In today’s Hollywood, violence is complicated topic. A single violent scene in an otherwise timid movie, if shot in a graphic way, can get a film an R rating. On the other hand, if the violence isn’t graphic, a filmmaker can kill millions of people and get a PG-13. Is one worse than the other? Is the death of many, if it shown without blood, less frightening than the gory death of one?

This issue comes to light most often in blockbuster movies. Films like Man of Steel or The Avengers contain wanton destruction, yet are considered family-friendly due their rating and genre. It’s with that knowledge actor Titus Welliver, best known for being the Man in Black on Lost, probably said the following about his upcoming film, Transformers: Age of Extinction. He called the film darker and said “it’s not a kids movie, I’ll tell you that much.”

The quote came from Nerdist (via TFW 2005). Here’s the full context:

How was it for the actor, best known for his roles on The Good Wife and Argo, stepping into the huge Transformers summer movie franchise? “I’ve now won the hard earned respect of my children because I’m in aTransformers film, and I’ve always wanted to work with Michael Bay and certainly Mark Wahlberg and Kelsey Grammer.” And what can fans look forward to in this installment? “It’s a bit more of a darker vision of the Transformers world… It’s not a kids movie, I’ll tell you that much.”

Considering the last three Michael Bay Transformers movies were all PG-13, it’s probably safe to say Bay is contractually obligated to do the same with Age of Extinction. If it was to get an R-rating, the young boys and girls who the film is made for wouldn’t be able to see it and box office would sharply decline. So when Welliver says the film is “not a kids movie,” he’s not suggesting this movie will be an R. He’s just saying parents should be cautious to expose their kids to the potential destruction and robot on robot violence sure to be all over the film. This isn’t Frozen or Finding Nemo. It’s a big action movie.

That, of course, is just my interpretation of the quote. For all we know, Age of Extinction could get much darker and more disturbing than the previous films. Even if that’s true, though, it’ll still be PG-13. Does that mean it’s a “kids movie?” It’s open to interpretation.

How do you interpret Welliver’s quote? Would you take your kids to Transformers: Age of Extinction?