For those of you who've seen the new Harry Potter movie

[yoopermom]

DS and I love everything about H.P., have read all the books many times, own them all on audiotape, own the first on video, etc. I'm a former English teacher/current school librarian, so I understand Rowling's rather dark British view as seen in these books. However, I was a little surprised, after seeing the movie last weekend that it earned a PG rating. Yes, it followed the book faithfully, but the book had it's very violent moments, too! I wish some of the parents there who had brought *very* young kids with them would have visited www.screenit.com first, because I'm sure a few kids went home and had some wild nightmares that night. In no way do I mean to disparage Rowling's being able to write the story as she sees fit, or the director's vision of the story, but I do think that perhaps *because* it is Harry Potter, maybe the MPAA gave it a little slack when it came to rating it. Little flames only, please!
Terri the Yoopermom

 

[debster812]

No flames here.

My DS received HP 1 on video as a birthday gift (his 5th ). I thought it was a little too old for him, but DH and I watched it first, thought it would be OK, if we put the right spin on it. We all watched together, during the early afternoon and kept stressing that it was all make beleive, and pretend.

People keep asking if he is going to see the second one in the movies. I don't think so. It will be bigger, louder, and scarier. Plus I would not bring him unless my DH or I screened it first. The second book was a lot darker, so it stands to reason the second movie will be darker.

I think DH and I are getting a sitter this weekend, to go see it, and then we will make our decision, but it is not anything we are taking lightly.

 

[grinningghost]

No flames here either. I saw it and yes, it's definitely darker and scarier than the first one. While I think it's a magnificent movie, I don't know that I'd take a 4 year old to it. As a matter of fact, I thought maybe I, myself, would have nightmares about those spiders. (I'm a severe arachnophobic).

 

[yoopermom]

Replying to myself (scary)...I do think there's something about seeing it in a huge theatre in the dark with dts sound that makes it more scary, too. I know Columbus took some knocks on his "poor" (not my term) special effects in the first one, so he really went all out on this one (the people who did Star Wars did the Quidditch game, couldn't you tell, esp. with the boys zooming through the wooden support beams?). Still a wonderful movie, but I've seen PG13 ones that are less scary...
Terri the Yoopermom

 

[Deb in IA]

I read a review that said it was "definitely not for the preschool set". I agree.

We took our DS who is 7 and in second grade. We have read all 4 HP books to him and his sister, and we have heard the Books on Tape version with Jim Dale, so he was fine.

 

[Prince Eric1]

We saw it with a 7 year old and 5 year old. The only part that my 5 year old didn't like was the part with the snake. My wife leaned over and reassured her that it was make believe, and she told us that she knew, but she didn't like snakes. No nightmares, no problems. Both girls want to see it again. Actually, I think that it was a good warm up for the Bugs life 3-d show and Honey i shrunk the audience show for our upcoming trip.

 

[Ricola]

We went with a birthday-party's worth of Kindergartners (and their parents). Didn't have any problems or complaints.

And yes, the effects were MUCH better.

 

[kejoda]

We've debated as well whether to take our 2 younger ones. We knew it wouldn't be a good idea for our 5 year old. He would definetly get scared. Our 3 doesn't scare easily but he would never sit through a 21/2 hour movie so I know he won't be going. I can't wait to see it again.

 

[ripleysmom]

I'm sorry but I think the rating of the movie was fine. If parents choose to disregard the PG rating then that is up to them.

Certainly it did not merit a PG-13 rating (I don't think) which would be the next level..

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

That spider scene gave me the willies, and I could definitely see younger kids being frightened. I'm on the fence...at least a PG-13 rating would warn parents to consider whether or not the movie would be appropriate for their younger kids. I think most parents assume that a PG movie will be just fine, regardless of age.

 

[Towncrier]

My soon to be 13yo DD Sarah was hanging on to me during a few parts of the movie. She's read all the books, so perhaps she was anticipating some of the more scary scenes. I can see where this movie might not be appropriate for children who are easily frightened.

 

[SonjaB]

No flames here, either. PG just means Parental Guidance Suggested, there's no age indication by that rating. Parents (hopefully) know their children best and can best decide if it's too much for them. My 10 year old was VERY much involved in the movie, LOVED it.....my 6 year old fell asleep, LOL!!!! Neither of them were remotely frightened (the 6 year old saw the spiders, no fear there, he fell asleep before the snake, though).

 

[EROS]

There's NO WAY that our 5 year old could handle this movie. Perhaps I'll get it later on tape for Deb and I to see!!!!!!!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We took all three of ours--ages 10, 7 and 4. Last year we only took the older two (then 9 and 6). They have all seen the DVD numerous times. Did I mention the 4 year old has no fear? I didn't like the spider scene, but it didn't bother any of the kids, even the youngest. I think every parent has to be the judge of what their kids can handle. If the 4 year old was scared easily I would have left him home again.
I still have not reached the stage where I drop kids off at movies, though!
Robin M.
(next family film--Treasure Planet 11/27)

 

[fklhou]

My 10 year old loved the movie. She has read all four books (even though the Goblet of Fire is a handful for her to carry around).

PG is an appropriate rating for this film. Again, many children who go to the film may have read the books and should be prepared. I thought that the movie did faithfully followed the book and so there should had been no surprizes. .

 

[Zurg]

You milage may vary. Good point and that people should take resonsibility for what their kids see (or they see) is also a great point.

Our 5 year old is the youngest of 4 and is greatly influanced by the older kids. If they can cope most of the time so can she.

We took our 5 year old to HP but looked into what it was about first. She has seen the first a bunch of times and knows the other stories some what. We talked about it before going in (I have read the books out loud the older kids have hear 3-4 times and the stories are a topic of conversations.) Anyway we figured she could cope and she did. But like I said your milage may vary.

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by Prince Eric1
My wife leaned over and reassured her that it was make believe, and she told us that she knew, but she didn't like snakes.

I had that experience with my 54 y.o. DBF! (he hates snakes too!)

We previewed it because my 7 y.o. niece wants to see it. I told my sister (her mother) what I thought (some parts with huge spiders and one big snake, and definitely darker than the first one) but she doesn't think my niece will have a problem with it, so I'll be seeing it for a second time very soon!

I don't think DBF will be coming with us though!

 

[eeyore0062]

No flames here either. I was quite surprised at the number of kids in the movie theatre who were under the age of 5. I wouldn't have taken my under 5 child to see it. My 8 year old had read the book, so she was prepared, but I am glad she read it first.

I understand that the later books get even darker and scarier, so if they are going to stay true to the books, they will have to go with a PG-13 rating!

 

[shortbun]

As a parent of a 7yo, I was fine with the rating.
No sex, no language, two medium scenes of violence-
not humans hurting humans. PG-parental guidance-was
definitely necessary but nothing else. I certainly would
not restrict viewing to anyone 13 or older. I do question
the thought process of anyone taking a preschooler or
children who have not heard the stories and under 8.

 

[paras4ri]

I mentioned this on another HP post......IMHO I felt the first movie was "creepier" such as the final scene with Voldemort. I know the second book was darker but what I imagined the snake and spider scenes to be was worse than the actual movie.

DD is 8 and was fine with both the spider and snake scenes.