Censorship in movies - Essay Example

Censorship in Movies Film rating system is where movies are ified according to suitability in regard to age (Vaughn,p8). Movies are rated in respect to issues such as violence, sex, profanity, substance abuse, impudence, and other mature content. Normally the rating system is used to protect persons who have not attained the age of18 from unsuitable content, depending on their age. These ratings include PG, R, Pg-13, and G (Neilmes, p13).PG means parental guidance. It means that the film has no age restriction.

However, parents are advised to determine if it is suitable for their children’s viewing, normally those who are under the age of 10. An example of such films is Madagascar 3. Europe’s Most Wanted. PG-13 means parental Guidance is recommended for children who are below the age of 13. Example of such a movie is Sky fall. A G rated movie is a movie that is suitable for all family viewing. It has no restrictions whatsoever. An example such a film is Monsters, Inc. 3D. Finally an R rated movie is a movie in which persons who are under the age of 17 are restricted to watch unless there are accompanied by a parent or a guardian.

An example of such a film is 21 Jump Street. The distinction between the different ratings is very clear. The difference between a G and PG rated film is that in a G rated film parents need not to control unlike in a PG rated film. The distinguishing factor between PG and PG 13 is that parental guidance is not necessary in PG for children above the age of 10 while in PG 13, it is necessary for those below the age of 13. The distinction between an R rated film and a PG 13 film is that an R rated film has its age restriction at 17 years while PG 13 has its at 13 years.

Work CitedVaughn Stephen. Freedom and Entertainment: Rating the Movies in Age of New Media. Cambridge: Cambridge University, 2006Nelmes Jill. An Introduction to Film Studies. New York: Routledge, 2003