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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not let me kids see the barbie movie

119 replies

KingsHeath53 · 23/07/2023 10:33

My sons, 6 and 7, are desperate to see the barbie movie. I told them it’s for grown ups and they were gutted.

I saw it last night and actually didn’t think it was very inappropriate. Few references to adult themes but nothing worse than in a lot of family shows like the Simpsons. That said I think maybe the middle section about feminist theory and cultural representation might go over their heads 🙃

Though as young men maybe it would be good exposure?

Anyway I’m still saying no unless mumsnet thinks I’m being mean…

YABU - 6 and 7 year old kids can see the Barbie movie

YANBU - they’re too young

OP posts:
Original poster
KingsHeath53 · 23/07/2023 14:10

Destinedforfakeness · 23/07/2023 12:48

I know 12a is for parents discretion but honestly it should be used as an indicator of how appropriate the film is. I'm not sure any trailers or promo I've seen would make me think it's suitable for a 6 and 7 year old. So I'm not sure why you would be even thinking of this

It’s that they were so keen to see it, loads of kids at school are, and i have seen loads of kids round the cinema going to see it.

OP posts:
Hankunamatata · 23/07/2023 14:39

Common sense says 13+ so I'd say no

Theredjellybean · 23/07/2023 14:46

I went with my grown up dds, it is definitely aimed at adults
lots of little girls in the cinema bored, restless, annoyingly running about and talking.
it is not a 'Barbie' movie as in a remake of the animated ones but with real people...i overheard one mother complaining about this ! She said she thought it was going to be a cartoon ...ffs...do some basic research before you take oyur child to a 12+ movie perhaps

Taylorswiftly23 · 23/07/2023 15:32

OCaptain · 23/07/2023 12:35

Do you understand the themes of the movie? Just replace the name 'Barbie' with 'repressed stereotyped female doll confronts reality and all its norms' and you're starting to get there.

Simply because a film is named 'Barbie' doesn't mean it's a kids' movie. Try the 55-odd other Barbie movies out there.

Show quote history

Absolutely nail on head.

Taylorswiftly23 · 23/07/2023 15:33

OCaptain · 23/07/2023 12:47

@Sherrystrull

Why the need for the aggressive post? I'm entitled to my opinion as you are yours. Did you mean to be so rude?

Sorry it came across as aggressive, Sherry. It wasn't meant that way. I not long came back from a screening of Oppenheimer and there were so many little girls at the cinema obviously there to see Barbie. While it isn't a violent movie, they won't understand it, and thematically it is far above them. There are so many better, more appropriate movies for children. (Thankfully, no kids at Oppenheimer!)

You weren’t rude or aggressive 🙄

AlfietheSchnauzer · 23/07/2023 17:47

My 8yr old girl LOVED it!

AlfietheSchnauzer · 23/07/2023 17:53

Darknightsahead · 23/07/2023 12:07

I seen it last night. I mean it’s not unsuitable for young kids, but it’s just not aimed at them at all.

Even I was getting bored towards the end. Thought the last 20 minutes was dire.

I agree about the last 20 mins. Just when you think it's finally over, more nonsense starts again. My DD (8) loved it but I didn't like it at all. Quite possibly the strangest film I've ever seen

Leah5678 · 23/07/2023 19:43

I haven't seen the Barbie film yet, but I'd go easy on having "feminist discussions" with young boys because they may see it as being made to feel bad about something they cannot help (being a boy) and that could breed resentment and they will end up going the complete opposite way.
I worked in a school and I've seen a recent rise in sexist teenager trends which is seemingly a reaction to the extreme feminist trends of the 2010s. Which started with them "feminist cringe compilation" videos on YouTube.
I know what I just said is probably considered controversial on Mumsnet but go easy on the more extreme feminist stuff with young kids. Teach them to be good to girls and people in general obviously but lay off the extreme aspects of feminism

drpet49 · 23/07/2023 20:01

Archeron · 23/07/2023 10:45

It’s a 12 rating for a reason. Not suitable for kids under 12.

This.

Maddy70 · 23/07/2023 20:08

I've jusyvwayched it. I don't think there is anything in it that's inappropriate

Maddy70 · 23/07/2023 20:09

Jongleterre · 23/07/2023 11:10

Why would you want your children watching utter dross?

Have you seen it ? It's really clever and witty

Dillydollydingdong · 23/07/2023 20:16

My 7 year old dgd went to see it yesterday with her mum, but apparently it's not funny, it's boring and she wasn't impressed.

Destinedforfakeness · 23/07/2023 20:24

KingsHeath53 · 23/07/2023 14:10

It’s that they were so keen to see it, loads of kids at school are, and i have seen loads of kids round the cinema going to see it.

Show quote history

Yep and loads of parents make poor decisions...

We have those limitless passes so go to the cinema a lot. There's often loads of way too kids young kids in 12 A films. They're often just bored and restless because the films are not aimed at them. Just because a kids wants to see something they don't know much about doesn't mean they should.

UrsulaIsMyQueen · 23/07/2023 20:25

My 9 and 8 year olds have said they’d rather seen Elemental so we’re going for that instead.

user9630721458 · 23/07/2023 20:25

KingsHeath53 · 23/07/2023 12:39

Very nice. I wasn’t allowed barbies at all as a child. My mother is from a culture / country where they didn’t have them and when she moved to the uk found the idea of kids playing with a doll that looked like a sexualised adult to be super creepy. I wanted one though!!!

Show quote history

I thought I was the only one! My mum wouldn't allow Barbie/Sindy dolls and I remember wanting one for a little while!

cariadlet · 23/07/2023 20:28

I saw it with my 20 year old daughter and it's definitely not a children's film (unlike the feature length animated Barbie films).

I went to an evening showing and the audience was mostly made up of girls and young women (late teens and 20s).

My daughter and I both loved it (she's thinking of going again and taking her Nan to see it) but I should imagine most young children would be bored stiff.

After reading descriptions by pp of badly behaved, bored children who weren't taken out by their parents, I am so glad that we went to a late screening.

liveforsummer · 23/07/2023 20:30

Ponoka7 · 23/07/2023 10:38

My GC are 6&8, from what I've read it isn't really an interesting film for that age group. The cinema isn't cheap so I'm giving it a miss. We are going to see Elemental instead.

Everyone says it's mainly unsuitable because they will be bored. Dd was bored in elemental. Funnily enough it wasn't the end of the world. OP if you don't think it's inappropriate then why not let them see it. Being bored at the odd point is no reason not to

Pkhsvd · 23/07/2023 20:32

I’ll let mine see it when it comes out on tv as I think she’ll enjoy the visual effect but be bored 15 minutes in

Original poster
KingsHeath53 · 23/07/2023 20:36

@Leah5678 re: discussions of feminism oooh that could be a whole different mumsnet thread! Haven’t discussed it with them at all really as they are mega young but we have talked about racism and other forms of discrimination (past and present) in a roundabout way. I guess if it came up i’d say something like ‘people in the past thought girls weren’t as clever as boys but we know now that’s not true’ 😁

OP posts:
AntiSocial6DaysAWeek · 23/07/2023 21:04

If it's not inappropriate and they really want to see it I'd take them.

So difficult when all their friends are going and they aren't going to be able to understand that it's aimed at a more mature audience without seeing it. If their friends at school have seen it, what have they said about it? Did they enjoy it?

If you have the money take them but pre-warn them they might find it boring and be ready to leave early. If they don't enjoy it, maybe in the future they will listen to your advice on what films are suitable for them!

Lovemylittlebear · 23/07/2023 21:15

My six year old daughter LOVED it :) didn’t understand what it was about but loved all the clothes changing, funny chase scenes, silly dancing and girl championing scenes. I went not expecting to like it and was ready to be bored and I bloody loved it and would defo watch again!

ladymuckofthemanor · 23/07/2023 21:45

I booked this before reading any reviews, not knowing the themes, and not noticing it was a 12A. My three primary aged kids loved it! The one swear word is bleeped out.

Each to their own but I'm glad I took mine as they really enjoyed it.

hoplittlebunnys · 23/07/2023 22:46

I think they would be bored. To be honest, I was bored at times during the movie and wishing it would hurry up and be over. So I imagine for children it would be even worse.

Guineapigwoes · 23/07/2023 22:52

Nah save your cash and take them to see the ninja turtles movie when that comes out

But show them the Barbie movie when they are teens, it has a great message

Whataretheodds · 23/07/2023 22:54

You could show them the trailer and see if they're still interested after watching that

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