MovieChat Forums > Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) Discussion > Suitable for an 7-year-old?

Suitable for an 7-year-old?

posted 16 years ago by censure360
7 replies | jump to latest

I remember my Aunt taking me to see this movie in the theater back when I was either seven or eight years old... and loving it. In retrospect, I think the choice to take me to this movie was selfish of her- she was stuck babysitting me and I don't really think she took into consideration my interests in cinema at the time, just making sure she wasn't taking me to an R-rated film or something along those lines. The thing is, I specifically remember loving the movie at the time. I haven't seen the movie since it's theatrical debut in 1990, and I just came here to IMBD to post this story because something triggered the memory of going to see it.

I've found that my taste in movies as a child was rather good- rewatching a lot of my old favorites as a kid, I realized I still like most of them and not simply out of nostalgia. I need to rewatch this movie again, and I will come back here to report how much my taste has changed.

Anyone else have any odd movies you really liked as a child? By odd, I mean movies a producer would never try and target the child demographic for.

[–] notmtwain 16 years ago

That has to be the silliest thing I've ever heard to hold a grudge over-- and it is a movie you said you loved, no less. God help anyone who didn't cut the crusts off your sandwiches!

The movie undoubtedly went completely over your head because you were so young-- not because you weren't smart enough but because you lacked the life experience to appreciate the humor and message.

Give it another chance and bury the hatchet with your aunt.

[–] censure360 16 years ago

Yet a child still found it entertaining despite some references going over the head. Also, I really don't know where you came up with your grudge theory. It wasn't even implied. I think the fact that I loved the movie at the time points out the opposite: that I didn't expect to like the movie going into it when I was a kid, yet it pleasently surprised me.

On a side note, I wonder if the Princess Bride and (a more modern example) Shrek were made equally for the adults as well as the kids they were targeting.

[–] cabbyadam 16 years ago

I think it's safe to say that only an adult would understand the humor of a line like, "The most famous is never get involved in a land war in Asia ..." and Shrek is nauseatingly chocked to the roof with pop culture references. The age of movies being targeted at only children is gone for good.

My son turned 7 last week, and tonight he watched JVTV with me. He loved it, for other reasons; because Joe is funny with a fish on the line ... because the hammerhead is goofy ... because the Waponi are, well, the Waponi ... because even to a kid of seven, that factory is obscenely hysterical ... because it's funny when daddy drools over Patricia and the Tweedle-Dum.

I hope it's a movie that sticks with him, and that reveals more and more to him as he grows.

[–] Mad_Monkey 15 years ago

I can't believe you have such a raging hatred for your aunt for making you watch this movie! You need to let it go or it will eat you alive! It sounds to me like you lost your soul and you're blaming her. Ok, I'm just kidding haha. I own this movie on dvd and have watched it A LOT. I was much older than 7 when I first saw it but I'm really surprised that at such a young age how well you liked this movie. I guess there is a lot of visual eye candy to watch.

[–] doof14 15 years ago

I must have been about 7 when I first watched it and I loved it. And it didn't all go over my head. On the contrary I think it was enormously influential in my personal philosophy.

[–] TheLordofTheHarvest 15 years ago

I watched it on TBS when was seven as well. It's still on of my favorites to this day.

[–] censure360 13 years ago

I re-watched it and enjoyed it. First half was better than the second half however, but overall still a good movie.