Argo for teens

[okeydokey]

I am usually pretty strict in following the movie ratings for my kids. There were some that I let them watch even when they were somewhat under the recommended age (under 13 for PG-13 etc) if I had checked them out previously. However, the only R rated movie I let them see unedited was The King's Speech, as I had already seen it and knew the R rating was for the one swearing scene, which I did not think was a big seal and fit well within the context of the film.

Argo is playing locally tonight and my husband is interested in seeing it. I have already seen it and thought it was terrific. Would you let your 12 year old go? There was lots of bad language, and a few intense scenes, but I don't remember any real gore.

 

[mjantz]

We told our 15YO he could see it when he could explain the backstory to us. I thought it was an excellent movie but without knowing a bit about the hostage crisis & the situation at the time in Iran, you miss a bit of understanding.
Our 12YO hasn't seen it but I wouldn't stop her from seeing it, with the same caveat.

 

[mamacatnv]

We took our DD - she was 14, I realize there is a big difference between 12 and 14 but she really enjoyed it and in hindsight I would have taken her at 12

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I took my 13 year old with me. He is big on history so learned a bit about it before we went.

We are also big on following ratings, but I thought it was fine. It is really just language, and they do show the man hanging in the streets.

We also saw Lincoln and give it a slight edge, but both are great movies!

 

[HM]

MY DD(17) and I saw it together. She didn't know the history at all. We both loved it. It is actually my favorite movie I saw in 2012. I would have let her see it at a younger age for sure.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I would, but everyone here knows the story. I was in school with Sgt Sickman's brother when it happened. Language aside, I thought it was a great film.

 

[Janepod]

Absolutely fine. It's a great movie and really nothing that would concern me. I would try to explain the historical context first though.

 

[okeydokey]

Thanks everyone, I am thinking of letting him go with his Dad. He is into History, mostly WW II, so I think he would enjoy it.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Yes, but then I'm probably not the best person to ask. I'd let a 12 year old see just about anything, as long as they were seeing it with an adult.

 

[elgerber]

I have seen it twice, and if my 12 year old was interested (I don't have a 12 year old anymore) I would have no problem letting them see it.

 

[JVL1018]

Yes-I have an 11 and 13 year old and though they didn't see it with my husband and I, I think it's fine for them.

Great movie, my favorite of last year!

 

[Imzadi]

There was lots of bad language, and a few intense scenes, but I don't remember any real gore.

It is really just language, and they do show the man hanging in the streets.

We also saw Lincoln and give it a slight edge, but both are great movies!

To me, it wasn't the language so much as the intense hatred & violence on the streets, as they tried to break into the Embassy. And as a PP pointed out, the hanging of a man and (if I recall correctly,) the burning of a stuffed dummy. It's definitely not gory, but to know Argo was based on a true story, and see that much hatred towards Americans is alarming. It's quite in your face about that, it it's happening today over in that part of the world.

In fact, I knew nothing about what Argo was about until I sat down to watch it. Then I was thinking, "Are you serious? Making a movie on this topic, giving our enemies yet another thing to be inflamed about???"

But, at the end, I was so overjoyed, I was thinking, "Screw them! I love this film!!! The fact that it was based on a true story is even better!" It is one of my favorite films.

So, if your 12 year old can handle the intense scenes of violence & hatred, I'd say, go for it!