It’s a part of cinematic history. I don’t know why it’s classified as a “80s” movie, but for some reason it is. There was something about the 80s, an era that I was too young to understand why, that made films just look like they were in the 80s. I’m not just talking about the fashion styles or lingo, it was the really laid back view of recreational drugs and how people just generally never went to sleep or had any concern for their safety.

Most iconic 80s films have one thing in common, a complete lack of seriousness. From Back to the Future to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off we love them because they don’t take themselves too serious. So why should we? And by that logic why would you ever imagine the characters and stories being told would take itself serious either?

Now I’m not saying that every film made from 1980 to 1989 is silly and without consequence. What I am saying is that the ones that films of today, especially those that set themselves in the 80s, riff on all the while (i.e. Take Me Home Tonight and Hot Tub Time Machine) aren’t the ones that won actors and actresses the Best Acting Awards at the Oscars every year.

But does doing this make a good movie? Does utilizing all of our nostalgia as an excuse to throw whatever random plot point onto the screen okay? I’m not sure yet. There aren’t many examples of films deciding to embed themselves in the 1980s and failing to leave me without a smile on my face at the end of the film.

It’s kind of an odd feeling. I’m aware of the fact that any filmmaker can decide to utilize this style and win me over completely, but at the same time that frightens me. It scares me that I can be swayed that easily. I’m trying to think very hard of a film in the last decade that’s been made as a “80s” movie that I truly hated and I just can’t think of anything. Is this my cinematic kryptonite? Do I have to just submit to it and admit the inherent bias that I have attached to it all?

What’s your take on the 80s movie and films of today re-enacting it?