Is the new Harry Potter film suitable for young children?!
Question:
Is the new Harry Potter film suitable for young children?
Last night I saw 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' and I am wondering if this film is suitable for very young children.
In the cinema there were several children I estimated to be under eight sitting near me. They seemed to lose the plot a bit and I wondered if it was fair to bring them to this film before they are fully able to appreciate it.
What do other people think?
Answers:
No, the movie isn't appropriate for young children. The subject matter is too dark, and they won't follow it anyway. Why risk nightmares over something the kids can't really enjoy?
These films were never intended to be for young children, even from the beginning. In each film, even the first one, Harry and others pay a price for their fight against evil. As the films progress, the price paid becomes greater and the tone of the films darkens. When major, good characters are killed in this battle between good and evil, it's time to leave the young kids at home.
I think age 8 (for most kids) would be fine for the first film and some 8 yr olds would be ok with the second (the basilisk is kind of scary.) But after that, I wouldn't take anyone under 10 to the theater. If there's a precocious kid who really wants to see the movies before the age of 10, it would be better for Mom or Dad to watch them with that child at home. Then the DVD can be turned off for explanations, or a break if the scenes are too intense.