Disclaimer: I’m an adult. I’m also a blind film critic

This will make no sense, but privilege just astounds me. there are people in power, who act like they are somehow marginalized, when they never have been, and control the marginalization of others. Like, who do you think came up with redlining? Why do you think all but one of our Presidents share a common trait. The audacity of privilege, and to pretend you don’t have it, is mind boggling.

Here’s the connection to this preschool movie. the reason I bothered to check out Gabby’s Dollhouse was because if I don’t, no one else is going to while also listening to the audio description track. You know, the thing your blind kids will need to get through this? Blind kids are this little marginalized group in a Picasso-esque Venn diagram, where they are hidden somewhere never to be found. Be honest, how many programs do you think are made for kids, and have audio description? I’ve certainly clocked Disney making several without audio description, and they are one of the largest creators of content for kids. Dreamworks is behind this, as the show is on Netflix. I did make sure to listen to the first episode of the show. Gabby shrunk down to her house full of cats, and took care of some kittens. Gabby is one of the preschool shows that requires audience participation. “Oh No! I lost my marbles! Do you see my marbles?” Then an awkward pause.

that pause needs to speak volumes for blind kids. Somehow, an excellent writer needs to close a fast gap, so they aren’t just left wondering where the marbles are, and become distressed because they can’t help Gabby. The TV show did struggle with this a bit, and the film has less really specific moments, and the audience participation is more about just shouting with gabby. Requires it. Maybe she wants you to sing along to the catchy new kaleidoscope song.

The plot of the film is simple. Gabby has moved to Cat Francisco, and Kristin Wiig’s cat lady hoarder evil old woman has stolen her Dollhouse, and most of her cats. So, it is up to Gabby and a few token cats to rescue the remaining cats before they are put away as toys never to be played with, and only looked at.

The movie is cute, but definitely mind numbing for adults. It is a preschool film through and through, and I can’t see kids much over six enjoying this. But that block, they don’t really know what quality audio description even looks like, and are often grateful to have it. So its up to blind adults to really pay attention to movies and shows like this, because the participation format that shows like Gabby’s Dollhouse and Dora the Explorer use actually would benefit from extended audio description, making sure the kids know what is around they need to find, or shout at the screen.

We need to do our own work, because you know major networks and studios aren’t holding focus groups with blind kids. It just isn’t a thing.

I certainly am not an angry bitter old man who hates preschool shows. theoretically, this should be 100% fresh, unless you personally witnessed this film not holding the tiny attention span of kids.

Gabby follows the grand tradition of transferring her TV series into a film, complete with as many references as possible, adding a couple big name stars, and taking Gabby into more of a real world. It’s not for adults, but kids should love it.

Fresh: 6/10