to think the new Cinderella film isn't going to be suitable for 3 and 4 year olds (however much they'd enjoy the Frozen mini-film that runs before it)

[estya]

It's been suggested for our Frozen loving kids as a group outing in the Easter hols.

I'm a bit sceptical anyway, because of the whole marry a prince and live happily ever after theme. And the fact they are using Frozen to sell another thing to our kids.

But it's the parents dying and the girl being raised by horrible people story line which is all the more realistic because it's not a cartoon.

I reaslise Disney think that this film is a good match for Frozen fans but AIBU or are kids or 3 and 4 are too young for this?

is the trailer

[estya]

The point of this thread is to try and work out if I want to see it.

[Eastpoint]

My dcs are older now but if you have reservations don't take them, there's no need and they are still very young.

[Backtobedlam]

I'll definitely be taking DC's to see it. I love the way that many of the classic disney films I loved as a child are being re-made and loved by my own children. I don't think it influences them long term...my youngest loves disney and dressing up as princesses. She adores Frozen obviously but her other favourite princess game to play is Brave. She takes her bow and arrow, runs through the wood and declares, 'I'll be fighting for my own hand in marriage'! There are so many other influences in children's lives...parents, teachers, books, different films, I don't think the odd disney film thrown in the mix is going to do any harm.

[TeWiSavesTheDay]

I'm not taking mine, they prefer animation and I don't like Cinderella - can't see much point in going!

[Sleepyfergus]

Me and dd1 went to see it today and it was fab. Lovely to get lost in make believe. Lovely costumes and scenery (be it real or CGI). You can't really change the premise of the story. If you feel it might upset or be too twee then don't go, simples.

The Frozen trailer I felt was a bit naff though. Felt like they are trying a bit hard to spin it out. But dd liked it so that was nice.

[oobedobe]

I took my dds age 6 and 2, 6 yo loved it (I enjoyed it too), was to 'real' for the 2 yo (she has happily sat through Lego Movie and Penguins of Magagascar), it was the live action bit that didn't hold her attention and she was very wriggly.
6 and up is the perfect age for this movie.
The Frozen short is cute and funny but the 2 yo kept saying "where did Elsa go?" once it finished as she adores Frozen.

As for content I agree with others it is just a film no need to get your knickers in a twist over old fashioned ideas, my DD1 loves to dress up and enjoys princess movies, but she also enjoys countless other activities that are nothing to do with that.

6 yo has not watched Maleficent yet as I deemed it too scary for her, interesting to hear of younger kids enjoying it.

[lexie3]

I took my DD's, age 3, 5 & 8 to see it at the weekend and they weren't scared in the slightest!

[ConstanceMoan]

Took DD to see it on Saturday and it was spoilt somewhat by three very small girls who chatted throughout it. If your kids can't stay silent, apart from the occasional question/comment, then they are too young to see this film. That's not aimed at OP just a general plea.

Beautiful film but there was quite a lot of emphasis on the deaths of Cinderella's parents and the prince's dad.

[OccamsLadyshave]

We saw it on Sunday with 4 girls age 4-13. The 13 yo was there under duress and spent the whole time spotting actors from Harry Potter!

The 4 yo coped fine with the parent deaths but had to be removed from the cinema howling because she didn't like it when the mice turned into horses because "she liked the mice too much!" I think the parent deaths went over her head a bit. Even the 10 yo leant over and asked me "is she dead then?" when the mum died. You don't actually see it.

A word of warning about the Frozen bit though. You will almost certainly have the following conversation:

10 yo: Can we come and see it
Me: See what? You've just seen it.
9yo: No - the film when it comes out.
Me: That was it. It was a short.
All: puzzled looks.
13yo: No that was the trailer. They want to come and see the whole film. God mum. Don't you know anything?

Me: sigh - yes we can come and see the film. You let me know when it comes out then.

[OccamsLadyshave]

Another question to anyone who's seen it.

Who is the actress that Cinderella is speaking to when they are walking through the market place? I think it's around the point they are announcing the ball. She's probably an older teen, and I'm sure she's been on CBBC or similar. Me and DD were really annoyed we couldn't place her.

[FeijoaSundae]

I'm going to take DD, 4 and a 1/2, to see it. My own Mum died and it's something we talk about, so I'm not too worried about that aspect of it.

The story line goes against all my feminist principles - every single one of them - but I rationalise it away on the basis that she's already read the story numerous times, and I also grew up with the story, and it didn't stop me identifying as a feminist as soon as I could think.

I have no interest in censoring this sort of thing from my kids - my 4YO DD is into all this sort of thing at the moment (fairies, glitter, pink, princesses, yada, yada) - I'd far rather support her in what she likes and share her interests (knowing she'll grow out of it), whilst also gently encouraging her to question things in an age-appropriate way.

Far less scope for rebellion and general contrariness that way.

[ImCatbug]

I loved the movie. The main theme is not 'find a prince to get out of the horrible house', she wants to stay in her house because of her love for her parents, who owned it. The main quote that is repeated throughout is 'have courage, and be kind', which is a lovely message. She meets the prince without knowing he's a prince, and manages to make him a better person.

[Littlemonstersrule]

I don't think having a princess doll or dressing up costume will mean girls see life only one way.

It's a parents outlook and set up that they will likely go onto emulate so as long as they see the main woman in their life work and not rely on a man the chances are they will do the same rather than look for a prince to fund them.

Given the staggering number of woman who don't work, the odd movie emulating that won't make any difference.

[TwinkieTwinkle]

I honestly cannot understand where this distain for the old school Disney movies has come from in the past few years. I grew up on Disney movies, as did all my friends. None of us sat on our arses waiting for a guy to look after us, we worked damn hard throughout school, university and in the work place. No one I know is, or ever has been, reliant on a man.

To be honest, if someone grows up thinking that's what they want to do with their life, then I think people need to look at the way they have raised their children, not their DVD collection.

It's make believe. I think children need to be given a little more credit. I personally think the Cinderella movie looks great, depends on individual children whether they have the patience to sit through a live action movie.

[TheCraicDealer]

I agree with littlemonsters really. I saw it at the weekend and there’s very little in the way of mortal peril or anything scary, but I think some younger children would struggle to keep focused on the story for the entire film.

It was very well done, I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. Helena Bonham Carter is amazing- and she only rocked up because Cinderella wasn’t a cock. The animals were happy to help because she was kind to them before, and Kate Blanchet the step-mother admits that she only married the husband for stability for her kids and look how that turned out. Also Richard Madden has lovely eyes I suppose the only real downside is that your children may hold tiny tea parties for mice and you’ll have to call pest control.

[FeijoaSundae]

Ostensibly, I totally agree with you twinkle. And on an individual level, the impact is minimal, in many cases.

But I don't see how anyone can deny that these sorts of things do feed into an overall situation, whereby it's fine for women to be supported by men in a way that the reverse is not. That men are the doers, while the women are just meant to look pretty. That relationships are the be all and end all, and a wedding means 'happy ever after'. Plenty of women are reliant on men, and it's the drip, drip, drip...

[redskybynight]

Frozen (partly because of the parents dying bit) is not aimed at 3 or 4 year olds either (yes, I'm aware 3 and 4 year olds watch it, but equally 7 and 8 year olds watch films rated 12 - doesn't mean they are the target audience).

[Idontseeanydragons]

DD2 is 3 years old and the only reason we're not taking her is because she's not quite ready to sit through an entire film in a theatre just yet. DD1 can't wait and I would watch a bread commercial if Kenneth Branagh directed it
Children are intelligent enough to realise that life is more than waiting around for a handsome prince so I have no worries at all about letting my daughters watch the films. Or my Son if he wants to who will sit and watch Mulan as long as his mates don't find out

[TiedUpWithString]

I wanted to be a princess etc when I was little. I know have an exceptionally un-princess job (if you discount what Princess Elizabeth did towards the end of WW2). I therefore don't worry about how unfeminist Disney films are.

I am wondering if this is a little dark for my 4yo DD though. And the undoubted disappointment in the Frozen short ending! Might wait for it to be on iTunes. She loves Cinderella the story though, and Snow White and has not seen either animation.

[KatherineMumsnet]

We are going to move this thread over to Films. OP - do get in touch if you have any problems.

Thanks!