Disney Under Fire For Woman-Boy Kiss In Movie “Blank Check”, Some Call It Child Abuse

The Chicago Tribune explains more:

It says something about "Blank Check" that its writers and their agent used a gimmick to pitch the script to studios: Instead of relaying it in a discreet manila envelope, they stuffed the tome in a backpack of the sort the movie's 11-year-old hero wears, along with some wads of play money.

It says something about Hollywood that someone actually bought the ploy and made it into one of the sleazier movies ever marketed to kids.

With its contrived plot, its MTV-inspired montages and its blatant shilling for products, it is film as hard sell, and it comes with a decidedly suspect warranty. Its mercantile instincts are so primary it looks like an infomercial.

Were it wittier, and morally informed, "Blank Check" might have been a hilarious parody of the '80s: A boy with strong feelings of entitlement (Brian Bonsall) is handed a blank check by a nasty ex-con who damages his bicycle. He has his computer fill in the blank for a million bucks and, through one of those mixups which could only happen in the movies, collects the cash.

He promptly goes on a colossal spending spree, buying a mansion down the block to escape his strict, money-grubbing father, installing every conceivable fantasy toy (The Sharper Image features prominently here) and courting a luscious bank teller who is actually an undercover FBI agent. All the while, the boy must evade the ex-con and his accomplices (including rapper Tone Loc) who are out to recover their loot, the reward of previous crimes.

But instead of parodying the excesses of the '80s, "Blank Check" works hard to re-create them at the junior level, piling on self-gratification at a rate that is almost pathological.

And while the ex-con is led away in handcuffs, there is no mention of the boy's ill-gotten gains or of the consequences of his chicanery. Instead, he goes home to the sort of family where his exploits have gained him new respect.

Clearly, the message here is that children may dispense with consciences and bear no responsibility for their actions.

The production values in "Blank Check" boast the sort of slick proficiency that makes its soullessness all the more insidious. But even proficiency cannot produce laughs. The film is mildly funny only in exchanges between the boy and his chauffeur, played by Rick Ducommun.

Such a movie for children (from Disney yet) is a scary sign that Hollywood's sensibilities are so out of whack there is no ethical bedrock left. Seeing a movie is a voluntary act. If it weren't, "Blank Check" would qualify as child abuse.

Here are some reactions from people online:

And from WJBQ:

Netflix recently added the Disney classic Blank Check to it's streaming line up. Remember the story of Preston Waters and his annoying brothers? All Preston wanted was his own room and enough money to ride the roller coaster at his friend's birthday party. When he's nearly hit by a car driven by a money laundering criminal, he is paid off with a blank check. Preston uses his Macintosh computer to write himself a check for $1 Million. And the plot thickens from there...

1. Adult Jokes in the First 5 Minutes

This is a Disney movie intended for children, yet in the first few scenes Mom and Dad crack a really awkward joke about Dad's lovemaking abilities.

Dad: This'll teach you everything but how to make love to a woman. (Carrying old school Macintosh computer).
Mom: Hmm, now I know what software to get your father for Christmas.

2. Tons of Threats of Violence

The main criminal's henchman named Juice is played by Tone Loc. When "Juice" realizes the bumbling banker has given the $1 million in cash to a damn kid, he doesn't mince words.

Juice: If you don't cash this check, I can guarantee you there's a bullet with your name on it in this chamber.

Not to mention, a group of three men nearly tossed a child off the roof of a building. Okay, sure, seems totally fine.

3. A Grown Woman Kisses a Little Boy... Like, ROMANTICALLY

Preston hits on and almost successfully lands Shay, the bank teller/FBI agent. After prancing around in a fountain together they decide to wait six years before they go on another date (LOL WHAT?) Shay leaves Preston with a kiss. A grown woman kisses this little boy! Disney, WHAT? It's not cute. It's predatory and really strange!

I tried to find the kissing scene on the internet but it is incredibly hard to find. Maybe because it's borderline pe-doph-ilia?

Where are they now?

Want to know what our charming, clever (and criminal) Preston Waters looks like today? Nice neck tattoo, buddy! Turns out he's built up quite a criminal history since his child actor days.