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JANUARY 7, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: Rope of Silicon via The Leaky Cauldron
News comes today that the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie will be rated
PG in the U.S. "for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality" by the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America).
The MPAA rates PG as:
A PG-rated motion picture should be investigated by parents before they let their younger children attend. The PG rating indicates, in the view of the Rating Board, that parents may consider some material unsuitable for their children, and parents should make that decision.
The more mature themes in some PG-rated motion pictures may call for parental guidance. There may be some profanity and some depictions of violence or brief nudity. But these elements are not deemed so intense as to require that parents be strongly cautioned beyond the suggestion of parental guidance. There is no drug use content in a PG-rated motion picture.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is scheduled for release on July 17, 2009. This will be the first Potter film since Prisoner of Azkaban in 2004 to be rated less than PG-13.
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Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8934
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Nice to see for the younger set. Wonder if there will be different versions when on disk. I hope to see the movie soon.
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 6:18 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 337
felixfelicis14 says:
that's surprising, especially since the past 2 films were PG-13...
i wish HBP had come out in november instead of twilight...now we have to wait until summer!!!
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 6:25 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1485
Flawed Hero says:
I wonder if any sequel has ever gotten a lower rating than its predecessor... I was quite surprised. I think it's safe to say DH won't be R (and with good reason). I hope they didn't screw up the film though; HBP sounds like a movie that would get rated PG-13. But my expectations are still high.
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 6:29 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 20
Myth says:
PG?? The others were PG-13 and didn't even seem that bad. Now this movie is PG when the film should be darker, more violent, and grown up?? Anyone else with me on this idea?
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 6:49 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 482
mrsharrypotter4500 says:
this is another reason why I knew this movie would be as bad as ootp. I thought David Yates said this movie was gona have drugs and ... I thought the lake scene would be PG-13 worthy, mabie even R I am deeply and truly schocked!!!
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 6:55 PM EST
Furry Little Problem
Points: 4298
Juicybit says:
You serious? How can it be PG with all those horrible things happening and people dying right and left? HBP is definitely not a story for kids. Oh well.
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 6:59 PM EST
Furry Little Problem
Points: 4298
Juicybit says:
I thought the lake scene would be PG-13 worthy, mabie even R
Ooooh, you are right, I forgot about the lake scene... Yes, it really is disappointing. I had high hopes for that scene. *grins* *sighs*
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 7:12 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 529
Dementors Shadow says:
Umm...haha
This is just funny. I hope they didn't go out and try to make it a lower rating...cause that would just be dumb.
I guess we have to remember that most of HBP is just talking and teen angst type stuff which isn't very pg 13-ish
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 7:19 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 323
Basilina says:
Wow. I'm very surprised, to say the least. I was actually expecting something like R or at least PG-13. It gives me another reason not to see it. :)
BOYCOTT WARNER BROTHERS forever! :D
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 8:44 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 45
Padfoot_Luva says:
I don't know if this is true. Mugglenet is still saying its just a rumor. Sooo hopefully this isn't true! I can't imagine HBP being any good rated as PG and not PG-13!
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 8:46 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1780
TheOtherMinister says:
Ok, so they have officially effed up the movie. I really don't want to watch this movie.... I really don't!
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 9:06 PM EST
Witch
Points: 721
Secret Keeper says:
This is just well I can't say or my post wont go through, but I think everyone will get my point. What a load of rubbish, giving this film a PG rating, What are they going to give DH when it comes out a G rating??? This is just as dark if not darker than GOF and OOTP, what is up with that, if they cheese this movie down and fluff it up, I am gonna be even more ticked off than I already am about them postponing the movie.
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 9:20 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4469
PowerGranger says:
I have to say I agree with everyone who is really surprised at this. I can't imagine the content of the movie being less dark than OotP was, considering there's some pretty creepy stuff in HBP (the book). For sure the snogging would not garner a PG-13, compared to what goes on in movies today, but the action and, well, death...? I guess things aren't very gory so that might've been fine to the MPAA too.
I am betting WB pushed for the PG-13, for all the reasons everyone has mentioned, but they couldn't get it based on David Yates' content. I definitely think WB foresaw that we'd react negatively and that we'd be shocked since this is incongruous with the increasingly dark tone of the books.
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 10:12 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2860
mad_eye muggle says:
Wow!PG huh?quite surprising,that should be interesting.It just goes to show that every HP films gets darker and maturer,although I don't think that its going to as dark as OotP.
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 10:49 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 376
sugarcake says:
That seems very surprising. They must've have left some stuff out. HBP the book seems just as violent as GoF and OotP. I would've definitly thought with Sectumsempra and the Inferi it would get a PG-13.
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 11:11 PM EST
Friendly Deaf Angel
Points: 5169
Friendly Deaf Angel says:
Moderator's note: ALL signatures on this site can not be bigger than 200x40 or they are removed when found.
Mugglenet.com said..that...it was rumors..it better be rumors..cuze..really..they said it was going to be darker..and..what is everyone talking about the lake scene..is it the part with DD and Harry..and the Inferious(cant spell)..It cant be PG..it should be PG-13...IT RUBBISH!!! It better be only rumors..and..My sis..told me..if it PG for her It going to be boring!! boring..Im talking 5 sibilings to watch it..at midnight..ahhh...and then im goint with friends from church..taking like 5 people too..come..whow is going to like it PG..Darn WB..fist make us mad..for..delaying it..and now..for and i hope it rumors..for putting it..PG..AHHH..
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 11:27 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1255
TheSeventhHorcrux says:
Hmm... I don't see how HBP could've scraped a PG without having cut some of the good stuff... like seriously, Draco getting slashed? That would definitely be PG-13. And even the mental image of Dumbledore falling off the tower is highly disturbing. I dunno... that makes me a little worried. I'm not going to judge until I see it, obviously, and I'm still SUPER excited... I just hope it stays as true to the book as possible.
I'm just surprised because Harry Potter is just getting darker as it goes along... I mean, I definitely would've expected a PG-13 out of this. Like, even more so than I would've GoF or OotP. And personally, I think they should try to make it appeal to the fans rather than the younger crowd (no offense to anyone). Because I think a majority of the revenue will come from the people who are already huge fans, and if they're disappointed with what was cut, etc., then it will be less likely they will see it multiple times... you know where this is going. The fans want to see the movie as accurate as possible. You know?
Obviously, I'm not saying to exclude anybody, but PG-13 isn't as bad as R... Ultimately what I'm trying to get at in this huge spiel is that, as a Harry Potter fan, I really hope the movie stays true to the book and keeps the best parts in, regardless of how violent or whatever they are.
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 11:34 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1032
HermioneRiley says:
I am definitely wary after reading this. I think dropping to PG is not a good sign. What about Harry attacking Draco in the bathroom. That must not be in the movie, because there is no way that could be PG.
Posted Jan 7, 2009 at 11:54 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2946
GPGA says:
I'm surprise, I don't know what to get from this! :/
Posted Jan 8, 2009 at 1:07 AM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 3673
Hecate3fold says:
It makes no difference what rating it gets, the movie will be seen by all. The problem is why we have to wait so long to see it.
My anger has not deminished at all. I'm still going to stay away from the theater for the first week after it IS released. WB has not done anything to justify delaying the opening. Anything that they have said to explain why it was delayed has only made them more guilty of greed. I just hope that all of those who are back to saying "I can't wait to see it" will remember how bummed out they were when it was cancelled. BOYCOTT WB!
I'll quietly get of of my soap box now.
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Jan 8, 2009 at 2:02 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1670
DumbledoresArmy says:
They're obviously screwing this movie up if it's rated PG I thought it would at least be PG13 the book is such a PG13 book and sometimes an R. Geez, the US really is soft on the ratings.
Posted Jan 8, 2009 at 2:12 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1670
DumbledoresArmy says:
Its simply annoying to me how HBP could be rated with such a low rating. First off their are a lot of teen movies out their with a lot of inuendos and suggestive stuff, yet they are PG13 or R, but HBP which has similar, but not as bad is rated PG. Secondly this book is just plain creepy, weird, and very PG13 with it's content and happenings. Especially towards the end. I can't see it as a PG movie. That is rediculous.
Posted Jan 8, 2009 at 2:22 AM EST
Azkaban's Most Wanted
(Moderator)
Points: 13598
Lord Zimkel says:
Why don't I like that? This worries me. I guess the reason it worries me the most is the thought that they might have dulled the movie down for the sole purpose of being able to give it that rating. In other words I'm worried they may have sacrificed the essence of the story in some way for their own greedy, un-passionate reasons. I surely hope not, but I don't put it above them.
Posted Jan 8, 2009 at 3:43 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2292
Phoebe Gilmore says:
Now I'm definitely worried. How on earth can HBP be considered PG? Did they only watch the happy parts of the movie or something? What about the lake? And When Harry attacks Draco?
I fear I'm going to hate this movie. The only reason I liked OotP was because they had an owl show in the theatre before they showed the movie. That was amazing, I actually held an owl! It was such a cute owl... I still love him.
Getting off topic there...
anyway, I really hope that this isn't true. Please, please, please let it be a false rumor.
Posted Jan 8, 2009 at 4:47 AM EST
Weaselette
Points: 3184
WickedLoz says:
*Sniggers* Mild sensuality?? Haha, you Americans are amusing.. :)
Actually that's really disappointing.. A book that is heavily based on creepy horcruxes and sexual innuendo, and they give it a PG? Not a good sign..
Posted Jan 8, 2009 at 4:53 AM EST
The Hidden Weasley
Points: 7421
ZoZo the Terrible! says:
Okay, good, it seems to me that I'm not the only one that has major worries about this movie... have done since it was pushed back... And now that it's confirmed that it's only getting a PG, well I worry even more... I mean I thought things like the Inferi and Sectumsempra as well as other maturer scenes would of gotten it a PG-13... *sighs* my favourite book and it looks like they're easing off all the scaries for the kiddies... Even my daughter (who's 8) never found Goblet or Order scary so she'll probably think this is a frolic in the park!
I mean give us, the dedicated fans who would normally spend a bucket load of money to see the movies, we who some have grown up reading and loving this series, give us what we'd hope for... don't sugar coat it, and lessen it's glory!!!
*shrugs* too much too hope for though... it's obvious they don't give a flying about us.
*rambles*
Posted Jan 8, 2009 at 5:34 AM EST
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