Is the new movie Ok for a 4 year old?

[lawman]

Sure... as long as your 4 year old is quiet.

Don't like kids ruining your movie, then don't go to a matinee or the early show. And age is not an indicator of being quiet anyway, some so-called adults can ruin a film experience just as easily, or actually worse. If it really bothers you that much and you don't want to take the chance, you could always wait for the DVD and watch it by yourself.

Wow. Defensive much?

People shouldn't talk during movies. Period. No matter what age they are. If they can't resist talking, then they are the ones who should stay home and watch by themselves.

As for the OP's question... it can't really be answered unless you know the kid. Some four-year-olds understand fast-paced complicated stories; some don't. Some are easily scared by vivid images and loud noises; some aren't. There's nothing in the movie that I'd consider downright out-of-bounds for small kids (it's not Watchmen), but it's entirely possible that she simply might not Get It.

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

There is no gore present in this movie. Nor sex, even though a 4year old doesn't even understand sex, so if there were it still wouldn't be a problem.

The only thing that might scare your 4year old so much as to wee his pants is the monster from Delta Vega that tries to eat Kirk. You might want to do something about that one. My girlfriend (who's definitely no longer 4 -- I am not allowed to state her real age ) almost crapped her pants, so I can imagine what it would do to young kids. Then again, if you've ever let them watch Doctor Who they're well accustomed to scary monsters.

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

People shouldn't talk during movies. Period. No matter what age they are. If they can't resist talking, then they are the ones who should stay home and watch by themselves.

You don't have kids, do you? You cannot expect a 4yr old (or any other kid) to be completely quiet during a film, that's simply not how their brain works.

However, it's not hard to wait a week or so until the fuss about a movie dies down a bit and then take your kids to the theatre. It's a lot less distracting if you haven't been waiting months for a release; most people who visit the movie after a week or so haven't. So that's a good enough option, I believe.

Besides, with kids you usually don't go late in the evening; just take a day off and take them to one of the early screenings of the movie. Your kids wouldn't be the only ones there, I promise.

 

[lawman]

People shouldn't talk during movies. Period. No matter what age they are. If they can't resist talking, then they are the ones who should stay home and watch by themselves.

You don't have kids, do you? You cannot expect a 4yr old (or any other kid) to be completely quiet during a film, that's simply not how their brain works.

No, I don't. And if I go to see, say, a Pixar animated film or something, I make allowances for the predictable number of kids in the audience—usually by trying to go to a late-night showing when fewer of them are likely to be present.

For that matter, several of the local theaters here have specially designated daytime showings of some movies to which parents with kids can come without bothering other adults.

However, as a rule, what I said stands. People shouldn't talk in movies, period. If your kid is old enough to understand a movie, he/she is old enough to understand the difference between a public theater and your living room, and it's your responsibility as a parent to make sure he respects that difference.

And just to make it clear that I'm not picking on kids—frankly, the vast majority of the idiots who disturb my moviegoing experiences by talking in theaters are adults. (Including two in the row behind me at Trek the other night.) They have no excuse for not understanding the theater-vs-home distinction I just mentioned.

 

[Myasishchev]

The answer depends on whether your kid is particularly bothered by bright lights.

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

frankly, the vast majority of the idiots who disturb my moviegoing experiences by talking in theaters are adults.

Now that I can agree with.

 

[Brent]

if your son or daughter has a phobia of lens flares, don't see this movie, lol

 

[Morpheus 02]

Thanks for the advice...i didn't take my 4 year old daughter to see Trek (but my wife went her to see "Earth" at the same time as Trek).

However, now that I have seen it...i voted for #2 ...Ok to come, but not that she'll care.


I usually go to the early shows nowadays anyway...smaller crowd.

My girl is usually pretty good at movies, and has seen Iron Man and others at her NaNa's house.

So if i go & see Trek again (with friends who couldn't make it the first time), I will probably bring her with.

 

[Aragorn]

frankly, the vast majority of the idiots who disturb my moviegoing experiences by talking in theaters are adults.

Now that I can agree with.

Have you ever been at a movie where someone was having a conversation with his friend who was sitting in a DIFFERENT PART OF THE THEATER? I have.

 

[Dr. M'benga]

That monster (the red one from the trailers) is probably way too loud, grotesque, and big for many pre-schoolers to see at a theater. The movie itself is very loud and jarring, with lots of fist-fighting, explosions, and the like always going on. Rapid-fire pacing and hand-held camera may make it hard to keep up with (and not just for tykes!) and retain a child's interest.

I grew up with a lot of loud and jarring movies (I first saw The Terminator when I was that age, my favorite movie was Batman 1989) and the more active they were the more my attention was focused.

Indeed, I grew up with Terminator 2, Batman Returns, and yes, Star Trek and I enjoyed them all. It was about good guys shooting up bad guys, something every growing boy enjoys. I don't know if its a recent thing or not but there seems to be this fear that this stuff does harm to kids, yet my generation seems to have done decently enough.

I'm not talking about it harming them. That's another topic. I've just been in too many theaters and seen too many pre-school kids get scared and start crying over loud and scary stuff. Then their parents have to take them out and miss half the movie.

Did you see all those movies you mentioned on a big screen AND when you were only four years old? What's scary at four can be cool at eight. There's a big difference.

 

[Indysolo]

I wouldn't subject a child to this movie. There's nothing a 4 year old could get out of it except damaged hearing. She won't grasp the story, there are disturbing images and sequences in it and she could probably have more fun elsewhere rather than sitting in the dark for 2 1/2 hours with her dad and his friends. On top of that you run the risk of annoying them and others and ultimately yourself, should you have to take care of a screaming child.

Want to share Star Trek with her? Watch the DVDs of the shows you watched at 4 years old.

 

[Maurice]

Seriously, I can't imagine a 4-year old following it. Sharing requires some level of comprehension. Frankly, I wouldn't take a small child to any film to something so violent.

 

[Newspaper Taxi]

I could see a four year old getting scared by some of the action scenes. The scenes get pretty intense; plus she might be confused by what's going on, which might make some of the stuff scarier.

 

[AJBryant]

I don't know ANY four-year-old that can sit quietly for two hours and watch a movie without squirming, making noises, asking questions, and being a general pain in the ass for people who are not related to him or her.

Do the REST of the film going public a favor and NOT take anyone that age to a movie that doesn't have muppets, cute cartoon characters, or songs.

 

[Jefferies]

I agree with what most people are saying here that there are too many images that could be disturbing too a young child. In fact, I would be surprised if a 4 year old could come out of this movie and sleep well the following nights.

The question you need to ask yourself is for who'se benefit would you be doing this, yours or your kids? I can understand why you would want to watch the movie with your family but what will your kid get out of this? If you are hoping that he/she will enjoy this like you will then I would recommend you consider what kind of things your child really likes and if a movie like this has any real resembalence. Kids of that age are easily scared and can be scared of things that we might think are absurd. You need to put yourself in your kids shoes and consider that. And if that doesn't work for you, apply the precautionary principle. Try to keep your kid out of harms way, even if its only little things like a potential for a few nights of nightmares and sleeplessness.

If my dad had been this considerate I know I would have gained months worth of sleep during my childhood .

 

[Ovation]

It won't scar a 4 year old for life but it's not a good idea. Dr. M'Benga is correct. It's not about "harming them". It's about being age appropriate. Best bet is to wait until it's on DVD and watch it at home. That way, IF there's a problem, the pause button is available (or the fast/forward button) and everything will be fine. An 8 or 10 year old (who is not prone to being bothered by scary--for their age--imagery) on a case by case basis would be no problem but much younger than that seems like a poor choice for the cinema.

However, if one really wants to do so, I HIGHLY recommend going to a matinee viewing for "parents with kids"--the volume is greatly reduced (and I think the loudness of the film would cause as many, if not more, "nightmares" than the visuals). The usual crowd at such screenings is parents with toddlers who won't remember or pay much attention, but even if a kid is a little older, it's a better bet than, say, the IMAX presentation.

And, as a point of curiousity, how many in this thread who have expressed NO reservations whatsoever about a 4 year old at this movie have children? I'd wager none of you. And while I am usually a very staunch defender of the notion that you need not experience something first hand to have a useful comment, in this case I'd call for an exception.

 

[Jefferies]

And, as a point of curiousity, how many in this thread who have expressed NO reservations whatsoever about a 4 year old at this movie have children? I'd wager none of you. And while I am usually a very staunch defender of the notion that you need not experience something first hand to have a useful comment, in this case I'd call for an exception.

I'm not sure if simply having children automatically means that you will be more sensible with them than people who aren't parents. Having worked in social services, special needs education and now in pediatrics, I have seen some catastrophically bad parents on the one hand, and some great doctors, nurses, social workers and teachers on the other hand, who were childless but absolutely great with kids. Some of them of course had loads of experience with children but some were young and inexperienced and still had a lot of sense about them and were able to deal well even with very troubled and troublesome youngsters.

 

[Bisz]

I had a couple with a young daughter in front of me on my second viewing. The kid wouldn't stop squirming around, her dad would have to pick her up and hold her and have her stand on the seat... so her head filled half of my view, all the while the mother ate cookies from a plastic bag that made a terribly loud noise each time she took one, which was every 10 seconds. I wanted to scream at hear to take a damn handful from the bag instead of one at a time! Do NOT take your 4 year old to the movies, please.

Oh, and this was a 9:30pm show.

 

[wekkuli]

My girl is usually pretty good at movies, and has seen Iron Man and others at her NaNa's house.

Ah, that changes the plans.

But generally, I won't recommend the new Star Trek anyone under 8. The crying may start during the opening scene that is emotional even for 50-somethings.

 

[VOODOOXI]

I ask, because we're going to the movies tomorrow, but my wife is thinking of taking my four year old to a kids movie.

The thing is...i would LOVE to share the experience with my little girl. I was about 4 when I was first exposed to Star Trek (reruns in Chicago on Channel 9, Tuesday & Thursdays at 7pm). It'd be nice topossibly give my child a similar experience.

From those who have seen it...what do YOU think?

It's fine. My aunt took my to see Jaws when I was 5 years old... I lived.

Hey, come to think of it maybe that's why I'm not right these days?