Would you take your 7 year old to see Ender's Game?

[Anonymous]

Common Sense Media says 12, but parent reviews say there is no sex, and while there is a lot of violence, it's not graphic. Some have said OK for 7-9 year olds, depending on the kid.

It's the exact type of plot my son would love, and apparently conveys a lot of good moral messages, like diplomacy over war, etc.

Has anyone here seen it?

[Anonymous]

SPOILERSPOILERSPOILER






Worst scenes: cgi mouse eats through cgi giant's eye socket, one non bloody bullying by older brother of younger brother, two non bloody bullying/fight scenes, one ending in an obvious broken neck, and one neck implant removal that would disturb any kid who already has Doctor issues. I'd take a mature seven year old, but cover eyes when the mouse leaps on the giant and take a bathroom break for the shower fight.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and for parents who usually make their kids read the book before letting them see movie adaptations- the Ender's Game novel had more violence and language than the movie did. It's a solid 12 year old minimum in my opinion, high school for the sequels. The movie toned things down a lot.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

No I would not consider taking my 7 yo. He loves violence but I don't think this movie is a good idea.

[Anonymous]

If your kid read the Hunger Games they can read Ender's Game. Also a good springboard to "themes" in similar books. I think my kid was 10 when he read Ender's Game - 4th grade is fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and for parents who usually make their kids read the book before letting them see movie adaptations- the Ender's Game novel had more violence and language than the movie did. It's a solid 12 year old minimum in my opinion, high school for the sequels. The movie toned things down a lot.

NP here -- thanks for comparing to the book. My 9 yo finished the book last month and I was trying to gauge if he could (should?) see the movie.

[Anonymous]

I don't know if a fourth grader can properly process what's going on, though. You've got the older brother who hides his violent sociopathies in order to obtain power- the younger brother who resists violence until the last moment only to unleash devestation on his opponent- and, finally, the adults in charge who, instead of protecting children from violence, subtly use it to groom their toy soldiers. Is a nine year old going to pick up on all that or will it be reduced to "Eeeww, vivisected squirrels- oh wait! Awesome battle school!"?

[Anonymous]

No, but I wouldn't go see it either. All the subtleties of the book are lost in one giant stupid fight scene.

[Anonymous]

No I wouldn't. I honestly don't see the point in pushing violent shows on kids in 1st/2nd grade? Not only does it go completely over their head but it is just inappropriate. Saw it with my 14yr old. I couldn't have imagined taking my 9yr old.

[Anonymous]

It's funny that we are taking small kids to a movie based on a book about how children can be conditioned to violence by pretending its a game.

[Anonymous]

I loved it.

No. The protagonist beats a classmate to a pulp, and later in a bathroom fight, leaves another classmate brain damaged. I don't think I would want a 7 year old to hear (paraphrased) "The first punch was for this fight. The rest of the violence was fighting future attacks."

[Anonymous]

I would rather my 7 y.o. see naked bodies than violence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I loved it.

No. The protagonist beats a classmate to a pulp, and later in a bathroom fight, leaves another classmate brain damaged. I don't think I would want a 7 year old to hear (paraphrased) "The first punch was for this fight. The rest of the violence was fighting future attacks."

I admit, that scene worked much better with Ender as a six year old.

[Anonymous]

No. Just too much violence.