Steven Greydanus describes a growing problem for moviegoers, and he’s absolutely right. Have you ever been shocked at what you saw during the trailers? Have your kids ever been frightened by a trailer before a family film? Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Related Babies (2010)Congratulations, Raven's Ladder contest winners!
I remember when I was 10 being taken to see “Ghostbusters 2.” Before that PG-rated comedy–which kids loved because of the animated Ghostbusters show that was popular at the time–they played a trailer for the distinctly un-PG rated “Friday the 13th: Jason Takes Manhattan.” I remember hiding my eyes and cowering behind the seat, plugging my ears because the screams scared me.
It was the scariest thing until I actually saw the movie about 10 years later…but that was scary for a whole other reason.
I didn’t see too many movies as a kid, but when I started going to the movies with friends as a teenager, I was often frightened by ‘scary movie’ trailers. As an adult, I love trailers, I think they’re fun. But I still hate scary movies and I’m annoyed when they sneak one into a movie I go to see. I take my younger sisters to the movies sometimes, and inevitably there will be a scary preview. I think I may try to complain next time, never thought it might make a difference before reading Steven’s article…
When I was in the 2nd grade, I remember going to see “Superman: The Movie” as part of a friend’s birthday celebration and was utterly traumatized by a trailer for a remake of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” that was shown before the film. I cried throughout the entire movie and had nightmares for months thereafter. That was in the late 1970s, so this is certainly not a new problem!