About CNS Classifications

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A-I – General Patronage
Strictly speaking, this does not simply connote films that are “for” children, or films in which they would necessarily be interested. Rather, any movie free from significant objectionable content might receive this classification. In the days of the Hollywood Production Code, when it was assumed that almost all mainstream films were acceptable for all audiences, many films with “adult” subject matter — like 1956’s “Giant” — received this classification. Nowadays, such examples are rare.

A-II – Adults and Adolescents
The original intent of this classification was an endorsement for older teens. However, some ambiguity remains in this category, and CNS critics generally indicate whether the film is most appropriate for “older teens” or anyone over the age of 13. Films with nudity, overt sexual activity, bloody violence, or the use of foul language are almost never allowed in the A-I or A-II categories.

A-III – Adults
Adult sensibilities can, of course, run the gamut from a viewer with a high tolerance for edgy subject matter to more sensitive moviegoers who find certain elements less palatable. CNS reviewers try to strike a balance between the two. Films receiving an A-III classification are usually not acceptable for teens but are appropriate for most adults. Occasionally, however, a worthy film is clearly mature in subject matter, yet older adolescents might derive benefit from it. In that case, a sentence may be added about the movie being “acceptable” or “possibly acceptable” for “older teens.”

L – Limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling
This highly restrictive classification explicitly indicates that the film will probably be unacceptable to the casual adult moviegoer. It is generally used for those quality films that include more challenging material than an A-III in terms of violence, sexual content (including nudity), language or moral dilemmas, but are still worthy of consideration by mature viewers well-grounded in their faith and open to the portrayal of gritty subject matter. Less often, this classification is applied to movies that — whatever their aesthetic merit or lack thereof — are too strong for an A-III but not sufficiently wayward to receive an “O.”

O – Morally offensive
This classification is applied, most importantly, to films that deny the existence of God, ridicule religious faith or are otherwise sacrilegious. Movies that directly contradict scriptural values and church teaching on such matters as euthanasia, abortion, suicide, adultery, homosexual activity or vigilante killing and revenge also fall into this category. So, too, do films that feature excessive violence, gratuitous or exploitative sexuality or, for no artistically valid reason, non-stop vulgarity.

Note: Some movies previously were designated A-IV. Older films with this classification should be regarded as classified L.

MPAA – MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA RATINGS

G— general audiences, all ages admitted

PG— parental guidance suggested, some material may not be suitable for children

PG-13— parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13

R— restricted, under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian

NC-17— no one 17 and under admitted (age limit may vary in certain areas)

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