Transformers 12A Rating

So, my 7 and 4 year old are chomping at the bit to go and see this, and who can blame them as it looks amazing.

Question is, why the 12A rating?

Now I have one of those parenting moral dilemmas on my hands.

Now my kids have seen all the Star Wars movies and they LOVE Power Rangers, so they know the difference between 'real' and 'perceived' violence.

They also understand the irony of Itchy and Scratchy.....

Anyone 'ahem' seen it? Would be interested to know why the rating for what is supposed to be based on a cartoon?

G

they rate everything with the slightest bit of violence 12a. i remember there was bit uproar a while back when the hulk came out. shops full of toys but it was a 12 so kids the toys were aimed at could not go. hence 12a leaving it up to the parent. at long last big brother allowing us to make our own decisions re our own kids. my boy is 10 and doesnt fancy it but then he is a big wuss lol. let me know how it goes

[Richie]

I'll tell you when I see it.
My two kids are still pestering me to see Spiderman 3....

Spiderman was the first film to have a 12A rating as far as I can remember.

Rating standards have changed alot over the years - hell Jaws was a U cert when it first came out, as was Star Wars with its bloody severed limb and charred bodies.

From what I can remember, 12A was introduced under pressure from both the film industry as well as affiliated industry (eg toy manufacturers).
You'll generally find that most 12As are big budget movies that are aimed at a more 'family outing' style audience.

In this country (as opposed to America) there are more restrictions on language and sex than on violence with regard to film certification. So as a guide, the difference between a 12 cert and a 12A is likely to be language based rather than real or implied violence.

[tigersaw]

I went straight to this thread thinking I might be able to help with an electrical question...

[SoulKiss]

This is not your cartoon Transformers.

Major violence and action, and some of the Decepticons are a bit on the scary side.

Also its a lot more Adult, Witwiky is a School kid, opening scenes show him being bought a car and also show his first erm romantic encounters with a girl - ok so it only hugging/kissing stuff but........

Film is definately aimed at those of us who remember them from the first time round.

That said, if you are happy for your kids to see the other stuff you list then this should be just fine.

BTW I have seen this film, I am not just referring to the trailers

David

Valid points one and all.

They won't be going for a while as they can wait until its on a Saturday matinee for a quid each....

Thanks

Gordon

Originally Posted by Jamaxx

So, my 7 and 4 year old

G

i think it will "warp there fragile little minds"

K's hit the nail on the head there, in the US, where everyone owns a gun, they don't seem worried by violence on screen yet get really worked up about sex & language (that's the religous right for you); over here, the land of the teenage pregnancy, we're not that fussed about sex but get worked up over violence.

I'd suspect, in terms of sex in a 12A you're looking at nothing more complicated than a bit of snogging. Hell, if the little dears have ever witnessed mummy and daddy doing anything beyond a peck on the cheek you've already had enough conversations with them to deal with a 12A film.

Your 7 year old will probably understand it and not be phased by it, your 4 year old won't understand it but will probably bring it up in therapy sessions (which you'll be paying for by the way) in years to come

Not seen the film, don't have kids. Why am I commenting? I just like to hear myself type

Originally Posted by hovis

i think it will "warp there fragile little minds"

Too late.....

One wants to be a scientist and the other wants to join the army.....because they have guns.....