PG Horror: A Retrospective – Honorable Mentions Before looking at the movies specifically from 1990-1995, let’s take a look at some of the earlier examples from the 1980’s. At the time these movies were released, there was no classification for a PG-13 rating by the MPAA, it jumped from PG to R. Both of these Steven Spielberg productions led to the creation of PG-13 and thus halted the PG horror film trend that was just beginning (that is until it was rejuvenated in 1990). Poltergeist (1982, Rated PG) This is the PG horror film that never should have been one. It was rated R by the MPAA upon initial certification, but Steven Spielberg’s sudden rise to power in Hollywood proved too much to overcome so the MPAA folded under the pressure and assigned it a PG rating with zero cuts required (practically unheard of at the time). In this regard I think it is a bit unfair to consider this movie, probably the BEST haunted house film EVER, in a subgenre that must tread lightly on content to avoid a PG-13 or worse. Regardless, this movie is fantastic start to finish and should be experienced by everyone. My rating: A Gremlins (1984, Rated PG) Gremlins is a movie that continues to defy to be defined. It is certainly a family orientated film, the violence is cartoony enough to be justified (compared to the realistic and graphic nature of Poltergeist). It is also positively a Christmas movie, being set on Christmas Eve and it explores some themes related to the holiday. Gremlins is not an overt horror film, but it is structured like one (by a horror director) and it has startling moments. Its especially successful as a horror film since its moments of terror (see: the mother confronting the gremlins in the kitchen) and it sticks with you without it feeling like its really trying, and it establishes the prototype of how to be over-the-top to supplement comedy into horror to broaden its audience. Rating: A
Posted on: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 23:39:27 +0000
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