OT: Should I take my daughter to see the new Star Wars movie?

[91Joe95]

My daughter has off from pre-school on Monday, she's 4 1/2, and loves going to the movies. However, Star Wars is rated PG-13. When I saw it several weeks ago I don't remember anything really jumping out at me as a deal breaker. Of course, I'm much older and maybe I wasn't fully appreciative of how she might view it. Normally I wouldn't even consider something like this for her at this age, but I really like the character of Rey and would like to see her see strong female characters as opposed to some of the garbage permeating some of the medium. I was actually leaning towards taking her until a few days ago when she watched Star Trek Into Darkness with me. It was PG-13 and I think she found it a bit intense and confusing. That said, I don't remember Star Wars being nearly as bad. What's everyone think, should I take her or not?

 

[Black Elmo 2]

Seriously? You come to a football message board for parenting advice? About a movie?!?! Shouldn't you be talking to her mother?

 

[91Joe95]

Seriously? You come to a football message board for parenting advice? About a movie?!?! Shouldn't you be talking to her mother?

I'll put you down as a 'maybe.'

 

[Global Fan]

4.5 years at a PG13...nope, IMHO

 

[Agoodnap]

I say yes. Talk to her about the movie, in somewhat detail, before you go. This way she'll keep it in perspective. Don't ask her mother...she's not going to let you do it.

 

[ericstratton-rushchairman]

There are some fairly violent scenes especially in beginning. As a dad of a 14 yr old daughter I vote against it. That's a bit young for the tone of this movie.

 

[Blueblood4eva]

Too many dumb, male football fans here, like me , who would say no problem. Probably plenty of time in her future to see strong female characters,is the safe choice.

 

[Agoodnap]

Dad's are the Fun parent while Mom's are the Fun-Police. Do it! But have a long talk before you go.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Seriously? You come to a football message board for parenting advice? About a movie?!?! Shouldn't you be talking to her mother?

Stop preaching on a message board DB. This site out of all of them is probably about 30-40% OT at times. Don't be a Richard, just answer his question or skip commenting.

 

[Global Fan]

There are some fairly violent scenes especially in beginning. As a dad of a 14 yr old daughter I vote against it. That's a bit young for the tone of this movie.

I agree, let her be 4 for now, 13 will come soon enough.....believe me, I know.

 

[simons96]

well I thought the Wookie love scenes were tastefully done and can really spark an early conversation on interspecies sexuality

it's nothing to be ashamed of, bro. one day society will catch up on it (I hope)

 

[Blueblood4eva]

Dad's are the Fun parent while Mom's are the Fun-Police. Do it! But have a long talk before you go.

Haha this is true.......but just one nightmare, and you are toast for life. My wife would always say ask your father, just to cover herself if anything went wrong! One I specifically remember is letting my daughter drive the car two hours alone to her Grand parents house at 16. She wanted to because her older brother had done it. All was well but I was second guessed by the wife when I said OK.

 

[jdog1124]

Every 8 year old girl I know including my daughter loved it. I saw Star Wars back in 1977 when I was 5. I thought the Storm Troopers were actually getting killed. I think if you explain things ahead of time it will help. Depends also on how scared your daughter gets. My daughter at that age probably would have been scared but I know other kids that had a higher threshold at that age. What about showing her Star Wars at home first? That way if it is too intense for her you can abort from home. If she likes Star Wars (Episode 4, 5, 6) she will love 7. I agree that Daisy is a great character for a young girl. Very positive image. Enjoy your little girl!

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Every 8 year old girl I know including my daughter loved it. I saw Star Wars back in 1977 when I was 5. I thought the Storm Troopers were actually getting killed. I think if you explain things ahead of time it will help. Depends also on how scared your daughter gets. My daughter at that age probably would have been scared but I know other kids that had a higher threshold at that age. What about showing her Star Wars at home first? That way if it is too intense for her you can abort from home. If she likes Star Wars (Episode 4, 5, 6) she will love 7. I agree that Daisy is a great character for a young girl. Very positive image. Enjoy your little girl!

Wait and you lived? I just took my 6 and 8 year old kids who want to go and see it again. It depends on the kid and the parents.

 

[Black Elmo 2]

I'll put you down as a 'maybe.'

LOL! Well played, sir.

 

[Pittston-Lion]

Take her

 

[doctornick]

I think the bigger issue is will she sit still and patient for the entire movie more than anything problematic in the content. If she can watch and handle other Star Wars films, she'd probably be fine with this.

Took my boys who are 5.5 and 7.5 and they did fine.

 

[johnmpsu]

No. She is 4. Let her be a kid. There is plenty of violence in this movie. Does she really need that at 4? At 4 her role models are you and her mother, not some fictional movie character.

 

[MontereyLion]

My daughter has off from pre-school on Monday, she's 4 1/2, and loves going to the movies. However, Star Wars is rated PG-13. When I saw it several weeks ago I don't remember anything really jumping out at me as a deal breaker. Of course, I'm much older and maybe I wasn't fully appreciative of how she might view it. Normally I wouldn't even consider something like this for her at this age, but I really like the character of Rey and would like to see her see strong female characters as opposed to some of the garbage permeating some of the medium. I was actually leaning towards taking her until a few days ago when she watched Star Trek Into Darkness with me. It was PG-13 and I think she found it a bit intense and confusing. That said, I don't remember Star Wars being nearly as bad. What's everyone think, should I take her or not?

We took my son when he was 4.5 years old to see one of the terminator movies at the theater, when it first came out. He turned out OK. Buy her some popcorn and she will be fine.

 

[jmisdamina]

Took my nephew who's the same age and he loved it. However, I was hesitant due to some blood and seems more violent then the original. He lived it but did grab my arm several times.

I made his mom see it prior to taking him so she would be ok with it. She was more fine then me and I am someone who watches movies like deliverance.

In the end I say it depends on the child, some can handle it sone cannot. you better then any of us on the board know what your child can handle.

 

[Woodpecker]

well I thought the Wookie love scenes were tastefully done and can really spark an early conversation on interspecies sexuality

it's nothing to be ashamed of, bro. one day society will catch up on it (I hope)

Spoilers!

 

[Michael.Felli]

My daughter has off from pre-school on Monday, she's 4 1/2, and loves going to the movies. However, Star Wars is rated PG-13. When I saw it several weeks ago I don't remember anything really jumping out at me as a deal breaker. Of course, I'm much older and maybe I wasn't fully appreciative of how she might view it. Normally I wouldn't even consider something like this for her at this age, but I really like the character of Rey and would like to see her see strong female characters as opposed to some of the garbage permeating some of the medium. I was actually leaning towards taking her until a few days ago when she watched Star Trek Into Darkness with me. It was PG-13 and I think she found it a bit intense and confusing. That said, I don't remember Star Wars being nearly as bad. What's everyone think, should I take her or not?

No. Keep her as innocent as long as you can. There'll be a time you'll have to have "those" talks with her. They'll be there soon enough. Rent "Beauty and the Beast"

 

[rudedude]

 

[fairgambit]

My daughter has off from pre-school on Monday, she's 4 1/2, and loves going to the movies. However, Star Wars is rated PG-13. When I saw it several weeks ago I don't remember anything really jumping out at me as a deal breaker. Of course, I'm much older and maybe I wasn't fully appreciative of how she might view it. Normally I wouldn't even consider something like this for her at this age, but I really like the character of Rey and would like to see her see strong female characters as opposed to some of the garbage permeating some of the medium. I was actually leaning towards taking her until a few days ago when she watched Star Trek Into Darkness with me. It was PG-13 and I think she found it a bit intense and confusing. That said, I don't remember Star Wars being nearly as bad. What's everyone think, should I take her or not?

No. You really like the character of Rey but you are looking at it through adult eyes. Let a 4.5 year old be a 4.5 year old. There is plenty of time for more grown up movies and activities.

 

[fairgambit]

No. She is 4. Let her be a kid. There is plenty of violence in this movie. Does she really need that at 4? At 4 her role models are you and her mother, not some fictional movie character.

Excellent response John.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

You WILL take your child to see Star Wars...

 

[srg1]

We did not take our 5 year old daughter. But we have been reading the Star Wars books to her.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

My daughter has off from pre-school on Monday, she's 4 1/2, and loves going to the movies. However, Star Wars is rated PG-13. When I saw it several weeks ago I don't remember anything really jumping out at me as a deal breaker. Of course, I'm much older and maybe I wasn't fully appreciative of how she might view it. Normally I wouldn't even consider something like this for her at this age, but I really like the character of Rey and would like to see her see strong female characters as opposed to some of the garbage permeating some of the medium. I was actually leaning towards taking her until a few days ago when she watched Star Trek Into Darkness with me. It was PG-13 and I think she found it a bit intense and confusing. That said, I don't remember Star Wars being nearly as bad. What's everyone think, should I take her or not?

I probably wouldn't though I can't wait until my daughter (18mos) has the attention span for the movies. She's getting there, but after about 15 mins is bored of watching any one thing. I don't recall anything too violent or bloody (there are a couple of scenes of blood and only one real 'human' death that I can recall) so content wouldn't be my issue. Mostly whether or not she's able to sit through something that long. If so, go for it.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

No. Keep her as innocent as long as you can. There'll be a time you'll have to have "those" talks with her. They'll be there soon enough. Rent "Beauty and the Beast"

View embedded media

So, how do you explain to a 4 1/2 year old that a feral beast/humanoid and a fair French maiden can and should fall in love?

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

My son is 5, and I told him he could see it only after he's seen Empire and Return (he's only seen the original so far). The only scene that worries me is when the inhabitants of the planet can see the beam coming that will ultimately blow them all up.

 

[rudedude]

My son is 5, and I told him he could see it only after he's seen Empire and Return (he's only seen the original so far). The only scene that worries me is when the inhabitants of the planet can see the beam coming that will ultimately blow them all up.

What about the bloody hand on Finn's helmet?

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

What about the bloody hand on Finn's helmet?

Excellent point. My son doesn't seem to be phased by that sort of thing....he loves animals and wildlife and watches a lot of predator take-downs so to speak on Animal Planet/Nat Geo. Also, didn't mind Walrus Man losing his arm in A New Hope. But there is something about seeing fear in people's eyes that affects him, and I just wonder out loud if that scene (though less graphic) may be too much for him to handle.