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The BBFC vs. the MPAA: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
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The highly anticipated film Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (2009) is set to fly into theaters on July 15th. It has already been screened by both the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and given a classification by both organizations. The lucky examiners on both sides of the Atlantic who got a sneak peek, something many a muggle would do anything for, have awarded the film their classifications.
The MPAA has awarded the film a ‘PG’ rating, for “scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality” .jpg)
(www.mpaa.org). This rating is an unrestrictive rating; meaning that it does not disallow anyone from seeing the film. It is meant to caution parents against letting younger children attend the film.
This is in contrast to the stricter 12A classification awarded by the BBFC. This classification is a restrictive rating and limits those who would see the film in the theater. An adult must accompany those under 12 in order for them to see the film. The organization gave the film this classification due to its “moderate threat” and “mild language” (www.parentsbbfc.co.uk).
The two classifications take into consideration the same objectionable material of violence and language and warn parents against brining young children to see the film. The MPAA however did not award it a classification that would restrict its audience, unlike the BBFC. These two varying opinions of the film’s content will not dissuade many parents and their children from seeing a film that they’ve waited over a year to arrive in theaters. As these films become more mature, like their characters it will be interesting to see how the classifications further reflect the changes in the next two films tone.
What do you think of the varying classifications, which organization would you more comfortable relying on for content information?
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