11 Things That Happened In Every 2000s Movie That Should Make A Comeback, And 11 That Should Never See The Light Of Day Again
If it's not broken, don't fix it. Throughout time, films have been known to hop on trends and tropes that work. The 2000s were no exception. From spiked hair with frosted tips to low-rise jeans, the 2000s had a very particular vibe, and that includes the clichés that kept appearing on the big screen.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Here are 11 things from 2000s movies we should bring back and 11 we should trash forever:
NOTE: Dated tropes like sexual harassment as a comedic gag, gay men used as jesters, the awful portrayal of Native Americans, and other things of such nature stretch beyond the 2000s and are obviously problematic. So, I chose to exclude them from this list.
1.BRING IT BACK! When a film delivers a big musical number despite it not being a full-blown musical.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
From Enchanted to Slumdog Millionaire to 13 Going on 30, a sudden (out of place) dance number or song sprinkled into a non-musical was a 2000s film signature. To me, it's the ultimate sign of a movie not taking itself too seriously while progressing the story.
2.TRASH IT! Body swaps give us the same lesson over and over and over and over (you get the picture).
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
So many movies in the 2000s tried to capture that Freaky Friday magic. There's only so far this trope can take audiences, so I say let it die. Even more recent movies like Freaky just don't do it for me.
3.BRING IT BACK! Movies that have non-teachers try to teach kids.
Paramount Pictures
Something is outstanding about non-teachers stepping into the role of teachers that works really well on film. Put a misfit character in a room of students, and that character realizes they want to help kids learn. Films like this can have a lot of heart, the film School of Rock being the best example.
4.TRASH IT! Cops or whoever go deep undercover into seemingly weird professions or personas.
5.BRING IT BACK! Who doesn't love a changing room montage of a character trying on terrible 'fits only to find the perfect outfit?
Universal Pictures
Maybe I don't watch enough current movies, but I feel like this trend was a movie staple and fizzled out in the 2010s. Yes, it's campy... but, you know, you're allowed to have fun while creating a film.
6.TRASH IT! A vengeful warrior needs someone to die to give them motivation.
DreamWorks Distribution
Every action movie in the 2000s leaned heavily on someone killing someone else's family and that person seeking revenge. It's kind of dark to see how many of these movies happened and never really dealt with characters finding inner peace without going out and taking a life out of hate.
That said, I still love a ton of movies like that, Gladiator included, but I feel like there are deeper elements to tackle for characters wanting revenge.
7.BRING IT BACK! Horror icons duke it out in films reminiscent of old-school Universal monster movies.
8.TRASH IT! Rob Schneider cameos in every Adam Sandler film.
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
An Adam Sandler signature in the '90s and into the 2000s. If there was ever a running gag that I did not get, it was this gag that guys growing up would quote constantly.
If you find it funny, I'm jealous. I feel like it's an inside joke I'm not part of.
9.BRING IT BACK! Celeb cameos and bringing the laughs.
Universal Pictures
Rolling in from the '90s, Ben Stiller cameos died down after his appearance in Anchorman. I like it when celebrities show up in random comedic roles, especially when there is nuance to it, like Stiller would always bring.
10.TRASH IT! The main character falls during a serious/trying-to-be-cool moment.
Paramount Pictures
You can't sit with us. From Mean Girls to... well, every teen comedy, we always got that one moment of the main character falling at the worst possible moment. As far as cheap gags, this is up there.
11.BRING IT BACK! Our two leads sucking faces in the rain.
12.TRASH IT! A character tells another character to "GET OUT OF MY LIFE," only to apologize later.
New Line Cinema
I'm not saying they shouldn't apologize, lol. The whole "get out of my life" trope only has one road: realizing you don't want said person out of your life.
I feel like there are much better ways to give our main character difficult trials than such a ham-fisted line.
13.BRING IT BACK! A story around a character gaining superpowers or discovering hidden powers (non-comic book films).
Warner Bros.
I think we're nearing the end of the superhero age, and we are in need of some new heroes. Their power doesn't have to make them a superhero, but it can take them on a wild adventure.
14.TRASH IT! The geek is really a babe, thanks to a makeover.
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
The "wait, you're hot under those glasses!?" trope (used mostly always for female protagonists) was always a classic tool, even before the 2000s. For some reason, it really felt like this "ugly duckling" trope was heavily used in the early 2000s. Examples: The Princess Diaries, Hairspray, The Devil Wears Prada, Catwoman.
15.BRING IT BACK! Dramatic love-at-first-sight moments that are extra x100.
16.TRASH IT! Superheroes wore black costumes despite how their costumes looked in comic books.
17.BRING IT BACK! Portals take us to a magical world.
18.TRASH IT! "Screensaver-looking" CGI is proof that pushing the boundaries of technology can ruin films that could have been ageless.
19.BRING IT BACK! Practical set pieces that feel like another world and not another studio stage.
20.TRASH IT! Sloooooow mooooootioooon.
Warner Bros.
A classic movie trick, but the 2000s really slooooowed things down thanks to the famous Matrix bullet time scene.
I feel like scenes can slow down and take their time without literally slowing the speed of the film down with effects.
21.BRING IT BACK! Campy fight scenes that don't take themselves seriously, but at the same time, don't do it in a meta way.
22.TRASH IT! Farts equal comedy gold.
DreamWorks Animation
Seriously, someone should do a flatulence counter for movies in the 2000s. It felt like it was the biggest decade for letting it rip. This was bread and butter for children's comedies, and even as a kid, I sat there and rolled my eyes.
Are there any 2000s movie tropes that deserve a comeback? How about ones you'd banish forever? Comment below!
If you didn't like my list, yell at me in the comments and tell me to "GET OUT OF YOUR LIFE" (and then apologize days later).