick humor. Do you know how many ridiculous staircases I've seen in my life? You can't force me to break it.
Speed is also a big issue. Generation Z may have a short attention span, but it has been a subject of criticism for some time. When I saw this film, I wanted to watch it at double speed. It's a shame that Max doesn't work like TikTok.
Trading Places should think twice about this black face
Year: 1983
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 88%
Generation Z approved? Absolutely not.
The film stars Dan Ackroyd and Eddie Murphy as two men who essentially trade lives like pawns in a game between two wealthy brothers who theorize about human nature. I expected it to be a product of its time, but it was much worse than I expected.
Not only does it take a billion years to get going, but it also contains a number of homophobic and racist slurs, a bizarre capitalist message, and a crazy excuse for Ackroyd to appear in black in the name of a charade. Oh, and sexual harassment by a gorilla. YES.
The idea of a film that attempts to show that men are often a product of their circumstances rather than their inherent qualities is not a bad idea: it could have been a much more intelligent and insightful approach to the idea of sectarianism. Men have been. Race and class that doesn't lead to "as long as you want to be rich, you can't be that bad even if you're a sex worker/not white/not a man."
Fortunately, Ackroyd told The Daily Beast last June that he "probably" won't do blackface again, which is reassuring.
“I probably wouldn't be allowed to use a Jamaican accent, white face or black face,” he told the Beast. I would struggle to use a British accent and get away with it. They said, "Oh, you're not British, you can't do that." » »
The commentary is as engaging and entertaining as the film. Great fit.
"A Christmas Story" spoils its charm with unnecessary racism
Year: 1983
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 89%
Generation Z approved? So similar.
The most heartwarming movie on the list, "A Christmas Story" has the classic Christmas hallmarks: a lovable main character, a chaotic family unit and an appearance by an eccentric Santa at a mall.
Moreover, a child's journey is more fascinating than that of a clown father.
The story follows the grueling journey of a boy who wants to buy a pellet gun for Christmas. It's a shame everyone thinks it's dangerous!
Things go good, then bad: you are confronted with the atmosphere of a very racist Chinese restaurant. The Parkers' Christmas dinner is ruined by a group of dogs eating their turkey. They then decide to eat in a Chinese restaurant where the employees sing Christmas carols to the customers. The writers thought it would be fun to highlight their non-American accents.
However, this scene may seem trivial when placed in "Trading Places".
Beyond the plot, my mind kept turning to the smaller details. For example, I immediately recognized the sexy leg lamp, but before I honestly didn't think it was a holdover from that movie. The Leg Lamp has surpassed the film in terms of cultural relevance.
One thing that caught my attention was the Christmas tree decorations! I never saw anything like this as a kid, but all those old Christmas movies make it clear.
But it seems that what surrounds it is currently a nightmare for environmentalists.
