Starring:
Director:
Rated: —
WITH the school holidays just around the corner you may have children, grandchildren or great grandchildren to look after. If you want to take the children to the cinema it is worth knowing the difference between the PG and G classifications.
G films are suitable for all viewers, but this does not imply that they are films for children. In fact, sport films dominate this category. A General classification says that violence must be “infrequent and light in tone”, sex can only be suggested in very discreet ways and coarse language must be very mild and infrequent.
PG films are available to all viewers, but parental guidance for young children is recommended. PG films can “be confusing or upsetting to children without adult guidance (but should) not be harmful or disturbing to children”. PG films can have: Mild violence but it must not be shown in detail; suggested and discreet sexual activity; mild and infrequent coarse language; mild adult themes; no nudity in a sexual context; and no promotion or encouragement of drug use.
It is worth noting that while the Mature category is left to discretion of parents, the Mature Accompanied 15+ rating is a legal restriction and children under the age of 15 attending these films are breaking the law.
Unfortunately, our mid-year holidays always have the least number of good children’s films because the US market is yet to release their summer films, so the holiday’s pickings are pretty slim.
At present there are six G films on full commercial release in Australia: Fantasia 2000; The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas; The Cup; The Tigger Movie; Stuart Little; and Iron Giant.
For teenagers Looking for Alibrandi (M) and M:i-2 (M) are the best films on offer.
