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'The Hunger Games' Gets a PG-13 Rating and Dramatic New TV Spot

by Ethan Anderton
March 1, 2012

So far there have only been teases of the actual action that will take place within the arena of The Hunger Games, which hits theaters later this month, but with an official rating from the MPAA handed out, we can get an idea of what to expect. The Hunger Games has been rated PG-13 "for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images - all involving teens." It's not surprising, and may serve as a warning for cautious parents who may not want their kids to see the bloody, intense battles. In the meantime, we have another powerful TV spot for the film, this one focusing on the drama leading up to the games. Watch it!

Here's the new TV spot for The Hunger Games featuring Taylor Swift's Safe & Sound via Lionsgate:

Jennifer Lawrence stars as Katniss, a 16-year-old living in the post-apocalyptic country of Panem. Every year, one boy and one girl are chosen from each of Panem's 12 districts to fight each other to their death. Josh Hutcherson plays Peeta, the boy chosen from District 12 for the Hunger Games with Katniss.

The Hunger Games is both written and directed by Oscar nominated filmmaker Gary Ross, director of Seabiscuit and Pleasantville previously, but also writer of Big, Mr. Baseball, Dave, Lassie, Pleasantville and Seabiscuit. It's adapted from Suzanne Collins' popular series of novels, first published in 2008. Lionsgate is bringing Hunger Games to theaters everywhere March 23rd, 2012. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Filed under Hype, Movie News, To Watch

From around the web:

AgentKidSociety

I've had enough of this movie already....
- Maddistar1
  
  Why
Jericho

still looks better than Warm Bodies......
DAVIDPD

Cool. Cool. Cool. I am still quite excited to see this movie. Wicked.
Monkeyboy

So Hunger Games gets a 'PG-13' and Bully receives an 'R' ?! Seems a little off to me.
- http://www.firstshowing.net/ Ethan Anderton
  
  The language is a big issue for the MPAA apparently too, but I agree that the Bully rating is ridiculous.
Blondstop

compared to their other trailers, that one seriously sucked.
http://www.pewpewpew.de reeft

They haven't shown ONE BIT of the actual fighting which leaves me worried for two reasons: 1) They haven't gone the full way and won't do the book and its brutality justice. 2) They want to lure in the younger folks and not frighten them or their parents or whatever. Of course, they could also just hold it back just so that people go and see the movie which is a smart move. While I'm not a big fan of the books, I did enjoy them but the movie just seems bland in every way possible although I actually like every one involved in this project. However, I still on the other hand can't wait for it to come out so I can see how they handled the actual games. Author Collins wrote her review and stated that the film will go beyond what's shown in the book (like the Gamemasters' head room and stuff) and I think that, if handled right, the proper movie could blow us away. But yeah, still doubt that.
- Danimal
  
  I was actually an extra in this and got to see multiple sets/props, including the gamemasters room....they're definitely holding a lot back
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=203001398 Jace LeRoy
  
  I'm going to start calling you captain contradiction
- equustel
  
  The marketing department has flat-out stated that they aren't showing any footage of the Games themselves because they want it to remain a surprise for viewers on opening day - they're keeping the mystique and suspense intact. If you've noticed, the entire marketing conceit is structured over the idea that "The 74th Hunger Games begin on [movie release day]" - therefore, we only get to see the build-up from the pre-Games story until then. Are they shooting themselves in the foot a little by holding back on the most compelling part(s) of the film? Maybe. Maybe not. I think it'll pay off when people do finally see the movie. Trailers give away FAR too much these days.I don't think it'll have any trouble drawing an audience.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ5hK-D8kRQ Crapola

I just hope there's some mad ballet in it. With a lot of pianos n shit.
Shia

Effin movie companies. And they wonder why people dont care about pirating movies. Making it PG just goes to show all they care about is making money and not allowing the true nature of the book evolve into what could have been a cult hit for the ages. Its just sad. Making a movie should be making art for the audiences... not selling out to pathetic tweens for the sake of a few bucks. I loved the book series, I love the cast and have confidence it will be a 'good' adaptation....but now knowing its PG is very clear the movie wont reach its true potential. The movie company should have had the balls to go all the way.... sigh.
- happy camper
  
  it reached its full potential back in 2001, when it was called Battle Royale, this is just as you said it a cash and grab by both author and film producers.
- http://twitter.com/equustel Ali Miller
  
  Um, it's PG-13, not PG. Big difference. Were you expecting it to be rated R? If so, I don't think you understand what "young adult novel" means.
  - cherylann
    
    it may be a young adult novel but pretty much for kids that are 15 and up in my mind. the book describes very detailed violent deaths so i am not sure how there making it pg 13 without leaving out a lot of the detail in the death scene's. i mean we are talking about a bunch of kids killing each other! how is that not worth an R rating? They shouldn't dull the books content down -just so young teens can see it. If there parents don't want them to watch a R rated movie then they shouldn't let them read book's that involve lot's of kids killing each other. Any how even with the pg 13 i am sure it will still be a movie worth watching.
  - Reeshkee
    
    AMEN IM WITH YA!!!!!! ;p
- Stinkhy
  
  i'm twelve years old and i really enjoyed the book and i think they should have done it only Pg because the book was intende for 12-18 year olds and harry potter had alot of fighting and stuff but it wasn't rated pg13 (not including hary poter 7part2) and also some people may be 15 but thay are not allowed to see 13+ movies
  - Pantherfan217
    
    Stinkhy... Harry Potter 4, 5, and 7 part 1 were also PG13 and the Hunger Games is a-lot more violent than Harry Potter, I Know. I'm a big fan of both series.
  - Reeshkee
    
    I C ur point but I also think that if it's JUST PG it wouldn't B any good cuz face it part of the HUNGER GAMES is violence!!!!!
momspointofview

this is a book that was promoted to young teens and pre teens. I actually bought this book series from my 12 year old son's school book order. I've read them, enjoyed them, and felt that my kids were mature enough to handle the violent parts of the book. However with that said, I would be very dissappointed if the book was promoted to children and then viewed on screen for adults only. I think authors for the most part are writers FIRST, so having their books adapted for the big screen needs to come second. I feel they have an obligation to their reading audience. After all, had I and the other parents in the world chose not to buy these books for our kids to read....there would probably be no movie to watch. The interest in it was there because like Harry potter and twilight, KIDS not adults took an interest in reading it. There is also a difference in reading a violent book and then actually watching the violence unfold. How I may imagine may be not nearly as terrible as actually seeing it.
- Homie
  
  Yah I loved this book it was so interesting
- cherylann
  
  to compare the hungergames books to twilight doesn't seem right to me....there is almost no killing in that book other than vampires killing vampires and then its light on the detail. Not to mention there made of stone so u don't have to worry about it being bloody in the movie. the good guys always win...there's no dead little kids in twilight. the only really gory part is when Bella gives birth in breaking dawn and that was way intense in the theater what with Edwards face covered in her blood and all. I'm just saying a lot of these books don't seem very 12yr old friendly to me. At least not to make into movies and the hungergames is 10 times more gory in book form than twilight. I do agree that it's not fair to promote the books to young kids then give them an adult rating when the movie comes out. However i feel like "young adult" is a loose term. When i think of young adult's i think high school kids not middle school kids.... and let's face it almost all high school are allowed to watch rated R movies or do anyways at there friends houses.
  - Reeshkee
    
    I think that these HUNGER GAMES books could B read by middle schoolers I'm in middle school and I LOVE them but on that thought I also think that Parents should check out stuff like this that's violent and make sure there kids r mature enough 4 it cuz it could hurt them if there not ready 4 it but if they r it's a very good book series and it's worth reading!!!!!! ;D
Emkaylee99

i loved the books and really hope the movies are just as good. my experience with watching movies after i read the book it was based on, however, is not that great. hopefully this movie will excede my and everyone's expectations.
FAB

I think this age certificate is sensible. It allows scope for violence with out excessive blood, guts and gore. The soundtrack and reactions of actors do deaths should make up for any lack of visual content. Cannot wait!! xx
- Reeshkee
  
  AMEN!!!!!!!!! 8p
Pinkiepie111

I really want to see that movie
HungerGamesFan101

i have read the first book, and i am currently reading the second i have loved/loving the books but think that someone who would/could write stuff liek this has to have something mentally wrong... and to me i agree that this should be rated R although only in small parts, like Rue's death and the bumblebee type things killing (dont remeber whose name the bees killed) in places it could be R and others PG so a fair rating with touch-ups could make it PG-13
- cherylann
  
  the bees kill glimmer and the girl from district 4
- Reeshkee
  
  There trackerjackers and how do u no u haven't seen the movie yet I SUPER EXCITED AND WANT 2 C IT SUPA BAD AND IT COMES OUT ONLY IN A WEEK!!!!!!! 8D
- Maddistar1
  
  When rue dies UT wants to cry
Opinions

The movie is important to a lot of the readers who enjoyed the books to a humongous extent. To make the movie gory would really disappoint kids who fell in love with the books. On the other hand I see how people think its stupid to not unlock its full potential. Some people can't handle gore while this movie seems to need it to some extent.
Jazmine

I'm disappointed in Suzanne Collins for letting them dumb-down her amazing books for little kids. Yes, it was written for 11 and up, but let's face it, the biggest fans of the books are adults and older teens.
Maddistar1

llove the movie hope to see it again. I was the biggest twilight fan but this is 1% better. Can't wait til next movie.
Maddistar1

Um people please tell what the 2 & 3book is about
Sabrina4ever:)

Im 14 and i loved the movie! I think it definitely maintained that PG-13 rating. Yes there were violent parts but everyone expected that because its based off of the books. I think it was good and was sutuble for the 13- 14 year olds. Violent but not to the point where it disturbs you. I like how they did it. They watched it and i like them for doing that. Cannot wait for Catching fire!!! go HG!