AIBU to take my 3 1/2 year old to see the BFG?

[meladeso]

He loves movies, doesn't scare easy/have nightmares, and is fairly clear in his understanding of "pretend", etc.
I've read a few reviews, which seem to differ - some say it's too "slow / boring" for a 3 yo anyway (not that it is those things - only if you're 3 - IYSWIM)
We've got a really nice afternoon planned to go with DH, and he's excited, but now I'm hesitating and wondering if it is going to scare / bore the pants off him.
Has anyone seen it yet? Thanks in advance

[FruitCider]

The giant terrified my 3.5 yo!

[MoonriseKingdom]

I saw it on Friday - it is a good film but I'm not sure suitable for a 3 yr old. Have you read the book?

I think the parts that could be scary are when the other giants are looking for Sophie and she is desperately trying to hide. There is also a scene where they are bullying the BFG but that might not be obvious for a 3 year old.

I think the main problem would be the storyline being over the head of your average 3 year old and he might well be bored. There are some funny fart jokes and visual jokes that would appeal to a 3 yr old but they are mainly towards the end and the film is fairly long.

[Friolero]

I've seen it with my 6yo and although I loved it, I don't think he enjoyed it that much. He wasn't scared as he doesn't scare easily but I guess the other Giants could be a bit frightening for a younger child. He did get a bit bored as although visually beautiful, it's not that fast moving. Also it's nearly two hours long and with all the trailers etc first we'd been there for 2.5hrs which was a bit much for my DS. I think 3.5 is probably too young, mainly just in terms of attention span, but then you know your own DS best and whether he'd sit there for that long.

[redhat]

I haven't seen the film but DSs were taken to see the stage show with GP when DS1 was 7 and he had nightmares for a while about things coming through the window at night. Might be worth just preparing him for that

[MoonriseKingdom]

I think overall the film is probably best for a child old enough to read and understand the book or for adults like me who loved the book as a child.

[Believeitornot]

Yabu

I honestly don't think long films are that great for little ones.

[meladeso]

Thanks guys, i think you're confirming my suspicions... he does struggle sometimes with longer, slower stuff, so even if he doesn't scare easily - that alone (and the running time you mention Friolero) might be enough to put me off.

Hmm, now to divert him with an alternative....! He will not forget that is what we said we'd do

[milkandmarmite]

I have a 3.5yr old and decided against taking him. I went alone with a friend & I will take him to see Finding Dory when it comes out.

I'm really glad I decided not to take my DS as it would've scared him. Also, there were sections when he would've been restless.

There was a little one behind us in the cinema who was struggling her way through it and not understanding bits/getting worried..

So with my evidence YABU to go!

[milkandmarmite]

Cross post.. Sounds sensible.. Hope you have a lovely time whatever you decide to do!!

[meladeso]

thanks milkandmarmite !

[DeltaSunrise]

There was a young lad sitting next to us who was about 2/3 years old when we went to see it and he was glued to the screen the whole way through. He loved it and completely showed up the 10 year old girl who talked loudly to her friend ALL the way through the film

It is a long film though and I'm not sure mine could have sat through it at that age.

It really depends on the child I think.

We have seen Finding Dory though and it was perfect for this age group if you decide against The BFG.

[FrazzleM]

We watched the old movie at home first. It definitely helped my DD follow the storyline and made it much less scary.

The film is 2 hours long, but it felt shorter.

[TheHuntingOfTheSarky]

We went yesterday, I took DD8 but left DD5 at home as I thought it would be too scary and I was right. I would definitely not take a 3 year old.

Anazing film though!

[dylsmimi]

Glad I found this thread - I am going to take ds1 this week but leaving ds2 in nursery as he is 3.5yrs. He seems ok about not going but has been promised we will all go see finding dory.
Looks like I have made the right decision
Op - we find the kids club films most cinemas have great as the kids don't mind the film has been out a little while and if they do fall asleep or need lots of wees then you haven't paid £££££ for a ticket to see half a film!!

[BeautyGoesToBenidorm]

I think the original animation was scarier - the giants were horrible in that one, especially the scene with the Fleshlumpeater trying to steal the child out of bed using his long sharp fingernail.

I agree with PPs that if he enjoys the book (if you've read it to him), the film should be okay. It's very long for such a little child though. My eldest is 5 and he'd start getting restless pretty quickly.

[Sidge]

I took DD3 to see it last week, she is nearly 10.

I wouldn't take a 3.5 year old to see it - it's long, it's slow in parts and the appeal of the film is the language, the cinematography and the relationship between BFG and Sophie. All things that would go right over the head of a preschooler IMO.

Take him to see The Secret Life of Pets instead - much more suitable and very good!!

[Muddlingalongalone]

I'm planning to read it with my 5 yo first to judge how she copes. She does scare/get upset easily (we had to leave Paddington fgs)
Would recommend the secret life of pets as an alternative - we went to see it on Friday & 5 yo loved it

[SheHasAWildHeart]

DD8 loved it - I think 6+ is the right age. Any younger and they'd probably be bored.

[allowlsthinkalot]

My four year old has been to the cinema many times and has seen the cartoon version of the BFG. She's heard the book read aloud. But I still didn't take her to this film, I took my almost nine and seven year olds. Even if she hadn't been scared, it's aimed at much older children. She just wouldn't have 'got' it at all, would have been bored. It's an incredible film. But quite emotional and mature in content. Not for tiny children.

[allowlsthinkalot]

I'm taking the four year old to Finding Dory instead!

[atomsatdawn]

A child around three had to be taken out crying when we watched it.

I think even a child not easily scared might be bored.

[meladeso]

thanks so much everyone, definitely going to leave it for now, and check out one of the other films everyone has suggested.
I think the boredom is probably the main reason all things considered!
Cheers xx

[houseHuntinginmanchester]

My dd aged 7 loved it but was terrified of the big giant! Definitely not suitable for such a young child

[MrsMook]

I took my 5 year old and left the 3 year old in nursery. My 5 year old loved it and was riveted, but he's always been good at the cinema. I think it might have been a bit long and slow for him when he was 3. He hot on well with things like Minions at that stage (still does). My current 3 year old is having a scared/ nightmare stage and is finding us reading the book a bit much for his imagination. I don't think many 3 year olds would appreciate it.

I loved it!

[frenchfancy]

My 15 yr old DD refuses to go and see it because the original animation film scared her so much.