My Husband Wants to Take Our 4 1/2 Yr Old Son to See Indiana Jones

oooh, I don't know. there are some scenes that made me cringe days after seeing it. I think it would cause some bad nightmares. I would not let my 4 1/2 year old daughter see it. Good luck though!

We rented some of the old ones to watch, and my son loved some scenes, but was absolutely terrified at others, and bored at many other scenes. We even covered his eyes or ran him out of the room, but he could still hear the scary sounds.

If he is used to high action movies (mine is) he may like it, but it may be best to see it first.

It is classic 1980s Indiana Jones. Bloodied noses from fist fights, guns, creepy crawlies (snakes, ants), decaying corpses in old tombs, and of course, imploding Nazis. Some elements could be very scary (ie, people-eating ants) but it's mild in comparison to more contemporary films. The most entertaining feature is the nostalgia for people who remember and enjoyed original Indiana Jones films. I honestly don't think it would be very entertaining to someone that young.

no way!! kids don't need to see these things yet....it's too disturbing for them.....even if you tell them it's just pretend they really don't have an adult's understanding of what that means!! another mom suggested...please read www.pluggedinonline.com

J., you may want to review this site from Focus on the Family to see what is exactly in the movie. I didn't read it so I'm not recommending one way or the other. It will just let you know everything your husband and child can expect to see.

http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a###-###-###...

Taking a 4 1/2 yr. old to a PG-13 movie? NO WAY!!! I think you need to listen to your instincts on this one. The very fact that you are asking if this is a good idea or not should answer your question -- follow your intuition. I agree with others in that you should at the very least see the movie first before deciding it's appropriate for your child. Meaning no disrespect to other moms who view things differently, but to be honest, I don't think how a child "takes" a movie should be a determining factor in whether they should watch it (ie. whether he/she gets scared during certain parts of a movie, loud noises, frightening scenes, etc.) *I* think taking a preschooler to a movie rated for teens says more about the parents than the child. (ducking for cover.....) ;0)

If your husband just wants to see it and is thinking of taking your son along since there's no sitter or something, I'd recommend going to a theater that provides childcare during the movie so you and your husband can both watch it together while your son has fun. I know that Harkins Theater in Southlake has an attached Playcenter for movie-going patrons to use for potty-trained kids ages 3-8, and it's only $6. http://www.harkinstheatres.com.

My son is 8 and I know some of his classmates have seen PG13 movies, so I've had to explain to him that different parents have different standards for their families, from letting the kids have soda or not, screen time allowances, etc. Usually kids with older siblings are ones that have seen movies rated for older kids. Sometimes if there is a PG movie my son wants to watch, I require him to read the book first. It is a good motivator, plus it improves his reading skills! (Boy, did he breeze through Harry Potter! Which, I know, some parents wouldn't even let their kids read Harry Potter...) He knows that watching the movie is a privilege that he EARNS. Plus, he usually enjoys the books as much as, if not more than, watching the movie. I know I've read books that I've enjoyed more than the movies based on them. Plus, having him wait until he gets older to watch movies that are age-appropriate gives him something to look forward to. If you let a five-year-old watch PG-13 movies, at what age does he start with R-rated ones? 7? 10?

Bottom line, you just have to do what's best for your child, which may not always be what makes him happy or what "everyone else" is doing. Just my two cents. (Don't shoot me, anyone!!!)

I do think letting kids watch violence is a bad idea. I did see this movie and did not think it was violent but maybe a little scary for a 4.5 year old. I think it would be better for a mature 6 year old if not 7-8 year old. (the ant scenes were scary when they got eaten up by ants)

I thought this was a great movie but you should watch it your self before to see what you think and see if its appropriate for YOUR child. what I think is appropriate for mine may not be what you feel is appropriate for your kids.

I thought my son would be scared from Night at the Museum after I saw it but he loved that one when he watched it on video at home. He also likes Evan Almighty but those have no gun violence and death scenes with skeletons and stuff...

You should see it first you never know what might offend you and not someone else.

My 2 Cents
A. J

I went to see the movie, and the movie is NOT intended for a 4 1/2 year old to see. It has a few scary parts, such as aliens, gun fire, people eating ants, etc.
I appreciate your husband trying to enjoy the movie with his son, but there's time for everything...for now there are other things more appropriate for a father and his 4 1/2 yr. old son.
God bless!!

I have a 4 1/2 year old son, too, and we took him to see it this weekend. He did pretty good-was bored at the beginning before the action started, and only got scared in a couple of places. There are some scary Mayan Indians that freaked him out a bit, but not too much. He even keeps asking to see it again. Your son should do just fine!

It is PG-13 and your son is 4 1/2..... Hmm 13 is a long way from 4 1/2 in my opinion. Ultimately the choice is yours and your husbands to make. They put ratings on movies so that parents can make and educated choice on what to allow their children to watch. Still confused maybe this review can help you: http://www.parentpreviews.com/movie-reviews/indian-jones-...

I just got home from taking my 4 and 6 year olds to see Indiana Jones. They both enjoyed it. There were some parts that were a little iffy, but I think they are both too young to have noticed.

My boys are 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 they have watched peices of the first ones. That is all they will see peices.... until they are 10 or so.
My mom went to see the new Monday and said by no means should a child under 10 see it. I laughed and assured her we were not going to take the boys anyway.

In my opinoin, its just not appropriate for that age. Sometimes I think kids are so calloused to violence, language, etc... because they are exposed to it at such a younger age and so it becomes not a big deal. Thats why kids' "attitudes" are different today than generations before. Maybe you and your husband can go see it on a "date night".

J.,
It just depends on your child. Do you let him watch action packed movies? We have been watching the previous Indiana Jones movies with our 13, 9, 6 and 4 year old boys. They love it. We also plan to take them to see the movie. We have a talk with them and tell them what is good and not goo. We also have them close their eyes and ears if something we don't want them to see comes up.

Honestly, I would NOT let me husband take my 4 1/2 year old. I think that the movie is WAY too violent, scary and contains FAR too much adult content. But, everyone has a different perception of what is too much violence. Good luck!

Indiana Jones was hilarious but not seriously violent. I think the only thing that may scare him are the native people that attack Indiana. Then again, they are only there for a few moments and are quickly forgotten when Indiana finds his next puzzle peice.

It all depends on what you think is violent. I, personally would let my son see it as it was just a good family movie with a lot of basis in history.

If your son is anything like mine was at that age, he will love it! This is not so much about the movie as it is about the ability of the child to sit throuugh it, and how much he likes action, and loud noises. If your hubby thinks he can handle it, I am sure it will be fine, but maybe you could make it a date night first? Just a thought!

It's up to you and what your son is used to. Mine is only 2 and doesn't get scared of ANYTHING...yet. He is too young to understand movies really so I wouldn't take him to Indiana Jones but we are going to take him to see the Kung Fu Panda one(don't remember name?). He has watched the movie/cartoon Monster House and it doesn't scare him at all. Neither does Night at the Museum or Monsters Inc. If your son is used to action packed films,is asking to see it,and has seen the previous ones, I honestly don't see the harm. I watched it last weekend with my husband and thoroughly enjoyed it. The ant eating part is pretty scary but if you're son is like mine, he'll probably like that part...
And if not, you can always leave. There's no law that says you have to sit through an entire movie from beginning to end.

we just took our 2 oldest girls to see IJ on monday. we usually let them watch action adventure type movies with us. we explain things to them as we go. the oldest is 7 the middle is 5. they loved the action and excitement. we have always let tehm watch movies with us like harry potter star wars indiana jones 1-3 spiderman etc... we just always talk about it. i think as long as you keep your communications open that kids can handle almost anything. i would rather them get there exposure with me thru me than the playground and regular tv.

It is completely inappropriate from a developmental standpoint. While your child may want to go (he wouldn't even know about it if you didn't talk about it in front of him, nor would he think it's an option if you hadn't already made it one), and while it may seem the movie doesn't impact him negatively, you don't really know how his mind will process the words and actions later, in more vulnerable moments, especially when he is asleep. I think your husband is very definitely trying to make your son grow up faster than he should, or trying to make your son his buddy. Our job is to be parents and to be as vigilant as possible that our kids don't get exposed to information or situations that they are not meant to handle.

I don't mean to sound harsh; I just think this is an area where we are falling down as a society. We try to make kids older than they are emotionally, and then we wonder why adults cross a line with kids sexually (and in other ways). When we blur those lines, some people can no longer distinguish what is not right with or for children. Think of a PG-13 or even PG movie in terms of offering your child a puff on a cigarette or a drink of beer, or a little bit of sexual play. That may put it in better perspective! Not that those things are even appropriate for a young teen, but just trying to make a point. I know some moms disagree with me - I'm just putting in my two cents!

Hi J.,

This is more of an action movie with a bit of history added. I think you should let your son go. I saw on Monday and my 9 y/o was there along with my mother. I truly enjoyed it. I'll probably go see it again. IT is very exciting, no nudity, 2-3 cuss words If I remember right, big ants, some scary looking Mayans but that is it. Nothing harmful... Yes there is some violence(gun shooting), but you get that on the news in most states now.
Only you know your child and only you and your SP can determine whether it is acceptable in your family to watch certain movies. My daughter is a disney fan and she ususally sticks with that. She really enjoyed this movie. GL. T.

Just prepare for an exit if you're child feels uncomfortable during any of it. Mine are teens now, so it was fine for them. But I remember taking them all to see Babe at the theater when it first came out.

Who'd of thought Babe could instill fear? But the youngest who was 2 1/2 or maybe 3 1/2(too many lost brain cells since then to recall exact age) decided it was scary, and she started out repeating quietly to me "I don't like this", and I re-assured her the pig was fine.

She didn't buy it and clearly understood I was mentally slow so at the top of her little toddler lungs she shouted "I DON'T LIKE THIS MOVIE!" exactly at the moment when the movie got really quiet.

Needless to say I ran out to the lobby with her, leaving the other two behind to watch the rest. They were happy as pigs in mud to be left with the popcorn by themselves, while Em and I enjoyed some quality time with movie posters in the hallway.

So prepare an exit and be prepared to spend the money on a movie you may not get to see.

I don't see the big deal. In my experience, the more sheltered kids are never any less prone to violence or bad behavior, or curiosity and experimentation, than the less sheltered kids are. I grew up on "big people" movies (horror, drama, brat pack, etc.), and it just made me more insightful and analytical (not bad qualities:). Nowadays, there is so much fuss made over restrictions with music and movies. I remember dancing around to Prince when I was little, even in dance recitals. Nowadays, i'd be deemed a bad parent if I let my kids listen to that. Whatever. I personally think it is all overboard and a reaction to the more relaxed viewpoints of our parents, which was a reaction to the very rigid and strict viewpoints of their parents. I think it will eventually even out in some sort of a good balance. But if your kid enjoys it and wants to see it, let him. It is better he watch it with his dad.

Renting either the first or third Indy DVD to see if your son gets frightened is a good idea. The second movie is BY FAR the scariest, I would avoid it with a 4 yr old.

My 13 yr old saw it Saturday and is a pretty good judge of what her 9 yr old sis can handle, she recommended we NOT allow 9 yr old to see the movie, so hubby and I are hiring the 13 yr old to babysit so we can enjoy it as a date!