VOTD: The History Of The PG-13 Rating

Previously posted, GoodBadFlicks has put together a nice video essay called "WTF Happened to PG-13?" which takes a look at the origins of the PG-13 rating, the effects of the rating's creation, and how it continues to redefine what the R-rating means. For instance, did you know that the PG-13 rating spawned from a phone call from Steven Spielberg after the backlash over Gremlins' PG rating? Watch the WTF Happened To the PG-13 Rating video essay now after the jump.

I'm not sure I agree with all of the video essay's conclusions. Yes, more studios are producing PG-13 movies instead of R rated films in an attempt to make more money. While this homogenization has caused some movies and franchises to suffer, I'm not sure that the rating was the reason for the low box office of Terminator: Salvation of The Expendables 3. The PG-13 rating definitely didn't hart The Dark Knight. And there is a segment which focuses on the PG-13 version of The King's Speech, which failed to do big business at the box office, but ignores the success of the family version of The Passion of the Christ, in order to prove their own point. That said, the video essay presents some good evidence, including some side by side presentations from original R-rated films and PG-13 sequels as well as the award merits of R-rated stories vs. PG-13, PG and G.