Star Wars movies

[Denden]

I'd like to borrow a SW DVD or two from the lib for Justin (he turned 6 in Dec) because his friend (same age) is very much into it. I never saw any of those although I know that the very first one had Luke S, Princess Leia and Han Solo in it. When I did a search in the online catalog, of course I got tons listed. Trilogy? Volume? Episode? Huh?

Which one do we start with? In what order? Are all the SW movies ok for 6-year-olds?

[Eleanor]

The classic Star Wars movies that were out when we were kids were episodes 4-6. We let the girls watch Episode 4, and they enjoyed it, but it wasn't their favorite. We haven't got any of the others, but they'd probably be ok. The newer ones are episodes 1-3. They are a lot more into the whole political intrigue, and had me lost quite a bit of the time. Otherwise, they have some violence but no goriness, minimal swearing, if any (can't remember), and only implied sex. But I'd start with 4-6.

[Sam W]

Which one do we start with? In what order? Are all the SW movies ok for 6-year-olds?

IMO, NONE of the Star Wars movies are appropriate for a 6yo. Especially the last instalment (Episode 3). I have three nephews, who were between 7 and 10 when they watched the majority of the other 5 movies (not Episode 3)... and all suffered at least some 'nightmares' from them. The 10yo watched Episode 3... and it carried with him for more than a night or two. I just don't see the benefit of ruining the natural state of innocence that we are beset with as children unnecessarily.

Don't get me wrong, they are all fantastic movies, with great storylines, and the impact of the SW movies in regard to general cinematgrophy is almost unparralleled. But they really are farily graphic (violence) and do have some scary looking (for a child) creatures in them. I love the movies, and have seen all of them countless times. But it will be quite a while until my children will be allowed to watch them. I would at least put them on a parallel to the Indiana Jones movies (as far as making your own decision) for point of reference.

That being said...

The Star Wars movies are arranged in a series of 6. Two separate trilogies. The first trilogy (Episodes 4, 5, and 6) is the one from the late 70s/early 80s. The second trilogy (Episodes 1, 2, and 3) are a chronological prequel to the first set, but were not done until the last few years.

In proper order of release, you would watch Episode 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, and then 3.

In chronological order (if you were watching them as a beginning to end storyline), you would watch 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and then 6.

Given the advancements in technology and special effects, the order of release is probably the best way to watch them. and from the SW purists' viewpoint... the only way. If you watch them in chronoligacl order, Epsodes 4, 5, and 6 will not have as much draw, as they are just simply older. But they are where the initital draw to the franchise begins.

For more information, and for some still photos of the movies, I would suggest going to IMDB (http://www.imdb.com/find?s=all&q=star+wars&x=0&y=0).

[Sam W]

Additional links for your own assessment would be Kids-In-Mind (http://www.kids-in-mind.com/), or the MPAA (http://www.mpaa.org/).

[Kristen]

I agree with Sam (and LOVE Kids-In-Mind for reviews!)

[TtownAnne]

IMO, NONE of the Star Wars movies are appropriate for a 6yo. Especially the last instalment (Episode 3). I have three nephews, who were between 7 and 10 when they watched the majority of the other 5 movies (not Episode 3)... and all suffered at least some 'nightmares' from them.

But you also should not generalize about all six year olds. Caroline has seen all six, loves the first (original!) three, and has never had a single nightmare about anything she's ever seen on television. Like Eleanor said, there is a lot less objectionable stuff in the movies than you'd see on regular television or even cartoons! Caroline asked once whether it was a real story or something made up, we told her it was from someone's imagination, and that was all she's ever questioned about it.

[Clare]

I agree with Anne that it depends on the child. My friend's 8yr old boy has been watching Star Wars since he was a baby and he loves it. Last year we were visiting their house and he put one of the movies on (don't know which one but one of the recent ones) and both my 8 and 6 yr olds were terrified of it. However I took both of them to see Harry Potter 4 and 5 at the movies and they weren't the slightest bit afraid.

I'd probably rent the first one (apparently episode 4, according to other posts) and see if Justin is interested in it.

[Alyssa]

Aidan and Colin (6 and *just* 5) started watching them at Christmas and they're fine. And they're obsessed. We bought them the original trilogy - the original movie is now callled Star Wars IV - A New Hope. I have not let them watch the new trilogy, and I'm not sure when I will.

[MamaGoofy]

I agree with Anne as well. David has been into SW for a couple years. For a while we wouldn't let him watch Episode 3 because of the fight between Obi Wan and Annikan but he watches them now and loves them. He understands that it's not real and that it's like a book that he can watch. It all depends on the maturity of the child IMO.

[MrsPeacefrog]

My 2 eldest kids LOVE Star Wars, they have seen them all, and their favourites are the 1st (phantom menace) and last episode (Return of the Jedi). They watched their first episode well over a year ago, probably a year and a half ago, Aiden was 4 (almost 5) and Riley was still only 3. I had only shown them the first one of the new series then (phantom menace).

It really depends on each child.

I would have to say that Star Wars: Phantom Menace is probably the most kiddy out of all of them, yes there are fight scenes, but overall it's a pretty light movie. I think that would be a good one to start them off with, then go from there.

[MrsPeacefrog]

I also want to add, I was that age while watching Star Wars for the first time and don't ever remember being scared, I loved it all, and still love it now.

[Kara]

But you also should not generalize about all six year olds. Caroline has seen all six, loves the first (original!) three, and has never had a single nightmare about anything she's ever seen on television. Like Eleanor said, there is a lot less objectionable stuff in the movies than you'd see on regular television or even cartoons! Caroline asked once whether it was a real story or something made up, we told her it was from someone's imagination, and that was all she's ever questioned about it.

Yep, got a 6 and a 10 yr old, neither have had any nightmares OR issues from the ones they have seen.

[Denden]

Thanks lots for your very helpful replies!
Eleanor & Sam: Thanks for getting the movies in order for me!

We bought them the original trilogy - the original movie is now called Star Wars IV - A New Hope.I saw that one listed in the lib's catalog and I couldn't remember any such title being advertised. No wonder.I agree with Anne that it depends on the child. My friend's 8yr old boy has been watching Star Wars since he was a baby and he loves it. Last year we were visiting their house and he put one of the movies on (don't know which one but one of the recent ones) and both my 8 and 6 yr olds were terrified of it. However I took both of them to see Harry Potter 4 and 5 at the movies and they weren't the slightest bit afraid. Justin has a very active imagination. He sometimes gets scared of movie characters which I initially thought were 'harmless' and then he'd cover his head with the bedsheet before he sleeps. He watched the Power Rangers Operation Overdrive Vols 1-2-3 DVDs and didn't have any prob with them :scratch: (maybe they're too tame?). I think I'll give SW another year.

[nicolet]

But you also should not generalize about all six year olds. Caroline has seen all six, loves the first (original!) three, and has never had a single nightmare about anything she's ever seen on television. Like Eleanor said, there is a lot less objectionable stuff in the movies than you'd see on regular television or even cartoons! Caroline asked once whether it was a real story or something made up, we told her it was from someone's imagination, and that was all she's ever questioned about it.

I'm with Anne. My 6 year old has seen them all --the last one he can repeat every line. We took him and my SIL's 3 kids when it came out in the movies. He was young and loved the whole movie. We have lived, breathed, and re-lived Star Wars. I don't know how but he can tell you each of the "Flying transportation vehicles there is". He doesn't have any nightmare's and has never been affected by them. 2 years ago he got his pictures with Dark Vader and a Storm Trooper at Disney. We have rode Star Tours about a million times. It's the first ride at MGM.

If you are worried about the violance I would screen the movie first and then if you think it's ok let them watch it.

[~Deborah~]

I am with Anne and the other girls. All 6yr olds are different and only you know your child the best.

There are worse things on tv and other movies then SW I say.

[Connie1222]

Jack (6) has seen some of the newer ones (I think Phantom Menace) and he was fine with it. So it really does depend on the 6 year old.

[LISA]

I'm glad someone posted this...I want to get the movies for my daughter who wants to be Darth Vadar(sp?) for halloween and I had no idea what the name of the first movie was called..there were so many freaking choices when I went to the store :lol: I think my girl will be ok with the movie, she's already seen Revenge of the Sith(sp?) and she likes it but she's very afraid of the new Harry Potter movie..now I would have thought the red dude in ROS would freak her out..it did me :eek:

[Connie1222]

she's already seen Revenge of the Sith(sp?) and she likes it

That's the one Jack saw, he really liked it.

[Kimmy0712]

Both of my boys ages 4 and 5 love SW and have seen them all. They have never had a problem with the exception of wanting ALL the SW stuff made. They can tell you all of the characters ect. that I don;t even know.

[gulp!]

My kids too have seen some of the Star Wars movies and were not at all bothered by them (when they saw them, they were probably 5 and 3.5). I know that my kids have a very high tolerance for scary movies, but still, I think they'd be appropriate for many 6 year olds.

[Karly]

I don't really let Ty watch SW, but it's mostly because I can't stand it. :dead: I am so not a fantasy lover. :nono: However, my dh loves the movies and has been known to watch them when they come on TV. Ty will watch them at that time and seems to enjoy them. We've had no issues with nightmares over it, either.

[Jillian]

Janelle has seen episodes 4 5 and 6 with DH and LOVED them...I hate hate hate star wars, and have never got through all of episode 4 (and saw episode 1 in the theatre and it was torture) so I didn't watch them with her, but dh seems to think they were appropriate and he is stricter with that sort of thing than I am. Definitely no nightmares from it.

[Jillian]

Additional links for your own assessment would be Kids-In-Mind (http://www.kids-in-mind.com/), or the MPAA (http://www.mpaa.org/).

I don't know, from what I can tell from briefly looking kids in mind gave star wars(special edition) the same review as shrek 3.