Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young
Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 5:38PM CST
Categories: Movie Related News, Digital Media NewsPosted by: Raymond T. Views: 34,649
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An article on the entertainment section at TheStar.com has appeared about The Federal Trade Commission and guidelines for Marketing towards young children. The article states that the FTC is naming the Michael Bay Transformers movie as the focus of their complaint.
According to the star, the Federal Trade Commission is urging the Motion Picture Association of America to reconsider their guidelines that allow some PG-13 movies in the United States to be marketed towards young children. The issue was taken notice by the FTC after a complaint from an advocacy group that claimed that the movie was advertised towards childeren as young as two years of age. This conclusion was drawn after commercials for the movie was aired during kids shows like Fairly Odd Parents and Jimmy Neutron.
Read the full article here.
According to the star, the Federal Trade Commission is urging the Motion Picture Association of America to reconsider their guidelines that allow some PG-13 movies in the United States to be marketed towards young children. The issue was taken notice by the FTC after a complaint from an advocacy group that claimed that the movie was advertised towards childeren as young as two years of age. This conclusion was drawn after commercials for the movie was aired during kids shows like Fairly Odd Parents and Jimmy Neutron.
Read the full article here.
Credit(s): www.thestar.com
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Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599059)
Posted by i_amtrunks on January 9th, 2008 @ 5:40pm CST
Posted by i_amtrunks on January 9th, 2008 @ 5:40pm CST
Cannot say I am surprised.
Advocacy groups seem to hold a lot of sway. Crazy people always do.
Advocacy groups seem to hold a lot of sway. Crazy people always do.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599061)
Posted by zemper on January 9th, 2008 @ 5:45pm CST
Posted by zemper on January 9th, 2008 @ 5:45pm CST
well at least Hasbro should listen. that was stupid on their part marketing all those TFTMs with their fragile parts and Automorph at 5 year olds...how do they expect those toys to last at their hands?
but well, business is business...
but well, business is business...
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599070)
Posted by xxaMaxx on January 9th, 2008 @ 5:55pm CST
Posted by xxaMaxx on January 9th, 2008 @ 5:55pm CST
I would agree that there is a discrepancy between the targeted audience of the PG-13 movie, and the target audience of the toy lines.
I also remember being a kid and I knowing a movie probably wasn't any good unless it was rated PG-13 or higher.
I also remember being a kid and I knowing a movie probably wasn't any good unless it was rated PG-13 or higher.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599087)
Posted by Raymond T. on January 9th, 2008 @ 6:05pm CST
Posted by Raymond T. on January 9th, 2008 @ 6:05pm CST
You could also argue that the "kiddie-advertisements" are actually for the older Transformers-fans who have small children of their own! And Primus-knows there are alot of them. Responsible parents would be watching television WITH their children anyways. And Hasbro knows that fans who are parents want to endulge their own kids into Transformers, no matter their age.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599095)
Posted by what0080 on January 9th, 2008 @ 6:11pm CST
Posted by what0080 on January 9th, 2008 @ 6:11pm CST
Our tax dollars hard at work...
[/Sarcasm]
[/Sarcasm]
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599102)
Posted by Autobot Jazz on January 9th, 2008 @ 6:17pm CST
Posted by Autobot Jazz on January 9th, 2008 @ 6:17pm CST
People are always going to find something to complain about, this is just anothe one of those things
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599115)
Posted by imotron on January 9th, 2008 @ 6:35pm CST
Posted by imotron on January 9th, 2008 @ 6:35pm CST
May I say this was expected? oh I said it already and some else did, at a point you have to realized what youngest kids are watching and even when I have a Autobot tatoo sign on my shoulder, some things shouldn't be addressed after certain age
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599117)
Posted by Liege Evilmus on January 9th, 2008 @ 6:42pm CST
Posted by Liege Evilmus on January 9th, 2008 @ 6:42pm CST
So can we assume Animated is a preemtive strike on these people?
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599123)
Posted by Starscreams bad comedy on January 9th, 2008 @ 6:48pm CST
Posted by Starscreams bad comedy on January 9th, 2008 @ 6:48pm CST
1. These advocacy groups are usually made up of the same busy body soccer moms who think it’s a good ideal to basically raise their children like veal calfs and banning tag at schools is good.
2. Just because they advertised during shows that may have 2 year olds watching doesn’t means that said two year olds are going to even want to see Transformers.
3. If said two year olds want to see it then its their parents decision if they will take them to see it or if its inappropriate for them, not some advocacy group.
2. Just because they advertised during shows that may have 2 year olds watching doesn’t means that said two year olds are going to even want to see Transformers.
3. If said two year olds want to see it then its their parents decision if they will take them to see it or if its inappropriate for them, not some advocacy group.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599127)
Posted by Abilor on January 9th, 2008 @ 6:53pm CST
Posted by Abilor on January 9th, 2008 @ 6:53pm CST
It's REALLY hard to take this seriously while Ronald McDonald is selling toddlers heart disease and diabetes...
PRIORITIES GODDAMNIT!!!!
PRIORITIES GODDAMNIT!!!!
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599175)
Posted by Lapse Of Reason on January 9th, 2008 @ 7:46pm CST
Posted by Lapse Of Reason on January 9th, 2008 @ 7:46pm CST
As much as I love Transformers and the movie, I can't say I disagree. My 5 year old loves Transformers too, but we will only let him watch parts of the movie. Much of the content is geared towards teens and adults, not 5 year olds. I felt pretty awkward when he asked what was so funny about Sam's happy time. Then again, we are actually responsible parents who prefer to be in charge over what our children see and don't see. I want to be the judge, not some consumer advocacy group.
It seems the toys were designed for an older age group too, seeing how fragile some of them are.
It seems the toys were designed for an older age group too, seeing how fragile some of them are.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599178)
Posted by ***Galvatron*** on January 9th, 2008 @ 7:51pm CST
That's McHeart Disease and McDiabetes !
Yeah priorities!
Transformers the movie was geared towards 2 year olds ? this is actually an old story dating back at least 5 months now but what two year old understands all of what they would be seeing in that movie anyway ?
I saw the movie five times in the theater and not anyone under the age of 15 was ever present that I noticed.
This is BS and it's the parents job to do exactly that, PARENT your kids and stop blaming everything on tv,music,movies and so on.
Just because an ad appears on a childrens show doesn't mean only two or three year olds are watching especially a show like transformers where even the current animated version is geared towards a younger audience and a lot of the people here have watched it and gee I'm guessing most people here are not two years old!
Parents, do your bloody jobs and quit making excuses, the tv set is not an instant baby sitter for your kids!
Posted by ***Galvatron*** on January 9th, 2008 @ 7:51pm CST
Abilor wrote:It's REALLY hard to take this seriously while Ronald McDonald is selling toddlers heart disease and diabetes...
PRIORITIES GODDAMNIT!!!!
That's McHeart Disease and McDiabetes !
Yeah priorities!
Transformers the movie was geared towards 2 year olds ? this is actually an old story dating back at least 5 months now but what two year old understands all of what they would be seeing in that movie anyway ?
I saw the movie five times in the theater and not anyone under the age of 15 was ever present that I noticed.
This is BS and it's the parents job to do exactly that, PARENT your kids and stop blaming everything on tv,music,movies and so on.
Just because an ad appears on a childrens show doesn't mean only two or three year olds are watching especially a show like transformers where even the current animated version is geared towards a younger audience and a lot of the people here have watched it and gee I'm guessing most people here are not two years old!
Parents, do your bloody jobs and quit making excuses, the tv set is not an instant baby sitter for your kids!
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599200)
Posted by Omega Charge on January 9th, 2008 @ 8:29pm CST
Posted by Omega Charge on January 9th, 2008 @ 8:29pm CST
Sigh. The cartoons kids watch these days can be just as bad. The parent doesn't have to take the kid to see the movie anyway.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599221)
Posted by Wheelimus Prime on January 9th, 2008 @ 8:52pm CST
Posted by Wheelimus Prime on January 9th, 2008 @ 8:52pm CST
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599250)
Posted by imotron on January 9th, 2008 @ 9:44pm CST
Posted by imotron on January 9th, 2008 @ 9:44pm CST
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599254)
Posted by Nemesis_Apoc on January 9th, 2008 @ 9:55pm CST
Posted by Nemesis_Apoc on January 9th, 2008 @ 9:55pm CST
Hasbro is no different than Marlboro. Gotta hook'em when they're young.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599284)
Posted by Cascadia on January 9th, 2008 @ 10:43pm CST
Posted by Cascadia on January 9th, 2008 @ 10:43pm CST
This seems that several movies have done this during this past year, not this one. It is unfortunate that some advertisements get leaked into shows that are geared towards young children. Also, there are movies that developed toys for those movies. In all of the movies that are related PG-13, I have seen many young children aged at 2 or 3 years old with their parents.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599292)
Posted by Nemesis Cyberplex on January 9th, 2008 @ 10:51pm CST
Honestly, Just because they are tied into a movie, you can't forget what they are: toys....children's toys at that. So Bumblebee in the movie peed on a guy....dosen't mean any of the BB toys have a squirt gun feature lodged into the crotch.
My 3-year-old son has several of the kiddy-marketed TF toys, & I have no problem with that. Without the movie's adult content to back them up, they're nothing but hunks of plastic.
& IIRC, that's the whole reasoning for why Hasbro ever marketed them towards kiddies in the first place: so that younger kids wouldn't have to miss out on the Transformers movie characters just because the movie was out of their age range......not to cause them to want to watch the movie so much as fill the void for the ones that couldn't watch it. it's kinda a nice gesture. Besides, you don't see people getting pissy about the Spider-man & Friends toys & merchandise, even though the Spider-man movies are PG-13.
Posted by Nemesis Cyberplex on January 9th, 2008 @ 10:51pm CST
Except Hasbro's products won't leave kids with a plastic ring in their throats.....er.....wait a minute......Nemesis_Apoc wrote:Hasbro is no different than Marlboro. Gotta hook'em when they're young.
Honestly, Just because they are tied into a movie, you can't forget what they are: toys....children's toys at that. So Bumblebee in the movie peed on a guy....dosen't mean any of the BB toys have a squirt gun feature lodged into the crotch.
My 3-year-old son has several of the kiddy-marketed TF toys, & I have no problem with that. Without the movie's adult content to back them up, they're nothing but hunks of plastic.
& IIRC, that's the whole reasoning for why Hasbro ever marketed them towards kiddies in the first place: so that younger kids wouldn't have to miss out on the Transformers movie characters just because the movie was out of their age range......not to cause them to want to watch the movie so much as fill the void for the ones that couldn't watch it. it's kinda a nice gesture. Besides, you don't see people getting pissy about the Spider-man & Friends toys & merchandise, even though the Spider-man movies are PG-13.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599333)
Posted by Autobot032 on January 10th, 2008 @ 12:09am CST
Posted by Autobot032 on January 10th, 2008 @ 12:09am CST
2? No, that's absolutely ridiculous.
The rest of it? I completely agree.
It was a movie aimed at teens and adults (i.e. collectors, old school fans) and it definitely wasn't kid material.
1.) Violent. (Excessive considering the source material.)
2.) Foul language. (More than had ever been in US TF material.)
3.) Sexual situations. (Absolutely unnecessary for the film.)
It was a great movie, no doubt, but it certainly wasn't kid friendly. If I was a parent and hadn't seen the film beforehand, I too would be ballistically infuriated by the content. It's based on a kid's toyline and show, and there are plenty of tie-in toys that kids would want.
As much as I hate to admit it (beyond the age 2 thing...) this argument is sound.
This is why I like TransFormers: Animated, it really *does* encompass all audiences and entertains without selling out or compromising quality.
The rest of it? I completely agree.
It was a movie aimed at teens and adults (i.e. collectors, old school fans) and it definitely wasn't kid material.
1.) Violent. (Excessive considering the source material.)
2.) Foul language. (More than had ever been in US TF material.)
3.) Sexual situations. (Absolutely unnecessary for the film.)
It was a great movie, no doubt, but it certainly wasn't kid friendly. If I was a parent and hadn't seen the film beforehand, I too would be ballistically infuriated by the content. It's based on a kid's toyline and show, and there are plenty of tie-in toys that kids would want.
As much as I hate to admit it (beyond the age 2 thing...) this argument is sound.
This is why I like TransFormers: Animated, it really *does* encompass all audiences and entertains without selling out or compromising quality.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599358)
Posted by Ultra Markus on January 10th, 2008 @ 1:38am CST
Posted by Ultra Markus on January 10th, 2008 @ 1:38am CST
so what, then how young is too young,
it shouldn't matter parents will take them to a
movie like that if they choose
it shouldn't matter parents will take them to a
movie like that if they choose
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599363)
Posted by Autobot032 on January 10th, 2008 @ 1:56am CST
Alright, fair enough. However, there are plenty of parents out there who wouldn't take their child to see it. They know to avoid the potential problems that will arise from a viewing.
It's those smart parents that this complaint is for. The sensible ones.
Posted by Autobot032 on January 10th, 2008 @ 1:56am CST
Ultra Markus wrote:so what, then how young is too young,
it shouldn't matter parents will take them to a
movie like that if they choose
Alright, fair enough. However, there are plenty of parents out there who wouldn't take their child to see it. They know to avoid the potential problems that will arise from a viewing.
It's those smart parents that this complaint is for. The sensible ones.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599366)
Posted by The Chopnel on January 10th, 2008 @ 2:01am CST
Posted by The Chopnel on January 10th, 2008 @ 2:01am CST
Those of you who think this group is complaining for nothing:
Would you think the same way if you were NOT a Transformers fan? I mean, while I think these things sometimes sounds ridiculous to me, it is also good to rememer that we human beings use to defend the things/TV shows/movies/etc. we personally like, even if it's irrational.
So we, as TF fans, probably aren't the most unbiased people to comment on that complaint. But if there really has been aggressive marketing towards little kids, it does sound kinda weird.
Would you think the same way if you were NOT a Transformers fan? I mean, while I think these things sometimes sounds ridiculous to me, it is also good to rememer that we human beings use to defend the things/TV shows/movies/etc. we personally like, even if it's irrational.
So we, as TF fans, probably aren't the most unbiased people to comment on that complaint. But if there really has been aggressive marketing towards little kids, it does sound kinda weird.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599414)
Posted by WhiteRabbit on January 10th, 2008 @ 4:08am CST
Posted by WhiteRabbit on January 10th, 2008 @ 4:08am CST
Speaking objectively, I can think of all kinds of things that kids are exposed to that are of far more questionable content without having to go anywhere near a movie theatre.
If these people want to form groups to yell about movie content to either call out the film's producers or warn their like-minded ilk, fine. As long as they're not kidding themselves that most of the things they find offensive can be found in everything from nursery rhymes to the evening news to the bible. It all depends on how you look at it.
Most of the suggestive stuff in there would've flown right over their heads, not unlike the morbidity of many a nursery rhyme. "Rock-a-bye baby" has a baby falling out of a tree!
Personally, I think if they'd like to defend their children from the media-saturated world, a good start is as simple as communication. Kids are people too, and people always respond better to respect.
There's no need to dumb things down. Trust your instinct as a parent and respect your child as a person. Transformers was PG-13, and was at one point rated R. The movie was intended for an older audience, and a simple amount of research would reveal that to any parent. The rest is their responsibility, not Hollywood's, or the target audience of the film (the people who inevitably pay the price for these little "outrages").
In any case, in the Transformers movie that came out when I was a kid, Spike said "shit", and Optimus Prime died!. Also, a Junkion kissed a Dinobot. 
The worst effect all that had on me was over two decades of throwing money at the franchise in question.
If these people want to form groups to yell about movie content to either call out the film's producers or warn their like-minded ilk, fine. As long as they're not kidding themselves that most of the things they find offensive can be found in everything from nursery rhymes to the evening news to the bible. It all depends on how you look at it.
Most of the suggestive stuff in there would've flown right over their heads, not unlike the morbidity of many a nursery rhyme. "Rock-a-bye baby" has a baby falling out of a tree!
Personally, I think if they'd like to defend their children from the media-saturated world, a good start is as simple as communication. Kids are people too, and people always respond better to respect.
There's no need to dumb things down. Trust your instinct as a parent and respect your child as a person. Transformers was PG-13, and was at one point rated R. The movie was intended for an older audience, and a simple amount of research would reveal that to any parent. The rest is their responsibility, not Hollywood's, or the target audience of the film (the people who inevitably pay the price for these little "outrages").
In any case, in the Transformers movie that came out when I was a kid, Spike said "shit", and Optimus Prime died!. Also, a Junkion kissed a Dinobot.
The worst effect all that had on me was over two decades of throwing money at the franchise in question.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599556)
Posted by Black Bumblebee on January 10th, 2008 @ 8:44am CST
Posted by Black Bumblebee on January 10th, 2008 @ 8:44am CST
It was not a kid's movie.
This should have been quite apparent to anyone with half a brain.
Clues to fill you in that it is not a kid's movie:
1) It is rated PG-13. Duh. Got a 2 year old? Don't take it to a movie that needs Parental Guidance for children under 13!
2) It was directed by Michael Bay. Has he ever directed episodes of Barney? No. He directs movies in which things blow up and people curse a lot while women look like eye candy.
3) It had no little kids in the cast.
4) Most every commercial for Transformers made a point of trying to show the realism of the situation and set up a scary vibe OR focus on showing the female star's stomach. Hmmm... for kids? No.
While I am in agreement that the movie did not need to be advertised during cartoons aimed at extremely young children, I am sick of groups trying to censor material that parents should easily be able to censor themselves. These are the same groups that will complain about the content in Grand Theft Auto even though the label states explicity on the cover that it is not for little children.
Put the responsibility back where it deserves to be. On the parent.
This should have been quite apparent to anyone with half a brain.
Clues to fill you in that it is not a kid's movie:
1) It is rated PG-13. Duh. Got a 2 year old? Don't take it to a movie that needs Parental Guidance for children under 13!
2) It was directed by Michael Bay. Has he ever directed episodes of Barney? No. He directs movies in which things blow up and people curse a lot while women look like eye candy.
3) It had no little kids in the cast.
4) Most every commercial for Transformers made a point of trying to show the realism of the situation and set up a scary vibe OR focus on showing the female star's stomach. Hmmm... for kids? No.
While I am in agreement that the movie did not need to be advertised during cartoons aimed at extremely young children, I am sick of groups trying to censor material that parents should easily be able to censor themselves. These are the same groups that will complain about the content in Grand Theft Auto even though the label states explicity on the cover that it is not for little children.
Put the responsibility back where it deserves to be. On the parent.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599589)
Posted by woosh on January 10th, 2008 @ 9:33am CST
Posted by woosh on January 10th, 2008 @ 9:33am CST
This alien is pure nonsense indeed.
I wonder why the kids aren't scared of venom.
Or are they?
And yes. Transformers wasn't a kids movie, just like any of the "resurrected francise" movies.
I wonder why the kids aren't scared of venom.
Or are they?
And yes. Transformers wasn't a kids movie, just like any of the "resurrected francise" movies.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599594)
Posted by Prankmeister on January 10th, 2008 @ 9:45am CST
Posted by Prankmeister on January 10th, 2008 @ 9:45am CST
I was going to say something, but everything that needs said has been said already, so meh. Can't say I totally disagree, the toys, esspecially things like the Legends class toys, give the distinct impression of being marketed towards smaller children, and when you're dealing with a movie that curses every few minutes and has masturbation jokes, I can see where their coming from. But in the end, I think people need to just shut up and let the parents learn for themselves that they need to monitor their children, and if their children hearing borderline f-bombs and jokes about 'Happy Time' is what it takes to whip the parents into shape, then so be it. Let it happen the hard way, God knows the world's gotten too soft.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599599)
Posted by Sunstar on January 10th, 2008 @ 9:56am CST
Posted by Sunstar on January 10th, 2008 @ 9:56am CST
No, it was not a kids movie. However, if I recall correctly, something was said some time ago about the marketing process for toys starts long before the end rating of the movie is finalised. I think that situation occured with the burger king toys giving kids "pester power" it's simply a case of a parent needs to stand thair ground and keep their authority over their kids.
Since I don't have a TV, I can't tell where these commercials are coming up, or were coming up. In that, I'll take your word for it.
But with the toys. I have raised a brow a few times and I am in agreement with these figures are far too difficult for a child of 5 to transform.
The Masterpiece Starscream, for instance, says for ages 5+. I don't feel that figure should be in the hands of anyone younger than 10 at the very least. It's a rather tough figure to transform, even for me and I am 32. Just move the figure the wrong way and it will break and children are not known for being gentle with toys.
As for hasbro. It's all a business opportunity. I sound like Quark, been watching DS9 lately.
Marketing is Marketing. And In the end, it is up to the parent to decide what is right for their child and what is not. It's not up to everyone else to make that decision.
Since I don't have a TV, I can't tell where these commercials are coming up, or were coming up. In that, I'll take your word for it.
But with the toys. I have raised a brow a few times and I am in agreement with these figures are far too difficult for a child of 5 to transform.
The Masterpiece Starscream, for instance, says for ages 5+. I don't feel that figure should be in the hands of anyone younger than 10 at the very least. It's a rather tough figure to transform, even for me and I am 32. Just move the figure the wrong way and it will break and children are not known for being gentle with toys.
As for hasbro. It's all a business opportunity. I sound like Quark, been watching DS9 lately.
Marketing is Marketing. And In the end, it is up to the parent to decide what is right for their child and what is not. It's not up to everyone else to make that decision.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599642)
Posted by Duo Prime on January 10th, 2008 @ 10:59am CST
Posted by Duo Prime on January 10th, 2008 @ 10:59am CST
this is total BOLLOCKS!! If these un-cultured idiots can make a case against Transformers for advertising during kiddie shows, why not a case against Gieko, or Mop and Glow, or any other of the commercials that aren't for kids that come on during these kiddie shows? Perhaps (as it was stated before), those commercials were not meant for their 2 year olds or whatever(i don't know any 2 or 3 year olds that really know s**t from clay, let alone ,what the hell Transformers is). Who the hell are these martini sipping, child-neglecters trying to hurt? This "advocacy group" should be told to shut the hell up, and deal with it. Stop trying to stamp on other people's rights too see a kick-ass movie. Get a blasted hobby or somthing!!
And even besides all of that, all of my friends and family let their kids watch Transformers, and they are just fine. What is it exactly that these baffoons are trying to shield their kids from, and is it really that bad? Really..
And even besides all of that, all of my friends and family let their kids watch Transformers, and they are just fine. What is it exactly that these baffoons are trying to shield their kids from, and is it really that bad? Really..
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599789)
Posted by Ultra Markus on January 10th, 2008 @ 1:11pm CST
so your calling those parents who sit and watch these shows with their kids and teach them the difference between fact and fiction stupid for allowing them to see it.
You know if it was a rated R i could see your point but don't call parents stupid for letting their kids watch a pg-13 movie thats just ignorant .
Posted by Ultra Markus on January 10th, 2008 @ 1:11pm CST
Autobot032 wrote:Ultra Markus wrote:so what, then how young is too young,
it shouldn't matter parents will take them to a
movie like that if they choose
Alright, fair enough. However, there are plenty of parents out there who wouldn't take their child to see it. They know to avoid the potential problems that will arise from a viewing.
It's those smart parents that this complaint is for. The sensible ones.
so your calling those parents who sit and watch these shows with their kids and teach them the difference between fact and fiction stupid for allowing them to see it.
You know if it was a rated R i could see your point but don't call parents stupid for letting their kids watch a pg-13 movie thats just ignorant .
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599814)
Posted by Chaoslock on January 10th, 2008 @ 1:29pm CST
I knew something was missing from Premium Quality Bumblebee!
Posted by Chaoslock on January 10th, 2008 @ 1:29pm CST
Nemesis Cyberplex wrote:So Bumblebee in the movie peed on a guy....dosen't mean any of the BB toys have a squirt gun feature lodged into the crotch.
I knew something was missing from Premium Quality Bumblebee!
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599933)
Posted by Autobot032 on January 10th, 2008 @ 3:01pm CST
But it *IS* stupid. Not to mention, most of the parents today don't actually sit down and explain the difference for their children. Nor do they talk to them. If that wasn't the case, we wouldn't have ads about "Make a family night!" or "Dinnertime: The time for family!" etc...etc...
No. It's easier to shove a kid in front of a TV and let it be the babysitter.
PG-13: "PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED — Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13" (this is the current MPAA description for PG-13) Not to mention, the ads clearly say "INTENSE SEQUENCES OF SCI-FI ACTION VIOLENCE, BRIEF SEXUAL HUMOR AND LANGUAGE" (all in caps, I might mention) and this is the actual rating icon taken from the movie's official site: http://www.transformersmovie.com/images/rating.gif
Any parent who takes their child (under the age of 13) to the film is just asking for trouble. It's their own stupidity if the kid sees it and has a problem because it's their job to make sure their children don't see if it doesn't fit them.
This is why the complaint is being made...too many idiot parents need a wake up call. Not to mention the film is marketed towards a youth audience. One commercial shows Bumblebee (who is adorable, there's no doubt that was intentional) and Sam (who's clearly a kid, a teenager yes, but a kid, and youngsters will identify with him) and it said "THEY'RE TEAMING UP TO SAVE THE WORLD!" ....what kid wouldn't buy into that? The kid's the superhero! The parents would buy into it too! Heck, even I was sucked into it.
The film is marketed towards too young of an audience and parents should pay attention to the ratings. They don't, which leads to complaints like this. I could repeat it 'til I'm blue in the face.
Posted by Autobot032 on January 10th, 2008 @ 3:01pm CST
Ultra Markus wrote:Autobot032 wrote:Ultra Markus wrote:so what, then how young is too young,
it shouldn't matter parents will take them to a
movie like that if they choose
Alright, fair enough. However, there are plenty of parents out there who wouldn't take their child to see it. They know to avoid the potential problems that will arise from a viewing.
It's those smart parents that this complaint is for. The sensible ones.
so your calling those parents who sit and watch these shows with their kids and teach them the difference between fact and fiction stupid for allowing them to see it.
You know if it was a rated R i could see your point but don't call parents stupid for letting their kids watch a pg-13 movie thats just ignorant .
But it *IS* stupid. Not to mention, most of the parents today don't actually sit down and explain the difference for their children. Nor do they talk to them. If that wasn't the case, we wouldn't have ads about "Make a family night!" or "Dinnertime: The time for family!" etc...etc...
No. It's easier to shove a kid in front of a TV and let it be the babysitter.
PG-13: "PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED — Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13" (this is the current MPAA description for PG-13) Not to mention, the ads clearly say "INTENSE SEQUENCES OF SCI-FI ACTION VIOLENCE, BRIEF SEXUAL HUMOR AND LANGUAGE" (all in caps, I might mention) and this is the actual rating icon taken from the movie's official site: http://www.transformersmovie.com/images/rating.gif
Any parent who takes their child (under the age of 13) to the film is just asking for trouble. It's their own stupidity if the kid sees it and has a problem because it's their job to make sure their children don't see if it doesn't fit them.
This is why the complaint is being made...too many idiot parents need a wake up call. Not to mention the film is marketed towards a youth audience. One commercial shows Bumblebee (who is adorable, there's no doubt that was intentional) and Sam (who's clearly a kid, a teenager yes, but a kid, and youngsters will identify with him) and it said "THEY'RE TEAMING UP TO SAVE THE WORLD!" ....what kid wouldn't buy into that? The kid's the superhero! The parents would buy into it too! Heck, even I was sucked into it.
The film is marketed towards too young of an audience and parents should pay attention to the ratings. They don't, which leads to complaints like this. I could repeat it 'til I'm blue in the face.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (599991)
Posted by Nemesis Cyberplex on January 10th, 2008 @ 3:49pm CST
Posted by Nemesis Cyberplex on January 10th, 2008 @ 3:49pm CST
I took my kids to see it, & have had no problems with them. They didn't get scared, they haven't started asking about masturbating, haven't started running around the house swearing....nothing. I do find it offensive, though, that you do a large lump grouping of people & call them stupid. I was well aware of what the movie consisted of before I took my kids to see it. I saw a few things that weren't suitable, but overlooked it because I figured they would too, & they did.Any parent who takes their child (under the age of 13) to the film is just asking for trouble.
The standard deluxe/voyager/leader class figures are, yes, but there are also the fast action battlers, real gear, cyber stompin ,& cyber slammers, among others, that younger kiddies can easily play with & have fun.But with the toys. I have raised a brow a few times and I am in agreement with these figures are far too difficult for a child of 5 to transform.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (600165)
Posted by Autobot032 on January 10th, 2008 @ 6:07pm CST
Each parent/child relationship is different. Whereas your children might be able to handle such a film (which is the case, obviously) there are many others that can't and the parents still don't care. I've seen plenty more irresponsible parents than I have responsible ones. Granted, that's my personal experience and I can't speak for everyone in what they've seen, but that's how it's been for me. Believe me, I'd have rather seen better examples of parenting. The only example I had that was any good, were my own parents. They sheltered me some, sure, but they did it out of a good, kind hearted mentality.
Some children are obviously capable of handling films that aren't aimed at them (I still can't stomach Alien(s), but I've known families who'd sit around and watch Ripley blow crap up.) and other children can't...yet their parents don't give a crap and let them see terrible stuff and can't figure out why the kid ain't doin' well with that material. It's those kids, those families that something like this is for.
Posted by Autobot032 on January 10th, 2008 @ 6:07pm CST
Nemesis Cyberplex wrote:I took my kids to see it, & have had no problems with them. They didn't get scared, they haven't started asking about masturbating, haven't started running around the house swearing....nothing. I do find it offensive, though, that you do a large lump grouping of people & call them stupid. I was well aware of what the movie consisted of before I took my kids to see it. I saw a few things that weren't suitable, but overlooked it because I figured they would too, & they did.Any parent who takes their child (under the age of 13) to the film is just asking for trouble.The standard deluxe/voyager/leader class figures are, yes, but there are also the fast action battlers, real gear, cyber stompin ,& cyber slammers, among others, that younger kiddies can easily play with & have fun.But with the toys. I have raised a brow a few times and I am in agreement with these figures are far too difficult for a child of 5 to transform.
Each parent/child relationship is different. Whereas your children might be able to handle such a film (which is the case, obviously) there are many others that can't and the parents still don't care. I've seen plenty more irresponsible parents than I have responsible ones. Granted, that's my personal experience and I can't speak for everyone in what they've seen, but that's how it's been for me. Believe me, I'd have rather seen better examples of parenting. The only example I had that was any good, were my own parents. They sheltered me some, sure, but they did it out of a good, kind hearted mentality.
Some children are obviously capable of handling films that aren't aimed at them (I still can't stomach Alien(s), but I've known families who'd sit around and watch Ripley blow crap up.) and other children can't...yet their parents don't give a crap and let them see terrible stuff and can't figure out why the kid ain't doin' well with that material. It's those kids, those families that something like this is for.
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (600212)
Posted by Sentry Prime on January 10th, 2008 @ 6:42pm CST
Posted by Sentry Prime on January 10th, 2008 @ 6:42pm CST
I have a 2 year old daughter who LOVES "tah-moo-mers", of course we don't let her watch the 07 movie, but she does watch the special features disc sometimes.
on a related note, does it make me a bad father, if my 2 yr old cas quote Megatron:
"No Pyme, it juss me!"
"Oh, so sunwise!"
*collective AWWwwww*
on a related note, does it make me a bad father, if my 2 yr old cas quote Megatron:
"No Pyme, it juss me!"
"Oh, so sunwise!"
*collective AWWwwww*
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (600395)
Posted by Abilor on January 10th, 2008 @ 9:13pm CST
Awesome. That would make a hell of a youtube with her voice cut over the movie scenes...
Posted by Abilor on January 10th, 2008 @ 9:13pm CST
Sentry Prime wrote:"No Pyme, it juss me!"
"Oh, so sunwise!"
Awesome. That would make a hell of a youtube with her voice cut over the movie scenes...
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (600872)
Posted by imotron on January 11th, 2008 @ 9:50am CST
Posted by imotron on January 11th, 2008 @ 9:50am CST
Now is time for all us to vote for Optimus Prime for PRESIDENT
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (600964)
Posted by rhinox555 on January 11th, 2008 @ 10:55am CST
Posted by rhinox555 on January 11th, 2008 @ 10:55am CST
And nobody protests against dutch toy stores selling porn. 
Re: Transformers Movie Criticized For Martketing Towards Kids Too Young (605500)
Posted by ***Galvatron*** on January 15th, 2008 @ 10:03pm CST
LOL yeah but are they "adult toys" then if there's porn being sold in them ? ah ha ha ha ha!
Posted by ***Galvatron*** on January 15th, 2008 @ 10:03pm CST
rhinox555 wrote:And nobody protests against dutch toy stores selling porn.
LOL yeah but are they "adult toys" then if there's porn being sold in them ? ah ha ha ha ha!
