Have you seen Avatar? Would it be too much for a 7 year-old?

No, I think they would love it. I’m a total fan now and hope they make the other 2 movies.

Its a good movie, its long but honestly its not a factor. The story goes fast and is really fun.

I think this pretty much sums up your concerns.
However, that was only focusing on the negative sides. I think overall it was a great movie and all the ‘scenes’ did not take away from the great story. I think lots of people here on Fluther really enjoyed it.

I have, and I really enjoyed it. I think it would be fine to take a seven year old to see Avatar. There were some violent scenes, but nothing too bad. I don’t really remember much profanity or sexuality, nothing a seven year-old couldn’t handle. It’s quite stunning visually, and I think they will really enjoy it.

Good luck!

It’s not for a seven year old, ino.
Actually, it’s not for anyone. Wait for the condensed dvd version. 90 minutes will suffice.

I thought it was a fun movie, great visuals, the story kept me involved, and it wasn’t over the top as I expected it to be. I wouldn’t recommend it for a child of 7, but if you are fine with them seeing star wars there’s nothing in it that’s beyond that adult wise. Some scary monsters, some death, but again, nothing they haven’t seen in star wars.

It’s 2 hours and 40 minutes.
If I was taking care of a 7-year-old, Avatar is not a movie I’d bring him/her to.
edit: not only because of the time. Because of the contents, as well.
It’s an amazing movie, but not for kids.

Any way for you to see it first? The ads…I wouldn’t take my seven year old. It seemed awfully intense…..

I think if they’ve seen Star Wars, they can handle Avatar. It’s a really freaking long movie, and I’m think kind of person that usually can’t handle long movies, but I loved this one!

They’re asking for it? Give it to them.

@StupidGirl Kids ask for a lot of things that aren’t good for them. Two year olds ask to be allowed to run out into a busy street and to stick metal objects into outlets. It’s not a good parent who gives them everything they ask for.

You compare life threatening things to a “scary” movie?!
I bet they like the excitement. They’re BOYS. Give it to them.

@StupidGirl He thinks he would like the excitement. It’s up to Mom to determine if indeed he would, or if it would scare the crap out of him and give him nightmares. Or cause him to act out in a negative way for a while after seeing it, or whatever other unknown negative effect it could have on him. I mean, if your seven-year-old wanted to see “Friday the 13th” because his older siblings talk about how “cool” the movie is, would you let him?

@Val123: yeah sure and I’d be there right with him to “monitor” his state.
I hate to put roadblocks on their way—I’m here to guide them through whatever they wanna go through to whereever they wanna be. Everyone learns through experience.

@SuperMouse If you think he is mature enough to understand a film like Avatar then I would say its okay to let him see it. However if you do not think he is ready, then I would say wait a couple of years and then take him.
My nine year old brother saw it and he really understood the movie and actually benefited from seeing it. However he is not a seven year old and a little more developed mentally.
So again, its really up to you. You are his mother and the decisions are left for you to make. Although I would recommend you seeing it first before you decide whether or not your son can handle it. And if you decide to not let him see it, so be it.
Although I really do think you should see the movie anyways. It was amazing and very touching and not at all like what the trailer makes you think. With this being said, good luck with your decision and I hope you like the movie! :)

@StupidGirl You can “monitor” all you want, but once he’s hit the “state” it’s too late! Monitoring only works if you can change something. He’s seen what it is that’s going to give him nightmares and you can’t change that.

@Supermouse I’d definitely see the movie first if I were you…...

theyd probably have fun

If it were my seven-year-old, I’d say no. Even a child who had a really good grasp of what’s real and what’s make-believe might find it much too strong, especially in 3D. But I saw people taking kindergartners to Saving Private Ryan, so I guess kids who could handle that (could they??) wouldn’t be troubled by Avatar.

South Park got it right, here. It’s “Dances With Smurfs”. If you have kids who enjoy Star Wars, then they will enjoy this. It’s long, but I have seen a lot shorter movies that seemed a lot longer.

@Jeruba I think quite often people don’t give a second thought about what their kids can and can’t handle. I don’t know why. Too much work? Too much sacrifice? You don’t know how many times I’ve had 8 and 9 year olds falling in sleep in class because they stayed up until 2 and 3 a.m. watching uncensored cable after their parents went to bed….and I appreciate @SuperMouse‘s concern greatly.

Not one that enjoys Star Wars!

@Val123 When the movie can change him—I can change him too. The movie can elicit states and so can I. And life itself does it all the time by the way.

@StupidGirl Yes, it certainly can. And yes, absolutely, you, anyone can change a child, often drastically (insert abusiveness here). And that’s why kids need parents. They are there to protect the child’s immediate life as much as possible to keep it as healthy as possible.

Based on what you’ve said about your seven year old, I would have to say, yes I’ve seen it, and no, I don’t think it would not be too much for your seven year old.

It’s visually stunning, and although it runs a bit long, there is nothing about it that feels like it is dragging on in any way. There are a few scenes that seem to play around visually more than move the story, but I would have been captivated by it when I was 7, and I would have wanted to see the movie more than once.

James Cameron is not trying to tell a new story, he’s trying to advance the way they can be told. This he has done, and I believe he has done it beautifully.

Michio Kaku’s movies always had a profound affect on me when I was a child, and Cameron does a pretty good job attempting to capture some of that magic in Avatar, with stunning new visual effects.

@joshmormann (I need to correct myself) I have always gotten the names of Hayao Miyazaki (the animated filmmaker) and Michio Kaku (the physicist), mixed up in my head… please forgive. I like them both, very much, and their work must activate the same parts of my brain.

I stand by Avatar for your seven year old.

@Val123: so now you’re saying I’d have to abuse a child to change it?! Who do you think I am?

@StupidGirl No. That is not what I was saying. You said, “When the movie can change him—I can change him too.” Abuse is just one of the more drastic ways you can change a child. But there are less intense ways to change a child, including movies and interactions with strangers. Even brief interactions, so yes. You can change a child. Every experience a child has changes them in some way.

calm down! this review is about whether avatar is suitable for a seven year old, not about arguing and insulting eachothers parenting style. calm down guys, and give some advice that the person in question actually wants too hear!