In just under two week’s time, the highly anticipated action-adventure movie, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, will make its big screen debut. The new movie – from director George Miller – will open in Australian cinemas on May 23rd, before arriving in the UK and the US on May 24th.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is the fifth entry in the Mad Max movie series, but it is the first to be released as a prequel. The events of the film are set 15-20 years before 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road, and focus on the titular character, Imperator Furiosa in her youth.
Anya Taylor-Joy leads the movie as Furiosa, taking over from Charlize Theron who played the character in Fury Road. Taylor-Joy is joined on screen by Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke, Lachy Hulme, Nathan Jones, Josh Helman, and John Howard.
Due to the popularity of the previous Mad Max movies, as well as the critical success of Mad Max: Fury Road, the anticipation for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is very high. The film is predicted to be one of the big movies of the summer, with many hoping it’ll achieve the same critical success of movies such as The Fall Guy and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
The film is also expected to be of interest to younger audiences. The inclusion of popular actors such as Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth is sure to catch the attention of teens, as well as young film fans who are keen on high octane action movies.
But the attention being drawn to the movie then begs two important questions. Firstly, what is the age rating of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga? And secondly, is Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga suitable for a teenager?
In the US, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has been granted and ‘R’ rating by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). According to the MPAA, ‘R’ rated movies are classed as ‘restricted’, which means under 17s require a parent or adult guardian to accompany them to a screening.
Anyone of any age can view an ‘R’ rated movie in the US, however, the MPAA advises that ‘R’ rated movies contain some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the movie before allowing their young children to view the film.
In the UK, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has been awarded a ’15’ certificate by the British Board of Film Classification. According to the BBFC, ’15’ certificate movies are suitable for audiences aged 15 or over.
In the UK, no one under the age of 15 can view a ’15’ certificate film at the cinema. It doesn’t matter if younger audiences are accompanied by a parent or not, the film is strictly for those 15 or over.
So, those are the age ratings, but is Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga suitable for a teenager? Well, based on the ratings it really depends on the age of the teenager in question, as well as which country they live in.
While ‘R’ rated movies in the US have a stipulation for those under the age of 17, which states they must be accompanied by an adult, technically anyone of any age can view the film. It essentially comes down to parental discretion.
Where things differ, and are arguably more clear, is in the UK, where the ’15’ certificate essentially draws a line under who the BBFC believe the film is suitable for. Under the age of 15? Then no. 15 or above? Then yes.
For further details, which may help explain the ’15’ certificate in the UK, here is the BBFC‘s description of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga:
“This post-apocalyptic action prequel tells Furiosa’s story, from her kidnap as a child to becoming a fearsome, vengeance-driven warrior; it contains frequent intense sequences of brutal action and occasional grisly images.”
The ‘brutal action’ sequences and ‘occasional grisly images’ noted above will play a significant part in the BBFC awarding Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga a ’15’ certificate, rather than it being granted a more teen-friendly ’12A’. Based on the content of the film, the BBFC clearly believe it is a film which is more appropriate for older adults.
So, if you’re a parent, should you allow your teen to watch Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga? Well, it all depends on which country you live in.
If you live in the UK, the BBFC have set the certificate at ’15’, so this helps determine whether the teenager in your household can view the movie. However, if you live in the US things are different, and it is up to you to decide using the MPAA’s advice as guidance.
All that said, ultimately you know your teenager better than anyone else. If you’re ever unsure, it might be advisable for you to check out the movie first, and base your final decision on what YOU think about the movie.
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