Beyond Bloodshed: Unleashing the Epic, Heart-Stopping Marvel Moments
The MCU's daring foray into graphic and intense scenes ignites a compelling discourse on the need for diverse ratings in its releases, challenging the boundaries of its PG-13 classification
Summary
Marvel's PG-13 movies have included gory and violent moments, pushing the boundaries of the rating.
A recent post on Reddit brings attention to graphic scenes such as the Illuminati massacre and the true appearance of the High Evolutionary.
The popularity of R-rated superhero movies, like Deadpool, could potentially prompt Marvel Studios to explore different content ratings in order to broaden the variety of their narratives.
A recent discussion on Reddit about the goriest moments in the MCU has sparked a renewed debate about the ratings of Marvel movies. Despite being known for family-friendly projects, Disney, Marvel's parent company, has included several graphic and violent scenes in their PG-13 films, especially in recent times. Even shows and specials on Disney+ feature unsettling scenes that may make both parents and children uncomfortable. Surprisingly, these movies and shows have managed to maintain their PG-13 rating.
In a Reddit post by user JamJamGaGa on the Marvel Studios page, a compilation of images showcasing the gorier moments from the MCU was shared. This compilation included scenes like the Illuminati massacre in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the interrogation scene in Secret Invasion, and the unveiling of the High Evolutionary's real face in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. These examples are just a glimpse of the violence present in the MCU, as one could also mention U.S. Agent's brutality in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier or the numerous deaths in the Werewolf By Night special. All of these scenes illustrate the fine line between PG-13 and R ratings.
Why The MCU Needs To Have A Range Of Ratings In Its Releases
The MCU has yet to venture into R-rated projects, but that is about to change. DC has achieved success with R-rated movies like Joker, and Fox's X-Men universe has shown that R-rated superhero films can be successful with movies like Deadpool, Deadpool 2, and Logan. Now, the MCU is finally delving into more mature content with Deadpool 3, which will feature Ryan Reynolds' iconic Merc with the Mouth and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. If this movie proves as successful as its predecessors, it may encourage Marvel Studios to further explore different content ratings.
While R-rated movies are not inherently more mature or interesting than other ratings, allowing for the inclusion of such content in projects could help Marvel Studios diversify its storytelling. One common critique of the MCU is that its tried-and-true story formula is becoming repetitive, and the franchise must evolve or face decline. It is not necessary for the MCU to rely on explicit or profane material, but there are numerous dark and gritty stories from the comics that could be better portrayed with fewer restrictions imposed by a PG-13 rating.
Source: Reddit
