I haven't seen the Watchmen, but I've read the comic...

[strredwolf]

...and something doesn't jive with reports.

Okay, from initial reaction, the movie was very good... but there's a caveat.

First, the movie is rated "R" for nudity and violence.  Okay, violence I can see.  Nudity?  I thought Dr. Manhattan got neutered in the comic...

...apparently not in the movie.  Parents thinking "Oh, this is off a comic book, it can't be R rated" or "It'll be like X-Men, can't be R rated," taking their kids to see it got a face full of blue male genitalia.  The kids?  A face full of hand blocking their view from the parents.

This tells me two things.  First, the parents should be thwapped hard for taking their kids to a R rated show.  Those ratings are there for a reasons, folks!

And two, the MPAA should be thwapped thrice for making those ratings so damn broad.  There are times at which I thought something R rated could of been edited slightly to make it PG-13 (Matrix Reloaded) and others that really edge NC-17 territory (Watchmen).  There's also others that make me think, "What self respecting adult would watch th... oh, you're the parents of these kids?  You have my pity."

So, let's expand the ratings:

• K -- Targeted for kids and kids only.  Pokemon, Sonic, most anything specifically formulated for them.  This includes most animation that's shown in theaters.
• PT -- Targeted for preteens.  Similar, but the parents can stand it.
• G -- Everyone can enjoy this film.
• PG -- Slightly more adult, more of the teenager mindset.
• PG-13 -- Real, but minor violence and more adult themes come into play.
• R -- Tastefully done, or implied nudity, with substancial violence and adult subjects.
• M -- Full frontal nudity, but no sex.
• NC-17 -- Stories so raw and close to reality you need a GED or High school diploma.
• X -- Let's make the porn offical!

Comments

[darthparadox.livejournal.com]

Maybe we just need to stop rating sexual content and violent content on the same axis. Some people find sex more offensive than violence, some vice-versa.

[raemonde.livejournal.com]

] I don't tend to pay attention to ratings myself, since I am 1) an adult and 2) not offended by language, sex, or violence.

] On the off chance that someone reading this is afraid of spoilers, what I can confirm is multiple scenes showing Dr. M full frontal, as well as a handful of sexual encounters; the main one of which featured nipples.

] I personally wasn't offended, but movie-goers not knowing what to expect might be. I would strongly advise against bringing pre-teens... teenagers iffy depending on age/maturity. Not just for the sex, either - I think the story itself is geared more for a 'mature' mindset. ...But that's me.

-Rob

[strredwolf.livejournal.com]

You're right on the story, having read the comic. It's definitely an adult story, at least an R. But the artistic direction makes it push NC-17. Could of been done better. No wonders why Alan Moore wanted his name off it.

[raemonde.livejournal.com]

] Because Alan Moore hates everything? ;)

] I read the comic a year or two ago (slowpoke, I know... but before I'd heard about the movie), and thought it was great. I wasn't very disappointed with the movie, either. I think it's probably as good as a Watchman movie could be.

-Rob

[caesarsalad77.livejournal.com]

No. Dr. Manhattan did NOT get neutered in the comic. I mean, it wasn't graphically drawn, but he obviously had his frank and beans.

[strredwolf.livejournal.com]

Exactly. It was tastefully drawn.

[kesarra.livejournal.com]

NC-17 is specifically for homosexual scenes, demon worship, abortions, and really any other thing that christian 40+ singles and couples, without sub adult children, think shouldn't be advertised in any form on the TV. NC-17 is specifically designed to marginalize creators. Look into the "staff" at the MPAA and you'll see this is true.