Original Beetlejuice (1988)

[DangerQuakeRhinoSnake]

It was a 15 originally. In 2018 it was reclassified to 12-A.

Why?

We just rewatched it and it's really not suitable for 12 year olds.

Why was it reclassified and why are our kids not protected in the same way they used to be from unsuitable material?

We used to be able to trust organisations to guide us as parents as to what's ok and what's not.

I don't know what the thinking is behind it?

It's 12A now though and has been for many years, so any age can watch if accompanied by an adult.

I watched it recently I wouldn't have thought it was a 15 at all.

I agree with this actually. Unless there was SN I'd be a bit concerned about a 12 year old who couldn't cope with Beetlejuice. At that age most topics should be on the table for discussion - yes, including suicide, sexual assault and death.

And we don't expect kids to grow up too fast these days, quite the opposite, they are so protected from anything remotely sad, adult or scary that when the realities of the world suddenly hit them as young adults they can't cope.

I think 12 was brought in mid 90's and 12A wasnt a thing until the 2000's. I agree with it as some kids could cope with it and others couldnt. I think it makes more sense than the PG thing as it is clear and set down.

I know that 4 of my kids could have coped with it from 7/8 onwards, but DD4 is 13 and would hate it even now. DS1 wouldnt have liked it either. So it allows the parent to decide.

BEETLEJUICE.....

BEETLEJUICE......

I think that Beetlejuice was supposed to be an over the top version of a certain type of guy. The humour was in recognizing the type. But maybe for a 15 year old, they just haven't experienced much of that kind of person, usually?

He's not supposed to be likable, after all, At the end it becomes clear he's really dangerous.

You might argue that we have mollycoddled children from the conversation around death so much now that they are traumatised by any exposure to it. Death is a part of being human. It's only in the recent part of this century it has become a taboo subject.

Interestingly I was talking about this with dh the other day in the context of whether we let the kids watch the old beetlejuice.

I was not allowed to watch anything unsuitable when I was younger whereas he had no restrictions. Yet now as an adult I'm bloody terrified of horror movies - I can't watch them because I know I won't sleep afterwards and I'm still scared of the dark!

Actually watched this last night and can’t get my head around the hype.

I vaguely remember the whole say his name ina. Mirror at school silly drama and that would have been year 5 primary.

Why is it not suitable for 12 year olds?

It’s 12A so that’s within your discretion. Many 13/14 year olds would not be disturbed by those references.

'Protecting our kids"??!!!!!!
From an ageing Micheal Keating and a few special effects?
Do wonder kids are scared of answering their phone unless the person has rexted them prior to call to tell them they are going to call

This

Kids have smartphones now

BEETLEJUICE! 😱

Istr the main audience for the original film being tweens - certainly it was popular with my friends and I in KS3 while our parents found it a bit childish - and there was a cartoon series that went with it too. I recall particularly enjoying the waiting room with all the people who died in different ways.....which is incidentally remarkably similar to some of Horrible Histories' 'Stupid Death' skits.

12A doesn't mean it's suitable for all 12 years old. It means it's suitable for a 12 year old to watch with an adult who can decide if its suitable for them or not.

We used to be able to trust organisations to guide us as parents as to what's ok and what's not.

If you want your kid's to be 'protected' then do the parenting, don't expect someone else to make every decision for you.