Thor: Ragnarok, Ferdinand and More in This Week's MPAA Ratings Bulletin

By Chris Kavan - 10/11/17 at 11:10 AM CT

While the update isn't very long this week, it more than makes up for that fact in terms of quality. Both of the wide-releases earning their ratings due are also going to be two of the biggest movies of the fall-winter movie season. Early reviews out of the Marvel camp say the upcoming Thor film is not only the best out of the Thor bunch, but ranks up there with the better Marvel films in their ever-increasing cannon. The other is an animated tale from 20th Century Fox that may be going up against Star Wars (in terms of release date) but could still find a lot of success regardless. I'll take two big movies over four lame releases any day, so let's get cracking.

MPAA Official Logo

While some may discard the Marvel films as empty superhero action with little substance, I have never had any problem with now-massive universe of heroes. But as with any franchise, there are always weak links and, in my mind, the Thor films have always seemed to fall short of the other films. Dark World especially was disappointing. But if early rumblings are to be believed, Thor: Ragnarok finally delivers the Thor films we have been waiting for. A lot of the praise has gone to director Taika Waititi (know for more offbeat movies like Eagle vs Shark, What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople). It seems he has breathed new life in to Thor, making a film that is both easy to relate to, funny yet still keeping that action we all expect in Marvel films. If that balance can indeed be struck, we'll see if it can joins Guardians of the Galaxy as one of my personal favorites. From previews I know Thor (Chris Hemsworth, dreamy as ever) loses his mighty hammer, Mjolnir to a resurgent Hela (Cate Blanchett), otherwise known as goddess of the underworld - who, of course, wants to bring about the end of Asgardian civilization (and probably the rest of the known universe). Thor gets flung to the far end of the universe and at some point he gets to fight Hulk in a gladiator arena as The Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) watches. Also, we get all our Norse-inspired friends - Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Jaimie Alexander, Ray Stevenson and Anthony Hopkins are all back to reprise their roles, as well as an appearance by Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Strange with Karl Urban joining the party as Skurge (based on the name, guessing he's another bad guy). I admit, this looks like a lot of fun - it doesn't take itself too seriously, but I'm guessing the stakes are still pretty high and I can't wait to see how it all turns out. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of
sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive material.

It may not be Pixar or Disney, but Ferdinand still looks to make families happy over the Christmas season. The biggest threat against this animated tale about a kind-hearted bull (voiced by John Cena) who is mistaken for a dangerous animal and torn from his home, only to look for a way to make it back to his loving family, is that it is opening against Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Still, there is room for two big movies and while I'm sure The Force is going to be much stronger with The Last Jedi, I still think Ferdinand has a good chance to shine none-the-less. Beside Cena, Ferdinand boasts a top-notch group of talent: Kate McKinnon, David Tennant, Gina Rodriguez, Bobby Cannavale, Anthony Anderson, Miguel Ángel Silvestre, Gabriel Iglesias and Jerrod Carmichael are some of the other big names attached to the film. Set in Spain, the film could benefit from drawing in a more Latino audience (though I kind of think Coco is going to steal a bit of its thunder). Rated PG for rude humor, action and some
thematic elements.

Those are your top movies for the week, but be sure to check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:

BREAKABLE YOU

Rated R for some strong sexual content, and for language.


FERDINAND

Rated PG for rude humor, action and some thematic elements.


GENESIS: PARADISE LOST

Rated PG for thematic elements.


THE INSULT

Rated R for language and some violent images.


LOOKING FOR GRACE

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality and brief strong language.


ROMAN J ISRAEL, ESQ

Rated PG-13 for language and some violence.


THOR: RAGNAROK

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive material.


TURTLE TALE

Rated PG for some thematic elements.

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