The Hunger Games

[amarone]

AIBU not to take my DS10 to see it? Just feel uneasy about the whole concept of the story line.
Sorry if this has been done before, but tried searching MN but couldn't find anything about the actual film, just the books.

So don't take him

Sounds very gruelling

so don't take him.

If you aren't comfortable, then don't do it. What aspect particularly disturbs you?

There are a few threads about the film.

Well I'd like to hear from people who have actually seen the film, with children of a similar age.

It has some violence and gore. Kids killing each other, I wouldn't let a ten year old see it I dont think

I've seen it and I don't think it's suitable for a 10 year old. I have read the books and knew what was coming but I was still scared at points and I'm 28!

My ds (nearly 11) saw it a couple of weeks ago. Not bothered at all by it, but did say when someone had their neck broken, that it was 'freaky'!!

But then, he's never been bothered by Dr Who whereas some of his friends get nightmares from this. Or did, when a bit younger I should say.

If you're not happy, don't take him, simple.

Thank you cupcake. I've convinced him that it's a bad idea seeing the film, but most of his friends have seen it by now. My compromise was that he reads the books first, then we can decide. I think the books were written for the market of 10 and above.

I've read the books, I have thought they're aimed at teenagers really - the whole concept of sacrificing teenagers to the government for entertainment is quite a theme to get your head around.

Maybe it's my age (late 20s) but that was the more horrifying aspect of the film, above the violence, for me. Maybe if I was 10 that would be over my head and wouldn't bother me.

YANBU though, I don't think I'd want my 10 year old watching it (if I had one).

Went with my 11 and 9 year old yesterday. Thought it was very good. Surprisingly good after reading some of the comments on here.

Both children thought it was good too. As did DH. Personally I was relieved I didn't have to ensure some cartoon rubbish!

I think it's thought provoking, well acted and not as graphic as I anticipated. Fight scenes are filmed in a "blurred" way.

You know if it will affect your children. If they are very sensitive it's probably not got them.

Endure. Not ensure!

Ds2 (9) went to see it today, he enjoyed it although did prefer the books.
I think it very much depends on the child.

Thanks LAlady , you in LA by the way? I think the DS is quite capable of watching this film; it's me being pathetic (?). I'm only asking whether to let him watch it, because I read some scare-mongering reviews.

I haven't seen it, but DS1 and 2 went to see it at the beginning of the week (DS2 has read the books, DS1 hasn't) They both really liked it, but DS2 cried at one particular moment, not because he was scared or traumatised, just because it was sad (I've read the books so know what bit he means)

I wouldn't take DD(9) to see it, but she is pretty sensitive - she cries at the drop of a hat and get very involved. It'll be too much for her.

I think it's the child on child aspect of the violence that bothers people. I enjoyed it for the most part but don't think it's suitable for pre teens.

Shit.

DD 11 is at the cinema now watching this movie with DS and DH. She's really sensitve, but has asked her friends about it before going. I hope she sleeps tonight.....

Not in LA at the moment - but back again in August. Just can't keep away from the place. . Love LA.

Please don't panic. I don't like films like this usually - neither does DD. Hence my initial reservations. But in my view, there's been a lot of scaremongering in the press.

It's an interesting concept, quite an exciting/tense story. I can see why teens like it.

I think the concept itself is very disturbing, never mind the violence. That's fine, and disturbing concepts have to be addressed, but if he's particularly sensitive then I'd avoid it for now.

(I still remember reading I'm the King of the Castle or whatever it's called in Year 7 English lessons and just being utterly horrified at the end. I couldn't quite believe something so awful had been written down, and acknowledged as possible. I was a sensitive child )

YANBU

I wrote to the British film classification to complain....here's my note...

"Dear Sir / Madam

I recently took my children aged 12 and 10 to the Hunger Games, rated 12A.

I am absolutely astonished at the 12A rating. A 12A, per your own website may contain:

"Horror: Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained."

The premise of the film, children killing in each other in order to survive which covers the whole content of the film is throughout. There is no respite from this.

"Violence: Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context."

There was significant emphasis on injuries, blood, detail and many gory moments, for example:

1. The opening scene of the "game" when many contestants kill each other. This was very gory.
2. The boy being killed by the dogs and shot in the head with a bow and arrow
3. The young girl being speared in the stomach
4. The girl's head being smashed by a stone

My observation is that because the camera "shook" a lot during some of these scenes, the detail was not as visible. Had the camera "shaken" less, my sense is that this would have been an 18.

This is wholly inappropriate rating for this film. Can you please provide comment?"

YANBU

My elder two (14 and 12) have seen it. So have I. We had all read and loved the books. My youngest (almost 10) has not read the books and I wouldn't dream of taking her to see the film. Totally unsuitable for most 9/10 yr olds imo. It is aimed at 12-15 year olds and it is really excellent for that age group, but the concepts behind it will go way over the heads of most younger children, especially if they haven't read the books. All they will see is the violence and, missing the point of it, it will be upsetting and confusing.

My DD asked for the books for her 13th birthday - queue at school library too long to wait, all the yr8s reading them simultaneously! She wolfed them down. But when I asked her if she wanted to see the film, she said 'all' her class was going to see it but she didn't think she wanted to - reckoned it was fine in print but would be too much on screen. Reckon she's a wise lass. So if we have time for the cinema this hol it'll be the Pirates in an adventure with Scientists - why risk a scary film when that is getting the best reviews I've heard for ages?

Can I suggest you or they read the books first, because reading them will prepare them for the film. I'm older than your DS but its not the sort thing I would want to watch without being prepared for.

Although saying that the books were amazing, I have read them all in the last two days as I could not put them down, but then I am quite old fashioned and prefer the books to films.

Took my two sons and one of their friends to see it a couple of days ago. They are aged 11 and 14, friend is 12. I was a bit dubious about taking my 11 yr old - he's a young 11 and in the past has been easily spooked. He's read the 1st book and loved it. Now part way through the 2nd. His previous reading material has primarily consisted of the how to train your dragon and the diary of the wimpy kid series. I have wanted him to expand his reading material for a while, though the Hunger Games wasn't what I'd had in mind! I wouldn't have taken him to see the film if he hadn't read the book first and been fine with it. I figured if it got too much in the cinema we'd leave. In the end all 3 kids enjoyed the film, said the deaths weren't as gory as portrayed in the book and they haven't had any nightmares.

YANBU. Kermode and Mayo, Wittertainment film gods (hello Jason Isaacs) stress it is a 12A!

Thank you all for your comments. I think I should stop reading the DM for film reviews..

Love the books, love the film.

Amazed it's a 12A and that parents would take kids under this age to see it. It's just too violent and disturbing on too many levels. I'm not a puritan, but this is just too far over the line.
I'm with you OneLieIn. Well done for complaining.