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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think it would be ok to take my 4 yr old to see HP7

155 replies

Clarence15 · 10/07/2011 15:20

I'm not sure if this is normal but my 4yr old son (along with my 9yr old dd) LOVES the Harry Potter films and has watched them all so far (on DVD) Dh, dd and I really want to watch the final film at the cinema but don't really have anyone we could leave ds with. Even if we did we'd have to keep it secret!

AIBU to think I could take him too? It's a 12A so in theory I could, but although he loves the films there will undoubtably be parts where he'll be asking what's going on or wanting to go to the loo - is this likely to upset the die-hard HP fans?

OP posts:

SchrodingersMew · 10/07/2011 15:51

Have you read the whole of the last book?

I wont say anything as to not give away spoilers but I doubt it will be child friendly.

I was convinced they wouldn't even get away with a 12A on this one.

If it goes the same as the book theoretically it should be a 15/18!

SchrodingersMew · 10/07/2011 15:53

And the last 2 films I have seen have been 12A and completely ruined by kids screaming, throwing popcorn, kicking seats etc.

Luckily though for the HP movies I always go to the opening screening which is at midnight and over 18's only. :o

Original poster

Clarence15 · 10/07/2011 16:12

Yes I did read the WHOLE of the last book you're talking about the bit where....

Ok ok yes on reflection IABU so I won't be taking him, it's interesting that my first 4 responses were from people who said 'yeah take him' and now they've all been scared off by the 'are you MAD?' people.

I think we'll have to go in two shifts, with dd getting to see it twice if she likes it. Either that or I'll just go on my own and watch it in peace, no doubt grumbling at all the 4yr olds in there flicking popcorn at me

OP posts:

SchrodingersMew · 10/07/2011 16:16

I think the first few were fine for little ones but this one could be a bit ermm terrifying.

I almost had a heart attack when I read the book and tried to think how they were going to make it into a film!

Why not see if you can get a babysitter at night and go to the midnight screening? Then he could never know you even went. :) And no kids with popcorn or kicking seats!!

And to be fair, it's not actually the kids being there that annoy me because obviously they should get to see the movies too! It's their parents who never bother to ask them to be reasonably quiet.

3littlefrogs · 10/07/2011 16:17

No way would I take a 4 year old to a film that violent and scary.

mrsbiscuits · 10/07/2011 16:17

Jeez , my 6 year old won't even watch Tangled because it's got a scary woman in it....I don't normally go much on ratings because kids differ wildly in what they like and can handle but I do think 4 is a bit young.

AgentZigzag · 10/07/2011 16:21

'it's interesting that my first 4 responses were from people who said 'yeah take him' and now they've all been scared off by the 'are you MAD?' people.'

Either that or the subsequent posters are just posting their opinion?

Nobody's said anything to 'scare' anyone off, people can say what they want.

Sewmuchtodo · 10/07/2011 16:26

Im still debating whether to take my 9yr old to see it as he has seen the others on dvd (his grandfather bought them as a treat) and seems ok but I feel it is still a little old. Our DD7 would be petrified!

Nellythecat · 10/07/2011 16:48

I think your 9 year old's too young as well actually.

DragonAlley · 10/07/2011 16:53

I would let my 5 yo see it on DVD at home if she wanted but I wouldn't take her to the cinema.

At home is a whole different scenario to watching it in the dark, with very loud sound effects and on a huge screen.

AuntiePickleBottom · 10/07/2011 16:58

It's a 12A for a reason, I wouldn't take my ds aged 5.

Punkatheart · 10/07/2011 17:01

My DD has already seen it. I would absolutely NOT take a four year old to see it. It has deaths and lots of scary elements. Home DVD is very different - although I still wouldn't take a child who is little more than a baby....

Niecie · 10/07/2011 17:02

I wouldn't take my 7 yr old and I am not too bothered about him seeing 12A things per se. I just think it is a very grown up book with a complicated plot and adult themes. I don't know what a 4 yo would get out of it other than to look at all the special effects which would be a shame as it always spoils the book to see the film first and he won't enjoy it so much in he is old enough to read it.

DS1 has only just read the book - he is coming up to 11 and although I let him read the first 4 books when he was 7, we stopped after that because I just don't think he would have got it. Having gone through HP7 with him now (we share the book reading at bedtime as well as him reading it alone) I think that was the right decision. I read it before when it first came out so details were lost on me until the reread, but I think my gut feeling on it being too much for a 7 yr old were right so I wouldn't want a 4/5 yr old seeing personally.

Have you taken him to a 12A before in a cinema OP? I would have thought the scary bits are doubly scary on a big screen in the dark, with very loud sound - not the same as a DVD at home where you can distract yourself. However, if he coped before, it is up to you, but as I say, I wouldn't.

theyoungvisiter · 10/07/2011 17:02

oh my god - my 5 year old wouldn't even manage the trailer without bursting into tears!

I wouldn't be worried about him not getting what's going on, I'd be worried about 12 consecutive weeks of nightmares! Mind you, my child is exceptionally wussy sensitive

rainbowinthesky · 10/07/2011 17:03

I wouldnt take my 7 year old. Completely inappopropriate and I would be concerned at any 4 year old who is so used to watching these type of things that it doesnt bother him.

I would also be very annoyed at going to see a 12A and having a 4 year old sat near me.

AgentZigzag · 10/07/2011 17:04

What else would you let your 5 YO do dragon just because she wanted to?

DragonAlley · 10/07/2011 17:05

Er, much the same as you I imagine Agentzigzag: Whatever I personally thought was appropriate for my child.

DragonAlley · 10/07/2011 17:06

would you like some help removing those judgey pants from where they are wedged up your arse?

TheFeministsWife · 10/07/2011 17:08

I'd take him. We all went to see the Green Lantern last week with the dds. And dd2 who is 4, took turns sitting on our knees and would snuggle into us if there was a scary bit. She fell asleep towards the end though bless her.

spiderpig8 · 10/07/2011 17:14

At best he won't be able to follow the story , be bored and probably be a total PITA
I took DD to one when she was 4/4.5 ish and I couldn't concentrate because she was upside down in her chair, wanting the toilet, wanting popcorn etc

HerHissyness · 10/07/2011 17:32

WHY would anyone who thinks they are a good parent take a 4/5yo to see a 12 certificate? honestly?

The ratings are there for a very good reason, it is potentially psychologically harmful to show very young children, and 4/5 IS very young images that are not age appropriate.

You can't possibly know what you are doing to your DC by taking the laissez faire, let em have whatever they want whenever they want stance.

Original poster

Clarence15 · 10/07/2011 17:35

Lol spiderpig at the 'upside down in her chair'

OP posts:

belledechocchipcookie · 10/07/2011 17:37

4? No way!

There was a 4 year old watching pirates of the carribean a couple of weeks ago, he had to leave half way through as he was sobbing. I bet he's still having nightmares. Age restrictions are there for a reason.

altinkum · 10/07/2011 17:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Clarence15 · 10/07/2011 17:39

Ok alright if you've read my earlier post I'm NOT taking him, you can stop the 'you are a terrible parent' posts now

OP posts:

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