That’s a shame, because I don’t think video games by themselves cause any violence at all except in the most extreme cases, and even then, it’s mostly a nurturing factor.

was written by people who hadn’t worked in animation before. With the exception of a few scant moments, the humor is much too wordy and not nearly visual enough. Some good examples of what I wanted out of this movie would be the “food massacre” featured in the trailer, as well as a very, very R-rated scene that happens at the end of the film. Both are funny and rely primarily on visuals instead of dialogue.

Don’t get me wrong, I like wordy cartoons, too. Rick and Morty is good, as are South Park and Bojack Horseman. But those are made for television and on a relatively small budget. I expect better from an animated feature. And even if I try to enjoy Sausage Party for what it is.. it’s just not that funny. Except for Nick Kroll’s Douche. He’s great!

You’re 100 percent correct Joey P.

I think that a large number of animation fans, like Ryan Campbell here, likes to stay in their normal “Disney/Pixar” bubble. And anytime an animated movie comes out that dares try to do something different, these people attack it like it’s not the right way to make an animated film. But the worst part is what Ryan Campbell just did: criticizing a movie without even seeing it.

Why would do you “pity and feel sad for the culture today” for cheering and hollering at a movie clearly aimed at the type of people who like Rogen and friends work and that specific style of comedy? People like the type of films that they like, that doesn’t mean you should feel sad for them or pity them for doing so. Heck, I’M one of those people who likes some of Rogen and Co. films and think some of his movies are good and pretty hilarious, Sausage Party included. Why should one take pity on another for liking something that they like? I don’t particularity think having pity or feeling sad for people for liking what they like is warranted or needed, especially when that thing is a movie from the same guys that brought us This Is The End, Neighbors, Superbad, and so many other R rated comedies.

Also, Two things:

One, we don’t know if anyone will follow Rogen and his team or not, whether that be more people and studios interested in making more R rated animated films with bigger promotions and wider theatrical releases or a new team of animators (they can hire new ones, it does and can happen) that will work on other R rated animated projects with Rogen and crew.

Two: I don’t mean to criticize how you critique a film, but doesn’t the quality of movie depend on the actual quality of the movie not “what it’s place is in the history of cinema” or what it’s “use”? A movie’s quality honestly shouldn’t be judged on how it changes film history but how the quality is on it’s own merits. A movie like Deadpool isn’t a “Citizen Kane” nor does it change the history of film cinema or do anything to improve it, but on it’s own merits it is a movie that is funny, true to the character, action packed, smart, fun, and does have a heart to it.

I agree that Sausage Party doesn’t have a very “adult” story. It’s like a cheap Pixar film with added R-rated humor. That said, I wouldn’t say the R-rated content is unneeded. It does have a purpose, which to entertain people who find it funny and to attract a certain crowd. There have been other movies doing the same thing, but what Sausage Party managed to do is make money at the box office. That’s the “new ground” they are covering. We’ll see if it was a one time thing like the South Park movie or if it will start a new trend in movies.

Which is quite sad, because I’ve realized why I’m kinda attached to the film (and why I’ll also view it a 2nd time): I deeply respect and admire Seth Rogen and Co.’s basic intentions to have an R-rated animated comedy completely shatter an average North American’s impression of animation. I love the fact that theaters feel compelled to put signs up at the box office for parents to recognize that it’s not a kid’s film at all. I chuckle every time I see those signs when I go to the cinema.

The problem, however, is that they completely went to the opposite extreme, which is almost as bad as the status quo before its release (or any extreme in general), and they did so with little restraint or nuance. No one is going to follow these guys, save for the planned, but indefinitely scheduled, sequel, especially since many animators for the film have spoken out about how some were forced to animate for unpaid overtime.

As someone who cares about concept vs. execution, truth/beauty/goodness, and where the film’s place is in the overall history of cinema when I critique a film, I can only say that Sausage Party is an irredeemable and useless product, a fluke of an industry stunt, and—after recalling how the audience cheered and hollered during the film’s more outrageous moments—one that makes me pity and feel sad for the culture today.

If I want to watch a mature animated film, I’d rather turn to the Japanese.

Then there was all the cartoon food-violence… which was GLORIOUS. I have to admit, I find a sort of twisted pleasure in watching cute little cartoon characters die in horrific ways… and the violence in Sausage Party was as creative as it was brutal. All the little food-people get mashed, chopped up, peeled, and ripped open. The animation team clearly had a lot of fun finding the best angles and lighting to make these deaths as over-the-top as possible. I actually wish there were even more violent scenes because it was just so much fun to watch… I know, I’m a psychopath.

A lot of people complained about all the swearing, and I agree that the characters swore so much that it lost impact after a while. Personally, I think it would have been funnier if the movie started out totally PG, and if the characters only swore when the humans started eating them. But that’s just me.

In the end, I’m glad Sausage Party was a success. The negative backlash among animation fans is disappointing, and short-sided in my opinion. Even if this movie opens the floodgates to a hundred R-rated animated comedies just like it… that will still be great for the industry. And the average movie-goer will finally get it through their head that not all animated films are made for children.

I’m glad you can appreciate religious satire, far too many Christians get uptight about and think religion should never be criticized. And the message that some atheists can be uppity is surprising and if I’d known about it Id’ve mentioned it. Still, I feel, for the reasons above, that the satire overall was very elementary. Lovely post!

And to the answer to your question is both Yes and No.

Yes, there are some things they could have taken out or dialed down a bit and the movie would have been the same .

No, there are some vital things that they couldn’t have taken out because they make the movie what it is.

Underneath the raunchy, vulgar, and offensive humor at it’s core Sausage Party is about religion. How some people view it and have different takes on it, how some blindly believe it, how some don’t believe it, how it prevents some people from doing the things they want to do in life, and how even though people have different views and different opinions on it we shouldn’t single them out or get on them because of it and just come together as people.

And as for Disney and Pixar I think Joey said it best, but I will add on to it by simply saying this:

Not every computer animated movie that comes out needs to be compared to Disney or Pixar or have Disney and Pixar style or quality to be considered good.
Yes, they have made some great films, revolutionized the way animated films are made, and have set a pretty high standard, but that doesn’t mean that every other animated film from a studio that isn’t them has to be the standard of what Disney and Pixar make.
Animated films from other studios should strive to be great in their own way not in the ways of their competition.
If everyone nowadays tried to be like Disney or Pixar we would be getting on them because they are trying to be Disney or Pixar and not developing their own style.
A movie, animated or not, should be judged on it’s own merits, not on the merits of other films. This doesn’t just go for Sausage Party, this goes for Storks, Trolls, and any other upcoming animated film that isn’t made by Disney or Pixar.