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Original poster

Life of Pi - is it really a children's film?

29 replies

joanofarchitrave · 27/12/2012 21:52

My inlaws have offered to take us all to see it, including ds who is 8 and inclined to develop 'fears' very easily (so am I). He has picked up a fear of shipwreck from me already.

I'm amazed to see it's a PG, but though i loved the book I thought it was pretty adult in its themes and I'm inclined to say no. Am I restricting ds from a wonderful cinematic experience? The other option is The Hobbit which will involve my temporary death from boredom which sounds more suitable to me.

OP posts:
AnnoyingOrange · 27/12/2012 21:55

I've seen it. I wouldn't take an 8 yr old to it

goodtimesarecoming · 27/12/2012 22:01

I would definitely not take an under 10, my 12 year old loved it, but the tiger is quite frightening and I think younger children would find it a bit boring.

SilverSixpence · 27/12/2012 22:01

It's not For children, nothing unsuitable as such but quite deep and not sure a child of 8 would understand, they might even find it quite boring in parts. The 3D is wonderful though and would be appreciated

NuclearStandoff · 29/12/2012 21:51

took 11 year old and 13 year old to see it and both really enjoyed it.

I think 8 could be a bit young, especially if sensitive.

Amazing film though.

cumfy · 30/12/2012 14:53

The book is very metaphorical, and I'm not sure a lot of 16 year olds would appreciate it.

Haven't seen the film, but am planning to go.

Chocberry · 31/12/2012 21:58

My 11 yr old ds was scared in parts!

SooFrustrated · 31/12/2012 22:11

Took DC tonight 10 & 12, they enjoyed it though there were times 10 yr old hid behind her jacket.

I wouldn't take a child under 10 - although there were little ones about 5 or 6 behind us.

MaryMotherOfCheeses · 31/12/2012 22:13

Just because a film is a PG doesn't mean it's a children's film.

I think an 8 year old would find it very slow in parts.

incogneetow · 31/12/2012 22:31

The beginning is quite slow: children would be bored.
Just because its a PG doesn't mean it's suitable for children.

CometAndCupid · 31/12/2012 22:39

I'd be careful with the hobbit too, some bits would be scary for a young child. I think it may bore them senseless too, I'm a massive fan and even I struggled a bit at nearly 3 hours.

lottiegarbanzo · 31/12/2012 22:55

It isn't a children's book, why would it be a children's film?

Selks · 31/12/2012 23:00

Fine for 11 plus, but not for younger kids - it's all about death, life and God, very deep and sad and scary in places.

I saw it on sunday and was amazed that people in the next row had two very small (4 or 5 yrs) children with them who cried in the bits where animals died and cried in the scary bits (various near-drowning scenes) and talked all the way through the rest of it as they couldn't understand what was happening. Bloody selfish parents.

Selks · 31/12/2012 23:03

Oh yes, I forgot - those children actually screamed when the tiger was being vicious and scary. Poor kids Angry

FelicityWasSanta · 31/12/2012 23:07

Bloody hell no. I'm a wimp but I cried and haven't looked at the cat in quite the same way since and while it is cinematically beautiful I didn't like the story and didnt enjoy the film. The message is deep and morally suspect.

I wouldn't take a child, especially not a sensitive one.

OhyouMerryLittleKitten · 31/12/2012 23:07

Kids behind us got upset and had to leave for a bit. Then spent the rest of it asking ' why ' ' what'. It was absolutely not suitable for them.

OhyouMerryLittleKitten · 31/12/2012 23:08

Kids behind us got upset and had to leave for a bit. Then spent the rest of it asking ' why ' ' what'. It was absolutely not suitable for them.

OhyouMerryLittleKitten · 31/12/2012 23:08

Oops. Sorry.

Original poster
joanofarchitrave · 31/12/2012 23:14

I hate saying no to the inlaws - this is really helpful. Thank you.

OP posts:
Onezerozero · 31/12/2012 23:28

Wait though! I read something here the other week about the hobbit not being suitable for 8 year olds either! Very violent and much too long apparently.

minxthemanx · 02/01/2013 13:28

Totally agree - Life of Pi is not a children's film. Older (10+) might appreciate the beauty and cinematography, and cope with the unpleasant ends met by the animals, but def not for young children. Very profound, lots of spirituality. People behind us had also taken 2 young DC who talked, kicked and giggled all the way through as they didn;t understand it.

HappyNewBleurgh · 02/01/2013 13:29

Is it better than the book? I couldn't get on with the book at all.

ArielThePiraticalMermaid · 05/01/2013 19:28

Just because something has a PG certificate, it doesn't make it a children's film. There is no way this is a children's story.

Oodhousekeeping · 05/01/2013 19:39

Dh said they've loads of children being taken out at his cinema. Keeps asking me why parents don't find out what a film is about before they go.

CometAndCupid · 06/01/2013 08:51

I realise this thread is now pretty old but m.imdb.com/title/tt0454876/parentalguide is a really good way of checking if films are too much for little ones.

Glossynotflossy · 12/01/2013 20:15

I went and saw it and enjoyed it however what put a dampener on it was a child who coyldnt follow the naratibve ans qas asking tons of questions

food for thought.

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