Is anyone else disappointed that 'The Hobbit' is rated PG-13?

[jesse_custer]

I think references that are meant for you, as an adult, do mean the movie is appropriate, or at least aimed, at you as well as the kids. Whether it appeals to you, personally, is something different, but such references, such moments are meant for a generic adult, not a kid.

I agree to a point. Sure, the references are aimed at me, but the overall movie may not be aimed at me. This is not to say that there aren't movies aimed at everyone, but I think there's a distinction to be made here.

[Kizmet]

For me I mostly want the ratings to be relatively consistent from one movie to the next. It doesn't really matter whether or not I agree with the MPAA's definition of PG vs PG-13, just that I know what their definition is so that I can decide for myself whether or not it's okay for my kid. All I want or require from the rating is that it gives me a quick notion of the contents. I can decide for myself when my kid is ready to move from G to PG or PG to PG-13.

I looked up the age rules for a few theaters Cinemark's policy is "No Children Under Age 6 Will Be Admitted To Any R-Rated Feature After 6:00 PM. Valid IDs will be required to attend Rated "R" movies. You must be at least 17 years of age or have your parent accompany you to view the movie. IDs will be checked at the theater." Regal has no policy of checking ages for PG-13 movies and contradictory policies for R-rated (If you're over 21 and intend to watch the movie you can purchase multiple tickets without additional ID's but ushers can check ID's of people holding tickets). AMC's policy is "Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian (age 21 or older)"

So "The Hobbit" being PG-13 isn't an obstacle for any parents who want to take their kids. In fact if parents want to take their kids to R-Rated movies chances are good that no one will stop you. The MPAA guidelines are just that: guidelines. So if they give me a good idea of what is going to be in the movie they're doing their job. They don't actually prevent kids from seeing movies. All the PG-13 rating does is give notice to parents who aren't sci-fi/fantasy buffs that this movie has some scary parts. So what's the big deal?

[Mat001]

I think what it comes down to is scary parts. Neither "The Hobbit", nor "The Lord Of The Rings" are excessively violent. They're PG-13, so we can slash off nudity and gore. That leaves frightening images and some intense moments. But the thing is that you as a parent won't know what is and isn't intense, unless you expose your child. I watched "Poltergeist" and only had to look away with the face melting scene, when I was five. The skeletons, the Beast's/Kane's many forms, the clown and the tree didn't do it. Well, the clown kinda did it, but not because it's a clown. Rather the idea of a doll coming alive to choke you to death. I had had dolls at that age. But in later years, well before my teen years, it didn't bother me. And now the face makes me laugh at how fake it looks.

Anyway, I think it really depends on the parent. I mean, at some point, your child is going to get scared. The nightmares will only last one night, if that.

[The Black Guardian]

As a kid, the movie that freaked me out the most was Andromeda Strain (and this is saying a lot because my parents forced me into watching nearly every horror movie made until the mid-70s). Every night, for months, I would have the same nightmare of everyone I knew dying with powdered blood... and then being shot with lasers as I ran for help. To this day, I still occasionally have bad dreams that hint about that.

[T Hedge Coke]

My nieces were happy with it. And not just because they, and a lot of other kids, like seeing people swing an axe around like a badass.

But, you know, let's hear more from a guy called jediracer on how you shouldn't have swords and dismemberment in kid/family movies. Because that's just funny.

[Addams]

Ah whatever, edit.