Didn't like movie thrown off plane

[sam_gordon]

To be clear, the version aired on the overhead screens shouldn't be R or PG13 rated. Many movies aired were PG13 (maybe R?) in the theaters but the version being shown was edited down to the equivalent of a PG or even G movie.

You realize the distinction but the distinction seems lost on some of the posters.

If you're referring to me, I get the distinction. HOWEVER, and I have stated as such, there are some movies that are rated PG that I think still aren't appropriate to be shown where young children can see the screen. There are some PG13 movies that I wouldn't have a problem with my younger kids watching.

Do you have any examples of a PG13 movie being edited down enough to get a G rating?

How about this scenario. An adult watching an R rated movie is watching it on the plane because he doesn't want to watch it at home where his kids might see it.

Is he watching it on his personal device? If my kid is around, I might ask the adult to turn the screen or I'd switch seats with my child to make it more difficult for my child to see the screen, but I wouldn't ask him to turn it off.

 

[Lewisc]

If you're referring to me, I get the distinction. HOWEVER, and I have stated as such, there are some movies that are rated PG that I think still aren't appropriate to be shown where young children can see the screen. There are some PG13 movies that I wouldn't have a problem with my younger kids watching.

I'm not, you understand the distinction. Several posters don't understand airlines aren't generally airing unedited PG13 and R rated movies on drop down screens.

I know Parent Trap was edited down to a G. I know some R rated movies have been edited, Speed is one example. AFAIK the movies aren't officially re-rated.

I understand some parents may not want their kids watching the movie. My point is the edits should generally ensue any part of the movie they happen to see while glancing isn't more "intense" then what they might see on a TV commercial.

 

[goofy4tink]

To be clear, the version aired on the overhead screens shouldn't be R or PG13 rated. Many movies aired were PG13 (maybe R?) in the theaters but the version being shown was edited down to the equivalent of a PG or even G movie.

You realize the distinction but the distinction seems lost on some of the posters.

I believe movies show in the setback screens are generally not edited.

How about this scenario. An adult watching an R rated movie is watching it on the plane because he doesn't want to watch it at home where his kids might see it.

If he wants to watch it on his iPad, fine, go for it. But, as sam said, if my child was able to view it, I might change seats with my child. But, that's about it. I really don't have a huge issue with it....I just doubt that this is that big a deal...there just aren't all that many kids seeing stuff they shouldn't be seeing on airplanes!

 

[sam_gordon]

I know Parent Trap was edited down to a G. I know some R rated movies have been edited, Speed is one example. AFAIK the movies aren't officially re-rated.

Wasn't Parent Trap a PG to start? I can see editing a movie down one level (PG to G or PG13 to PG), but two levels (PG13 to G) I think would destroy the movie.

 

[Lewisc]

Wasn't Parent Trap a PG to start? I can see editing a movie down one level (PG to G or PG13 to PG), but two levels (PG13 to G) I think would destroy the movie.

I don't think the movie is literally re-rated. I don't know if airlines goal is to edit a movie down one level, to PG or all the way to G. Sometimes a movie rated R is shown. Do they edit it down to PG13, or PG. I'd be surprised if a R movie is edited down to G.

I don't have the answer to your question. Probably depends. Assume a movie is rated PG13 due to nudity. Do you edit down to brief nudity (PG) or cut it all out (possible G)?

Does it even matter if a movie is rated PG13 or R due to language? Presumably the parents won't be giving the kids earphones. The other side, a movie is rated PG13 because of extension Same thing regarding drug references.

 

[sam_gordon]

Does it even matter if a movie is rated PG13 or R due to language? Presumably the parents won't be giving the kids earphones. The other side, a movie is rated PG13 because of extension Same thing regarding drug references.

I personally wouldn't have a problem with them showing a PG13 that was rated so because of language. As you said, if the kids don't have earphones, they won't hear it. Yet another example of why I said "it depends on the movie". I would think (and hope) nudity/sex and violence (basically visual indicators) would be edited out.

I would like to know at what point did the parents feel there was a problem. Did they watch some of the movie? Did they research the movie (that may or may not relate to what was on the plane)? Did they just react to the name of the movie (maybe they saw the unedited previously)?

 

[Greysword]

Lewis and Sam, respectfully you are arguing semantics. The concern IMO isn't about the rating of the movie; rather, it is the captivation of the audience and the edit.

Whether parents can distract children, or themselves for that matter, the center of the problem remains in the fact that the screens will be down and images will be presented for all to see, whether we want them to be or not.

As such, an airline that uses this technology has a responsibility to ensure the content is acceptable for general viewing, regardless of the rating on the box. Someone in an official capacity should watch the movie and sign off that the picture, as presented, is acceptable for everyone to watch. It would be better if it was a consortium of people from an independent agency (outside the airlines), where one rejection would cause the film to not be shown on-board these specific aircraft.

For instance, Star Wars has a PG rating, and there are very few people who would object to watching it on the IFE. The classic James Bond movies are also PG to PG-13 rated, Beverly Hills Cop was R rated as was Rainman, Jerry Maguire, Rambo, Lethal Weapon, A Few Good men, The Matrix, Good Morning Vietnam, Analyze This, Flashdance, and Stripes just to name a few. In their TV versions, all would be acceptable for exposure to children on an aircraft, especially if they only received the occasional glimpse while they do other activities.

In the end, it isn't about the rating, rather the movie choice and amount of editing it undergoes. The audience on an airplane is captive and the drop down IFE is exposing everyone to it, even if extraordinary measures are taken to "hide" from the film. As such, the airlines have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure exposure to the film being shown is within acceptable norms of the current society. Excessive violent and heinous acts are not acceptable, nor is lewd sexual behavior. There is a line, most movies can be edited to fall within the boundary, and those that can not should not be shown in an environment where a passenger has no choice to remove themselves from the exposure area.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I don't think the movie is literally re-rated.

Yep! The G/PG/PG13/R/NC17 ratings only apply movies submitted to the MPAA for theatrical release in U.S. movie theaters.

There are often other versions of movies, such as the "director's cut" DVD/Blu-Ray version, the broadcast TV version, and the airline version.

The "director's cut" may restore some scenes that were removed from the theatrical release for any reason.

The TV version may include alternate scenes to bring language, violence, gore, and "skin" down to broadcast TV standards. Directors often shoot two versions of those scenes that would not meet network TV standards so that the TV version still looks good. In other cases, some dialog can be re-dubbed; some scenes can be cut entirely; and scenes can be digitally altered.

Airline standards and broadcast TV standards may not always be the same. (For example, airlines don't want to show airplane explosions!)

These other versions are not re-rated by the MPAA.

I think none of us reading this thread have seen the United Airlines version of Alex Cross. I certainly haven't seen it, but I'd be willing to bet that the violence and gore were considerably toned down from the PG13 theatrical release. That being said, I have no idea if it was toned down sufficiently to satisfy 99% of parents, or if some graphic gore survived.

 

[sam_gordon]

Lewis and Sam, respectfully you are arguing semantics. The concern IMO isn't about the rating of the movie; rather, it is the captivation of the audience and the edit.

Whether parents can distract children, or themselves for that matter, the center of the problem remains in the fact that the screens will be down and images will be presented for all to see, whether we want them to be or not.

As such, an airline that uses this technology has a responsibility to ensure the content is acceptable for general viewing, regardless of the rating on the box. Someone in an official capacity should watch the movie and sign off that the picture, as presented, is acceptable for everyone to watch. It would be better if it was a consortium of people from an independent agency (outside the airlines), where one rejection would cause the film to not be shown on-board these specific aircraft.

For instance, Star Wars has a PG rating, and there are very few people who would object to watching it on the IFE. The classic James Bond movies are also PG to PG-13 rated, Beverly Hills Cop was R rated as was Rainman, Jerry Maguire, Rambo, Lethal Weapon, A Few Good men, The Matrix, Good Morning Vietnam, Analyze This, Flashdance, and Stripes just to name a few. In their TV versions, all would be acceptable for exposure to children on an aircraft, especially if they only received the occasional glimpse while they do other activities.

In the end, it isn't about the rating, rather the movie choice and amount of editing it undergoes. The audience on an airplane is captive and the drop down IFE is exposing everyone to it, even if extraordinary measures are taken to "hide" from the film. As such, the airlines have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure exposure to the film being shown is within acceptable norms of the current society. Excessive violent and heinous acts are not acceptable, nor is lewd sexual behavior. There is a line, most movies can be edited to fall within the boundary, and those that can not should not be shown in an environment where a passenger has no choice to remove themselves from the exposure area.

You said what I was trying to say much more elegantly. In my simple terms... "it's a movie by movie choice".