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Pete’s Dragon Movie Review | Safe for Kids?

August 12, 2016Written by Christie | 13 Comments | Entertainment & Movie Reviews

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Is the new live action Disney Pete’s Dragon film ok for kids?? Check out this Pete’s Dragon Movie Review | Safe for Kids? from the perspective of a parent. This post is sponsored by Walt Disney World. All magical opinions are my own

Pete's dragon movie review safe for kids

Pete’s Dragon Movie Review | Safe for Kids? #PetesDragon

Confession. I didn’t like the original Pete’s Dragon movie.

I grew up watching Mickey Rooney and a dolt of a dragon…wasn’t impressed. But with Candle on the Water on my mind – I headed to Walt Disney World’s Fort Wilderness Resort for a magical Pete’s Dragon screening. Should you take your kids to see Pete’s Dragon? Is the movie comparative to the 1977 version? Will Pete and Elliot win the hearts of your family? And what about that PG rating? This non-spoiler parent review of Disney Pete’s Dragon movie will dive head first into every aspect of the film so you can make an informed decision for your family.

Pete's dragon movie screening Disney world

The Scene

On the campgrounds of Fort Wilderness, the scene was set for a movie under the stars.

Disney parks blog meetup Pete's dragon

Big screen.

PetesDragonEvent wdw

Character greetings.

Pete's dragon movie for families

Fun photo ops.

Oakes Fegley photo opp Pete's dragon

And oh, Oakes Fegley!

Yes, Pete himself showed up to our magical viewing and was adorable and humble and definitely nervous about his starring role. But as we watched the movie, I could feel the audience’s excitement. And if that wasn’t magical enough, on a hot August night we had the most amazing cool breeze as we watched the movie. It was like Elliot was with us! I couldn’t imagine a more perfect setting to take in Disney’s newest live-action movie, Pete’s Dragon.

Pete's dragon movie review for parents

The Animation

The 1970s cartoon dragon needed an update. I was curious where Disney was going to go with this “live action” dragon. Would he look as “dumbed” down as the original? But the end result was everything I would hope in a Disney dragon. He’s fierce. He’s loving. He makes you believe in dragons. The coarse green hair, breathing fire, the eyes – Disney did an amazing job in bringing this main character to life.

Pete-s dragon parent review

The Story

This is NOT your cookie cutter movie remake. Thankfully, Disney put away the 1970s story for a much needed modernized tale. I would sum up the story line with two words “simply Disney.” There’s nothing that’s overbearingly complicated. There’s nothing outrageously technology focused and digitized. The story simply shows the love of a boy and his dragon, the true friendship that develops (as equals, I must point out. No doted dragon here.), and belief in the unbelievable.

While I was sorely disappointed that there was no remake of Candle on the Water (at least a little nod to the song would have been perfect), I can fully appreciate each character in the story and watch again and again without getting annoyed. Bryce Dallas Howard is wonderful. Robert Redford is amazing. Oakes Fegley is a surprise. It’s a child-like film in every sense. It’s beautiful. It’s delicate. It delivers awestruck wonder.

Pete's dragon movie for kids

That PG Rating

As with any Disney movie, my biggest concern as a parent is that PG age rating. Should your kids watch the newest Disney live-action movie? Columbus took a chance and so did I. For this “out of the ordinary” screening, I did bring along the whole family. Intently soaking in the dialogue while holding my 3 year old in my lap, I was curious how my two kids would react to a ginormous dragon on the screen for over 50% of the movie.

Disney Pete's dragon review for kids

Adult themes. There’s a theme of loss, grief and death in this film. This can be upsetting to kids.

Language. The story is innocent and delicate. There are no swear words (YES!), keeping with the original film.

Violence/Suspense. There are a few pieces of the movie to keep in mind before taking your kids out to see this one. One, there’s a big, scary dragon. If your child is easily scared by a green dragon (you may want to preview a few trailers with them first), this is not the movie for them.

Secondly, this dragon makes an unusually scary noise. Please note, the noise is not meant to be “scary.” It’s Elliot’s normal noise throughout the movie. But with Elliot being the star of the show – it is a loud and creepy rumble of a noise.

There are a few scenes with men carrying guns on the hunt for a dragon. The guns do go off, with the intention of hitting a dragon as well. So I would definitely keep that in mind.

Pete's dragon review for kids

What child age is recommended to watch Pete’s Dragon?

How old should your kids be to enjoy Disney’s new live action Pete’s Dragon? Depends on how sensitive they are to “realistic” looking dragons. While some kids may be more sensitive to scary looking animals, my 3-year old daughter had no issues. As far as my toddler’s review of this movie, I took notes so I could accurately tell you in her own words.

“I love it. I like that dragon. I can’t ride on that dragon. It’s too high. But Pete can ride on that dragon.”

As you can see, my 3 year old was left in awe. She loved it. She’s been talking about “that dragon” ever since. My 7 year old took a bit longer to sink everything in. He definitely liked it. But he did admit the dragon was a little scary. Would he watch it again? Absolutely.

Free Disney Pete's dragon coloring sheets pinterest

Plan on taking your family to see the new Pete’s Dragon movie? Don’t forget to grab your 25 pages of FREE Pete’s Dragon Coloring Sheets & Activities. Simply put, Disney’s cautious holding back in the new live-action Pete’s Dragon movie made the child-like innocence and the delicate fairy-tale relationship whisper into my heart. It’s that beautiful connection to the child in us all that made my family fully appreciate the new Pete’s Dragon – with open arms. I believe in dragons.

Petes dragon movie safe for kids

Will you be taking your family to see Disney’s Pete’s Dragon?

I was invited to attend an exclusive Walt Disney World press event in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more kids movie reviews from a parent perspective.

about christie

About Christie

I’m Christie, Korean mom to 2 biracial “whasians.” A Florida gal who loves crafts, travel & any excuse to eat! Read more...

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28 shares
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Comments

  1. Michelle says

    August 12, 2016 at 12:30 pm

    I can’t wait to take the family. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • christie says

      August 12, 2016 at 12:45 pm

      Enjoy! Can’t wait to hear what you think, Michelle!

  2. Dandi D says

    August 12, 2016 at 3:14 pm

    This looks like something my son and I would really enjoy watching together!

    Reply
  3. Janet W. says

    August 13, 2016 at 9:20 am

    My grandsons are going to love this movie! Great printables!

    Reply
  4. Kimberly M. says

    August 16, 2016 at 8:32 am

    I can’t wait to take my grandchildren to see Pete’s Dragon. We have loved the book and now we can enjoy the movie. Looks like a wonderful family movie that everyone will love.

    Reply
  5. Sue E says

    August 18, 2016 at 9:57 pm

    Shared this safe for kids movie. Pete’s Dragon looks like a movie for the whole family!

    Reply
    • christie says

      August 27, 2016 at 9:07 pm

      Thanks for sharing, Sue!

  6. Shakeia Rieux says

    August 26, 2016 at 5:09 pm

    We haven’t seen the movie yet, but we might go to see it this weekend. It looks like it’s a good one.

    Reply
  7. June S. says

    September 8, 2016 at 10:01 pm

    (PETE’S DRAGON MOVIE REVIEW | SAFE FOR KIDS? #PETESDRAGON) I am glad to hear that this movie is really safe to take your younger children to go and see. I love how some of the animated children’s films have political statements in them now days. ( I hate that they do that!!!) Please leave political views out of family movies, thank-you

    Reply
  8. Deborah D says

    September 23, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    I want to see this movie.

    Reply
  9. Karen Propes says

    October 22, 2016 at 10:29 pm

    Love to take my Grandkids to this movie. I know they would love it. Thanks for the great review.

    Reply

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I’m Christie, Korean mom to 2 biracial “whasians.” Florida gal who loves movies, crafts, travel & any excuse to eat! Email me at raisingwhasians@gmail.com

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