Yes.
Or, um, no?
Okay, let’s just say depends.
For us, the answer is no.
We saw it today with all three Dudes in tow, and no one was afraid.
But, we knew that would be the case before we went.
They’ve seen all three of the others and we had a lengthy discussion with our youngest (he’s 7) before we went to check his ability to manage.
Our kids have for ages understood the distinction between reality and fiction and, when confused, they don’t mind asking questions and always listen hard for the explanation.
Movie sequence fear, as it generally manifests itself in action flicks, is not something that bothers them in the least (meaning yes, they can take roaring dinosaurs, but let a spirit drag you up the stairs by your foot and they are done).
As a rule, they tend to be more frightened by true events –movies about deadly tornadoes, killer sharks, and serial killers on murderous rampages are SO not their jam.
But creatures that have been extinct for millions of years brought back to life by science and turned too smart for theri own good? No big deal.
All of them were anxiously awaiting the release of Jurassic World. When we went to Disney last month, we had to ride the Dinosaur ride SEVEN times in preparation for this event so, when it opened this weekend we were first in line. On Sunday, early morning. Because ew, we are respectively too old and too young for Friday night movie openings.
Thankfully, Jurassic World met all of their expectations and two of the three give it a glowing, double thumbs up review.
Dude 3, eh, not so much…
He just has a thing for dinosaurs. They are his “favorite extinct animal” and watching them die, even though they were wrecking havoc on humanity, was sad for him. Not scary. Just, sad.
He was very angry that the humans created these dinosaurs and then couldn’t handle them and wanted them dead.
But he liked Chris Pratt and the kids and so wishes dinosaurs were still around so he could “be a trainer of them.”
If you’re planning to take your little humans to see Jurassic World so they can understand the awesome you experienced in HEN FIRTS FLICK CAME OUT, here are some things to know before you go.
10 Things to Know About Jurassic World Before You Take Your Kids
1. Chris Pratt makes the movie. Okay, he’s not cooler than the dinos, but close second if you’re a fan like we are.
2. People die. Lots. I mean there is a murderous, genetically enhanced dino on the loose, someone has to be eaten. Or, lots of someones.
3. There is a lot of blood. When you’re being torn to bits by a massive creature with razor sharp teeth, bloody is sort of part of it.
4. It’s not sexy. Sure, Chris Pratt running about all sweaty in his almost tight shirt, flexing his biceps and saving children is a little mommy eye candy, but there are maybe two tame kissing scenes in the entire film. There are a couple of sexual innuendos during one of the conversations, but I’m not even sure my 13 year old figured those out.
5. They say some naughty words. I remember the S word for sure at least once. Maybe twice. (According to other movie reviews there were “about a dozen” swear words in the film.)
6. It is loud. Like as earth shaking loud as one might imagine a real dinosaur roaring would be. If your kid can’t stand loud sounds this film is definitely not going to work for you.
7. There are some cool references to the original Jurassic Park. This includes a character from the first film that we all recognized.
8. Guns. If you have beef with guns do NOT go to a movie where a dinosaur outsmarts people and starts killing for sport. They actually try to “subdue” it at one point so as not to lose their “investment”, a task that makes you kinda want to LOL because IT IS A DINOSAUR.
9. It’s a good movie. Awesome graphics, good dialogue, decent plot. Predictable? Yes. But so were the first three right?
10. Remember, it’s rated PG-13 for a reason. If your kids scare easily or are under 13, really have a think about if it’s for them. We know our kids and have watched the first three with them so we knew they’d be cool with it, but all kids aren’t like them and in the end you know best.
Melody says
Thank you – your review is exactly what I was looking for. I will send one boy and let the other wait a bit longer before seeing the film.
DudeMom says
Glad it was helpful. It was a tough call for us, but it worked out this time!
Jennice says
As a child of the ’90s who saw all of the previous Jurassic Park movies, I can’t wait to show my 7 year old this movie. For her, the more blood and gore, the better. She’s weird because she will happily watch zombies get their faces blown off and guts ripped out on the Walking Dead but if you even mention the Thriller video, she flips out! Anyway, thanks for the review!
DudeMom says
My 7 year old is not that brave! He was fine with this one though. Hunger Games was NOT ok for him.
Erin @ Nourishing My Scholar says
Yes, all of these things! We took our 7 year old dino lover for his birthday. It was a hit :-)
DudeMom says
Hooray! Glad it was a hit. We really wanted to see this one as a family so pretty happy it worked out.
Marina Nikitovic says
I’m thinking about taking my nephew to see it – he’s 11 and going through his phase with dinosaurs, but maybe I should rethink…
I’ll definitely rethink!
DudeMom says
All of mine were okay with it. 11 seems like a good age, but you know your nephew best!