Should we see POTC (the first one)?

[nuzmom]

We have DS10 and DS5 and are pretty particular when it comes to what they watch. We have a cruise and WDW vacation coming up and I read somewhere that the "flying dutchman" was in Port Canaveral's harbor. Honestly, I thought it was a big WWII plane or something and was trying to figure out where it could be "displayed". Anyway, it's the ship from POTC (I think). I though - boy, my kids will be LOST with that one. Now I'm wondering if we should watch the movie together at home before our trip.

I've read a couple of reviews - but what do you think? Yes or no.

For some background - with the kids some of the movies we've seen are Madagascar (at home), Over the Hedge, and all the Star Wars Movies (including the Sith). The only non-cartoon shows my children watch are on the animal planet or history channel. We also limit cartoon shows (no sponge bob, south park, etc in our house)

Anyway, don't want to open a whole tv/movie morals debate - just what's your opinion about Pirates of the Caribean?

[disneynan]

I would think about letting the 10 year old watch, but not the 5 year old. Be cautious. There are a few scenes with drinking and "loose" women. No nudity that I remember, but implied content.

There are also many gruesome scenes with the actual pirates. They are not all comically handsome like Johnny Depp. The bad guys are often depicted without skin and in various degrees of decay.

There is also a scene in which the townfolk are attacked. I don't remember any actual gore, but murder is depicted.

Myself, DH and DS 13 enjoyed this movie, but my other two children 7 and 6 will not watch it for many years. We have only just allowed them to watch the original Star Wars movie and they are not allowed to watch Harry Potter films either.

[ntburns22]

I may get flamed here but I say go ahead and let them watch it as long as you are with them. My DD6 and DS3 love the movie and they also like all the Star Wars movies and Harry Potter movies. We talk about it and my kids are pretty tough it takes alot to scare them.

[1000th happy haunt]

The Flying Dutchman is from the second movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

[DisneyMissy318]

If you decide to buy POTC - Target has it on sale starting today for $10. Even if you decide against letting the kids watch - you will enjoy it. (Maybe you watch first and make your decision.

HTH a little.

[momsully]

We watched it with DS7 and DS4 for the first time this weekend. They keep asking to see the new one when it comes out so we rented this for some background.

There is violence in this movie although you never see alot of blood. DS4 thought the "skeleton pirates" were really cool.

I would recommend watching it first to be sure it is something you are comfortable letting your kids see.

[pooh4evr]

My girls have seen the movie (3 & 5) well at least it has been on when they were in the room- I am not sure they were really aware it was on but- of course they have also seen all Harry Potter, and Narnia even some Lord of the Rings (bits) as well - and they do watch Sponge Bob sometimes. We also talk them through things and if they get scared or whatever they know they don't have to watch and we talk alot about things being pretend that are in many of movies. The 10 yr old can definately see it I would think but like the PP said preview it to make sure YOU are comfortable with it! Is it PG-13? I can't remember.

[SadieDog]

I may get flamed here but I say go ahead and let them watch it as long as you are with them. My DD6 and DS3 love the movie and they also like all the Star Wars movies and Harry Potter movies. We talk about it and my kids are pretty tough it takes alot to scare them.

No flame here.... :thumbsup2

[TinkInPink]

Let them watch it. Ive seen it many times. I mean come on its disney! its better than half of the stuff on tv now-a-days anyway.

[Mr._The_King]

If you let your kids watch Star Wars then POTC will be a piece of cake for them. Watch it first though :thumbsup2

[nuzmom]

Let them watch it. Ive seen it many times. I mean come on its disney! its better than half of the stuff on tv now-a-days anyway.
That's just it, we don't let them watch much tv - just history channel stuff and animal planet. Yep, sometimes it could be considered "scary" (like the show on sharks we watched the other night) but it's not the same as scary costumes. Know what I mean?

After reading the response, I'm more inclined to skip it for now.

They are HUGE star war fans and we've seen Narnia several times - our first was opening night at DTD on the 3 story screen, very awesome - but other than that, it's been pretty much cartoon type stuff. Oh, they've also seen the love bug movies (both old and new ones). No Harry Potter movies.

Anyway, I think if they were REALLY wanting to see it, I'd consider it, but since they're not, I think we'll skip it. Although, it's very good advice to watch it first and then judge for myself.

thanks for all the great responses!!!!

[newman7501]

I too was originally skeptical about letting DD9 and DS6 watch POTC because it had a PG 13 rating. My Dh and I normally view anything PG13 first before we decide to let the kids watch it. This time we took a chance as it is a Disney movie and the case said it was rated PG13 for action/adventure violence. The kids, especially DS loved it and now we own it and my Ds watches it all the time. I would agree with an earlier poster it is better than much of the stuff on TV and I would say it was OK for the kids to watch. But you are the parent, you will probably feel reassured if you watch first and then decide.

[Naisy68]

Here is my take on the POTC movie - I, of course loved it and I can't wait to see the next one. As a matter of fact, I have a date with my DS - 17 to watch it at midnight for the first showing here.
How does this relate to your situation? Well it doesn't, but read on...

As far as little kids go, my DD who will be 5 is NOT going to the second movie. She saw parts of the first one when we watched it on DVD here at home and she was pretty freaked by the "dead" pirates and Captain Barbosa. However, my DD scares easily and is also afraid of some the the trailers for the second POTC. You have to kind of judge the situation by how your kids react to other things I think. I also think that they will miss some of the meaning of the second movie if they haven't seen the first one but it shouldn't be too big of a deal. You might be able to explain to them what they missed. Yes, there are reasons that this movie is rated PG-13 vs. straight PG.
Good Luck!

[amy4bruce]

Both DW and I loved the film, but we aren't showing it to DD6. First of all, she hates violence, especially sword fighting. (Not thirty minutes ago, she kept running to the kitchen during Mulan, which is a lot less violent.) Also, she would be asking a lot of questions, mostly of the "Does he die? Is he going to die?" variety.

However, that is my daughter. You yourself know your children better than anyone, and would know what you (no one else!) consideres inappropriate. We're pretty liberal about what we watch, but we know what DD6 can or can't take. She's really upset that we won't let her see Superman Returns, but the fight with Luther's gang, and Lois being threatened, among other things, would push her over the edge. Friends of ours are taking their 5 year old tonight. Everybody is and should be responsible for their own children. (IMO)

[raggedymommyof2]

I understand where you are coming from. I hadn't let my children (7 and almost 5) watch it before, but when we have been talking about the ride, and also with all the commercials for the new movie, they both expressed a renewed intrest in it. We sat down and talked them through the whole movie, telling them about the intense and "spooky" parts, and then we all sat down with the popcorn and watched it together. They loved it, and although they cringed a bit at the ghost pirates at first, they have since watched it 7 times, until I suggested they move on to something else before I got pirated out before we even got to Disney. Now they are raiding our video cabinet for anything and everything Disney (and if they know it has a related ride, even better). I still won't let them watch Haunted Mansion though, the crypt scene would be too much for them.

We prewatch all Harry Potter and walk them through those (son is a BIG HP fan) and they have seen all but the latest Star Wars movies, after our previewing (again, son is a big SW fan, even has the middle name of Han thanks to his SW loving daddy). Narnia was another one we prewatched. I tell them ultimately it's their choice on if they really want to watch something I've advised against, but I always tell them they have a lifetime to see these movies, but they can never UN-SEE it if it bothers them. They know that I only advise against movies that they would be scared of (I don't like scary movies either). I am against several cartoons, mostly because they just seem to have a style of animation that grosses me out somehow, although they do watch many cartoons. I really like Boomarang, the old classics. We homeschool though, so they don't really watch a lot of TV except when daddy is home as he has to have it on all the time. But personally I think the decision to watch, or not to watch any movie or tv show is a personal decision between a parent and their own children, and I don't think anyone has to explain or justify their choice, even if they choose no tv at all. If it works for you and your family, then it's the right thing to do.

That's awesome that the ship will be there though!! I would love to see an old ship like that!! My son is crazy for Pirates, he has been for years, and I know he would love to see the ship too!!

Have fun and enjoy your trip!!

Tina Rod.

[taximomfor4]

I think it really depends on WHY you don't let the kids watch Sponge Bob, etc. POTC has quite a bit of fighting and violence, there is a rum-drinking scene, definite creepy parts, and ummmm, "affectionate" women. I LOVE that movie, but only my oldest has seen it. She is 13 (tomorrow!!) DD8, Ds6, and dd3 have not yet been allowed. They watch all kinds of TV, I just think the creepy skeletal "cursed" pirates would probably disturb my kids' sleep, which in turn would make them disturb MY sleep, lol.

Maybe do what I did...I rented POTC and watched it myself, and then made my decision about the kids.

[tmarquez]

My DD (3.5) wanted to watch it, so I watched it first. The only concern I had was that it might be kind of scary for her. I told her about the cursed pirates...how they might be scary...so she knew ahead of time. She likes it, and for whatever reason didn't even think it was scary.

That being said...you're the parent and depending on your children and their life experiences...you can make the best decision.

IMHO some of the previously mentioned cartoons are much worse than this movie...we don't watch them.

[NotUrsula]

POTC-1 isn't really going to tell them anything about the Flying Dutchman; the "ghost" ship in the first movie is the Black Pearl, and the legend for it is not the same as that of the Flying Dutchman.

The Flying Dutchman legend dates to the 17th century, and has been retold times out of memory, including in a Wagner opera by the same name. There are two basic versions of the story, the first one in which the ship beats forever against the wind trying to round the Cape of Good Hope under full sail (the captain is said to have sworn that he would do it, should it take him 'til doomsday), and the second, in which it is a plague ship, welcome in no harbor. Disney has apparently gone with a variation on the second version, using not a disease, but a curse.

Just FYI, the ship is not going to be in Port Canaveral; it is going to be riding at anchor at Castaway Cay, the Disney private island. According to the press release I read, the point is to provide it as a photo backdrop; guests will not be able to board the ship, but can get very close to it if they rent boats.

[all4fun]

Just FYI, the ship is not going to be in Port Canaveral; it is going to be riding at anchor at Castaway Cay, the Disney private island. According to the press release I read, the point is to provide it as a photo backdrop; guests will not be able to board the ship, but can get very close to it if they rent boats.


True, but since your siggy says you're taking a DCL cruise you hopefully will be there the same time the ship will be.

Here's an article about that was posted on Mouseplanet.com (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=57970)

And this was posted on the Disney News page here on The Dis (http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-news.php?news_id=1119&start=0&category_id=&parent_id=&arcyear=&arcmonth=)

Flying Dutchman
Posted on July 02, 2006

WDW News - BLIMEY! -- A mysterious pirate ship has landed at Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay. Fresh from its starring role in the upcoming film, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, the 175-foot ghost ship, dubbed the Flying Dutchman, provides guests with swashbuckling photo opportunities and a behind-the-scenes peek into movie making magic. With his nemesis’ ship lurking just off shore, the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow, may also be spotted around the island posing for portraits and giving autographs to guests.

Have fun!

[newman7501]

I forgot to add in my first post that I bought my DS books at Borders about POTC Dead Man's chest, they are not scary at all, are age appropriate and the flying dutchmen is in them. This is a nice alternative if you decide against the movie.

[VolleyballQt07]

This is my dd13 sign on...sorry..mine isn't working. Anywho,,,,Pirates is one of my ds5 favorite movies (he is a big pirates freak in general..and we are planning on going this weekend (the whole family) to see POTC2 at the drive in :banana: .

It really depends on what you want your kids to watch. I am more liberal than some, although I do have some limits.

BTW, Haunted Mansion scares the bejeebers out of my ds (the part where the zombies or whatever start coming out of the coffins) but POTC for him is just plain fun and he loved Narnia as well...(watched it 3 times before it had to back to Blockbuster).

I agree with others to watch it first then decide.

Just out of curiosity, I am wondering what some parents issue with Spongebob is... :confused3 I'm not flaming anyone for not letting there kids watch it, I'm just curious as to what others find objectionable. I will let my kids watch that (or anything on Nick or Disney pretty much) but I won't let them watch Power Rangers or most of the stuff on Cartoon Network (except maybe scooby doo or tom and jerry when its on), especially as it gets later in the day.

[nuzmom]

I forgot to add in my first post that I bought my DS books at Borders about POTC Dead Man's chest, they are not scary at all, are age appropriate and the flying dutchmen is in them. This is a nice alternative if you decide against the movie.
AWESOME idea - I LOVE it :bounce: We are a HUGE book type family anyway.

[stacy6552]

This is not a kids movie! Do not let the 5 yr old see it.

[TinkInPink]

lol trust me i have a little brother obsessed with star wars, PotC is now worse that that. They dont really sware, nothing like the s word or the f word maby a damn but only like once. and if you rent it and they get scared you can stop it or fastforward etc. for the "overly affectionate women" have your kids seen the last three star wars, its nothing worse than princess lieas slave girl outfit.

and trust me, unless your 10 year old son is homeschooled, other kids in his class have seen the movie and he has heard all about it by now.

[Pixiedust34]

Although, it's very good advice to watch it first and then judge for myself.

thanks for all the great responses!!!!

That IS good advice! Buy the dvd for $10 and watch it yourself after the kids go to bed. Then you can determine if it's appropriate for your kids. What is OK for some kids might be too frightening for others.

[nuzmom]

and trust me, unless your 10 year old son is homeschooled, other kids in his class have seen the movie and he has heard all about it by now.

Interesting comment. Yes, my children are homeschooled, so the "other kids have seen it" doesn't work for us. :)

We are concerned about swearing, barely dressed women, scary scenes, skeletons/ghosts being "alive", and basically the main message. By the way, what is the main message - I mean, who's the "good guy" and does he "win"? We allow star wars mainly because it is good vs. evil and good wins. It also shows that you can always turn back away "from the dark side" but that there are still consequences to your actions. Oh, and the dark side can be very tempting. We also like that there are so many different "people" on both sides - appearances are not an indication of good or bad. It's not all about the movie either, there are dozens of star wars books that continue expanding on the "Jedi way". Movies encouraging reading books is an interesting idea. Didn't mean to get into defending our decision to allow them to watch star wars.

Back to POTC - My DH and I will watch it and then decide. I see where they added some movie characters to the ride, so it's probably worth checking it out in hopes of it being "ok".

[RockyMtnMaria]

My boys are 10, 8, and 5 (plus a 3 yo girl!!!) so perhaps I can help you. We make very similar choices to you in our TV watching and schooling. It doesn't just need to be ok, it needs to be quality viewing. My husband has let the boys watch several movies that I wouldn't have approved. He watches things like LOTR and Star Wars with them. Basically if it is intense, they watch it at home rather than the theatre, and we preview first so we can fast forward through portions.

We were very concerned about letting our oldest see Monster's Inc. when he was 5, and previewed it first, lol! He was very fearful then and TV would give hime nightmares. My current 5yo isn't afraid of ANYTHING!! He watched POTC when he was 4, at home, with liberal remote usage, and loved it.

Our children will not be seeing the new version before our Disney trip, because it won't be on video in time. We will need to see if it is ok first, but suspect that it will be even more intense and the first movie was really pushing it.

[TinkInPink]

We are concerned about swearing, barely dressed women, scary scenes, skeletons/ghosts being "alive", and basically the main message. By the way, what is the main message - I mean, who's the "good guy" and does he "win"? We allow star wars mainly because it is good vs. evil and good wins.

They really dont swear in PotC, all of the women are fully dressed, and a bit flirty. And as for the message Its loyalty and being there for your friends no matter what.
And finally your kids need to learn that in the real world Good dosent always win (Well in PotC it does, but not through out the whole movie)

[disneymom3]

I have seen Pirates 1 and no way would l let my kids see it (10, 6 and 4) I just think there are too many scenes that would creep them out. As far as the other kids they know having seen it, hearing about it is different than seeing and I can't think of one of my DDs friends that would have seen it wherever they attend school. Lots of people on this thread have agreed that it wouldn't be good for their kids.

I don't like Spongebob and I know where you are coming from. And actually my kids don't watch a lot of stuff aimed at older kids on Disney channel or Nick either. Mainly because I think they are stupid myself adn don't want to have to listen to them. :rotfl:

This is SUCH an individual decision. I think the best idea is to watch it first yourself and see what you think. I also think though that they will love seeing the pirate ship regardless of whether or not they have seen the movie. My boys would go nuts over that! It's almost enough to make me want to book another Disney cruise!! (Those marketting geniuses really know what they are doing, don't they?) pirate:

[mello]

Our boys are 10 and 13 and they've seen it and loved it (youngest was 8 or 9 at the time, and when he was little we had to be very careful what he watched because of nightmares, but in the last couple years that has not been a problem). Anyway, my first reaction was that for your 10 yo it's absolutely fine, and with the 5yo, you'd really have to base it on whether or not he knows the difference between fantasy and reality - some kids that age do, and others don't, and some kids that age are more sensitive than others as well. The cursed pirates could potentially be a problem for someone that young. BUT, if he's seen Star Wars, I'm sure he'll do just fine - there's nothing any "worse" in POTC than in SW.

We have DS10 and DS5 and are pretty particular when it comes to what they watch. We have a cruise and WDW vacation coming up and I read somewhere that the "flying dutchman" was in Port Canaveral's harbor. Honestly, I thought it was a big WWII plane or something and was trying to figure out where it could be "displayed". Anyway, it's the ship from POTC (I think). I though - boy, my kids will be LOST with that one. Now I'm wondering if we should watch the movie together at home before our trip.

I've read a couple of reviews - but what do you think? Yes or no.

For some background - with the kids some of the movies we've seen are Madagascar (at home), Over the Hedge, and all the Star Wars Movies (including the Sith). The only non-cartoon shows my children watch are on the animal planet or history channel. We also limit cartoon shows (no sponge bob, south park, etc in our house)

Anyway, don't want to open a whole tv/movie morals debate - just what's your opinion about Pirates of the Caribean?