Would you let a 6y/o see Barbie?

[44PumpLane]

I'm in two minds about this- kids have been invited to see Barbie the movie but it's rated 12A because of moderate sexual innuendo, brief harassment, catcalling and implied strong language (including bleeped out motherf*er).

Supposedly it has the words bitch, crap, God, hell and damn in.

What would you do? We wouldn't typically let the kids see anything with this sort of language but then it would mean missing out on someone's birthday party.

There is no chance of us seeing it before the girls as we would have to accept or decline the invite today.

I think the swearing would go over the heads of mine, but I definitely know it wouldn't others so they then might chat about it or discuss it afterwards.

Am I being too precious about it all?

YABU- let them go see it

YANBU- yeah I probably wouldn't let a 6 year old see it or I'd want to see it myself first to judge.

What children’s films has Greta Gerwig made?! Lady Bird was a 15. Little Women was a U but hardly aimed at six-year-olds.

I didn’t say she had. She could though, couldn’t she!? She’s not confined to making films for adults. The person I responded to was implying that it couldn’t possibly be for kids because of the director. I’m sure Gerwig is capable of making a brilliant film for children… just not this one, apparently.

I imagine the party arrangers didn’t realise it isn’t really a film for little kids (as far as we know).

think I’d be more worried about them being bored and getting restless rather than any adult content tbh

I love the book, the film and the show so...😁

Did you read the words I wrote in the order I wrote them @liveforsummer ? Nowhere did I say kids being bored is ‘frightening’. Kids being bored can be great! Probably not when their parents have paid a fortune for a cinema visit. I can’t tell if you genuinely didn’t read what I wrote properly or if you think you’re being smart.

I booked before realising it was a 12A. So yes i will be taking my 6.5 year old.

I read it. Most parents will realise their kids might end up bored but they want to see it and so do the kids. It's worth a try, no great harm will happen .. it's hardly a fortune, around here it's around £6 for a recliner chair. Morning frightening about any of it whichever order you add that particular word

*nothing not morning obviously 😅

Most parents will realise their kids might end up bored but they want to see it and so do the kids.

A bored kid in the cinema, watching a movie whose themes are going right over their heads, is a pain for other cinema-goers. It's really unfair on a small child to expect them to stay quiet & in place for a movie that lacks interest for them.

My statement remains correct though. As of today, 18 July 2023, Greta Gerwig doesn’t direct children’s films. As do many other directors, despite not being confined to

Play with them until they are 5?

I remember playing with Barbie until I was 11.

This thread reminds me of a previous thread where people said that Santa Claus wasn't for anyone over the age of 4 or 5!

@stayflufft

Do you not understand the ratings?

@@44PumpLane i would let her go if she wants to, but I think the birthday girls parents are off their rockers. Trying to keep a bunch of BORED 6 year olds quiet in the cinema. I'd assume they're familiar with the fact it's not aimed at children. If the parents are friends or even just school gate 'smile & wave' I'd ask them if they knew what they're letting themselves in for.

@NewCracker

Finally, this took far too long. I've been waiting for someone to point out the main reason why this movie is not for children....it objectifies women, gives children impossible beauty standards to live up to. That's why it's dangerous for young girls, not the foul language or innuendos.

Or, perhaps, that is one of themes? This could be a reason it is rated the way it is. Younger children may have some trouble recognising, decoding and handling themes such as this. It is an incredibly important theme for all women, but one that younger girls need to be introduced to quite carefully. This movie would be too complex.

Actually, whilst I think your general drift is right, the BBFC don't rate on complexity of film or its themes. This is why some films definitely not for children get rated at PG or 12A . It is a content based certification. So a 12A rating really does strongly signal content more 'troubling' than a PG - the fact that Barbie isn't a PG does speak for itself imo. I think some posters have forgotten it could have been a PG if it's so tame - and it isn't.

Buy one of the issues is the use of the word “motherfucker” for example. Swearing doesn’t bother many parents.

Absolutely not. It's a 12A for a reason. The experts have deemed it suitable for a 12 or oh ok maybe an 11 year old if the adult thinks they can handle it

I was listening to a review of this on R4 yesterday. Swearing and sexual innuendo aside it doesn't sound like a film aiked at children or one they will understand or enjoy.

The whole premise is a sort of Truman show situation where Barbie and Ken live in a parallel "Barbie world" and what happens when they break out in to our world.

Why? You don't have to go.

@liveforsummer Riiiiiiiight, you aren’t making a huge lot of sense tbh. I’ve seen a few trailers- it’s always seemed obvious that it’s aimed at adults, to me. You’re massively misunderstanding what I wrote, and I’m not sure how I could have made it clearer. Most cinemas aren’t £6 a ticket but that’s by the by. Hopefully the little ones going will enjoy it more than it might seem.

It probably should

I'm very jealous of £6 cinema tickets for a new release.

This is a new level of MN chill parenting that I'm simply not prepared for. If thinking that 6 year olds shouldn't hear a half-bleeped 'motherfucker' makes me uptight then perm my hair and call me Mary Whitehouse.

DD is paying £6 a ticket - that's to go during the day on Monday at an Odeon on their Magic Monday deal (I may have made up that name) - basically you have to sign up for an Odeon account (free) to be eligible for saver tickets.
(She's 17 and it's school holidays; appreciate this isn't an option useful for 9-5 working adults).

But the downside is (judging by this thread) that she'll be surrounded by 6 year olds.