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Original poster

How young is too young for Pirates of the Caribbean?

24 replies

OutragedfromTunbridgeWells · 31/05/2007 15:58

My DS's are obssessed, despite never having seen the film. My Mum bought the DVD but as it is a 12 cerificate I didn't let them watch it.

(they are 7 and 4)

Until last weekend...when I relented and watched it with them but fast forwrded the scary bits.

Now of course they want to see number 2 and I'm sure number 3 when it comes out on DVD.

I feel peeved the fims are so scary, they should be more suitable for little boys(and girls).

So what to do? Am I being over protective or a Bad Parent for letting them watch it at all?

OP posts:

PinkTulips · 31/05/2007 16:02

i'd let them watch it, the 7 year old anyway.

but then i grew up watching all sorts of unsuitable movies well underage. my mom used to bring me to see all the bond movies as soon as they came out, and if there was a 15s or 18s movie we wanted to see one of the moms would come so we could get in (back in the days of 15pg!) my friends mom even gave out to the cinema staff once after they changed the law as they wouldn't let us into bad girls even with her there and rented it for us as soon as it came out

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OutragedfromTunbridgeWells · 31/05/2007 16:04

REally? They are desparate to watch them.

The 7yr old is the more sensitive one actually. I recently relented on Dr.Who and they seem to be coping (loving) that.

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SoupDragon · 31/05/2007 16:04

the 7 year old will be fine IMO. DSs both watched both 1 and 2 at Christmas, a couple of months short of being 8 and 6.

As a guide, I don't think it's any scarier than Doctor Who. Maybe less so.

SoupDragon · 31/05/2007 16:06

I let them watch #1 because I'd seen it and knew the "horror" was on a par with what they'd be OK with. I was a little nervous about #2 as I'd not seen it myself but went by gut feeling.

I wouldn't let them see it at a cinema (apart from the legalities!) because with a DVD you can stop it if it proves unsuitable or take a break.

Flame · 31/05/2007 16:09

DD (4) has seen it It was on on Boxing Day evening when we were at a friend's. Not the teeniest bit bothered by it.

It was slightly though on her birthday - she asked for a megabloks pirate ship (not POTC) and when she opened it she yelled "CAPTAIN JACK!!"

I am fairly lax with films though.

Original poster

OutragedfromTunbridgeWells · 31/05/2007 16:13

I thought bits of 1 were very scary, but as I said I fast forwrded those.

Is number 2 more/less as scary?

maybe I should just watch it firsts and then be prepared.

OP posts:

hockeypuck · 31/05/2007 16:21

my friends dd's aged 4 and 7 watched number 3 at the cinema last week - personally I was surprised as they hadn't checked the content themselves first (as you would on DVD) and it is a bit scary, but the kids seem fine about it. I just know if wouldn't suit my 4 year old who is still sleeping with her light on 12 months after seeing a bit of ET (which is a U, Pirates is a 12A). I guess it depends how freaked out your kids get about stuff.

suedonim · 31/05/2007 16:27

I think the first is the scariest one, tbh, all those skeletons! There's a 'jumpy' bit in the second one which made the whole cinema jump, lol, but it's not scary. I think the latter two films have more comedy moments in them.

BigPantsRule · 31/05/2007 16:41

SPOILER - but only relating to the violent scenes iyswim.

The most disturbing scene in my view is the one before the opening credits. Fantasy violence is one thing - but I felt rather uncomfortable and wanted to shield my 4 and 6 year olds from the sight of the mass hangings, including a young boy. Perhaps it's just me - but I've always been squeamish about that kind of thing. Very un-Disney! There is also a bit later on when Davy Jones kills someone by ramming his tentacles into the victim's face (can't give more details as was not watching at that point!!). There were also plenty of people being skewered by swords but you kind of expect that in a film about pirates, I suppose!

DominiConnor · 31/05/2007 16:48

It's not a 121, it's a 12A
Pedantic point but 12yo can watch it with an adult.

The little boy is indeed hanged but you don't see it. There are np images of choking people.

DSs (3 yo and 6) weren't even remotely disturbed by it.
POTC III is a bit darker than II or I, but it's nowhere near being a horror flick.

Greensleeves · 31/05/2007 16:50

mass hangings

RanToTheHills · 31/05/2007 16:57

well at a risk of stating the obvious, a fair guideline is that under 12 is too young!

Allowing for this being a little too strict, I'd say under 10 at the v least. Rather shocked tbh!

BigPantsRule · 31/05/2007 17:02

"There are np images of choking people"

No, but...it was the sight of all those feet falling through the trapdoor that made me feel queasy...

As I said, I'm quite sensitive to these scenes and usually go and make a cup of tea whenever someone is executed on the telly!

DominiConnor · 31/05/2007 17:06

Lots of hangings.
I guess that something like 200-250 identifiable people die violently during the film.
But the hangings aren't that horrible, I think it's worse for adults than kids. We understand the horror. If you didn't know that hanging killed people you wouldn't be able to work it out.
DS at age 3 didn't get it at all, and DS at 6 knew the bad people killed kids. To him that was sad, not horrific.

Various people are punctured by swords, but no gushing blood, DS has had worse looking wounds in the school playground.

There are yet more bits with the wooden eye. DSs have seen these before, and think they're funny, as is intended.

It's just not a horrific film in my opinion.

Not wishing to spoil, but some of the recognisable good people die. That's possibly the most unnerving thing to kids who normally get a diet of indestructible heroes.

hotcrossbunny · 31/05/2007 17:07

I wonder why we have age ratings? No-one seems to pay any attention to them. No way is my dd (4) seeing it any time soon! The more violence etc they see the more immune they are to it and the more it seems 'normal' to them. What next ? They will want a greater thrill next time... We are still definately at the Winnie the POOh movie stage...

Nightynight · 31/05/2007 17:34

Outraged, dont show them number 2!

this film has been promoted like a childrens film, but it definitely isnt. I posted about this before, but I am sure it was the zombies in II that gave my dd (9) a fear of death.
this is definitely one to stick to the age limits!

Flame · 31/05/2007 18:50

They'll want a greater thrill next time?

My DD must just be odd then... she has slipped straight back into Cars n Shrek

Budababe · 31/05/2007 19:10

Having never seen 1 and 2, I took DS (nearly 6) on Monday reluncantly. A friend was taking his DC's and a couple of friends and offered to take DS. DH had already agreed in DS's hearing. DS didn't want to go without one of us so I went along.

He loved it.

The hangings didn't mean anything to him. He hasn't seemed bothered by any of it.

SoupDragon · 31/05/2007 20:20

A 12A certificate means that children under the age of twelve are allowed to see such films, provided they are accompanied by a responsible adult.

Enid · 31/05/2007 20:22

dd1 has seen it (7)

am thinking of getting it out tomorrow night for all of us, including dd2 (4) to watch

acutally I know dd2 will not want to watch and will go to bed

What about Lord of the rings? what cert is that and do you think it is more scary?

SoupDragon · 31/05/2007 20:25

LOTR is also a 12A I think

SoupDragon · 31/05/2007 20:26

And more scarey.

mumblechum · 31/05/2007 20:26

Took ds & 2 mates yesterday, (all 12). Not much comment on it really, other than it was very, very long.

sparklesandwine · 31/05/2007 20:46

i took ds1 (8), his friend (8) and DD (5) to see it on sunday they loved it! we have 1 & 2 on DVD and none of them are scared by it even DS2 (2.5) loves the swashbuckling parts - call me a bad parent if you like....

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