Avengers: Endgams, Long Shot, Aladdin and More in This Week's MPAA Ratings Bulletin

By Chris Kavan - 04/10/19 at 09:56 AM CT

Oh man, what an update from the MPAA Ratings Board this week! It might not be the biggest list of all time, but quality matters and there are some big films. The biggest of the big films is, of course, Avengers: Endgame, which looks to cap off the MCU in grand fashion (and with a potential record-breaking opening) but the heroes are joined by another Disney friend, that would the live-action Aladdin, which has been getting decidedly mixed reaction from the online masses. If you like comedy more than heroes and a blue Will Smith, Long Shot has you covered featuring Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron combining for the most unlikely of romances. All in all, I'm excited for this one.

MPAA Official Logo

Who would have thought that back in 2008, Iron Man would herald a new era of action and fantasy that would spawn a multi-billion franchise and a wide variety of heroes of several genders and races. Remember, Iron Man (even with Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow attached) was a risk. But that risk has paid off and now, 21 films later, we arrive at Avengers: Endgame - and all signs point to this having the biggest opening of all time. And why not? Infinity War, for me, has been the high point for the MCU and that killer ending (literally, killing half of all life in the universe) was huge. Now, as long as you have a little over three hours to spare, we get to see how the survivors cope with this massive event. Pretty much everyone is going to be in this film - even those who were "snapped" and it will be interesting to see how they bring everyone back... and who isn't going to make it. I can't list all the actors here, because it would take up the next two paragraphs, but if you've enjoyed a Marvel film in the last decade, you deserve to see how it all ends - and what new chapters await. Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and some language.

Disney continues to develop live-action versions of their beloved animated classics at a blistering pace - lord knows they're going to start running low sooner rather than later. And while the recent Dumbo has been a bit of a letdown, Disney isn't worried and one of their big films on the horizon will be Aladdin. An early preview was panned for looking a bit cheesy and having the gall to not have a blue genie (played by Will Smith). More recent teases have been better received (especially with actual music included) and it may be able to overcome early anxiety and turn into a hit yet. Mena Massoud plays the pauper who comes across the magic lamp, which will grant him three wishes. With his eye set on Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott) he transforms into a prince in order to impress her father (Navid Negahban) while the Sulton's Grand Vizier Jafar (Marwan Kenzari) plots to take the lamp and genie for his own nefarious ambitions. The film also features Alan Tudyk as the voice of Iago, Billy Magnussen and Numan Acar. Oh, and there will still be a monkey, tiger and flying carpet (and songs) - so they're keeping things much like the animated film. I'm not completely sold on this one, but live-action Disney tends to do pretty good, so I'll give it a chance. Rated PG for some action/peril.

We've got fantasy covered, we've got family covered, but maybe you're more in the mood for comedy... and an unlikely romance thrown in. Have no fear, Long Shot is here. The film stars Seth Rogen as Fred Flarsky a talented if a bit idealistic journalist who comes to the attention of beautiful, powerful and would-be president Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) who was the one-time babysitter (and childhood crush) of Flarsky. She impulsively makes him the speechwriter on her team and despite coming from different worlds, the two have an undeniable spark, even leading to a bit of fun they both have been missing, but things take a turn when Charlotte becomes the target of violence. I would have been dubious that Rogen and Theron would have such good on-screen chemistry, but damn if the trailers don't make it look believable. The film also co-stars O'Shea Jackson Jr., Ravi Patel, June Diane Raphael, Bob Odenkirk, Andy Serkis, Randall Park and Alexander Skarsgård among others. It will be interesting to see if they focus more on the romance than the comedy aspect, but I think this will be the rare film both men and women will enjoy together. Rated R for strong sexual content, language throughout and some drug use.

Those are the three big films receiving their ratings due, but be sure to check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:

ALADDIN

Rated PG for some action/peril.


AVENGERS: ENDGAME

Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and some language.


EL CHICANO

Rated R for strong violence and language throughout.


FANTASTICA

Rated G


FRIDAY'S CHILD

Rated PG-13 for thematic content involving disturbing and violent behavior.


KILLERS ANONYMOUS

Rated R for bloody violence, and pervasive language including some sexual references.


LONG SHOT

Rated R for strong sexual content, language throughout and some drug use.


THE REFUGE

Rated R for language throughout.

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