Marvel fans questioned the age rating of Guardians of the Galaxy Episode 3 about some of the “disturbing” content of the film.
The film, which is released this week, is the final entry in James Gunn’s MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) trilogy. The film has been rated 12A in the UK and PG-13 in the US, allowing children to see it in cinemas.
Guardians of the Galaxy Episode 3 revolves around the backstory of Bradley Cooper’s character, Rocket Raccoon, and the evil High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), who experimented with him.
Slight spoilers follow for Guardians of the Galaxy…
The film features some supernatural animal abuse, with CGI-rendered animals mutated and grotesque mechanical parts.
Another scene shows the Guardians visiting the Orgosphere, an interstellar mass made entirely of fleshy organic matter.
Fans called the content “dark” and “bloody” on social media, with many suggesting that the film should be given a higher age rating.
“Therefore Guardians of the Galaxy episode 3 definitely get a PG-13 rating and I would advise caution if you are going to accept children under 13,” wrote one viewer. “It was violent, dark and brutal. They definitely push the PG-13 rating as far as possible. Unsettling visuals and thematic elements.”
“Just returned from Guardian 3 and it definitely pushes its ratings up,” wrote another.
Zoe Saldaña in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3’
(Marvel Studios)
“Won’t go into details but there’s animal cruelty, tons of violence, gore, and quite a bit of swearing at Disney/Marvel. Not for people who are very young or get upset easily. Me and my 13-year-old loved it.”
“Saw Guardian 3, another person wrote. “How the hell did they get away with 12? If you’ve seen it, you know exactly which scene made me question this.”
Another fan commented: “Maybe it’s just James Gunn leaving the MCU, but it really feels like Guardians Episode 3 really pushed the boat away like ratings/gore. By far the most graphical and exploratory MCU project to date.
Chris Pratt in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy episode 3’
(Marvel/Disney)
In addition to the visceral scenes, the film also includes the MCU’s first statement of “obscenity”.
independenceClarisse Loughrey’s film critic awarded it four stars, calling it the best MCU work in years.
Guardians of the Galaxy Episode 3 now out in theaters.
