Review of This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006) by Ikaika S — 25 Jan 2013

Kirby Dick's insightful look into how the MPAA rates certain movies is certainly an eye-opener. Most people usually think that filmmakers don't really care if they get an R rating, or even the dreaded NC-17.

On the contrary, these filmmakers (including John Waters, Matt Stone, and Darren Arrenofsky) beg to differ. Whenever their film is hit with an R or NC-17, they know that it's trouble. Not only will it cost them money since when it's released it won't be targeted at a broader audience, but it will also force them to censor their art.

Matt Stone goes into detail of three of his and Trey Parker's films in this documentary (Orgazmo, South Park the Movie, and Team America: World Police) and stated that each was originally slated with an NC-17.

Then he goes on to say the MPAA would tell him and Trey what to cut to get, at most, an R-rating. If that doesn't classify as unconstitutional, I don't know what is. Along with talking about these many filmmakers and their battles with the MPAA, Kirby hires a private investigator to hunt down the ratings board for the MPAA, which is a very entertaining sub-bit.

With many topics covered throughout this motion picture (including but not limited to; the controversy of sex vs. violence, preference of gay or straight sex in a film, and many others), This Film is Not Yet Rated is a masterpiece of a documentary.

Once you see this film, you'll want to see other films directed by Kirby Dick, including 2009's Outrage and this year's Oscar Nominated film The Invisible War.