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One of the major satisfactions that I derive from movies is teaching morals. Writers and producers of movies have their objectives of producing a movie. It could range from enlightening the populace, passing on information, or teaching the viewers one important lesson or another. In most cases, it is about entertainment.
Just like children learn many things from their parents while growing up, whatever one watches, whether as a kid or adult, has a way of affecting one's life. In enlightening the public, movie producers try as much as possible to mimic the real world in their movies. I don't think we have any new vices that have not happened in the past. Since it happened in the past, it is bound to happen again, whether it is displayed in movies or not.
Armed robbery, cultism, and money rituals are not new. They have been happening since time immemorial. Many of these criminals take the people unaware when they strike. In order for the people to be enlightened, a movie can be produced to mimic such scenarios. I remember when kidnapping of children was very prevalent when I was growing up. I watched a movie in which a kidnapper lured a kid with a biscuit to a secluded area before kidnapping him. I remember the adults telling other children and me to learn from the movie. We were told never to collect biscuits or anything at all from strangers. We were told to avoid falling victim like the boy we watched in the movie. At the tail end of the movie, the kidnapper was arrested and made to face the law for his crime. He was sentenced to death by firing squad as a consequence for the crime.
In one movie, children were taught not to get enticed by things from strangers, and at the same time, people that may be planning to become kidnappers were shown how they always end in such actions. It was shown that there is a consequence for every crime, and the consequence always leads to regret.
However, if I am to comment on the appropriateness of including crime scenes in movies, I won't give a yes or no response. One factor that is very vital is the kind of information being passed to the people with such scenes. If it is being presented to the people that crimes rule the world without consequences, then it becomes very dangerous, not just for youths but for adults too. And if crime scenes are totally removed from movies, how would the people be informed of the kind of society they live in?
It is in place to reveal the true picture of society through movies. The only reservation that I have when doing this is to always show that every crime has its consequences. Producing a movie whereby youths indulge in internet fraud to make money is sending a bad message to other youths if such a movie ends without a consequence for the fraudsters. Crime shouldn't be glorified through movies. Their presence in movies should be about telling the people why it is bad to take that route.
Crime scenes in movies also teach the people about coping mechanisms. Imagine yourself in an armed robbery scene where bullets are flying right and left. It is advisable not to be in a standing position in that situation. You are expected to lay low on your chest and crawl away to safety if possible. Movies can teach this kind of coping mechanism.
Therefore, criminal activities aren't out of place in movies. What determines their appropriateness is the motive behind the inclusion of such activities in the movie.