Parents need to know that this movie touches on many things that are frightening to kids (and some adults), including scary shadows in the dark, monsters in the closet, and separation from family. A character rips the flesh from his face (though eventually we see he's hallucinating). A young boy is attacked by a ghost-inhabited tree. A girl is taken from her parents and held in a netherworld where she's menaced by a character it's intimated is evil. The parents are seen smoking marijuana, and are apparently regular users.
Positive messages:Despite frightening ghostly activity, the dedication the parents show to saving their children still stands out as positive.
Positive role models:The children are brave and the parents committed to saving their family.
Violence:A character rips the flesh from his face (though eventually we see that he's hallucinating). A young boy is attacked by a ghost-inhabited tree. Near-constant sense of fear and peril.
This movie was ok but not really all that scary im not sure y common sense gave this 5 stars. But Heather o' Rorke definetly deserved 5 stars for her brilient acting. Heather is the girl on the cover she was born in 1975 and died in 1988 when she was 12 due to her intestintes exploding and being very sick. The movie was ok overall especailly for the time it was made in. And again great acting heather! We all miss u!
People say this is "scary" but in my opinion, not at all. sure maybe for younger kids, but to tell u the truth, it really isnt. most special affects r cheesy, but i hav 2 say its an inbetween ok & pretty good movie.
Okay I thought this movie was going to be good but when I saw it I was really dissapointed. The graphics were silly and there was nothing scary about this movie. The only part that was memorable was when the man tears the flesh off of his face.
second to best horror movie ever, frst is insidious and paranormal activity
this movie touches on many things that are frightening to kids (and some adults), including scary shadows in the dark, monsters in the closet, and separation from family. A character rips the flesh from his face (though eventually we see he's hallucinating). A young boy is attacked by a ghost-inhabited tree. A girl is taken from her parents and held in a netherworld where she's menaced by a character it's intimated is evil. The parents are seen smoking marijuana, and are apparently regular users.
Probably Should Have Been Rated PG-13 If It Was Made Today.
I saw this movie with my dad when I was 11. Yes, it was scary, but 80s kind of scary, when you know its fake. The only part that actually made me jump, was the clown at the end. The only part that freaked me out was when that man started peeling his face off. Some parts I even laughed at because they were so 80s. The parents would often swear and smoke marijuana, but a lot of people did at that time. The mother often takes a swig of an alcoholic drink when she is frightened. Don't let kids see this just because it was rated PG in the 80s, it probably should have been rated PG-13 if it was made around now. I love scary movies, so when I was 11, I wasn't really that scared. So most 11-year-olds probably would be terrified.
im 11 and i watched it heck you could be 9 and not get scared the effects were like those of ghost busters still a great movie watch it late at night though that's when it is funnest to watch
Well the movie is good but see if you do not like scary movies then do not watch it. I love horror films so I loved it. My only concern is the smoking and drinking.
I'll confess that this movie scared me to death as a kid (I'm 30 years old if that helps). This movie didn't even phase my 6 and 9 year old. Having said that, some kids are more sensitive to scary images than others. The technology used to make this film is low by comparison of what we see today, so your kids will likely find this movie a little bit cheesy.
There is ONE scene in the bedroom in which the parents are smoking dope and then quickly straighten up to attend to one of the kids who is scared of a thunderstorm. But unless your kids are wise to that, they won't even know what it is or really even notice it.
As far as language goes, it's an 80s PG movie in which the language standards were different than what they are today. You'll hear s--- and a--- and a few others (no f-bombs are dropped).
The parents demonstrate good parenting skills in not leaving anybody behind, sticking together as a family when faced with adversity, and their undying devotion to get their youngest daughter back.
Is the movie violent? No. Are there some scenes that will scare some young children? Yes. Watch it first and then you decide.
More PG-13 Than PG, Scary For Most Young Teens, But Still Good Messages
I'd say this movie is more PG-13 than PG. There is true scary violence (done by unseen forces, not person to person), including scenes where braces wrap around a child's face, a tree tries to eat a child, and everyone involved is put in some sort of emanate physical danger. While the special effects were done in the 80's, and some scenes aren't as realistic as they would be today, they are still cringe and sometimes scream inducing. However, the good messages conveyed throughout the movie are solid holding points. The parents don't leave any of their children behind, and in fact go to great lengths to protect and rescue them. The children rely on their parents, and the family works as a cohesive unit to survive the situation they are in. Ultimately, I'd say most mature 13 yr olds can handle this movie, with parental guidance. Any younger is much too iffy.
An awesome ghost movie that is very intense and contains one particularly gruesome scene.Do not be fooled by the PG rating, it's not for kids. Also, there is a scene of drug use. Unlike today's horror films, this movie does not rely on cheap scares to keep the audience interested, it is a genuinely scary movie. However, this movie is awesome and everyone should watch this great movie.
Spectacular haunted house movie is not for the faint of heart
First thing.... I LOVE STEVEN SPIELBERG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a fantastic movie about a simple haunted house, i won't try to explain the plot because it's too complicated, but it dose have some issues:
1. little actual violince, scary ghosts and skeletons, a man rips his own face of but if you could handle the face melting scene at the end of raiders of the lost ark, you should be ok.
2. mild language incluing Bas--rd, D--n, one use of "the finger".
3. the mom briefly smokes marjuina.
So this is an awsome haunted house movie for teens 13 and up......if you think your brave enough.....MWAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
This is one of my favorite movies ever; even though the special-effects are horrible. Which makes me ask myself why the heck does this movie scare you? After I thought about it for a bit I realized that it scared me mostly because of the doll the boy is scared of that comes to life (it's not scary but it just disturbs me), and what happens to that family because my family thinks our house is a little bit haunted. But anyway great movie!!!!! See it see it see it!