Key Takeaways:
– The movie Gremlins kickstarted the establishment of the PG-13 rating.
– Steven Spielberg proposed a rating between PG and R ratings due to families' complaints.
– Chris Columbus, the writer of Gremlins, initially intended for a darker storyline.
– This led to a reconsideration from the Motion Picture Association on their rating system.
– Steven Spielberg's Red Dawn became the first film to receive a PG-13 rating.
The Evolution of the Movie Rating System
Starting from the mid-'80s, the PG (Parental Guidance) rating seemed to be reserved almost exclusively for films aimed at younger audiences. Only on rare occasions did movies verge on challenging its self-imposed limits. Prior to the introduction of the PG-13 rating, films were simply bifurcated into being either PG or R rated, with the latter being chosen only in extreme scenarios. A notable example is the film Evil Dead. It, however, was the arrival of Steven Spielberg and his blockbusters that significantly impacted this system.
The Spielberg Effect on Movie Ratings
The modern rating system underwent a radical shift mainly due to Spielberg and his critically acclaimed films. The film that accelerated this change was Gremlins, which was released under the PG rating. In hindsight, if the original vision of Chris Columbus, the writer of Gremlins, had been followed, the film would have undoubtedly earned an R rating. The film's inspiration came from a mouse in Columbus's apartment, evolving into a vastly darker story than what was eventually produced.
Behind the Scenes of Gremlins
A closer look at Gremlins reveals that while the final version has its protagonist Lynn fighting and defeating the gremlins, the initial draft incorporated even grittier details where the monsters were decapitated. One unforgettable scene penned by Columbus features Billy and Kate walking into a half-eaten McDonald's, with all people partially consumed – leaving the burgers untouched.
Moreover, Columbus intended a grimmer fate for Gizmo, the film's endearing protagonist, who was envisioned to transform into Stripe, the scariest gremlin. Spielberg nixed this idea, however.
The Advent of the PG-13 Rating
Despite Spielberg's alterations that helped earned the film a PG rating, enhancing its box-office results, the content stirred controversy among parents. The deceptive trailers which portrayed Gremlins as a family-friendly Christmas movie were misleading. The feedback from unpleased parents led to industry discussions about the need for a new, intermediate rating system.
Spielberg, understanding parents' concerns and endorsing their cause, advanced the idea of a rating settling somewhere between PG and R. Thus, the PG-13 rating was established, with Spielberg's Red Dawn as the pioneer under its banner.
Reflection on the Rating System
Though far from perfect, the existing rating system which has faced criticism multiple times, comes across as a necessary tool when assessed with the perspective of past instances. The proof lies in the controversy surrounding Gremlins and the subsequent redressal.
Spielberg's 1984 blockbuster Gremlins, due to its potentially R-rated script if made according to the original draft, remains a key player in changing the landscape of the motion picture rating system. Before Spielberg's suggestion, the rating system faced a broader criticism for its binary classification of movies into only PG and R rated. With the establishment of PG-13, a wider spectrum of classification was possible, opening a new chapter in the film industry's milestone.
For enthusiasts eager to revisit or explore Spielberg's Gremlins, it's currently available to stream on Max.
