to let DS1 watch the Hunger Games?

[WayHarshTai]

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?

[Lilacroses]

We were very anti Dd watching the film and then she saw it during a sleepover at a friend's house anyway. I really like and trust this other mum so didn't make a fuss about it. We recently watched it with her on netflicks and thought it was fine (much less to worry about than some of the suggestive stuff they put in some 12 cert films). I actually thought it was excellent. A little gory but nothing ott and I am very easily shocked! Dd is nearly 11.

[hettienne]

The book is MUCH nastier/more graphic and violent than the films. I would think twice about a 10 or 11 year old reading the books, but if they have then the film shouldn't bother them!

[WayHarshTai]

I'm not sure whether this was the uncut version, Netflix said it was a 15. Anyway, he really loved it, and so did I. Jennifer Lawrence is amazing in it.

[enderwoman]

My dd is the same age and watched it last week. Is it really a 15? My son watched it at the cinema and Im pretty sure it was a 12A as he watched it at a 11th birthday party and none of his mates look 15.

[Goldenhandshake]

I love the Hunger Gmes, books and film, can't wait for Catching Fire

I think there is also a very good message to the storyline, as long as your DC are not too squeamish I'd say it's fine, and at least at home you ahve the options of turning off/lowering volume for the more graphic scenes, although to be honest, some of the wounds seen are not much difference to those in Harry Potter!

[Chl0e]

Useful. I meant useful

[Chl0e]

useless to know about that parents guide on imdb. thanks for that. I just looked out of interest at Coraline and you would think looking at the 1s out of ten and the 3s out of ten that that is a sweet little film.

[ninilegsintheair]

There's very little blood and gore in the film (compared to the books at least). My 12 year old sister just said "Where's the blood?" at the opening fight at the cornucopia.

Bearing in mind that Battle Royale (which is very similar and some have claimed Hunger Games is a rip-off of this) is actually an 18 cert.

[Chl0e]

Yeah... never occurred to me that she could watch a film in parts on you tube. they're always one step ahead of you.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Chl0e maybe keep the electronics in the living room from now on. She's sounds a little too bright and a little too tech-savvy.

[Chl0e]

ps, she seems fine by the way and now having read the first two hunger games books, she is getting into those percy Jackson books too. She doesn't seem remotely upset by it. the film that had her goggle-eyed was Coraline, which she STILL says was scarier than the hunger games!

[Chl0e]

Well I'm not proud of this, as I should have had my eye on the ball more, but my ten year old pulled the hunger games off her uncle's book shelf and just took it home and read it. she later told me that she watched it on line, she didn't download it, but she watched the entire film in twelve parts on youtube.

[PearlyWhites]

It's a 12 not a 15

[Emsmaman]

valium have read both but for me reading something and having the images in my imagination are very different to seeing it realised!

[MrsMongoose]

The books were much heavier than the films! Let him watch! Jennifer's Katniss was outstanding.

[valiumredhead]

Yeah the film makes no sense without reading the book first imo!

[gordyslovesheep]

yep I have it in front of me - it's a 12

DD's 1 and 2 have watched it - 9 and 11 - it was fine. DD1 is obsessed with the books and loved the film

[vj32]

The film is much less graphic than the book, and makes much less sense!

[valiumredhead]

Ems,I take it you've never read 1984 or brave new world then?

[OneUp]

I would let him watch it. I've seen it in the cinema and at home and it's really not that bad. Most of the violent scenes are blurred so much you can't really see what's happening at all.

[Emsmaman]

Wow I must be a bit of a wuss! I started watching the DVD one evening with DH and had to leave the room and was haunted by it for ages afterwards. Made myself carry on watching it during daylight one day but there is some very graphic and disturbing stuff in that film (imho).

[KinkyDorito]

Agree the books are worse for violence.

[valiumredhead]

Sorry, it might have been a12 def not a 15 though!

Interestingly we were on holiday last week and ds watched 2 old videos that were a 15 -so tame they were ridiculous things have really changed!

[ICanSeeTheSeaFromHere]

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

[sapphirestar]

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!