Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Should "Breaking Dawn" Be Rated R?

The latest Twilight discussions have been if Breaking Dawn Part I and II should be rated R. If you have read the book, you know that Stephenie Meyer is very descriptive. Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg stated at an awards show that they will be going by the book as much as possible and the birth scene will be gory. However, the movies will still be rated PG-13. The question is between the steamy sex scenes, the gory birth and Bella's first hunt, should the movies be rated R?

Many bloggers have said that they agree with the PG-13 rating because teenagers and younger kids have seen worse than The Twilight Saga  movies. So, what's the big deal, if teenagers can go without adult supervision.

I'm going to be Devil's Advocate and say it should be rated R. These scenes are too much for teens without parent's supervision. These days kids are having sex earlier and earlier and taking more risky behavior and not telling their parents anything. At least, if it's rated R, parents can discuss the movie with them and make sure they understand the nature of Bella and Edward's realtionship and that this is just a story.

19 comments:

  1. I suppose it depends on how you look at it. If they stick to the book as closely as possible, then yes, it should be rated R for exactly the reasons you stated. Teens grow up way to fast these days. Of course they'll sneak in to see it anyway. As much as I would love to see a lot of Robert Pattinson's (well, you know) it won't take anything away from the storyline if they are more suggestive than "accurate."

    Same with the birthing scene. I am not a fan of gore at all. I like the idea they have been running with of showing it from Bella's point of view. I think certain aspects like the syringe to the heart, the biting, and even perhaps the tearing should be shown, but there's an artistic way to convey all of this without shortchanging Meyer's novel or the intensity of the scene(s).

    Now, from a business stand point, Summitt would stand to lose a lot of money if they chose an R rating. They would lose over 1/2 of their consumers and any corporation would never do that, it's financial suicide (especially since the cost of production rises with each film.

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  2. Breaking Dawn transitioned to an adult book in many ways, Bella grew up, and things evolved. Between the sex and the birth scene, which they have to show, and thank goodness they are, IT should be R rated. Kids are growing up to fast, and most moms are gonna wanna go see it anyway. Trying to hold on the the belief that they want it fair to the fan base is ludicrous and they are lying to themselves. They think that having it R rated, they will lose viewers....WRONG!
    Its too big for that. I know adult men and women alike that love the Saga, but this phenomenon needs to be talked about with the teenagers and they need to be pulled out of the fantasy world.

    Everyone knows that there is not a Saga fan that is not dying for these movies to come out, and if they have to drag an over 18 adult with them, so be it, they should have one with them anyway! Im sorry but there is no way I am letting my 12 yr old or even 14 yr old go to the movies without supervision, this is 2011 not 1920.

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  3. I do not think the movie can be adequately made unless it is rated R. Period. :)

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  4. These are really great answers!! Thank you everyone!! :D

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  5. Yes.......Double Yes!! This is a grown up book with grown situations, I think the book should not be read by anyone under 16!!

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  6. I think that PG-13 movies are NOT what they used to be guys! PG-13 used to be alot tamer but now if you haven't noticed many of the new scary movies are PG-13. A good example is the new film The Rite starring Anthony Hopkins. I haven't seen it but the previews are pretty scary and Anthony Hopkins enjoys being in films that are listed "Horror" and "Thriller." I just think they can do alot these days with PG-13, much more than I would have thought. I have every faith Melissa Rosenburg and Stephenie Meyer can do an excellent job to not disappoint! Can't wait!!!

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  7. Scary and Sexy are quite different!! I get that PG-13 is alot different but there is ALOT of sex in this book and 13yo's do not need to be exposed to that! :) It Glamorizes sex and makes it seem like something so majical when in fact there are many other things that play nto it! Only an adult can understand the feelings and problems that go along with it!

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  8. I've been wondering if Breaking Dawn would be rated R. One thing I've loved about the Twilight saga is that it is, in my opinion,kid friendly. I have absolutely no problem allowing my seven-year-old daughter to watch them. I appreciate the relative cleanliness of the books and movies. Breaking Dawn, though, will be a different story. I've explained to her that I don't believe Breaking Dawn part I will be suitable for her to watch. I can't imagine that Part II would be that bad for the younger kids, as the story there is more akin to the first three.

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  9. If they keep closely to the book, as they should, then it will have to be rated R. If it isn't, it means they've destroyed the story in order to get a PG rating and everyone will be greatly disappointed. I know I will.

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  10. Watching Bella's pregnancy and birth scenes might be good for bringing down teen pregnancy rates. YIKES!!!

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  11. Kisses for Rob....girl you know sex with Rob is more than magical ha ha Ok parents teach your kids..."JUST SAY NO TO SEX!....Unless its with Robert Pattinson" ha ha

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  12. This is a SAGA. If one is PG 13, then they all should be. As much as I would like it to be rated R, I couldn't imagine being a young teen and not being able to see the movie because of my age. It would be very unfair to them as a fan.

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  13. Yeah it's Dirty! HAHAHAHHAHA :) Its just say yes to ROb!! ;)

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  14. I personally think it should be rated higher than a PG13 but i think they could have done it quite adequately at a M16 or something lets face who actually sticks to the ages any kid could go with a parent ect. it would make my day to think they would do a R rated version but they would probably stuff it up anyway the book is incredible i want to see the movie but no matter what it will NEVER be as good as the book, maybe our imagination is actually going to have to be enough for these versions anyway :(

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  15. lol! I am just cracking up from these comments of SAY YES TO ROB! haha. My opinion is if the movie is like the book with the sex and the birth, then yes it should be rated R. But my suggestion for summit entertainment is to just show little scenes of them having sex like with other movies, they'll show legs and mouths kissing....i mean thats not too gory. haha. I mean honestly, I would like to see Rob's $#&!. haha. But yes BR should be Rated R. Guyz...just see it with your parents. haha. Lie to them and say " oh yeah this one is about Edward and Bella getting married and buying a house" And then when your in the theatre...their is no way that you can get out. haha! :D

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  16. Part of the story (and the whole saga for that matter) that is actually a good moral lesson for teens is that Bella and Edward DON'T have sex until they are MARRIED. It's a point he even stated in Eclipse, that he wants to leave that rule unbroken. The birth scene on the other hand, is a different issue. I don't know how it could be filmed true to the novel and not be rated R. It is much more graphic than marital sex which I think could be shown in a tasteful way that is not expicit.

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  17. This is coming from a kid's point of but i think that it should stay PG13 because i am a huge twilight saga fan and i dont want to miss out.Yes i kno there is a lot of adult situations but i have seen movies way worse.And i kno tht it wont b exactly like the book but none of them ever are....

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  18. I understand how the teenagers are feeling but the point is making this movie pg-13 would really change how the movie should be pro traded its a saga yes but its not as if Bella and Edward don't evolve through these books they do there's growth and stronger feelings and the sex and birth is not the only adult themes in the book the whole book is adult even the sexual jokes made by characters , and tons of other things if u pay close enough attention in the book. This inst a children s/teenage movie the last book changes alot if they want to see it they should see it with an adult, and if the author was so concern why write the book in a adult way ! of coarse it appeals to teens cause throughout the saga there is little teases of the sex making curiosity and so forth to make my very long story short it should be rated R Too MUCH WOULD HAVE TO BE CHANGE FOR PG-13 AUDIENCE.

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  19. THE MOVIE NEEDS TO BE MADE LIKE THE BOOK. IT IS A MORE MATURE LOOK, AND IT WILL RUIN IT, IF THINGS ARE LEFT OUT. IF SUMMIT IS SO WORRIED, THEN THEY SHOULD THINK ABOUT DOING IT BOTH WAYS. PG13 FOR YOUNGER VIEWERS, AND THE R FOR THE ADULTS, AND THE ONES WHO CAN HANDLE IT. I HAVE SEEN THIS DONE BEFORE, AND BREAKING DAWN WOULD DO GREAT THIS WAY. PERSONALLY I WANT IT ALL, EVERYTHING JUST AS IT WAS PRINTED, AND WITH A LITTLE MORE ADDED TO IT. THESE 2 ARE GREAT TOGETHER, AND THEY SHOULD SHOW THAT.

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