Is this true with what we are watching these days? I may be stating a fact because even animal documentaries have violence in order to survive. Do you think that a show or a movie won't be entertaining if there is no violence in it?

Some of the most popular shows are made by Disney and rated G, so no violence isn't necessary to create a big hit. A compelling storyline is always the most important ingredient.

 

I always change the channel when one animal is about to kill the other. Does anyone else do that? I know it's the circle of life and all that, I just don't need to witness it.

I don't think violence is necessary. I think that Hollywood believes it is though. Violence and sex can be good distractions from the fact that a movie doesn't have a very strong story on its own. I think that a compelling story is the primary factor in success and, when it doesn't have that, they resort to violence or sex.

 

@ShadowEdge, it depends on the animals involved and how gruesome I think it's going to be.

I agree with you both that a good story will make a good movie. Violence can add spice to the movie, but it shouldn't be the main course. On the other hand, there are movies that were made popular because of the violence like the Purge.

@Meerkat, The Purge is an exception, in my opinion. The violence takes the forefront because it's a satire about how violence is such a big part of the American culture. I think satire is what made that series so successful.

 

I don't mind violence in films as long as it's part of the narrative. If it serves a purpose then I'm all for it. Just look at Dunkirk. It's a film with very minimal character narrative. It's the narrative of the Battle of Dunkirk. The violence is essential in order for you to try and really understand what it must have been like for those men.

 

"Not entertaining if there is no violence" implies that violence is always meant to entertain. I don't think that's true. Sometimes it's to deliver a powerful message. Violence isn't always glorified. Of course there are genres that tend to glorify it more than others but I think it's unfair to assume that all violence is meant to entertain you.

Violence per se doesn't make a movie or a TV show become good. War movies needed to be violent because it is about portraying how cruel wars are. Even then, there should be a balance between storytelling and portraying the fights.

Not for me, I think violence can really take away from a good storyline. I am not a big fan of action movies because I feel like many of them are just fighting scenes and it gets old. I prefer a movie with a good story and good acting.

I've watched plenty of shows and movies where violence isn't a regular part of it. Glee, for example. Or The Prestige.

 

Violence for the sake of violence is unnecessary. But really I think it's gonna be the context of the show that determines if it's appropriate or not. Walking Dead is a violent show because of the setting it takes place in. Once Upon A Time, far far less so, more like Disney levels of violent where typically the most violent thing you'll see is a rare punch to the jaw or a magic spell being cast.