 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Sleeping Beauty
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1959
Common Sense Media says
Disney classic is delightful but sometimes scary.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, for most kids, the scariest part of this Disney classic will be the prince's fight with the dragon. He fights it with a sword and almost falls from a cliff. Other scary moments involve the witch Maleficent and her ogre-like goons. Maleficent kidnaps the prince, and the goons beat him up (mostly shown in shadow). She also shoots lightning bolts with her staff and at one point dissolves into a green mist. There's one notable drinking scene where the two kings toast to their children's impending nuptials, and the attending minstrel sneaks enough wine to get drunk, falling down under the table and hiccuping.
What's the story?
The King and Queen happily celebrate the birth of their daughter, Princess Aurora. The young Prince, who is betrothed to the baby, and three good fairies join the celebration. But wicked fairy Maleficent isn't included, so she angrily casts a spell on the baby Princess -- when she turns 16, she'll prick her finger and die. The good fairies can't remove the spell, but they change it from death to a deep sleep from which Aurora can be awakened only by love's first kiss. For her protection, Aurora is sent to live with the good fairies in a woodsy cottage until her sixteenth birthday is over. The fairies can't use magic because it would lead Maleficent to the princess. Aurora (called Briar Rose) grows up, meets the Prince, and they fall in love. But Aurora can't escape the spell -- she pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep. Maleficent captures the prince, but the fairies help him escape. In a last ditch effort, Maleficent turns herself into a terrifying dragon and sets out to stop the Prince for good.
Is it any good?
This is a classic Disney animated feature, and many parents, and kids, will find the hand-drawn animation refreshing compared to today's mostly computer-animated fare. Children may also enjoy the little squabbles of the three good fairies, which may remind them of arguments with their siblings. Be aware that there are some intense, scary scenes involving Maleficent and the fire-breathing dragon. The film give parents a chance to expose young ones to classical music -- the score is based on Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty" ballet.
As in Snow White, a sleeping princess can only be awakened by a kiss from the prince. Psychiatrist Bruno Bettelheim and others have written extensively about the meaning of these stories, and the ways in which they symbolize the transition to adulthood and sexual awakening. Bettelheim's theory was that such fairy tales begin to prepare children for developments they are not ready to assimilate consciously.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about scary villains. Is Maleficent scarier than say, Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians? How about the witch from Snow White? Also, for kids who like the movies Shrek and Enchanted, what did those movies imitate from this one?
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AGE
I Think This is a great move. This is Art Disney has made!!! Some parents will find it to scarry for ther kids & Maleficent does call her frends from the under world &says the H word but all& all it has happey ending.I am a Disney nut so someone else may view this diffrent.
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AGE
Wow, I never thought the dragon was scary and neither has my 4 year old daughter, who has watched since she was interested enough in sitting through entire movies. She loves the movie. Just like she loves many of other Disney movies.
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AGE
My Rating: C+
This movie is ok; it was a bit sleepy and it could have been better.
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Kid, 11 years old
April 20, 2011
AGE
Girl's are NOT weak.
Its not a bad movie or anything, but i don't like the message it's implying, that girl's are weak and useless and a boy has to save them to save the day.
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Kid, 9 years old
September 23, 2011
AGE
Bad violence, worse movie, WAY scary
HORRIBLE! if I was 34, had a kid, and he was 8, this would appeal to him, but I would rather let him watch Saving Private Ryan than this
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AGE
A Dream Come True
The message is true love conquers all, but Maleficent is a very scary villian but neat for older kids and adults. She's so powerful they put her as the lead villian in Kingdom Hearts. The scene where Philip kills her does show some blood but nothing too graphic.
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AGE
good for little kids.
this movie is good for little kids but not big ones.
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AGE
This is the most beautiful film in the disney canon. It's a treat for the ages. It's a cool movie. I highly recommeded it.
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AGE
Contains moments of grandeur. Lush colors. A magical air. One of the most menacing villains in the Disney canon.
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AGE
terrible role models for boys and girls. That a princess walks around and picks berries with her life and a prince makes life perfect despite what may be his personality? and that there is a happily ever after when relationships actually take work and people also work. It is gross.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, princesses and fairies |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Clyde Geronimi |
| Cast: | Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley, Mary Costa |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 75 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 29, 1959 |
| DVD release date: | October 6, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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