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Original poster

to take 5yo ds to see a 12A film?

337 replies

LittleLionMansMummy · 16/12/2015 12:02

The film being the new Star Wars one. I know I'm officially 'allowed' to, but would usually check film content (by watching it) before making a decision about whether it's appropriate for him. He loves Star Wars and has asked specifically to see it at the cinema.

OP posts:
atticusclaw2 · 16/12/2015 13:34

Oh and if the film had been a 15 (seven years over DS2's age and five years over DS1's age), as it was potentially going to be until some further editing was done then there would not have been a hope in hells chance of them seeing it until they were older.

RockinHippy · 16/12/2015 13:36

I wouldn't really expect even an advanced 5 year old to be able to sit through & follw a star wars film, do on that, I would say no, save yourself the headache & money.

Otherwise, I would say it depends on the film & the kid. I took my own DD to a few at that sort of age, but she was very aware that it's all make believe, due to knowing & recognising actors in films that she had watched before & asking "why is x being so horrible on the to, when I know they are nice really"

If you really think he could sit through it though & understands it is all make believe, then maybe it's worth ago

LauraChant · 16/12/2015 13:39

Oh gosh, I have this exact issue with a five year old and the new SW film. He loves Star Wars so much and has seen all the films except the third one, loves Star Wars Rebels and we didn't watch The Clone Wars as he found some of them a bit upsetting. Neither of mine are allowed to watch the film Atticus mentions above, for the reasons she gives, but that is a 12, and the new one a 12A.

I am going to see the new one on Friday while the kids are at school and will make my decision then. I really really hope its OK. I thought Attack of the Clones had some upsetting scenes (mainly Anakin's mum dying) and that was a PG so goodness knows what this will be like. Am also trying not to spoil myself before I see it though (for my own enjoyment!).

atticusclaw2 · 16/12/2015 13:39

Oh and it's a 13 in the US - same as the hunger games etc. Clearly not appropriate for little ones.

might be worth reading this parental guide (spoiler alert!!!)

www.imdb.com/title/tt2488496/parentalguide

LauraChant · 16/12/2015 13:41

RockinHippy I wouldn't say my DS was exceptionally advanced but he can definitely sit through a Star Wars film and does on multiple occasions.

newlabelwriter · 16/12/2015 13:43

The Times review described it as being un-terrifying for most children. I am taking my DC 5 & 7. Can't wait.

atticusclaw2 · 16/12/2015 13:45

laura it's worth knowing that there is no difference between a 12 and 12A. The classification 12 is used for DVDs since nobody can police the child being accompanied by an adult in a home setting. So when The Force Awakens comes out on DVD it will be a 12.

www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/12a-and-12

LauraChant · 16/12/2015 13:45

I am actually really quite cross that the makers of Star Wars have made the film 12A, when so much of the merchandise is clearly aimed at much younger children. I never thought I would be taking my five year old to a 12A film and f was anything else I definitely wouldn't (I still might not but he will be really sad, especially if his eight year old brother goes).

LauraChant · 16/12/2015 13:46

I didn't know that Atticus, thanks

keely79 · 16/12/2015 13:47

DH and I will go alone to watch it first then make the call. Both DD (6) and DS (3, nearly 4) have watched 4,5, 6 and 1 and love them - and I mean properly love them, not just the characters and merchandise. But we haven't let them watch 2 or 3 as content is more disturbing and wouldn't take them to see this one until we have watched and assessed.

Scootergrrrl · 16/12/2015 13:48

We are dithering about whether to take DS (who's 6) along with his older siblings. They've all seen the original trilogy of films and loved them.
There's some chatter on the internet about a couple of scary scenes being deliberately added to bump up the rating as film makers were concerned that teenagers would be put off seeing "a kids film" if it was a PG or U. It's also deeply irritating that a lot of the merchandise is directed at younger children if the film isn't suitable for them.

IsItMeOr · 16/12/2015 13:51

Loveactuary we use that website all the time too. It's been so useful to us.

Personally I would not even consider taking 6yo DS to the cinema for a 12A film. But then we haven't watched the Star Wars films with him at home yet either, as we know they're too much for him.

He did enjoy one of the Lego Star Wars DVDs earlier this year.

atticusclaw2 · 16/12/2015 13:51

Its so difficult. The star wars films are special for many many children and mine were also obsessed from a young age and could definitely sit through the old 1970s/80s films at age 5/6. Mine were horrified at the thought that we might not let them see the new film. They've been following the build up since the film was first announced.

The makers have to try to keep everyone happy though from us adults who saw the original movies at the cinema right through to the little ones.

TheLesserSpottedBee · 16/12/2015 13:51

American certification is different to ours, some computer games for example are 17+ in the US and a 15 here. Depends on content.

I think it depends on the child. Ds2 happily watched Jurassic Park (original) when he was 5 or 6 and didn't bat an eyelid, Ds1 was 8 or 9 and was far more scared even though we watched it at home.

Both my two have just watched Man from Uncle which is a 12A, but they are 12 and 9. The torture scenes were amusing due to the malfunctioning device etc.

I think if my two were younger I would take them to see Star Wars because they love it, have light sabres, watched the TV series as well as the films. Loads goes over their heads, and if they are worried they can always turn their heads away from the screen and cuddle with a parent.

I have read the parental guide that is on IMDB (International Movie Database) which I find is a great source of how scary or sexy a film is.

flowery · 16/12/2015 13:54

DS1&2, 8 and 6, are both going on Saturday, with DH & I. I certainly wouldn't let DS2 watch it on his own, but with us I'm fine with it.

Eva50 · 16/12/2015 13:59

Ds1 (20) and ds2 (18) are going to see it and ds3 (9.5) wants to go with them but I'm not letting him. He would definitely find it scary. My Mum let me watch Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds when I was about that age and although I don't remember anything about it I apparently had nightmares for months afterwards. I now have a phobia of flying things which affects my day to life.

ZanyMobster · 16/12/2015 13:59

We are taken DS7, he has seen the others and various other 12As or 12s, we are relatively strict on what they play or watch but I can't find anything in these sorts of films that is inappropriate. Some children get scared more than others but that can be at Us such as Disney films, you know you're own child.

LauraChant · 16/12/2015 14:00

I do understand the need to keep original fans (of which I am one) happy but I also think if you are going to do that you shouldn't also have toys aimed at six year olds (Play Skool Heroes etc). Disney are having their cake and eating it, I think. Although I have the same beef with The Avengers.

atticusclaw2 · 16/12/2015 14:04

Its a shame they don't do a child's version. They could do a star wars rebels style cartoon with the same plot as the film (but tamer) for the children.

LadyHonoriaDedlock · 16/12/2015 14:07

my dh is taking our 5yr old. She wouldn't have a clue what Snoopy is but plays Star Wars with her big sister every day. The stories fascinate her. And she sat through all the original films (I draw the line at Jar Jar Binks and his ilk)

HeteronormativeHaybales · 16/12/2015 14:08

There does seem to be an awful lot of parents (as evidenced in previous threads on here) who appear to consider it a sign of maturity or advancement for their young children to see films whose content or themes are inappropriate for their ages. Why does a 5(!)yo need to see Star Wars? I doubt I'll be letting my 10 and 8yo see it.

KathyBeale · 16/12/2015 14:15

My kids are 6 and 8. We're going this weekend. It never crossed my mind not to! I personally think there's a big difference between 'cartoon' violence (even if it's real people - like in The Avengers) and more realistic violence. I find my children are scared of things I always fail to predict, like the fact that Harry Potter is an orphan, rather than the things I think will be scary (three-headed dog).

Mine both love the original films but they haven't seen the prequels.

DisappointedOne · 16/12/2015 14:17

I may veto her going in full Jedi costume with light saber though...

DD will be. Grin

(I'll also be sitting in the cafe area in case she needs to come out.)

Snoopadoop · 16/12/2015 14:17

My DS is 5 and has seen the other 6 Star Wars films, he's deaperate to see this one after he saw the trailer. We have decided to take a common sense approach and DH is going to see it first, if DH thinks it is suitable we will go as a family. I know my DS would be able to follow the story and also sit still quietly because I know my DS. If DH though believes it to be too much for him we won't go.

DisappointedOne · 16/12/2015 14:21

5 is way too young and a bit pointless since a five year old presumably won't have seen the other films yet (plus its really inconsiderate to take very little children to a film others have paid a lot to see and don't want to have disrupted).

DD has seen them all - she got upset at Episode 3 but no lasting damage. She's more affected by the relationships than any violence etc. (so DH says - I'm late 30s and haven't seen any of them).