“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One,” hits theaters tonight in midnight showings, and will no doubt play into the new year. It’s rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence, frightening images and brief sensuality.
A PG-13 rating is nothing new for ‘Harry Potter’ movies, and the story almost requires it, because things get darker and darker as we near the end of the franchise.
Still, in some ways, I wish all the ‘Harry Potter’ movies carried a PG rating, because then younger kids would be able to see them. I’m not talking toddlers, but rather kids in the 8 to 12 age range. As it is, a lot of them won’t be allowed to see these final two movies.
Part One begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson) set out on a perilous mission to track down and destroy the Horcruxes — the keys to Voldemort’s immortality. On their own, the three friends must now rely on each other more than ever, even as the Dark Forces swirl around them.
Meanwhile, the Wizarding world has become a dangerous place for all enemies of the Dark Lord. The long-feared war has begun and Voldemort’s Death Eaters seize control of the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting anyone who might oppose them.
Harry’s only hope is to find the Horcruxes before Voldemort finds him. But as he searches for clues, he uncovers an old and almost forgotten tale — the legend of the Deathly Hallows. And if the legend turns out to be true, it could give Voldemort the ultimate power he seeks.
It’s clear from the images below that the kids are growing into adults, and this movie is the darkest yet of the series. Do you think it’s too intense for kids younger than 13?
Images: Warner Bros. Entertainment
Leave a Reply