Star Wars, Harry Potter - How Old is Old Enough?

With the coming of the next installment of the Star Wars saga this Thursday/Friday (official is Friday but I see times on Thursday), the radio show, Here and Now, pulled the original NPR review by Tom Shales of the first Star Wars.  It's pretty fun to listen to with notable statements by Shales. 

1. It’s a complete science fiction fantasy with absolutely no redeeming moral values or moralistic values either.”
2. “It’s like ‘Flash Gordon’ with ‘2001: [A Space Odyssey]’ technology.”
3. “The effects are fantastic and yet the story is nice and silly so that absolutely anyone can enjoy it.”
4. “It’s wonderful. I think every kid in the country should take his parents to see it, cause it’s the best children’s picture for adults since the ‘Wizard of Oz.’”
5. “The guy who made – George Lucas – is only 32, but he’s an absolute movie buff.”
6. “I suppose the biggest star is Alec Guinness, but he has to share the bill with newcomers like Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford and they’re all great, and they all have to share the bill further with computers and robots and hairy creatures that are afraid of their own growls and delightful fabrications like that.”
7. “Gee, it’s kind of hard to describe the whole universe blowing up in your face.”
8. “When I saw it in LA, the whole audience actually applauded. They were so excited, they really felt that they were off on a great adventure and they were.”
9. “This is a combination of many genres including everything from Robin Hood pictures to the ‘Wizard of Oz’ to ‘Flash Gordon,’ but it really isn’t a musical. That’s the only thing it isn’t.”

The Here and Now host said he let his 6-year old see the trailer for the latest Star Wars film and that she was both scared and intrigued.

(Now me, I recall seeing the trailer, right before a late showing of Blazing Saddles, also a popular film back then, and thinking, "Boy that looks dumb."  I have been wracking my brain as to where I actually saw the first Star Wars and have no recollection of it.  I do recall all the others well.)

I also recall watching Star Wars when we lived in Italy and afterwards, my older son - about 8 - said to his father, "Papa, are you going to the dark side, too?" He was assured that was not happening.

But I did have a chance to talk to a friend's kids - about 6 and 8 - about Christmas.  One wanted Harry Potter stuff.

I asked the dad if maybe she wasn't a little young, given how violent HP is.  (I mean, Harry starts out with both parents murdered and the guy who did it wants to kill him as well.)  Nah, the dad said.

As well, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is clocking in at 2 hours and 15 minutes.  That's a very long movie for a little person.  (And I recall at the last one, there was a set of parents who brought a baby and a 4-year old. They were great about taking the baby out when it fussed but their 4-year old kept saying, "What's happening?" Which is why I'm going to Sundance to see it.) 

So I ask you, when is too young for HP or SW?  Is it better to read them books rather than visual stimulation that may be too much at a young age?  Is it to hard to fight the tide with older siblings or more hip classmates?