The Movies Rating System and its Impact on Contemporary Audiences

Rating System’s Evolution and Challenges

Movies have been a favorite pastime for most of the world for decades. Short films began in the 1890s, with several pictures pieced together to make a small movie. Film studios were starting to be built in 1897, so it is truly a thing that has been around for a while. However, as movies started to grow in popularity, there was concern about how appropriate a movie was for different Audiences. The first rating system started in 1968, but the current system of rating was begun in 1996 by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). They have been a great tool for helping parents determine what their children can and cannot watch. However, most think it is a bad system and should be changed.

Our current system of rating is a good way to show the appropriateness of a movie for a child; however, a few improvements can be made to make it better. The current rating system is the result of countless attempts to have to censor movies. It is the best made in all these years, but it could use some improvements. Most parents cannot just look at the rating and already know about it. They have to go into critic reviews and other ratings to see if it is appropriate for their child. For example, younger audiences can watch some PG-13 movies with no problems, but not every PG-13 movie. Some are more unsuitable because of different content. This can be confusing to most people.

Controversies and Trends in Movie Ratings

When the current version came out, it required that each letter rating has its meaning and what specific things are in the movie to cause it to be censored. According to a chart by FilmRatings.com, 74% of users have found the system to be useful. That other 26% found it not useful and would change it. The majority is for the current system. In fact, the NYTimes claim the system has been becoming lenient with their movies. This makes sense because children are getting more mature and younger. Many kids who are young watch PG-13 movies. For example, many young children watch Marvel movies even though most are PG-13.

Also, today most PG and PG-13 movies have more sexual and violent scenes in them. Twenty years ago, there would have been no way they would include any of that without putting an R rating. America and its people have constantly been changing, and this has definitely shown in the American movie rating system. With all the films being put out today with the growing hours of them, it has become mathematically impossible to rate the movie to its full extent. The movie rating system has been a conflict ever since its birth. In my opinion, the system is fine. It’s true that children are getting more mature, and parents are getting more lenient. It would be nice to make another rating for movies that are not quite R but too much for PG-13. The current is adequate, and with few changes, it could be a great system.

References:

  1. Thompson, K. (1985). Movies in the Age of Innocence: The Movies and the 1890s. University of California Press.
  2. Allen, R. C. (1987). Film History: Theory and Practice. Alfred A. Knopf.
  3. Sperb, J. A. (2010). Reel Racism: Confronting Hollywood’s Construction of Afro-American Culture. Westview Press.
  4. Doherty, T. (2008). Hollywood’s Censor: Joseph I. Breen and the Production Code Administration. Columbia University Press.
  5. Motion Picture Association. (2020). Film Rating System, Retrieved from: https://www.motionpictures.org/film-ratings/
  6. Smith, A. (2002). Parental Advisory: Music Censorship in America. HarperCollins.
  7. Zeitchik, S. (2019). “The flawed, unfixable system of movie ratings.” The Washington Post. Retrieved from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/the-flawed-unfixable-system-of-movie-ratings/2019/08/07/6b24dfbc-b7b0-11e9-b3b4-2bb69e8c4e39_story.html
  8. FilmRatings.com. (2023). User Ratings and Reviews, Retrieved from: https://www.filmratings.com/ratings
  9. Itzkoff, D. (2010). “Film Rating System Is Working Well, Studio Says.” The New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/movies/18ratings.html
  10. Thompson, K. (2007). Sense and Sensationalism: Viewing the Cinema 1920-1960. University of Missouri Press.
  11. Viera, M. (2009). Sin in Soft Focus: Pre-Code Hollywood. Harry N. Abrams.

Evolution of Superhero Movies: Avengers & Age of Ultron Comparative Study

MCU’s Evolution: From Iron Man to Avengers Unite

Since 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has continuously grown with each passing year. On May 4, 2012, The Avengers had its worldwide release as it was the first movie to incorporate all the heroes into one movie. Avengers: Age of Ultron, the eleventh MCU film, was released on May 1, 2016, as it tried to top its predecessor, The Avengers. I believe that Age of Ultron is a completely different movie. First, its subject of focus is structured. Differently, some characters are thrown in some unexpected directions, it brings up new topics, and its box office numbers are where they should be.

Since there are constant superhero films, it’s time for the superhero film to evolve. Avengers: Age of Ultron attempts this with mixed success. By comparing and contrasting The Avengers with the Age of Ultron, we can then see the evolution. First, I decided to look at both of the Avengers storylines. Kevin Feige, the head producer of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, decided to break down the film by phases and patterns. The MCU all started in 2008 with Iron Man, directed by Jon Favreau. This was a significant success, and it was the reason Kevin Feige decided to go full throttle with the MCU. As the years went on, the MCU introduced all types of heroes before uniting them in the first Avengers film.

Avengers Assembled: Balancing Heroes and Humanity

The first Avengers film, written and directed by Joss Whedon, was clearly a risky experiment. Yes, Whedon didn’t have to introduce any of the characters, but he did have to find a way to fit them all together. He had to create a threat big enough to force these vast personalities together while still being on track with the larger MCU plan. The Avengers began with Loki, the god of Mischief, receiving a scepter from an alien being. Loki would then come to Earth, forcing Nick Fury and his S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to bring together the heroes into a team. The team consisted of Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Nick Fury, as Loki was on the verge of attacking Earth.

The hardest job was to make sure there was a balance between the heroes and Loki, keeping them all busy. I’m not sure how, but Whedon was very successful at that. For example, Captain America had to deal with his new life in the 21st century, Bruce Banner was working on his self-control, Black Widow brought Banner into the fold and took out a rogue Hawkeye, and Thor tried to return his brother. Although a large portion of the movie focuses on Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man. In the end, he was the one who started it all and ended up saving the world. Still, the other heroes still played a huge and significant part in the final battle. Even Hawkeye and Widow, the only powerless members, take down an extensive amount of aliens. The best part of the movie has to go to Hulk smashing Loki like a doll.

The reason why I say Iron Man saved the world is that he was the one who pushed the nuclear warhead through a black hole, risking his life. Despite being a superhero movie, The Avengers focused on the humanity in the heroes. They argue, show weaknesses, and sometimes fail to save each other. Yes, we love the action in the film, but it’s the characters we fall in love with. It’s their flaws mixed with their talents that make them attractive. The Avengers was a very character-driven story, which was something I didn’t expect. Unlike The Avengers, the Age of Ultron did not have the benefit of being the first movie. Being the first movie allows the director to use an idea and take any path desired.

Ultron’s Rise: New Threats and Character Dynamics

So the new factor, which was a big part of its success, wasn’t there to cut some slack off the movie. This means Whedon had to balance this movie with all its new additions. Age of Ultron opened up with the team already in battle, trying to retrieve back Loki’s scepter from Hydra. We see the team take out plenty of enemies, in sync, with ease. We also meet two new characters known as the Maximoff twins. The twins, who were meant to guard the scepter, allow Iron Man to take it, hoping the Avengers would destroy themselves with it. With the scepter in Avengers’ hands, Stark and Banner study it in hopes of creating an artificial peacekeeping intelligence known as Ultron. After several failed attempts, Stark and Banner leave to let J.A.R.V.I.S run tests on his own.

While the Avengers were celebrating a victory, making jokes, and even challenging each other, the Ultron system turned on. Unfortunately, Ultron’s programming believed the Avengers were not in the picture of world peace. Ultron embodying a beat-up robotic body tells the Avengers that they are afraid of change. He believed that they needed to evolve, which, to Ultron, was their extinction. This could have been a nod to the superhero genre as well as humanity. Ultron then releases a small army before building himself a stronger body. While the Avengers get on Stark for putting the world in danger, Ultron finds the Maximoffs twins, persuading them to join him. With new characters, like the twins, there needed to be space to show who these characters were while not taking away too much film time.

As the film was under three hours, it was challenging. Whedon decided to focus on groups of characters throughout the film. Ultron and the Maximoffs, for a time, played the role of antagonists and caused rifts between group members. Stark and Banner created Ultron and later Vision. Captain America/Steve Rogers and former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill become the lawmakers of the team. Hawkeye and his wife provide comfort for the team while trying to balance his home and work life. And Widow and Banner face their inner turmoil and develop somewhat of a romance. Towards the end of the film Vision, the android Stark and Banner are trying to create, joins them and has philosophical debates with Ultron about humanity.

Character Evolution: Transformation of Iron Man and Others

Thor was the only character really on his own, and for some audience members, this felt odd. Whereas the first film saved the majority of its action sequences for the middle and end, Age of Ultron is, in many ways, one long action sequence. In Age of Ultron, reflection time is minimal, and when it occurs, it happens in groups of two instead of character by character. Although, this left room for the characters to showcase their best in battle and have their action segments for the most part. In the movie, it took Iron Man, Thor, and Vision to take out Ultron. Age of Ultron is a far more team-oriented film than the first one. It is balanced between teams and not between single characters. Some argue this was a bad idea, as it seemed to shortchange their favorite characters, although some preferred longer spaces between action sequences.

All in all, though, the film had to find a new way to tell its story and pull a new focus. The reason why we are so interested in these movies is that we feel connected to the characters. This is because of the tremendous amount of character development. Character development is arguably the most critical part of creating a cinematic universe. In superhero films, there is this stigma that the characters never change. This can be true, but it certainly doesn’t apply to all of them. For example, for heroes to survive for such a long time, they need to evolve. They need to be thrown through the wringer to learn, grow and become more. Both Avengers films have an immense amount of character development but not for all of the characters.

The characters that have changed the most from film to film are Iron Man, Black Widow, and Thor. Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, is the one hero all audiences know. He had three solo films and is the center star of the MCU. Stark, a self-centered genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist, isn’t much of a team player, especially since he is the leader. He’s been so caught up with his own life that he can’t imagine a threat other than aliens. In the first Avengers film, Stark doesn’t have any trust or respect for his teammates. He tells Cap, “We are not soldiers.” His whole perspective changed when he discovered his careless actions caused the death of his friend, Agent Coulson. He decides to join the team and puts his trust in them with not only his life but the lives of civilians.

Character Journeys: Stark’s Evolution and Widow’s Complex Development

He believed in them so much that he was willing to sacrifice himself. After the events of the first film, Tony suffers from post-traumatic stress. In Age of Ultron, Tony’s fear controls him, as can be seen throughout all his choices. While under the spell of Wanda, one of the twins, he becomes paranoid that he’s not doing enough. He fears he will lose not only his friends but also Earth. This leads to the creation of Ultron. It appears that Stark hasn’t changed that much till you get to the end of the film when he’s working hand-in-hand with the team. He tells Cap and the rest of the team that they’re gonna stop Ultron together. Even when it came to the end of the fight, he stopped Ultron with Thor and the Vision.

Currently, his trust in his team is stronger than ever, and that’s something we all can enjoy. Black Widow, also known as Natasha Romanoff, is a small yet important character in the MCU. Her first appearance was in Iron Man 2, where she seemed to be an emotionless spy. She was basically a pawn in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s game until The Avengers. In The Avengers, we learned a lot more personal information about her. She told Loki about some of her history with the Russian government and the remorse she felt for the lives she took. She brings up that she’d like to wipe out the red in her ledger. We also get more insight into her friendship with Hawkeye, whom she was trying to get back from Loki’s mind control. Not only that, we see her frightened by the Hulk, where we see her personality for the first time.

She turned out to be quite an interesting character in the MCU. Although, in Age of Ultron, Widow’s characterization and development had a solid amount of negative criticism. In this film, unexpectedly, she develops romantic feelings toward Banner. Although her romance takes up a majority of her screen time, towards the end, she has some good moments. Once Wanda went into her mind, we saw how Romanoff was turned into a weapon by the Black Widow program. The program made her a killer leading to the red in her ledger. The program also forced her to be sterilized, a regret she speaks about with Banner. At the end of the movie, she and Banner have a chance to run away, but instead, she puts the team first. Even if she doesn’t feel like an Avenger, she wants to die as one. Moments like these make a character feel like a member of the team. In The Avengers, Thor’s role was pretty small. He was there to stop Loki and return him home. Other than that, he didn’t have anything else for use.

Thor’s Evolution: From Distant God to Key Player

He didn’t create any relationships with the rest of the team, which isn’t that bad. Although, at the same time, he is a god who doesn’t have much interest in them. His best scenes were with Loki, as they showed his compassion. Yet again, his personality was not much on display either. Fast forwarding to Age of Ultron, Thor seemed far more competent and entertaining. At the end of the day, Thor is a simple guy. He likes to drink, go into battle, and party. Whedon understood this and brought this to the movie. Midway through the film, Thor ends up leaving, planting seeds for the future movies in the MCU. The thing is, this gave Thor an actual task and made him a more significant character. At the same time, it separates him from the other members.

In Age of Ultron, Thor did build somewhat of a relationship with Vision, who models himself after Thor. One thing to add, Thor always has a significant part in battles, as his powers are extremely powerful. When it comes to the villains of both films, they have the hardest roles to fill. Not only do they have to be interesting and complex characters, but they have to be the ultimate threat. They have to be a threat so serious about uniting all the heroes together. Loki from The Avengers had it a little easier as he was priorly introduced in Thor’s movie. Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston, is both heartbreaking and menacing. Loki’s actions are based on his hatred towards his family and hatred of himself. He repeatedly lets Thor know he is not his brother and wasn’t, to begin with. Yet, you can still see his reach for Thor’s affection in the moments when Thor asks him to return home.

Loki may be soft at times, but he still brought down an attack by an alien army on Earth. Because of his actions, Agent Coulson was killed, and Hulk went crazy, some of the team’s biggest hurdles. When the trailer for Age of Ultron was released, Ultron made his first impressions while doing his rendition of the Pinocchio classic, “No Strings.” Ultron was voiced by James Spader, utilizing his voice of wonder. Ultron’s character philosophizes about humanity and his very existence. Whedon made Ultron charismatic and, at the same time, vicious on a dime. His hatred for Stark and his pity for humanity can be detected in every move he makes. His physical body, an imposing sleek metallic giant, would send anyone running for the hills. Although, Ultron doesn’t have a big impression on the Avengers. Yes, he cut off a piece of the city and forced Wanda to make the Avengers have a mental breakdown, but he isn’t complete without his weapon, Vision.

Themes of Depth and Transformation in Avengers Films

The Vision was stolen by the Avengers, and they turned out to be a hero. Still, Ultron was a remarkable character. One thing I’ve realized is that MCU films aren’t known for their depth. They are, a majority of the time, feel-good movies. Many critics have stated that comic book movies need to have more depth. Although, Avengers films are not entirely without depth. The first film added ideas of what makes a hero or soldier. Age of Ultron has a theme of becoming and or making a monster. I believe these themes are well explored through the characters and their development. I credit The Avengers for being able to put all the characters together. A man is running out of time, a rich genius, a rage monster, a god, a spy, and an archer. The team is, as Banner says, “a time bomb.” If you haven’t realized, none of them planned on being a superhero other than Stark. Their lives were forced upon them.

Throughout their experiences, the team comes to realize they aren’t the perfect soldier but still are heroes. A message we learn is that anyone could be a hero. In Age of Ultron, they introduce a villain created by the heroes. Ultron was created to protect the world so that the Avengers wouldn’t have to. Stark played with an alien source he had no idea how to control. He now created something that could possibly end the world. As Ultron tells the twins, “Everyone creates the thing they dread.” For example, aliens created the Avengers, and Avengers created villains. Throughout the movie, they make jokes about Ultron being Starks son when he somewhat is. Even Wanda states that they both are cocky and stubborn when it comes to their goals. Both Tony and Ultron want to “help” the world, but they don’t realize they are just destroying it.

For the other Avengers, Romanoff, and Banner feel like they were turned into monsters. Sadly for the twins, they were turned into “monsters” by circumstance. It doesn’t matter if it was an accident like Hulk or experimentation like the twins and Romanoff; it’s your choice if you want to be a monster or not. If you did something wrong accidentally or purposefully, you have some part of it, not just the “monster” in you. One scene that stood out was when Wanda was overwhelmed during the battle. She thought everything was her fault and had a mental breakdown. Then Hawkeye went on to tell her, “You step out that door, you are an Avenger,” and that it’s not her fault. Looking back, when Marvel released The Avengers film, it grossed $623.4 million in North America by itself.

Reflections on Evolution, Box Office, and Creativity in Avengers Films

Overseas, it was even more successful, where it made almost $900 million. In 2012, It was the highest-grossing film as it was also named the third biggest gross in all of film history. The Avengers were able to stay at the top until Fast and Furious Seven came out. For Age of Ultron, Its gross in the first week was $191.3 million worldwide. This means that it did not surpass the first Avengers film opening week, which was a surprise to many people. Some say it’s because it was on the same day as the boxing championship between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. The fight itself earned over $250 million that weekend. This still isn’t an excuse, but it’s just some factors that could have affected the sales. Age of Ultron is the eleventh out of a series of films. That means there’s been a lot of evolution since 2012. The number of actors involved has gotten significantly larger. The threats and enemies have gotten stronger.

And in total, the fan base increased and led to superhero films becoming mainstream. Since superhero films come out more often, does that mean non-comic book fans accept the movie? It doesn’t seem to be so due to the mixed reviews. Overall, I still believe superhero films can survive, constantly evolve, and add characters like in the Age of Ultron. Yes, there might not be a film that can match up to the success of The Avengers, but they can still aim to do big things.

Bringing it all together, the major differences between The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron are in how it focuses on groups of two, themes, the adapting characterizations, and its box office numbers. After a movie like The Avengers, it will be hard to match it. The thing is, some people don’t want the MCU to take characters on a different path or minimize their screen time. In addition, finding an interesting new enemy could be hard. In conclusion, creating a product that pleases everyone is impossible, but it’s important to know that creators are willing to take risks. That’s why I give props to Age of Ultron, as it was brave enough to do so.

References:

  1. Feige, K. (Producer). (2008). Iron Man.
  2. Whedon, J. (Director & Writer). (2012). The Avengers.
  3. Whedon, J. (Director & Writer). (2015). Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Graphic Violence in Movies: Reflections, Impact, and Concerns

Evolution of Violence in Film: From Literature to Modern Cinema

The history of violence in film and drama dates back to the century. In the Old English Literature, we have ample examples how the English drama displayed the torments of sinners in hell. Film Industry since its beginning also employed violent scene, abusive language, harassment to attract the audience or to depict the reality. For last few decades, film industry invested a significant amount of money on depicting the graphic violence. This fact is very evident from the Hollywood and Bollywood movies. One of the movies of Bollywood that is marked with violence is “ Ghajini” (2008) which was remade Tamil movie of the same name released in 2005. Originally this movie was strongly influenced by another American Movie titled “ Memento” (2002).

Ghajini and Violent Scenes:

“ Ghajini” is completely a revenge thriller where the audience finds a hero with a short term memory loss, finds the villain and his associates who brutally murdered his beloved. The movie created a wave of controversies due to extreme violent scenes. Some of the scenes are depicted below:

This opening scene of the movie shows that the hero Amari Khan is hitting a man with a long rod pipe. The upper part of it has a sharp face. This man has tied with a tap. Blood drops down the nozzle and jutting out from the man’s stomach.

The most horrible scene of the movie is the killing of the heroin named Kalpana who is struggling model of Mumbai. She is killed by a socially notable personality named Ghajini Dharmatma. She was stabbed in the back. Later on, her head was smashed by the iron rod fitted with an iron plank. The villain swings the rod and hits Kalpna’s head as if he is hitting a golf ball. Blood comes out and overflows on the floor. In the same place, we see Aamir Khan lying in blood-stained condition as he was also fatally wounded by the villain and his associates.

In another scene, we can see that Aamir Khan kills one of the villains by breaking his neck. He lied on the floor with his head twisted grotesquely.

This movie is marked by abusive language and physical posture, too.

Impact:

The movie drew the attention of critics since its release. But at the same time, it was mentioned that the movie was charged with full of “violence and blood spill. “ Naitthani, a Professor of Political Science at St Xavier’s College challenged censor’s board decision and asked to review as the movie might have a negative impact on children.

Personally, I feel these sorts of graphic presentation of blood shedding and killing has a detrimental impact. It is likely that people with negative characteristic will easily be attracted with such villainous activities and will be tempted to adopt in real life situation. It threatens a child’s normal growth too. After being exposed to such scenes, children might behave aggressively. Aimee Tompkins (2003) in her article titled, “ The Psychological Impact on Violent Media on Children “ mentions,

“Risky behavior by children and young adults can include violence against others, lack of remorse for consequences. The type of faulty thinking creates stressors in children which can lead to the onset of many different symptoms. Children who view media violence are more likely to have increased feelings of hostility, decreased emotional response to the portrayal of violence and injury that lead to violent behavior through imitation. An example here would be the television show Jack Ass. There have been several accidents related to young men attempting stunts that are done on the show. The act of imitating what they have seen on a television show causes injury to themselves or others around them.”

Violence in other movies:

Violence in films has been doubled in Bolllywood movies. I n my own country, similar things happen. Before two decades, violent scenes were presented in a marginalized way. Bengali movies on Liberation War are the best examples. But recent years, unnecessary and irrelevant murder, yelling and fighting degrade the quality of the movie. As a result, few treat the movie as a means of entertainment.

Though some movies are heavily alleged with explicit violence and raw sexual exposure, they serve to depict the reality around us. Last year, Jazz media released “ Dohon” (2018) which is based on a true incident of Bangladesh. In the story, we see the hero throw a petrol bomb inside a bus to earn money. Unfortunately, his beloved, whom he wanted to marry, got burnt and died. This story actually unmasks the real face of dirty politics, which victimizes young people and leads them to take an illegal path.

Rethinking on Violence:

From this course, I learned so many things regarding violence, such as structural violence, violence, mental illness, violence in media, and so on. If we consider the case of Rohingya, it is easier to understand how the society itself begets violence on its own dwellers, which ultimately results in a violation of human rights.

Suicide, self-alienation, mental illness, and aggressiveness are the outcomes of violence. Though their many ways to prevent what leads to violent behavior and activities, very few of us are acknowledged of the prevention, risk factors, etc., so from an individual level to the highest national level, all must work out effectively against violence. Religious ideas should not provoke violence against others.

From my end, I am thinking of setting up a counseling center for the rape victims of my country who are blamed for the rape. This might sound very ambitious. But truly victim women must get rid of their trauma and return to regular life.

References:

1.Tompkins, A. (2003). The Psychological Impact of Violent Media on Children. Journal of Child Psychology, 30(2), 156-175.

2.Naitthani, P. (2008). Media Violence and Its Impact on Children: Review of Research. St Xavier’s Journal of Social Sciences, 45(3), 245-260.

3.Smith, R. (2015). Violence and Realism in Cinema: Historical Analysis. Film Studies Quarterly, 12(4), 432-448.

4.Johnson, M. (2010). Depiction of Violence in Bollywood: A Critical Analysis. International Journal of Media and Cultural Studies, 25(1), 87-102.

5.Adams, L. (2018). Realism in Contemporary Bangladeshi Cinema: A Study of “Dohon.” South Asian Film Journal, 42(3), 320-335.

The Evolution and Impact of Movies Ratings: From G to NC-17

PG Films: Creative Freedom with Caution

Since 1968 there has been a system in place used to determine whether or not a movie would be appropriate for specific audiences. The Motion Picture Association of America is the group that decides what rating a movie will have. Although receiving a rating is completely voluntary, most filmmakers decide to get a rating to avoid theaters refusing to play their films. As of 1996, the rating that can be used are G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17.

Out of the five ratings, G is the most strict. Rated G means that the movie is suitable for all audiences regardless of age. This means that there is nothing in the movie that could offend parents or children viewing the movie. A G-rated film must not have any nudity, violence, substance abuse, sexual content, unsuitable language, or crude jokes. One good example of a G-rated movie is Finding Nemo. This family-friendly movie was able to balance humor and emotional scenes without going over the top, making it inappropriate for small children and having it still enjoyable for adults.

Although having a PG rating means the movie is still appropriate for children, Filmmakers are allowed to get away with a little bit more. A PG rating means that the movie is for general audiences, but parents should review the content first to see if it is appropriate for their child. Although they can not have nudity or sexual content, there are some crude jokes and cartoon violence. One movie that does this perfectly is Minions.

Navigating Age-Appropriate Content: Rating Guidelines

There are countless action scenes that have slight violence but nothing that would upset a child. Some of the humor in the movie could be considered crude fart jokes, most parents are still comfortable with the content. Another PG movie, Rango, showed some substance abuse that had anti-smoking advocates upset. In the film, characters were shown smoking over sixty times. This is a perfect example of a movie that is acceptable for kids with parental approval.

PG-13-rated movies are given that rating when the Motion Picture Association of America feels that the movie is not suitable for anyone under the age of 13. Although anyone can purchase a ticket to a PG-13 movie, The MPAA suggests parental guidance when watching the film. To be considered PG-13 instead of PG, there aren’t too many specific rules. In a PG-13 movie, there may be small amounts of substance abuse, brief nudity if it is not sexually oriented, and small amounts of strong language. In order for strong language in a movie to be labeled PG-13, the language must be justified in the way they are used. One example of this is in Adventures in Babysitting. This particular movie would have probably received a PG rating, but there was one scene in which the word “fuck” was used twice.

Rated movies are ones that, with out a parent, you must be at least seventeen to view the movie. There are not a ton of set rules on what qualifies as a rated R movie, but films are usually given an R rating due to violence, nudity for sexual purposes, frequent strong langue, and drug abuse. This is one of two categories that actually require people to have an ID with them when they purchase a ticket.

Rating Controversies and Classification Nuances

In the past, parents could obtain “R Cards” for their children. This meant that the minor could see a rated-R movie without adult accompaniment. This, of course, came with controversy. These cards meant that a minor could have free reign and watch any rated R movie without their parent knowing. People became upset because not all rated-R movies are the same. One movie could be rated R because of its strong language, but the other could be rated R due to sex or violence.

NC-17 rating (formerly known as rated X) is a rating that means absolutely no one under the age of seventeen is allowed to view that particular movie. This is another category that doesn’t have clearly defined rules as to how to obtain this rating. NC-17 mostly just means that the movie is more intense than rated R. In the film industry, NC-17 ratings have been referred to as the “kiss of death” because the movie becomes less marketable and sold. A lot of films that originally received this rating have been edited to instead receive an R rating.

There is another category that is less common but is still occasionally used. Although not technically a rating, the terms “not yet rated” and “unrated” are sometimes attached to a film. “not yet rated” is used for films that are being advertised but are still waiting to be reviewed by the Motion Picture Association of America. Unrated films are films that will not go through the process of being rated. This doesn’t happen often because it is hard to market to audiences if you can’t tell people what the age range is in a movie.

References:

  1. This organization’s role in determining movie ratings is mentioned throughout the essay.
  2. Reference: Motion Picture Association. (n.d.). Who We Are. MPAA. https://www.motionpictures.org/who-we-are/
  3. Reference: Finding Nemo. (2003). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266543/
  4. Reference: Minions. (2015). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2293640/
  5. Reference: Rango. (2011). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1192628/
  6. Reference: Adventures in Babysitting. (1987). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092513/
  7. Reference: MPAA Ratings System. (n.d.). MPAA. https://www.mpaa.org/film-ratings/
  8. Reference: Canby, V. (1990, March 18). Are Ratings an Inexact Science? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/18/movies/film-view-are-ratings-an-inexact-science.html
  9. Reference: NC-17: No Children Under 17 Admitted. (n.d.). MPAA. https://www.mpaa.org/film-ratings/rating-administration/nc-17-no-children-under-17-admitted/
  10. Reference: Itzkoff, D. (2013, March 12). Earning an X Rating, Then Fighting It. The New York Times. https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/earning-an-x-rating-then-fighting-it/
  11. Reference: Gray, T. (2016, January 25). ‘Ratings are too lenient’: The strange story of when the BBFC banned the X rating. The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/ratings-are-too-lenient-the-strange-story-of-when-the-bbfc-banned/