MovieChat Forums > Zootopia (2016) Discussion > Scary for child.. had to walk out of the...

Scary for child.. had to walk out of theater!

posted 9 years ago by andru_nl
78 replies | jump to latest

Several scenes, especially where the creature scratches the seats, goes mad, etc. can be extremely scary for a sensitive child. Had to walk out of the theater the daughter still has nightmares and traumatized!

Why make a children cartoon such intense and frightening? Do you really expect every child to watch Walking Dead from 5 y.o.?
I hope your children get scared like that, insensitive producers!
MPAA should be punished for let that slide. It should have been PG-13!

[–] connjake 9 years ago

Animation isn't 'just' for children, you know. You shouldn't assume that every movie is 'kid friendly.' Take a look at movies like The Plague Dogs. There is animation for every age.

P.S. I doubt anything in Zootopia is anywhere near as violent/gruesome as The Walking Dead.

[–] andru_nl 9 years ago

but that kind of animation for "not children" has a special place and ratings and is not advertised as kid friendly.
Several scenes in Zootopia are made to terrify.

[–] UnvoicedApollo1 9 years ago

They set up how serious it will get in the very beginning not to mention parents have a ton of resources to see what is appropriate for THEIR child (from reviews, to the MPAA rating, to Common Sense Media). I highly recommend CMS because it not only provides an idea on content but also ideas on how to talk to your kid about the movies.

Many WDAS movies have such scenes (snow white's run through the enchanted, kids being turned into donkey slaves in pinocchio, night on bald mountain in fantasia), the animals hiding from & being killed by the Hunter in Bambi, mufasa's death, Hunchback of Notre Dame (just all of it)

For more recent fare, you have Flynn's stabbing in Tangled (not to mention the overarching them of kidnapping & emotional abuse), King Candy turning into the horrible monster hybrid, Hans betrayal AND Anna freezing, and Big Hero 6 pretty much anytime they're facing Kabuki.

And don't get me started on Don Bluth's early work. So yeah, this movie is eaaily for kids, just not for all kids. Know your kids and do your research.

[–] boxerrebellion 9 years ago

Have you read the 'children's stories' that classic fairy tales come from?

[–] kb-70 9 years ago

"but that kind of animation for "not children" has a special place and ratings"

Zootopia is rated PG, but I guess you were too lazy a parent to notice. Can you even tell me the meaning of a PG rating?

Hint: The definition of PG says, among other things, that some intense scenes might frighten sensitive children.

Next time, read the rating on the poster before buying your child a ticket.

[–] lantzn 8 years ago

They are making environments for children of parents like the OP.

https://everydaythingsetc.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/20120510-082447.jpg

[–] SkySoar 9 years ago

Yeah I would read reviews next time you decide to take your child to watch a movie. There are loads of reviews that state that Zootopia is not a young kids film. Im sorry your child had trouble with the movie, but you should also research the films you take your child to. Disney does not automatically equal babysitter. This movie had things to say and said them well.

Give your child time and as he or she gets older, they will appreciate this film.

[–] SkySoar 9 years ago

And never trust how Disney advertises their movies. Read reviews first and read A LOT of them. Sorry, the internet is too useful and available to be playing games anymore with what we take our children to see.

Zootopia IS a great movie that can be enjoyed for kids, but it is also quite intense. I hope next time you can be more aware and check out reviews before you take your child to see a movie. If that comes off as condescending then forgive me.

Too many parents took their children to see Deadpool for crying out loud. Bad example since this IS a Disney film, but Disney also made The Lion King and Toy Story 3 which both had arguably the same level as intensity as this film.

[–] boxerrebellion 9 years ago

I completely agree with you. There is NO excuse for parents taking younger kids to see the R rated Deadpool. I can see considering it with mid-to-late teens, but good grief, show some sense, people!

[–] reaseltbim 9 years ago

the movie should be banned

[–] Shychick52 9 years ago

Your kid's a pussy if this film messed her up like that. Cupcake, I grew up with the darkest 80s kid's films you can imagine, all G-rated, and I turned out fine. This generation sucks.

[–] David-K-West 9 years ago

LOL, I had the same thought. I took my Girlfriend's 3-and-a-half year old to the movie and she loved it.

Check out my action-packed short film, Liberation:
http://youtu.be/E4H0gJ4TwYc

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] fuzi11 9 years ago

The memorable animated movies that have stood the test of time always had intense scenes:

Little Mermaid
Secret of NIMH
Land before Time
Beauty and the Beast
Watership Down
etc
etc
etc

[–] Jferg01 9 years ago

Don't forget the lion king

[–] cameronc-865-261299 9 years ago

Try to ease your daughter into certain movies with The Secret of Nimnh, Rescuers Down Under, and The Great Mouse Detective

[–] UnvoicedApollo1 9 years ago

.

[–] wrightinchicago 9 years ago

@cameron - better yet, the mom should keep the kid at home and watch the Cartoon network.

[–] cameronc-865-261299 9 years ago

God no. All those shows suck now

[–] connjake 9 years ago

The Plague Dogs is another fine example, or Watership Down to a lesser extent.

[–] Shychick52 9 years ago

That's nothing!! My kid had to be put on suicide watch when she saw Inside Out, because Riley's crying in her parents' arms at the end depressed and traumatized her! Of course, the fact that there was nary a fart or poop joke to be found didn't help matters...