With the highly anticipated release of ‘The Hunger Games’ this Friday it seems like there is a new story every hour and today is no different. Hot off the heels of the controversy with the documentary ‘Bully’ receiving an R rating from the MPAA for “some language,” some people are beginning to question the PG-13 rating for ‘The Hunger Games.’ For those of you that aren’t familiar with the film, it centers around a large group of teenagers fighting to the death on national television. Characters as young as 12 years old are in this film and believe me, many of them will die.

Common Sense Media seems to have a different opinion on the ratings system. They are an independent association that rates films on appropriateness and it is much more detailed than the MPAA. They have provided ‘The Hunger Games’ with a “Pause 13+.” I know what you’re thinking, what in the world does that mean? In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Common Sense Media managing editor Betsy Bozdech said this:

“When we rate something ‘pause,’ it’s really a know-your-kids situation. It’s iffy for the age, but some 13-year-olds may be able to handle it, and some may not. You need to know your kid and your family and take it from there. We all have vivid imaginations, that’s for sure, but it’s very different to see a kid spearing another one, break another one’s neck, smashing their head in, than it is to read about it. It’s just a more visceral experience.” In my opinion all that gruesome violence sounds awesome! But I’m sure Common Sense Media has a point here, is the subject matter too much for them to handle?”

I would say no, from the reviews I have read it seems the film tones down the violence in comparison to the book, and I’ve never been a fan of censoring. But this once again raises the controversy of why the MPAA finds inappropriate language worthy of an R rating but intense violence involving teens only receives a PG-13. When will this “ratings” madness stop and parents can make up their own minds when it comes to what their kids can watch?

What’s your take on the matter Banters?