My 4 year old son and I saw this film and loved it!! The only thing that was a minor issue was the subject of them killing Wilbur (we're animal lovers and vegetarians.) Every time it was brought up, he asked me if they were going to kill him. I just had to assure him that they weren't and he was fine.
He wasn't sad at all when Charlotte died- it was very subtle. I was the one whoi was fighting back tears at the end.
My daughter has loved this movie since she was 3. No scary parts, the only real concern is the topic of death, but I found this movie helped my daughter understand death, which unfortunately we had to deal. It encourages imagination, love, friendship, perseverence and many more qualities that I want to install in my daughter.
What a great flick -- my kids (5+ and 8+) loved it -- except for the crying when Charlotte passes away -- but the story is a classic and none of the magic was lost in creating this new version. Highly suggest this for the whole family!
I saw this movie with my kids 6 and 9, both of you got choked up, but loved it. As someone who loved the animated version with Paul Lynde as Templeton, I thought this was a wonderful homage to both that version and E.B. White's wonderful book.
All of the voices were extremely well-cast. Humorous moments help eleviate the tension and sadness of the death of the wonderful friend Charlotte.
One of the best parts of this film was the CGI animation of Charlotte spinning her webs. This was done from the "spider's eye view" with the camera moving in ways that never could have been accomplished without CGI (in my opinion). It's amazing to see for any adult interested in computer graphics.
A wonderful movie for the whole family, and any adults who are just curious about CGI. Great message about the possiblity of miracles happening everyday around us, but we are not observant enough or open to seeing them.
this movie is GREAT for kids!!! and honestly I loved it to, its so sweet! i read the book when I was little, and I thought the movie was a nice adaption. Kids will love it, its beautifully made!
This is the first movie my 4-year-old son has ever seen, and I spent a long time researching it before finally choosing it for our first movie night ever. Compared to most of what's out there, this is a very innocent little film about friendship. However, my sensitive son, who has not been exposed to much in the way of media, was still scared at certain parts. **SPOILERS TO FOLLOW** It bothered him that the farmer was going to kill the pig (he didn't understand at all what a "runt" was or why it would have to be killed). The idea of Wilbur the pig eventually being slaughtered for Christmas dinner also, rightfully, upset him. He was even frightened by the scene where two crows chase a rat who barely gets away--it was too much suspense for him. I realize now, too late, that for a little guy like him this is way too difficult a subject to deal with. He gets just enough of it to be disturbed but not enough of it to understand any of the underlying explanations. I spent quite awhile during and after the movie really trying to highlight the positive messages of friendship etc. to compensate for the rather negative impressions he got. Overall, it's a lovely little movie but it is probably more suited to an older child--at least 5 and maybe 6, depending on their sensitivity to film scenes like those I described above.
I am always searching for wholesome movies for my children (age 3 1/2 and 5 1/2). My kids do not watch any TV, no commercials or ads, and only see DVDs that I screen before they see them. What this means is that they are sensitive, caring and not immune to seeing scary and violent things.
*SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ON!***
This movie does use the work "kill" several times in reference to Wilbur being Christmas dinner. It is not violent, it is matter of fact. Charlotte does die at the end, and she tells Wilbur that is what is happening. The actual moment is very subtle. My 3 year old totally didn't get this part, my 5 year old did, but he was fine with it. We have taught them the cycle of life and death, and this movie does a wonderful job following through on the cycle. Wilbur takes Charlotte's egg sack and cares for it throughout the winter. In the spring, all of Charlotte's babies come from the egg sack and 3 of them remain behind in the barn. It is a very sweet, well done family movie. No doubt, your children may have questions about death, but this is actually a great teaching moment. I have NO idea why 85% of reviewers say sexual content is an issue...unless they're talking about a Charlotte's egg sack. But I wouldn't consider that sexual. They are no bad words, sexual innuendo or anything rude and vulgar (the cow does fart once). There is no drinking, drugs or smoking. And if there is a product placement, I did not notice it - and that says a lot!
I took my 5 year old to see this as she is absolutely loves any and all animals. She enjoyed it, but her attention span was put to the test at times as it is a little slow moving. She loved the animals, especially the rat and the spider. Her favorite part was seeing all the tiny spiders at the end . . . thank goodness I got her to sit it out until then! I would say the older kids will stick with this longer, but it certainly is harmless and at times entertaining for the younger ones as well.