July 22, 2003

One of these things is not like the others

Posted by Brian

From the NY Times review of 28 Days Later

”28 Days Later” is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian). It has many scenes of maiming, dismemberment, clubbing, shooting, bayoneting and shoplifting.

Actually it’s not entirely obvious that any shoplifting takes place, but we’d need another law and cinema post to work that out.

Posted on July 22, 2003 05:34 PM UTC
Comments

Even implied shoplifting might corrupt the minds of impressionable youth, if no parent is on hand to explain the correct way to shop after Armageddon. But at least there’s no drug use.

Posted by Dick Durata · July 22, 2003 06:06 PM

Surely if there is clubbing, drug use is implied? : )

Posted by Chris Bertram · July 22, 2003 06:13 PM

Not to totally nerdify the comments, but there actually IS drug use in the film, and by a minor no less.

Posted by JNelsonW · July 22, 2003 06:25 PM

Are the people who have already seen the movie going to return for the alternative ending?

Posted by PG · July 22, 2003 07:05 PM

The NY Times comments on ratings are usually good. I particularly like the one for League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: “It has sexuality, repetitive violence while blurring the lines of heroism, strong language and consumption of fluids that are sometimes alcoholic.”

Posted by Kate Nepveu · July 22, 2003 09:14 PM

Re Kate’s comment, I remember long ago a review in the Washington Post that ended with a warning that a film contained long streches of boredom masquerading as drama.

It also reminds me of a Calvin and Hobbes strip in which they wonder what “adult situations” means and then guess that it’s things like paying taxes.

Posted by Jacob · July 23, 2003 12:20 AM

This is beautiful. I used to think they came up with good content warnings here (I still giggle at “anti-social violence” and “some smoking by minors”, plus there was a TV documentary prefaced with the warning “contains atrocities that may upset some viewers”… as opposed, perhaps, to atrocities that stimulate them erotically), but the idea that shoplifting is as terrible a thing to witness in a horror film as someone being rendered limb from limb is just transcendent.

Posted by James Russell · July 23, 2003 02:31 AM

My local newspaper used to run these ratings, which was helpful on nights when you were more in a mood for toilet jokes than nudity.

Posted by Zizka · July 23, 2003 06:09 AM

I agree with Kate’s comment that ‘The NY Times comments on ratings are usually good’; recenty, I particulary enjoyed the one by A. O. Scott for Bad Boys II — ‘“Bad Boys II” is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian). One or two scenes do not include graphic violence, drug references, or partial nudity, and there may be a line of dialogue that does not contain profanity.’

Posted by David Mackinder · July 24, 2003 01:08 AM

Perhaps shoplifting is a natural next step for people who trade mp3s online, decode DVDs or (gasp) get a DVD player from another country to subvert the differential pricing? Of course, that is just one step away from ritual sex with underage lesbian sheep. In bondage gear.

Posted by Karen · July 25, 2003 02:26 AM
Followups

→ MOVIE RATINGS.
Excerpt: Brian Weatherson is a bit perplexed by a NYT movie review: ”28 Days Later” is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian)....
Read more at OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY

This discussion has been closed. Thanks to everyone who contributed.