Should Batman have been R-rated?
Yep. The first time I watched The Dark Knight in theaters I felt uncomfortable enough to have agreed with an R-rating. But the second time I watched it, I loved it and was even able to see past the questionable subject and content, which I first found offensive. IMDB reports that Dark Knight is rated PG-13 for "intense sequences of violence and some menace". But it also won 2 Oscars and another 46 wins & 47 nominations on Oscar Night last week.
I still think it should be rated-R.
I saw Slumdog Millionaire a week before it was released in theaters. I was so taken with the film that I immediately recommended it to my most-innocent sister, Belle, and her straight-laced husband Bill. (Sorry guys.) Only this week did I hear word that Slumdog actually was, rated-R for "some violence, disturbing images and language". Having said that, it stole the show at the 2008 film awards with 8 Oscars wins and 64 other wins & 28 nominations.
These are just two examples on a list of countless classic, award-winning films that also bear the MPAA rating of R:
-Schindler's List
-Braveheart
-The Matrix
-The Passion of the Christ
-Titanic (Controversial PG-13 film)
-Gladiator
-Patton
-The Godfather
The LDS For The Strength of Youth pamphlet clearly states:
"Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable." p.17
I do my best to adhere to the counsel found in this pamphlet; abiding by its teachings has brought me nothing but peace and a myriad of additional blessings. I know that it is very possible (and recommended) to simply choose to avoid R-rated shows absolutely. In M. Russell Ballard's July 1996 Ensign article, Filling the World with Goodness and Truth, he notes, "Contrary to popular notions about movies, an industry magazine recently reported that of the top ten all-time domestic movie hits, not one was R-rated. Many people still respond to values-oriented messages!" President Benson put it most directly when he declared, "Don’t see R-rated movies..." (Ensign, May 1986, p.43)
On preparing to go to the temple, Elder Cree-L Kofford Of the Seventy taught, "All too often, we get ourselves enmeshed in the process of trying to understand why God gave us a particular commandment. We want to rationalize. I don’t know where that is more evident than in watching movies. Young people know they should not watch R- or X-rated movies, and yet time after time I hear them say, “Well it’s only rated R because it’s violent.” What difference does it make why it is rated R? The fact is, a prophet of God has said not to go to R-rated movies. That ought to be good enough." (Ensign July 1998, p.6)
I wish I could say that I've never seen an R-rated film. Batman and Slumdog Millionaire were, hands-down, my two favorite movies of 2008. How can I justify loving these rated-R movies when my belief system distinctly warns me against the viewing of them?
----------------
Listening to: Duran Duran - Come Undone
Well, if you're sticking just to that quote from For the Strength of Youth, I might point out that it doesn't mention R rated movies. Also, I don't think that Batman or Slumdog Millionaire fall into the category of "present[ing] immorality or violent behavior as acceptable." Quite the contrary, really.
ReplyDeleteBesides (and you kind of touched on this) the MPAA rating system is kind of flawed. I generally go by content rather than rating.
I agree. The first presidency made a point NOT to put R-rated movies in there; some PG-13 movies are just as bad, it's up to our own personal judgment. I personally feel that Slumdog Millionaire and The Dark Knight do not violate the standards of the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet at all; while presenting evil in some of it's forms, both movies promote the good of mankind--hope, courage, and fighting for the right.
ReplyDeleteBrian! I love your blog. It is so creative. Teach me how you do it!
ReplyDeleteAre you sure you are asking the right question?
ReplyDelete"How can I justify what God (through his prophet) asked me not to do?"
Hmmm.
Even though you recommended it, I don't think Belle and Bill will be watching it. ;)
ReplyDeleteI've (almost) always followed Pres. Benson's counsel but you seem to be influencing me to the contrary. And the For The Strength of Youth pamphlet only gives me added justification, if I were looking for it anyway.
ReplyDeleteCrazy that you blogged about R rated movies too. I guess this shows that I haven't been keeping up on your blog like I should have been.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the whole private thing was throwing me off as I couldn't access the new postings through google reader. So I'll just hope it's unblocked now.
In the meantime, yeah, the debate goes on. I would like to say that Ezra Taft Benson was just crazy, but I don't really feel justified in saying that about a prophet of God. At the same time, my wife might use birth control when I get married and he also counseled against that. Should I feel worse for watching an R rated movie or for her using birth control? I don't know, I just think it's wise to maintain a good relationship with God and pick your movies carefully.