Age for The Good Dinosaur

[Anonymous]

If you've seen the Good Dinosaur, what's your opinion? Is it appropriate for an almost-4-year-old? I've found that Common Sense Media isn't always the best gauge for me; maybe a little too cautious. DS really wants to see it, and we told him we'll take him. But now I can't decide. Is it scary? Will it hold a typical 3-year-old's attention? Or are there very slow parts? Too confusing?

He hasn't seen a lot of movies, but for reference he liked Despicable Me and Stuart Little (the one with Geena Davis), which are both geared towards older kids. He was so-so about Toy Story, I think it was actually a little boring for him. Of course, he loves Little Bear, and Daniel Tiger and Curious George too, so really I'd love to take him to a similar movie in the theater. But, I don't think anything like that is out now.

So, what's your opinion of The Good Dinosaur for an almost-4-year-old?

[Anonymous]

My young 5-year-old was pretty scared at parts. I thought it was quite a bit scarier and more suspenseful than the original Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, both of which we've watched with her in the past few months.

[Anonymous]

It does have a lot of peril.

[Anonymous]

It was way scarier than I thought it would be and actually I regretted taking an almost 6 year old. Even some older kids with us mentioned it was a lot heavier and sadder than they thought it would be The thing is it is almost non-stop danger and adversity for the main characters and much scarier and realistic than the other movies you mentioned.

[Anonymous]

My almost four year old and six and a half year old cried - we actually left before the end. There are some very realistic storms and some quite sad parts, and the little dinosaur's dad dies during a mudslide - and then the little dinosaur has flashbacks of the death. This one is best for older kids.

[Anonymous]

My 4yo LOOOOVED it. There are three "Pixar cry moments" in the movie; he cried at the second one, about ten minutes before the end of the movie. It was one of his triggers, separation, and before we went into the theatre, we talked about what we would do if he got sad. He cried during "Curious George" for the same reason, so it's not like we can avoid kids' movies. Every Pixar movie has at least one of them, so I was a bit prepared.

It is definitely heavier than I thought it would be, though. Read reviews and think about your child's temperament.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It does have a lot of peril.

i totally read this in the voice of the lion from toy story - mr. pricklepants

[Anonymous]

Just stick to the book on this one and most movies...4 year olds are still oversized toddlers...pretty sensitive IMHO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does have a lot of peril.

i totally read this in the voice of the lion from toy story - mr. pricklepants

LOL...but he's a hedgehog, luv!

[Anonymous]

My three-year-old liked it because he likes the experience of going to the movies. He likes everything. My eight-year-old who also loves movies thought it was way too sad and heavy. I agreed and also thought it was boring. You can skip it.

[Anonymous]

My 3.5 year old LOVED it. She's fairly sensitive, but had no trouble with it. We thought it was a great story, and wasn't that sad. I mean it's a Disney movie, you know if it starts with 2 parents something is going to happen to at least one of them.

[Anonymous]

OP, have you considered the Peanuts movie? I think that's much better for your kid's age.

We just saw it and it was really cute.

[Anonymous]

I saw the Good Dinosaur with a 2, 4.5, and 7 year old. All did fine with it. That said, it was way scarier than I thought it would be. It reminded me a lot of the Lion King, but with more "bad" guys.

[Anonymous]

It was so boring. I was really disappointed, and my 3 year old kept asking when the fun dinosaur movie was starting lol - kind of sad b/c it was his first movie.

[Anonymous]

My 3.5 year old burst into tears twice during the movie and she's not particularly sensitive. My husband had to take her out for a brief period of time. My older child liked it but commented on the parts he didn't like (the dad dying in particular) afterwards. I thought it was cute but also heavy and sad. I agree with PP that it is similar to the Lion King but with more bad guys.