Elf, Polar Express or The Grinch?

[beckington]

A local cinema is doing free Xmas movies for kids and adults over the next 3 Saturday mornings. The movies on offer are Elf, Polar Express and The Grinch. I'm thinking possibly of taking my son who will be 4 in February. He's never been to the cinema before. He does watch TV at home, but not usually full-length movies. We try to stay away from shows with bratty or annoying characters (ugh, Dora) or violence, obviously. I put Shrek on one rainy day for us not remembering the fight scenes - I know it's just an animated movie, but I was not happy with the violence! So I'm looking for a nice fluffy feel-good film! Are any of these three that? I'm fine with not taking him to the cinema yet - he's still so young - but I thought I'd investigate this possibility.

Thanks!

[jen&james]

I can definately recommend The Polar Express. I think the grinch can be scary for some kids and Elf is cute but may not keep him entertained the whole time because it is really for older kids and adults.

[nolansmummy]

I don't think i would recomend elf, i think its more for an older audience. The polar express is cute, i can't remember any bad scenes in it. Is the grinch the cartoon or the one with jim carrey. The cartoon one is just like the dr suess book, if you've read it, but the jim carrey one i haven't seen.

[kangamitroo]

i'd go with Polar Express. at least, i can't recall anything offensive or scary (minus a small part where the child sees some wild animals out the train window? it is brief but some might worry.) you could also get the book from your library after, if your dc is interested.

as a child i found the Grinch quite scary, and my dd who is nearly 4 would not sit still for Elf. it was abit too hard to follow, i think.

at age 3 1/2 dd had her first trip to the cinema and i wish i had waited a little bit. it was a bit loud at first, and we had 10,000 previews. (at least it seems in your sitaution there might not be previews?) however, she says she had fun.

good luck!

[starry_mama]

Personally I think Elf is hysterical, but my kids (3.5 and 1.5) aren't interested in it at all. I've never seen the Grinch. The Polar Express is a favorite here. My kids like to watch it all year round. I definitely recommend it!!

[catnip]

http://www.kids-in-mind.com

[tinasquirrel]

We haven't watched it this year, but last year when the boys were 4.25yo and 2.5yo, they didn't like Polar Express. It was too old for them. They do enjoy movies, but this one just didn't hold their attention for some reason. Except the hot chocolate scene - they loved that.

Elf seems too old and would be boring. Grinch - I'm assuming it's the Jim Carrey one if it's being shown in the movie theater. I haven't seen it, but I'd hesitate to show it to my kids. I'm not sure why I feel hesitant, but I just do for some reason. I did, however, DVR the old cartoon one tonight because they love the book.

So, if those are your three choices and your DS is going to be 4 in February, but doesn't watch lots of full length films, I think I might not waste my time. Just my opinion, but I wanted our first "movie going" experience to be something memorable and a good time for them. (It was Cars.)

[Ornery]

The Grinch scared my then 6 or 7 yo ds when he saw it on the big screen years and years ago. Granted, I totally overprotected him from most if not all violence in TV.

Elf is just WAY too old for a 4 yo (IMHO). Too much inappropriate stuff. I don't even think it is that funny of a movie.

But our family loves, loves, loves The Polar Express. It helps keep the magic alive for us. It is actually a movie that we bought and we never buy movies. Every year, after we put the tree and other decorations up, we have hot cocoa and watch it. My 3.5 yo loves it, as does my now 12 yo ds, and my DH and I. My 20 mo is still too young for TV so maybe next year he can enjoy it.

Have fun.

[Shantimama]

My kids love the book The Polar Express but they didn't like the movie. They like the original version of the Grinch and have only seen a little but of the new one and they hated it.

[IndyNanny]

Oh ,go for the Polar Express! We loved it, it's a true warm and fuzzy!

[mommy2AandZ]

The Polar Express is AWESOME. It's a great movie. My son first watched it last year at xmas time when he was 3, I think that was the first movie he sat through... he loved it.

[beckington]

Thanks everyone! Looks like most votes are for Polar Express and the review on http://www.kids-in-mind.com (thanks catnip!) sounds fine for violence - I'm not that concerned about scary stuff with almost getting run over by trains and falling because he's not likely to get scared, but don't want fight scenes!

tinasquirrel, II know what you mean about wanting the first movie experience to be memorable - I do too. I had been planning on waiting until he was older so he could appreciate it more, but then this came up. We will probably just see how we are feeling on Saturday morning - it's calling for snow, so that might be enough to keep us home anyhow!

Thanks again everyone!

[dolphinkisser]

Jim Carrey totally blasphemed Dr. Suess's grinch...seriously he must be rolling in his grave. That has got to be one of the worst movies i ever saw.It was a dissapointment because ds and i are such die- hard Dr. Suess fans and love the cartoon version and memorized the whole 'you are a mean one Mr.Grinch song"
I thought Elf was so cute and hilarious but i think that the Polar Express would be the best bet for a 4 year old ( there is one scary seen with the hobo on top of the train). Enjoy the movies !

[Mom4tot]

Originally Posted by Shantimama

My kids love the book The Polar Express but they didn't like the movie. They like the original version of the Grinch and have only seen a little but of the new one and they hated it.

Here too.

We read the Polar Express as our Christmas Eve book. We were reluctant to see the movie and it proved to be very different from the book. It is very fast paced, lots of quick action, sort of strange. We love Elf. We've been watching that since Ben was 5 and we all love it. It's very funny and definitely sweet. Good luck making your decision.

[kittygrrl523]

I was just about to Xpost this from the toddler forum...

"I was wondering if anyone here has seen the film Polar Express. It is playing at an IMAX theater near our home and DP and I were thinking it might be fun to take DS to see it. A couple weeks ago we took him to Bee Movie and he sat very well for it and has been talking about it ever since so I know he really enjoyed that special treat. I'm just wondering if there are any scary parts to the movie that might frighten him (he's 25 months.) In general he isn't easily spooked...he loved all the creepy gorey halloween decorations and all, but I just wanted to be certain. It's rated G so I'm thinking it would be ok."

I'm really glad that I read this thread...I think we will try this as a special family outing.

[Rani]

Grinch...okay but not for the little ones.

ELF was TERRIBLE. We watched about 15 mins and turned it off. Guess I am just not a Will Ferrell fan. Also, definitely not for the little ones...

Just saw Polar Express. We love the book and I was tentative about seeing the movie...but it was good. The only scary part is the train running away and a seen with old toys that a 4 year old may not even notice.

Have fun!

[karlin]

My 4 year old DS has loved Polar Express for over a year now. He is, however, quite scared of that scene with the toys. It's about 90 seconds long, so easy to fast forward through (for home). My DS is pretty sensitive, and I think most 4 year olds might not mind it. I haven't seen The Grinch, since I just love the original so much (we watched it last night...so good!). Elf is more of an adult movie, IMHO.

Anyway, my vote is for Polar Express. I bet it's pretty cool on the big screen.

[Jessy1019]

I am a huge going-to-the-movies person, and my kids have pretty much always come along. But I wouldn't recommend any of those.

My daughter loves the Jim Carrey Grinch, but I think it's a horrible remake of a classic. Stay home and rent the original.

Polar Express deviates way too much from the book and sucks, if you want my honest opinion. Sucks. We saw it in the theater the year it camr out, and I wanted to leave midway through. Stay home and read the book.

Elf isn't awful like the others, so I guess that would be my pick of all of them if I were determined to go. But if your child isn't used to watching more grown up tv and movies, he might not make it through.

My daughter and I want to see Fred Claus. Hopefully this weekend.

[UUMom]

My dds think The Polar express is creepy. They love the book, but not the movie.

My kids love Elf, but I detest it. It is funny in parts...very much so ..especially when he tells them an Elf's food groups: "Candy. Candy cane. Candy Corn. Syrup" . Will is a funny guy. But I hate how adoption is handled...it makes me crazy. I know I should lighten up, but I really hate the whole premise.

Now, Grinch-- hilarious. We all love Jim Carey. I could watch that movie a zillion times. "2:00. Practice self -loathing". It might be scary for a 3 yr old.

But for not scary, not creepy and for topics that will go over a small child's head, I'd say Elf has the least amount of visual scare/creep factor.

[eco_mama]

The Grinch. It's classic.