With a poor box office showing, mixed critical reviews and an uncertain cinematic future, it is abundantly clear that Power Rangers is one of the most disappointing films of the year.

Explanations for its lackluster commercial performance are diverse, ranging from speculations about a somewhat confusing marketing campaign to numerous critiques of its plot. But now, a new theory has been offered for consideration: could the film’s PG-13 rating have prevented audiences from seeing this modern reboot of the classic franchise?

Source: Lionsgate and Saban Films

Power Rangers director Dean Israelite seems to think so. In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Israelite states that he believes parents were put off by a rating that they perceived to be too mature for younger audiences, despite his purposeful attempts to make the film “tame” for children:

“… There’s been market studies on it, and the findings have been that if the movie were rated PG – I don’t want to go into the specific numbers – but if the movie had been rated PG, there would have been more traffic. I think parents were unsure if they could bring their kids to the movie, which surprised me, because the movie is a tame PG-13.

We did a lot of preview screenings, and to me, it felt like a seven-year-old might be scared, but in a good way. They liked that they were scared of Rita, but they still came out of the movie enjoying it, they liked what was going on. I think we really tread that line well, so it was disappointing that parents didn’t know that they could take their kids to it.”

Nevertheless, Israelite is still hopeful for some positive commercial revenue with the upcoming release of personal film copies and home streaming options:

“I’m hoping now, with it coming out on DVD and Blu-ray, and On Demand, that parents will feel more comfortable. That maybe they’ll check it out for themselves and then see that it’s suitable.”

Power Rangers will be released for DVD, Blu-ray and home streaming tomorrow, June 26. And as Geeks of Color has previously reported, a Power Rangers sequel may be approved and produced by Lionsgate and Saban Films should these additional commercial sales be successful.

So, if all goes well, Israelite may indeed have a second chance at bringing this beloved franchise to modern audiences.

Do you agree with Israelite that parental concerns over a PG-13 rating hurt the film, or were there too many other issues that prevented its success? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Source: Screen Rant

Published by Paige Allen

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