The Matrix: Ultimate Collection - is it OK for 12 yr olds??

[BlogOnTheTyne]

A relative has sent the box set to my 12 yr old DS, at his request. He's been watching clips of it on You Tube for ages and I thought it was a 12A, as the scenes he's watched seem like Sci Fi/Lord of the Rings stuff (my fault that relative sent it as I passed on his request, without checking it out).

The box set actually says category 18 on it but the Amazon site says 15.

Has anyone seen the films and can give me their honest opinion on whether DS should get this tomorrow or not?

DS is fairly sensitive to stuff, has never watched anything more than a 12A and I'm v reluctant to let him see anything v violent at all.

This is a tricky one as it's a 15. I'm a teacher and used it for a scheme of learning with 13-14 yr olds. The theory was whilst it is very violent it is all bloodless without gore. It is also sexless and has no bad language. Kids now a days will have seen a lot worse. That being said the long leather jacket, gun toting rescuing Morpheus scene in the second film inspired the columbine massacre; two teenagers re-enacted the scene at their school

Thanks Charing... Do you know why it's rated 18 on the box set we have? Might there be 2 versions and this one is especially gory?

Not sure - could there be bonus footage? If you look on IMdb (the movie database thing) they often have a useful bit telling why a film has been given the rating.