Spider-Man

Why Is Spider-Man Rated PG-13?

Overall: B-

Peter Parker is a high school nerd whose life is changed when he is bitten by a genetically altered spider. Adopting the persona of Spider-Man, he fights crime to make the city safer, but parents of children should be warned that the film includes increasingly graphic violence.

Violence: C-

Character is strangled and thrown through glass window. Comments made about murdered man. Boy hit in head with lunch tray, fight breaks out between students. Domestic argument is heard. Characters fight in wrestling match. Character brandishes gun during robbery; man is killed. Numerous scenes depict stylized violence with punching, head slams, thrown bodies, and the use of some weapons including gunfire. Character points gun at man’s forehead. Character blows up men during military demonstration. Character attacks a heavily populated event, using explosives and ammunition. Several characters are disintegrated. News story reports murders. Characters are threatened by fire. Characters fight in burning building. Women are attacked, injured and kidnapped. Explosion on bridge threatens numerous people. Fight sequences include knives, weapons, and hand-to-hand combat that becomes increasingly more graphic, some blood shown. Character is killed.

Sexual Content: B-

Girl’s t-shirt reveals cleavage and navel. Women wear bikini tops at wrestling match. Comment made about woman’s underwear. Couples kiss on at least two occasions. Thugs making kissing noises chase girl. Girl wears clingy, somewhat transparent wet dress. Slightly seductive scene includes couple kissing passionately.

Language: B-

Includes at least 10 mild profanities, 12 terms of Deity used as expletives, and occasional name-calling.

Alcohol / Drug Use: B

Character smokes cigar on several occasions. Characters drink at social event.  Man, under stress, drinks at home.

Miscellaneous Concerns:

Character is bullied, taunted and physically hurt by other students. Characters suffer from effects of spider bite and scientific experimentation. Comedic scene depicts man accidentally hitting the side of a building. A character lies.