AIBU to find it annoying that so many unsuitable films are marketed at children?

[redpickle]

My DS is 5 and keeps going on and on about the last Star Wars - The Force Awakens. He's asked to watch it so many times in the last year but it's really not suitable (12 rating). Yet, toys, lunch boxes, games etc for these films (Spider-Man is another one) all aimed at his age.

Not expecting anything to change but just wondered if it's just me? His Christmas list is full of this stuff - should I avoid the merchandise? Or hope it bridges the gap until he's old enough to watch it?

Try and avoid the merchandise (easier said than done I know!) One thing we do is minimise the time spent sitting in front of TV commercials, so mainly watch stuff without adverts. Not because of this issue - but they're just annoying!

It's a 12A- not a 12, so yeah you are a bit U.

There are plenty of other kids who're old enough to watch the films, but still young enough to want branded lunch boxes/duvet covers/yadda yadda.

Annoying for you tho. I can see that.

Transformers is like this as well. The film has adult humor and adult violence and destruction.

You could also say the same for Halloween costumes and toys - eg toy knives, blood, scary masks.

The original Star Wars is a U certificate but features pretty scary characters like Darth Vadar and the destruction of a whole planet and so millions of people.

My 6 year old has watched it loads of times, and absolutely loves it! As a PP mentioned it's a 12A so it doesn't mean they have to actually be 12. There isn't really anything in it that's unsuitable for kids of 5/6 imo.

There isn't really anything in it that's unsuitable for kids of 5/6 imo.

All kids are different though, aren't they? Mine would have nightmares for months...

Yeah my DS is prone to night terrors and there's a few scenes that I know would distress him (slaughter of a whole village etc).

Halloween was indeed pretty awful this year. I do think it's a shame.

bacon
Months?! Really

Months?! Really

I had nightmares for over a year when I was a child after watching Micheal Jacksons thriller music video

However my dc are a bit more robust than me and would of had no problem watching star wars at age 5/6.

I might be wrong but I believe there is a kids version of Star Wars, like a tv series almost. I think it might be animated. I know darth Vader is in it and they have lightsabers and suchlike. My DSS 6 watches it (either it's a tv show or something on YouTube). Perhaps your son would enjoy those. I have no idea what it's called but I'll ask my OH and post back.

But in answer to your original question, YANBU. I find the whole thing very irritating myself.

Totally agree with the OP.
And actually find it very annoying myself

I completely agree OP. And people saying it's a 12A so actually you can see it if you are under 12 - a 12a rating means a film is suitable for 12 year olds and above. Films are rated 12a if the examiners think they are fine for a 12 year old. If they think they are fine for a 9 or 10 year old they are rated PG. This is from the ratings web site. 12a films are marketed as 12 films when they come out on DVD.

I also am thoroughly narked off wit 12a films being marketed to children. Practically all (maybe all?) of the Marvel films are 12a but you can get plush toy Iron Man, hero masher Hulk etc. You can get Star Wars Force Awakens toys that are clearly for very young children. I told my 6 and 9 year old last weekend that perhaps we could go and see Fantastic Creatures , I couldn't believe that was a 12a - we didn't go.

I completely agree re Star Wars Op - slaughter of a village, someone (is that still a spoiler?) stabbed through the heart, the faces of people on planets just before they are destroyed. I am not saying film makers can't make grown up Star Wars films, even if the originals were U and PG, but stop bloody marketing them to small children.

I know what you mean. The Michael Bay Transformers films were unsuitable for kids. I think that one opening shot just stays on a woman's arse for about a minute.

griffin It is Star Wars Rebels on Disney

12A films are suitable for 12+ year old accompanied/supervised by an adult. However, I took my then 6yo to watch it on the cinema and just took him to watch fantastic beasts... He's robust and I know he can process the viewings without upset. It's down to how the parent's think the children will handle it.

Anyone over 12 can watch a 12A film without an adult. Under 12 they need an adult.

My DS watched many 12A films when he was younger

Yanbu.

tups I hate that they show the thriller video on TV these days. I won't watch it.

How about the Lego star wars? Mine love watching them- 5 & 7.

I think the likes of Star Wars, Marvel etc often have cartoon/animated tv series' aimed at younger children. Not forgetting the Lego series of shows/films/games.

I guess that's how they draw younger kids into wanting their toys and merchandise.

I saw a lot of very young children in the cinema when we saw Jurassic World. Another 12A film with a lot of toy and kiddie merchandise. I think that you'd be surprised at how many young children are taken to see these films in the cinema.

All kids are different though, aren't they? Mine would have nightmares for months...

Yes, which is why it is 12A so the adult can asses whether it is suitable for their child. Just like some things are suitable for everyone, doesn't mean they shouldn't be made at all.

My 3 year old loves Jurassic World

So does mine Mummamac
My two just don't get scared by film/tv - never have done. Hopefully I'm not raising a couple of sociopaths

12A is not 12 and up plus adult. It means 11 and unders have to be accompanied by an adult and that adult takes responsibility. 12 and overs take responsibility for viewing themselves.

I always wondered if 12A was introduced simply because PG didn't force the parents to enter the cinema, so the lost ticket sale was hurting!