I don't typically write comedy films myself because it's not my normal environment. I'm more comfortable in drama and adventure films, but I do jazz it up a bit with tiny touches of humor. Straight comedy is a mystrery to me.
As for animation, it's pretty much mandatory today to make any animated feature be palateble to both the kids AND the adults. They're aiming for as many demographics as possible. And the best type of review is the "something for the whole family" kind or the "young and old alike will love it."
So I say these writers are cauight up in a hit-or-miss scenario of correctly nailing a happy medium between the two. Animated features are VERY expensive to make, and it's a tiny industry (tiny as in it's a very exclusive and closed-shop industry) where very few are allowed into the clubhouse. They are always looking to make somethig new, something never seen or done before, and yet still keep it all kiddie-friendly and still appeal to the adults. So it's hit or miss. They either succeed or they don't. I get annoyed when they fail, and delighted when they succeed. But I am unable to growl and say: "I could do better!" because I know that I probably couldn't.
