Happy 35th Anniversary, PG-13!

[CelluloidPal]

I know it's a little late but I didn't see a thread mentioning this and thought to start one.
35 years ago on July 1st marked the creation of the PG-13 rating thanks to responses to two intense PG rated films, Gremlins and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Many could considered helpful at the time it was created but nowadays, it can be seen as a marketing tool or not truly as helpful or useful as it was perceived to be back then.
It seems to be muddled in those terms nowadays.

[welcometothepartypal]

See what two of my favorite movies started!

[stvn1974]

Gotta keep the thread PG-13 so "Happy Friggin' Birthday"!

[oilers73]

Fun Fact: the first movie to receive a PG-13 rating from the MPAA was The Flamingo Kid.

[DJR662]

I get what you're trying to say but I think I know one better.

How about if the MPAA never excisted and every US movie was released fully uncut and uncensored as it was meant to be seen?

[Leslie Dame]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

Gotta keep the thread PG-13 so "Happy Friggin' Birthday"!

One F is allowed, and five seconds of naked breasts I think.

[Bn43]

The MPAA and the ESRB are both bad and I could happily live without them.

[BladeRunner2007]

Let this abomination of a rating die already.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by Leslie Dame

One F is allowed, and five seconds of naked breasts I think.

Which makes no sense because there are many PG movies with breasts.

[Markgway]

The intention was good, but the PG-13 eventually ruined the PG.

Films like The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi are easily PG-worthy but given PG-13 because anything that's not specifically for kiddies is awarded that rating.

We went from one extreme - Jaws and Raiders at PG - to another.

[filmbuffTX]

Speaking of...I just finished watching the 'PG Rated' movie Sheena (1984) and it's probably the most graphic nudity you'll ever see in a PG movie. The lead character is a native so the nudity might be seen as natural and non-sexual, but the actress is very attractive and was a Playboy centerfold at one point. So it was obviously put in the movie to titillate the audience. It also has a fair amount of bloody violence. For various reasons this movie just wouldn't be made at all today.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by filmbuffTX

The lead character is a native so the nudity might be seen as natural and non-sexual, but the actress is very attractive and was a Playboy centerfold at one point. So it was obviously put in the movie to titillate the audience.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

BOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

This rating changed the future of cinema (among other things), watering A LOT of it down very sadly.

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

I know it's a little late but I didn't see a thread mentioning this and thought to start one.
35 years ago on July 1st marked the creation of the PG-13 rating thanks to responses to two intense PG rated films, Gremlins and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Many could considered helpful at the time it was created but nowadays, it can be seen as a marketing tool or not truly as helpful or useful as it was perceived to be back then.
It seems to be muddled in those terms nowadays.

Thanks for mentioning it. I still remember asking my parents about PG13 for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, being more of a grown up movie due to the guy pulling the heart out. That was intense for a kid to see, but it didn't bother me. Cool adventure movie.

Gremlins was awesome too. Scary stuff when they were in those cocoons in the kid's room. And when they hopped into the pool. They were definitely monsters. Gizmo was good, but also the origin of evil.

[oilers73]

I loved it when the MPAA started giving us the reasons why each movie got its rating. The first time I remember seeing this, it said "rated PG-13 for traditional Godzilla mayhem". Thanks for that.

[Creed]

PG-13 can be alright, and other times, it can be ****ing dumb, just like the MPAA.

Woops, used the obligatory F-bomb.

[filmbuffTX]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Pun not intended.

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by Creed

PG-13 can be alright, and other times, it can be ****ing dumb, just like the MPAA.

Woops, used the obligatory F-bomb.

Yeah, I think there's a rule where they allow one F word to be used in a neutral way in a PG13 film.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

Yeah, I think there's a rule where they allow one F word to be used in a neutral way in a PG13 film.

They now put one in on purpose just to ensure the PG-13.

I mean, how bad would it be if they accidentally got a PG?

[filmbuffTX]

Originally Posted by Markgway

The intention was good, but the PG-13 eventually ruined the PG.

Films like The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi are easily PG-worthy but given PG-13 because anything that's not specifically for kiddies is awarded that rating.

We went from one extreme - Jaws and Raiders at PG - to another.

The Farewell, which is in theaters now, is a film for “grownups” and has a PG rating. You’ve also had A Dog’s Purpose, A Dog’s Journey, and A Dog’s Way Home. A lot of the faith based films get that rating as well: Breakthrough, Miracles from Heaven, Heaven is for Real.

But yeah, it used to be that animated films aimed at kids would get a ‘G rating’, but now it’s always PG. Usually for rude humor or something silly like that.

Standards change over time and the Star Wars films are violent and show people getting killed on screen. So maybe enough parents object to that. No blood or gore though. I personally think it’s fine for most kids to see as long as they aren’t scared.