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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to let DS1 watch the Hunger Games?

48 replies

WayHarshTai · 23/08/2013 13:51

He's read all the books.

He's nearly 11. Not remotely wussy or likely to have nightmares.

It's a 15, IMDB says this is why.

If you've seen it can you give me your opinion? I woudln't let DD (9) watch it but she's out and DS2 is asleep so now's a good time.

I'll decide in the next ten minutes or so.

AIBU to let him?

OP posts:
cushtie335 · 23/08/2013 13:54

My 12 year old has it on DVD and is a big fan. He's read all the books as well. I admit I'm very relaxed about film certification but I can't see this affecting him adversely.

BlingBang · 23/08/2013 13:55

My son read the books when he was 10 and then watched the more. It was quite hard hitting but as he had read the books and knew what was coming I let him.

BlingBang · 23/08/2013 13:56

Movie - not more

Bowlersarm · 23/08/2013 13:56

I would let him.

But you'll get plenty saying you shouldn't let a 10 year old watch a 15.

guanosoup · 23/08/2013 13:56

The Hunger games is,a 12, not a,15, My dd saw it at 11, and enjoyed it.
The scene where the games start is very stark, but my kids say you read about the deaths quite graphically in the books.
I sat with them for the first viewing, though.
It's a good film, I enjoyed it!

Original poster
WayHarshTai · 23/08/2013 13:56

Cool, that's my take on it, I've read the books too and they were way harsh.

I'll watch it with him and if it is too bloody and violent I'll switch it off.

OP posts:
Alisvolatpropiis · 23/08/2013 13:57

Yanbu. Age certs on films are based on the average person not the individual. You know your child better than random people setting an arbitrary age of suitability. I was 11 when I watched The Sixth Sense. It didn't leave me emotionally scarred.

If he understand the concept of Roman Gladiators then the film won't come as a terrible shock to him.

DoubleMum · 23/08/2013 13:57

I haven't seen the DVD, I saw it at the cinema where it was a 12A - I believe the DVD is the uncut version which would have been 15 at the cinema. They cut 7 seconds out so that they could get a 12A certificate.
At the time, I watched it with DH and was glad we didn't have DS with us. However, I think he'd be OK to watch the cinema version now, and I know lots of his friends have seen it (he's 11). I don't know what these extra 7 seconds are though, presumably very violent/gory bits.
For me, just the fact that it's a 15 would mean I wouldn't let him see it but that's just me.

Fairylea · 23/08/2013 13:57

Dd is a very sensible 10 and she loved it.

PandaG · 23/08/2013 13:57

the page you have liked to says it is a 12A, which is what I thought it was.

I tend to stick pretty closely to the certification, but have allowed an 11 yo DD watch a 12A when she has read the books, or if we have prewatched the film and decided it was ok.

I think I'd allow your DS in those circumstances, as long as I am right amd it is a 12A - I'd not let a 10 yo watch a 15.

Original poster
WayHarshTai · 23/08/2013 13:57

It says it's a 15 on Netflix.

But IMDB says it's 12A. Confused

Feel a bit better about it in that case.

OP posts:
Hemlet · 23/08/2013 13:58

I think watch it with him maybe?

Original poster
WayHarshTai · 23/08/2013 13:58

Right, it's on.

Thanks everyone Thanks

OP posts:
Bowlersarm · 23/08/2013 13:59

Also much easier to watch on a TV screen. Less intimidating and the option to turn off, turn the sound down if it becomes too much.

Great idea to watch it with him so you're aware.

Hemlet · 23/08/2013 13:59

Oops x post!

MyBoysAreFab · 23/08/2013 14:01

DS, 11, watched it on DVD and loved it, and has read all the books. DH and I watched it with him and we really enjoyed it too. It does have some graphic/gory bits but DS didn't seem phased by them. (tho I was hiding behind a cushion)

wigglesrock · 23/08/2013 14:04

I've read the book and seen the film. If he's read the book Id be happy enough to let him watch it.

MrsTerryPratchett · 23/08/2013 14:04

Always check the BBFC. Hunger Games. It gives you a lot of information about why films have the classification they have. Really good, detailed information so you can make an informed decision. Plus, that would have told you it was a 12 Grin

buss · 23/08/2013 14:05

it's definitely a 12A - my now 12 year old saw it at the pics

Your ds will love it - it's not as gory as the book

wonderingsoul · 23/08/2013 14:10

if hes read the books.. he'll be fine with the flim.

the books are alot worse. but so much better Grin

NoComet · 23/08/2013 14:12

I hate the concept of children killing children, but my 12&14, when she read it DDs really like it.

I refused to take DD2 to the cinema and made DD1 wait until she was 12 to watch the DVD.

Generally I'm not that fussy (DD2, went with DD1 and no adult to the last Twlight aged 11 and has seen all the HPs years ago).

However, as I say I don't like the back story for HG at all and the reviews said it was only a 12a because it toned down the books a lot.

PixieBumbles · 23/08/2013 14:14

I've read the books and seen the film. I thought the descriptions of the violence and injuries in the books were much more graphic than the on-screen depictions.

valiumredhead · 23/08/2013 14:14

It's a 12a not a 15 and I let my ds see the film when he was 11, he was fine especially as he's read the books and he's a pretty sensitive soul.

sapphirestar · 23/08/2013 14:15

I have it on dvd, just got up and checked for you and it is definitely a 12.

I'd say go for it, he's read the books and knows what to expect.

Enjoy!

ICanSeeTheSeaFromHere · 23/08/2013 14:16

DS read the book at 10 and then watched the film a few weeks before his 11th birthday... he really enjoyed it.