Star Wars The Force Awakens PG 13 rating

[Tim_D]

Christianus Dei and Tim D, I am sorry you think this is the most ridiculous thread ever posted. I suppose I should win some sort of award for that. I do wonder, however, if you think it’s so ridiculous, why did you bother to respond?

It’s called a discussion forum.

Are you also so opposed to the violence in the average episode of Bonanza? I’ve seen plenty of murder, killing, fighting and name calling in that show, yet have managed to grow into a (mostly) normal person.

 

[Catholic_farmer]

Bonanza? Are you really trying to compare modern CGI movies with realistic special effects, including blood, gore, mature themes, and chopping body parts off (although a lightsaber would be a bit cleaner due to apparent instant cauterization, but still…) to an old western sitcom with fake punches and stuntmen rolling around on the ground?

I don’t think this conversation is going anywhere at this point.

We should just agree to disagree. I trust that your judgment will be as good with your young children as my family’s judgment will be with ours.

God bless!

 

[UbiCaritas]

Bonanza? Are you really trying to compare modern CGI movies with realistic special effects, including blood, gore, mature themes, and chopping body parts off (although a lightsaber would be a bit cleaner due to apparent instant cauterization, but still…) to an old western sitcom with fake punches and stuntmen rolling around on the ground?

I don’t think this conversation is going anywhere at this point.

We should just agree to disagree. I trust that your judgment will be as good with your young children as my family’s judgment will be with ours.

God bless!

Well, in the SW universe, you don’t really have blood or gore. As you say, in the case of a lost limb, cauterization; in the case of blaster fire, you fall down or have what appears to be a minor burn (see Princess Leia in ROTJ) on a limb that’s painful but not gory, in the case of a Jedi dying via lightsaber, they vanish. It’s actually rather interesting in that regard, especially as compared to, say, modern war movies which are no doubt realistic but which can go over the top.

There’s also the option of renting the movie once it’s available on either instant streaming or DVD and fast-forwarding. My parents bought the movies when they were originally released on VHS; I was about 7ish at the time. I watched all of them. In the first movie, I didn’t realize (like other posters mentioned) what I was seeing in the home scene; in the second, the 15-second torture scene got fast-forwarded through; in the last, the whole Jabba’s Palace scene got excised. Which, given our ages (my sister was two years younger) was a quite appropriate decision; we got to see a movie that a lot of people were excited about, but not anything that wouldn’t have been good for small kids.

ETA: and the way CGI is being used at the moment, I could be very rude indeed about how realistic it is(n’t), but I’ll refrain. Jurassic World, anyone?

 

[pax85]

ETA: and the way CGI is being used at the moment, I could be very rude indeed about how realistic it is(n’t), but I’ll refrain. Jurassic World, anyone?

Are you saying those dinosaurs weren’t real?!?!

 

[Catholic_farmer]

I agree that the PG Star Wars universe is moderately acceptable to most younger children (there were a few scenes our son covered his eyes for when he was six). However, go back and watch Revenge of the Sith. That last scene, especially. That’s the PG-13 Star Wars universe. That is what this new one will be like. That was unacceptable for our son, as well as for many of his friends. Why would anyone bother trying to convince us otherwise? If you love Star Wars and your kid is going to see the new one because you want to watch it, that’s your business (we have a few people we know like that, too).

 

[UbiCaritas]

I agree that the PG Star Wars universe is moderately acceptable to most younger children (there were a few scenes our son covered his eyes for when he was six). However, go back and watch Revenge of the Sith. That last scene, especially. **That’s the PG-13 Star Wars universe. That is what this new one will be like. That was unacceptable for our son, as well as for many of his friends. ** Why would anyone bother trying to convince us otherwise? If you love Star Wars and your kid is going to see the new one because you want to watch it, that’s your business (we have a few people we know like that, too).

In answer to the first bolded statement, you don’t know that…and if I had to guess, I’d disagree, though I could be wrong, of course; I’ll find out in December.

In answer partly to the first and partly to the second bolded statements above, many of us who are die-hard SW fans were completely disgusted by the prequel series. They really were George Lucas at his most CGI-crazed/drugged-out. The acting was dreadful (though to be fair, so was the writing), the plot holes could have had a star destroyer driven through them, and GL’s response to fan complaints about the first and then the second was “MOAR CGI, LESS PLOT!” in ROTS. They were…bad. While pregnant and on bedrest with DD, I went back and watched them for the first time in over five years, thinking they couldn’t really have been that bad. I was sorely mistaken. They were worse.

(Rumors that, as a parenting technique, I might inflict ROTS on exceptionally whiny teenagers with the promise of a potential family trip to one of the more volcanically-active Hawaiian islands if they don’t shape up may or may not be true. I’d hope, though, that the mere threat of watching the wretched movie would inspire any kid of mine to knock off the objectionable behavior!)

This director, however, seems determined to stick to the original look and spirit of Star Wars. He’s made that crystal-clear from day one. I have very high hopes indeed for this story and movie.

Our kid, being 20 months old, will be waiting quite some time before she sees it, even if it turns out to be the second coming of TESB. When we do let her see it, it’ll be in the form of a family movie night; from what I hear, they’re planning on releasing 8 and 9 over the next few years, but she’d still be far too young to see that sort of thing in theaters. Which also eliminates a lot of concerns, as I mentioned above, about seeing it in theaters: if there is, for example, a brief bedroom scene between Han and Leia, we could fast forward while mentioning only that married couples sometimes need private time in their room, or a similarly age-appropriate comment.

 

[Tim_D]

Bonanza? Are you really trying to compare modern CGI movies with realistic special effects, including blood, gore, mature themes, and chopping body parts off to an old western sitcom with fake punches and stuntmen rolling around on the ground?

I do not recall ever seeing a drop of blood or gore in Star Wars. I do recall seeing plenty of people being shot and dying in episodes of Bonanza in the exact same way that Storm Troopers and rebels were shot and killed in Star Wars. Fake punches and stuntmen rolling around on the ground? Newsflash; all of the punches, gunshots, saber duels, etc. are fake and done with stuntmen, be it Star Wars or Bonanza. The difference is in the degree, not the kind. Compared equally, I think that many episodes of Bonanza are just as violent with equally mature themes as Star Wars.

I’d hate to see your take on the Three Stooges.

 

[Catholic_farmer]

Ubi, I completely agree about the prequels. I loved the original movies growing up and was so disappointed when I saw the prequels. I remember coming out of Episode 1, while stationed overseas in the military, hoping that they sent the wrong version over from the States, lol!

Number 2 and 3 were even worse. Our son loves the originals and actually fell asleep when we showed him Episode 1 (not before getting enough of Jar Jar to imitate him…Argh!).

Those prequels left such a bad taste in our mouths (hubby hates them as well) that we are happy enough to dodge this one until our son is old enough. It was no big deal for our son because he knows his friends won’t be seeing it either. It was always more fun when you saw the same movie as all your friends so you could talk about it at school. There is a Peanuts movie coming out. That might be fun.

 

[maryjk]

Thank you, Pax. It is harder being a parent today than when we were kids. We have a seven year old and I have to say “no” a lot more often than my parents had to. Luckily, our son’s friends have parents that agree about limiting movie violence. As a substitute teacher at the Catholic school, I can tell which kids are watching the more violent stuff at home. Their play is much darker. Most of the younger kids at our son’s Catholic school do not watch movies that are rated higher than PG, so the few that do really stand out. They talk about this movie or that movie and want to recreate shooting people or blowing things up. The other kids haven’t a clue and go on playing more innocent things. There is plenty of time for 1st and 2nd graders to just be kids. The middle school age kids will see Star Wars, which is fine. Unless kids are sensitive, I’d say 11 is old enough for most PG-13 movies, depending on the content.

I’m not seeing that anyone is trying to pitch this movie to the Kindergarten/1st/2nd grade group.

On the other hand, I know many high school/college students that are counting the minutes until it releases. Some that already have tickets for the midnight show.

And yes, I will see it when it releases. Our family will probably be one of those that sees it at midnight on the night it comes out. But our son is old enough that I don’t have to preview it before he watches it.

 

[SilverLight]

How many parents here with kids under 13 are skipping this movie?

We won’t be taking our 7 year old to see it. Nevertheless, Disney is marketing to children under 13 with toys, games, and food targeting them, despite the fact that the movie is not appropriate for them due to “sci-fi violence”.

It will be interesting to see how many parents will keep their kids away and how many will just go anyway. The parents at our son’s Catholic school are very good about skipping the recent superhero and Harry Potter movies that were all marketed towards kids but rated PG-13.

I figure it will take a couple of years to come out with the remaining two movies and, by that time, our son will probably be old enough to watch all three.

I am very disappointed with Disney. They could have edited it to make it less violent. They chose not to. So much for them being a trusted “kid brand”.

Ironically enough, I don’t like watching your average PG-13 movie. I was in the war. I have seen enough violence. The fake stuff doesn’t impress me.

“PG-13 – Parents Strongly Cautioned
Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.”-Wikipedia

 

[phil19034]

I do not recall ever seeing a drop of blood or gore in Star Wars. I do recall seeing plenty of people being shot and dying in episodes of Bonanza in the exact same way that Storm Troopers and rebels were shot and killed in Star Wars. Fake punches and stuntmen rolling around on the ground? Newsflash; all of the punches, gunshots, saber duels, etc. are fake and done with stuntmen, be it Star Wars or Bonanza. The difference is in the degree, not the kind. Compared equally, I think that many episodes of Bonanza are just as violent with equally mature themes as Star Wars.

I’d hate to see your take on the Three Stooges.

In the first Star Wars movie, there is the scene where Obi Wan cuts off that criminal’s arm in the bar… there is blood in that scene.

Also there are the corpses of Luke’s aunt & uncle.

In Empire - Luke cuts off the snow monster’s arm too.

 

[phil19034]

I agree that the PG Star Wars universe is moderately acceptable to most younger children (there were a few scenes our son covered his eyes for when he was six). However, go back and watch Revenge of the Sith. That last scene, especially. That’s the PG-13 Star Wars universe. That is what this new one will be like. That was unacceptable for our son, as well as for many of his friends. Why would anyone bother trying to convince us otherwise? If you love Star Wars and your kid is going to see the new one because you want to watch it, that’s your business (we have a few people we know like that, too).

Catholic Farmer - in general, I agree that I’m disappointed in Disney for moving away from being a family friendly company, dedicated to being a place safe for children. I also agree, that if you are going to market at movie like crazy to children, the film makers should be doing everything possible to secure a PG rating.

However, in regards to the PG-13 rating for Star Wars, we really don’t know why the movie is rated PG-13.

Today, the rating are much tougher than they used to be. Remember Gremlins, it was rated PG… today, it would easily be rated PG-13 or even ‘R’ due to the violence.

Even Dumbo would not have been rated ‘G’ today.

At the same time, there are some movies which are rated PG-13 instead of PG due to just one short scene, etc.

Avengers was going to be rated ‘R’ because the original cut showed Loki’s staff going through Colson. They had to modify that in order to get the PG-13 rating. But 20 years ago, that would most likely have still kept the movie PG-13.

The Secret of My Success with Michael J. Fox was rated PG-13 and it have brief nudity, lost of sex talk, etc. Today, I’m sure that movie would have been rated ‘R’

My point is: go see the movie for yourself. Determine for yourself if it is or isn’t appropriate for your child. Every child is different. I think today, the Motion Picture ratings error on the side of PG-13 instead of giving a moving that scares children or upsets parents a PG rating (same with giving a PG rating instead of a G rating).

However, in regards to that lava scene in ROTS, let’s keep in mind that that was the most anticipated fight and scene in the entire Star Wars series upto this point. Once we all learned that Darth Vader was Luke’s father, we all wanted to know what happened to him. What traumatic events turned him into Darth Vader? Honestly, ROTS was a let down and the story could have been much, much darker. Some people thought that the only way to truly tell that story was to make it ‘R’ rated.

I pray this is helpful.

God Bless!

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

How many parents here with kids under 13 are skipping this movie?

We won’t be taking our 7 year old to see it. Nevertheless, Disney is marketing to children under 13 with toys, games, and food targeting them, despite the fact that the movie is not appropriate for them due to “sci-fi violence”.

It will be interesting to see how many parents will keep their kids away and how many will just go anyway. The parents at our son’s Catholic school are very good about skipping the recent superhero and Harry Potter movies that were all marketed towards kids but rated PG-13.

I figure it will take a couple of years to come out with the remaining two movies and, by that time, our son will probably be old enough to watch all three.

I am very disappointed with Disney. They could have edited it to make it less violent. They chose not to. So much for them being a trusted “kid brand”.

Ironically enough, I don’t like watching your average PG-13 movie. I was in the war. I have seen enough violence. The fake stuff doesn’t impress me.

You are kidding right? My three year old will see it. We have seen them all and watch Star Wars rebels.

 

[Tim_D]

In the first Star Wars movie, there is the scene where Obi Wan cuts off that criminal’s arm in the bar… there is blood in that scene.

Also there are the corpses of Luke’s aunt & uncle.

In Empire - Luke cuts off the snow monster’s arm too.

that can hardly be considered “blood and gore.”

 

[pax85]

You are kidding right? My three year old will see it. We have seen them all and watch Star Wars rebels.

Each parent has to decide what is right for their own kids, and sometimes those opinions are differing. That’s OK.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Each parent has to decide what is right for their own kids, and sometimes those opinions are differing. That’s OK.

yes…and…?

 

[phil19034]

that can hardly be considered “blood and gore.”

but as someone who can’t stand the sight of blood, those scenes used to make me squirm

 

[Cariethra]

Sitting here waiting for the movie to come out so that we can take our 3 littles to it. 17 months, 4 and 6 years. It is actually our 4 year old’s birthday present. Blood, gore, violence don’t bother me. Kids are weird.

My eldest was terrified of Cinderella, but loves the other Star Wars movies and LOTR. We took them to see Desolation of Smaug and they LOVED it. It all depends on the child and what they can handle.

You can’t take movie ratings at face value. The Stand was PG and was terrifying and in no way child appropriate (both for violence and sexual content).