This is a scary movie. Sure it's been dramatized, but it will haunt you long after viewing. Why? You'll first reaction might be 'Well this is only a movie. There aren't kids around like that. I wasn't like that.' That is what's truly sad. It's some cold honest truth. The world can be a dark place. There ARE kids like this. If you look around you can see them. It's become all too common.
Aptly the filmmakers chose the title for the film to be 'Kids'. It seems wrong and yet so right. The characters in this movie aren't age-wise, but at the same time they're haven't matured, haven't learnt from their mistakes... and in this tale, some won't have a chance. What am I talking about? AIDS. Now I believe 'Kids' is more than just a pro-safe sex movie, but what you take away from it is up to you.
Everyone has an opinion on why kids grow up like this so I won't subject you to my opinion. As for it being exploitative, I'm kind of torn. On one hand, it deals with dark subject matter. The filmmakers have tried and for the most part succeeded in telling a tale of growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak. At the same time though, they could have dealt with the proceedings a little more sensitively. For instance, it would have been even more shocking if they hadn't resorted to long drawn out scenes of simulated sex that were supposed to be horrifying but weren't.
At the end of the day, 'Kids' showcases a nasty glimpse into a generation hellbent on making mistakes and growing up too fast. As a film, it could have used some more work in areas, but it's upfront brutal tone and harsh message remains clear to the end.
Aptly the filmmakers chose the title for the film to be 'Kids'. It seems wrong and yet so right. The characters in this movie aren't age-wise, but at the same time they're haven't matured, haven't learnt from their mistakes... and in this tale, some won't have a chance. What am I talking about? AIDS. Now I believe 'Kids' is more than just a pro-safe sex movie, but what you take away from it is up to you.
Everyone has an opinion on why kids grow up like this so I won't subject you to my opinion. As for it being exploitative, I'm kind of torn. On one hand, it deals with dark subject matter. The filmmakers have tried and for the most part succeeded in telling a tale of growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak. At the same time though, they could have dealt with the proceedings a little more sensitively. For instance, it would have been even more shocking if they hadn't resorted to long drawn out scenes of simulated sex that were supposed to be horrifying but weren't.
At the end of the day, 'Kids' showcases a nasty glimpse into a generation hellbent on making mistakes and growing up too fast. As a film, it could have used some more work in areas, but it's upfront brutal tone and harsh message remains clear to the end.