Soap Box

   I just bought the DVD of Ralph Bakshi's Wizards, and I really liked it. Ever since I learned who he was and what he did, he's been a hero of mine. I also bought his biography, "Unfiltered, The Complete Ralph Bakshi." He was a man that only did films that he wanted to do, and had complete artistic control over everything in his films. No, the animation, effects and sound aren't as tight as in a major studio picture, but that's due to the low budgets he had to work with.
   Before Wizards, Ralph had made quite a few films, all very gritty, violent, sexual, honest, adult-oriented films; he proved that animation is not only kiddie fare, which it has been made out to be. Wizards was his way of showing that he could tell a child-oriented story too, but still have honest, "how the real world is" undertones.
   Now, in the film you will hear a few "swear" words (dammit, hell), see violence and war, and hear one obscure sexual reference that would fly right over any kid's head. Also, one of the main characters, Fairy Queen Elinore, is scantily clothed, constantly revealing full cleavage , erect nipples, and thighs/buttocks.

   Watching this film pointed out to me something that has been bugging me for a long time. This film, if released today would most definitely recieve a PG-13, and maybe even an R rating. But in 1977 it was rated PG, which means parental guidance suggested. Those words are entirely ignored today. PG doesn't mean "Bring your kids! Nothing here will hurt/scare/affect them in any way! In fact, you can sue us if you see something you don't like!" It means as parents you are to decide if this film is something you want your kids to see. If not, don't take them to it. Don't buy it for them. It's that simple. Over-protective professional parents have truly stifled the amount of artistic freedom allowed in media these days, because everyone is afraid to be sued for offending anyone. It's such a huge problem, and nobody seems to be doing anything about it. Bakshi did in the 70's. Where's our Bakshi of today?