Interested in hearing from those who've seen it. I've heard it "reads" like a patriotic, hero movie. I don't let my boys aged 14 and 13 usually see R movies however I was thinking this one might be okay. How R is it??
Okay. Thanks everyone.
We won't be seeing it. I don't agree that killing people makes one a "true american hero". I don't want my kids to idealize that kind of ideal. I am not anti military at all (we are a retired military family) but I think it is wrong to glorify killing.
I would like to see it ... but only you can decide for your kids ....
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/american-s...
"Parents need to know that American Sniper is a Clint Eastwood-directed biopic of Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper), a Navy SEAL sniper with the most confirmed kills on record. It's very intense and violent, with shootings, blood, mangled bodies, kids in danger, violence against children, explosions, and lots of general stress and tension. Language is likewise extremely strong, with frequent uses of "f--k," "s--t," and more. Two adults have a sexual relationship and are intimate. They think about sex, and the woman is pregnant during the story, though nothing sensitive is shown. There's heavy drinking during an early scene set in a bar, to the point of vomiting. Parents will vary in their opinion of Kyle's heroism; he may be too violent for some, but his patriotism and service -- plus his assistance of veterans with PTSD -- may sway others. The movie also has a complex and subtle message about the war in Iraq; it's possible to see both sides of the argument."
Please go to themoviespoiler.com and read the complete spoiler synopsis.
You will find it's very graphic and he kills children along with adults. He's a sniper and it's his job to protect his team. When a child is carrying a grenade towards his team he has to shoot and protect them.
These are NOT images I'd want any children to see. Plus he dies once he gets home to America. He can't connect with his family or anyone else and war consumes his mind.
It's not a movie I'd let many kids under 16 see and even then I'd prepare them for the things they'll see when he is oversees in the war.
From what my friends have said this movie is one that effected them more than they ever thought it would. Almost every one of them said the audience sat through the entire credits. Most with tears on their faces.
It's that kind of movie. Please consider going to see it with your husband first and then deciding if it's right for your kids. It's not right for mine. Not for years and years.
http://www.themoviespoiler.com/2014Spoilers/AmericanSnipe...
commonsensensemedia.org is the best resource for this.
I can't wait to see it, and probably would have let my son watch it at that age, but he was a mature and sensitive kid, very interested in war, politics, history, etc. anyway so it would have been a natural fit.
It's an awesome movie but personally I wouldn't take a child to see it. It is a very violent movie. Maybe you and husband do a date night and go see it and then decide for your family
i probably would, but then i was pretty wildly permissive for this sort of movie and book. but i'd watch it with them and then discuss it, not just let them watch it.
the smartest thing to do is preview it yourself. commonsensemedia is a good place to start, but from the teenage years on my kids were more uncensored than most so there really aren't any watchdog orgs that work for me.
khairete
S.
I would let my 9 and 12 year olds watch it because they are quite interested in history and war and they are not negatively affected by violent images. We have lots of discussions about the movies we watch. We recently watched Argo and Defiance together and they learned a lot from both.
See, I have a problem with breaking rules for my kids. If it's okay for you to break this rule, then the next time when you aren't around, it's "well, my mom let us see that other one, so it's fine."
Personally, a movie American Sniper and it's rated R? - there is no way. But then again, I can't tolerate violent movies.
I just asked my husband and 25 year-old son who've both seen it. They say no for 13 and 14 year-olds. They said the violence, adult themes, and generally depressing story are just too much for kids that age.
My husband and I just saw it today. What an amazing movie. This, in no way, glorifies killing!!!! But there is no way I could let a 13 & 14 yr old see this movie.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/american-s...
Common Sense Media ranks it best for people 17+ and if you mouse over the categories it will give examples of why. there are also user reviews from both parents and kids.
He is an American hero and the movie doesn't "glorify" killing. It's part of war. He did his part to save American soldiers and was heroic in his actions.
It's a very graphic movie, so I would be very wary of letting young teens see it.
