Computer science major Alexander Stein’s favorite movie is “WALL-E.” Senior science major JoAnna Wendel’s favorite movie is “Aladdin.” Junior Julia Rogers prefers “Megamind.” The trend? Sometimes, college students enjoy movies a bit outside their demographic.
The college student demographic is one used often in films to appeal to a wide variety of audiences. Films from “Animal House” to “21 & Over” take advantage of the college student stereotype to appeal to both the demographic it portrays as well as those that have left college behind. But, like many of the stereotypes Hollywood depends on, it’s not completely accurate.
According to the Motion Picture Association of America, 18-24 year olds go to the movies more frequently per capita than any other age group, making films that appeal to them more profitable. While movies that promote the college-goer as a drinking, sex-addicted, vapid prankster (Bartleby from “Accepted” or anyone from “American Pie”) are fun to watch and appeal to the “trashy television” lover in all of us, the college student’s film palate is much more complex.
The journalism and cinema studies programs offered a course this term called “Understanding Disney,” and the course is not nearly as random as it might seem in a university curriculum.
“We are looking at Disney as a whole company, not just looking at the films,” said cinema studies student Lindsay Montague. “We are analyzing the subsidiaries like ESPN and ABC, also looking at the merchandise, parks and resorts.
“Right now we are looking at the films in terms of race and gender.”
The class recently live tweeted while watching “The Little Mermaid,” discussing its storyline and more subtle messages.
Despite being legal adults, many college students appreciate the characters, morals and hidden jokes of films aimed at children. At the same time, re-watching films they grew up with allow them to catch the less-obvious layers of complex storylines, as well as bringing them back to fond memories.
“I’ve been studying Disney for a while,” Montague said. “I try to incorporate it in any of my cinema classes. So I’m very much aware of all the flaws throughout the history of Disney, but I still love it.”