SebastianCat Posted December 18, 2015 Share Posted December 18, 2015 I can't seem to find this info elsewhere...so can anyone who has seen the new Star Wars movie share whether you feel the PG-13 rating is appropriate? If so, for what elements? I'm trying to decide if I should make an exception to our family's normal rule, which is that PG-13 movies are appropriate for ages 13 and up. This is a movie my 11 year old would really like to see, but I'd like to know a bit more before making an exception. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zebra Posted December 18, 2015 Share Posted December 18, 2015 Did you read the common sense media review? https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/star-wars-episode-vii-the-force-awakens HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted December 18, 2015 Share Posted December 18, 2015 imdb.com has a parents guide. It's just a listing of what is in the movie without saying if it's good or bad. You decide if it's good or bad Here it is for Star Wars VII: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2488496/parentalguide?ref_=tt_stry_pg You might want to compare that with movies you know. When they write it out like that it seems so bad. But when I watched it, it wasn't all that bad. So, pull up the parents guide for a movie you've seen to see how it looks when listed in black and white. To find the guide: imdb.com Type in the movie you want to read about Scroll down to the part that says "Storyline" The parent's guide is the last thing to click on in the Storyline section. (If you scroll to Details, you've scrolled too far.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted December 18, 2015 Share Posted December 18, 2015 (edited) For example, here's the parents guide to It's a Wonderful Life. It sounds pretty racy and violent! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/parentalguide?ref_=tt_stry_pg I think Star Wars is safe for an 11 year old. I took my 10 year old. However, I have taken my 10 year old to some of the PG13 Avengers movies. He doesn't like violent movies and he liked Star Wars. Edited December 18, 2015 by Garga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMommy Posted December 18, 2015 Share Posted December 18, 2015 We took all five of our children last night, ages 3-12. I thought it was fine for all of them, and other than the beginning scene, which was probably the most bloody in the movie, I didn't really think it was a PG-13 worthy movie. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 18, 2015 Share Posted December 18, 2015 Look it up on Kids in Mind, which always has detailed reviews about the content of movies. (I didn't post the link because I don't want to read it, as I'm sure there will be spoilers.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted December 18, 2015 Share Posted December 18, 2015 (edited) i think the last three were worse. I thought the trailers for upcoming movies were worse. one bloody handprint, some blood on the ground in another scene. mostly space battles and explosions, plus blaster sounds. (I would not take a highly anxious child.) some dead bodies laying around (no real gore.) a couple hugs. I took dudeling (who does have a history of anxiety - but he was fine.), and I'm pretty conservative. Edited December 18, 2015 by gardenmom5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted December 18, 2015 Share Posted December 18, 2015 (edited) We took our 9yo and I had no idea it was rated PG-13! Couldn't tell from the movie, IMO, although I think that with more than a few instances of fighting/violence, PG-13 becomes sort of automatic. Some of the content might be somewhat "disturbing" rather than violent to a very young and/or sensitive viewer, but not over the top at all. *Editing to add that when I say disturbing, this movie comes nowhere close to the level of intensity of, say, the scene when Anakin fights Obi-Wan near the lava in Episode 6 or whatever it is. lol Edited December 18, 2015 by 6packofun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pehp Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 Eek! For some reason I thought it was rated PG! Thanks for the linked review--that will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fdrinca Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/11/26/star-wars-the-force-awakens-proves-near-death-of-pg-rating/ Interesting perspective on the movie's rating, and ratings in general. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 The only element which would give a PG 13 rating to that movie is the violence: Lightsaber fights , blaster fights, blowing things up, etc. A child who is upset by death shouldn't see it, but if battle death is okay in your family, it should be okay. If Star Wars 4, 5, or 6 are okay for your child, this was the same kind of movie. I wouldn't have any trouble taking my kids at that age and I erred on the side of caution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/11/26/star-wars-the-force-awakens-proves-near-death-of-pg-rating/ Interesting perspective on the movie's rating, and ratings in general. That was fascinating. JAWS was rated PG!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebcoola Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 Plugged in has very detailed reviews http://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/star-wars-the-force-awakens these particular ratings actually seem to rate it in line more with a pg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 IMO it was very very similar to the original Star Wars movie (now called #4), and would be fine for any child who would be OK with the original. There were kids of all ages in the theater when I saw it, from toddlers on up. There's chase scenes, battle scenes, explosions, and some sadness, but surprisingly little blood or gore, and no sexual content whatsoever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeacefulChaos Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 We took all 3 of ours - almost 12 and 10, no question, it was fine. The 6.5 year old was, too, for us. She would grab DH's arm during anything 'intense', but honestly, 95% of that is her being dramatic. :lol: I think he was watching closely to see where the one scene was going with the monster-like things on Han's ship, but that ended up being fine, too. He just wasn't sure beforehand how graphic it would be with them getting people (it wasn't). All of the kids have seen all the rest of the movies. I think Pink isn't as interested in them as the boys are, but she wanted to go because everyone else was, so she did. :) I also think she hasn't been in the room for the whole Anakin/lava/on fire thing during episode III, which IMO would be the 'worst' as far as that stuff goes for kids in Star Wars movies. (Other than the sheer awkwardness which is the Anakin/Padme relationship. :lol: :lol: And her dominatrix outfit. :rofl: jkjk) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 There was one part with creatures I thought might freak out my 5yo, but he was fine. So was the 8yo. Nothing else that concerned me. (I found Jaws scarier.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 I think it's true that the filmmakers want the PG-13 rather than PG rating now because the demographic they are going for will think a PG movie is lame. My boys went yesterday with their uncle. They loved it and said they thought it would be ok for their 6 year old sister. They are probably more protective of her than we are so that told me it wasn't all that scary or violent. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 (edited) IMO it was very very similar to the original Star Wars movie (now called #4), and would be fine for any child who would be OK with the original. There were kids of all ages in the theater when I saw it, from toddlers on up. There's chase scenes, battle scenes, explosions, and some sadness, but surprisingly little blood or gore, and no sexual content whatsoever. My almost 7 year old was fine with Episode 4 (at home), but there is no way that he could have watched Episode 7 in the theatre. The difference for him is the intensity of the movie theatre experience -- the huge monsters, the crazy loud sound and vibrations. So, bear that in mind, if your kids are like mine -- videos at home (even with a big screen and good sound system) just isn't the same as going to a theatre. Edited December 19, 2015 by SeaConquest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fdrinca Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 My almost 7 year old was fine with Episode 4 (at home), but there is no way that he could have watched Episode 7 in the theatre. The difference for him is the intensity of the movie theatre experience -- the huge monsters, the crazy loud sound and vibrations. So, bear that in mind, if your kids are like mine -- videos at home (even with a big screen and good sound system) just isn't the same as going to a theatre. We were really nervous about this, too. Our kids have been to the drive-in, which is as close to an adaptive showing of a movie as we get in our area. Star Wars 7 was their first movie experience (DS8, DD7, and DS5 who is on the spectrum). I was nervous about DD7 and DS5. So, DH took them to the oldest theater in the city...no souped-up sound system, smaller screen and a longer theater. DS5 did have his noise-cancelling muffs, but those are pretty much standard protocol these days :/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Nyssa Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 I really liked the movie, but my kids, ages 9 and 11, were really upset by it. They said there was too much killing and destruction. Both kids absolutely melted down afterwards. :( Both have enjoyed all previous Star Wars movies, and while they are more sensitive than most kids, I would not describe them as extremely sensitive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SebastianCat Posted December 20, 2015 Author Share Posted December 20, 2015 Thank you all for your replies. I had read a couple of reviews, but not all of what was posted here, so that helps. But mostly I was looking for reviews from those with kids who have seen it. Those are very helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 (edited) I just saw it and I say take him if he's not overly sensitive. I erred on the side of caution and didn't take my then 10-11 year old SW fan to see Attack of the Clones and really regretted it down the road. If you're concerned go see it yourself first and decide. Edited December 20, 2015 by Pippen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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