Curriculum links: This case study can be used for those studying ‘Section 2D: Critical Approaches to Film’ on the OCR A-Level Film Studies specification.

James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy is the 10th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The BBFC gave it a 12A age rating when it was released in 2014. The US superhero sci-fi adventure follows space pirate Peter Quill - or Starlord, as he likes to be known - played by Chris Pratt, who has a bounty on his head after stealing a mysterious Orb. Quill forms an alliance with a group of outcasts, played by an ensemble cast, including Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, and Bradley Cooper. In their new roles as ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, the gang of heroes must band together to defend their world against the fanatical warlord, Ronan the Accuser.

The movie received critical acclaim and proved to be commercially successful, and has since been followed up by two sequels: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). The trailer for the first instalment debuted on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in the US a few months prior to its release in cinemas.

A notable strand of the commentary in response to this ‘first-look’ content highlighted the film’s edgy and offbeat humour, which was recognised as somewhat of a departure from previous MCU titles. Indeed, the comedy and lighthearted tone in Guardians of the Galaxy proved to be significant to its age rating too.

Behind the age rating 

Guardians of the Galaxy was submitted to the BBFC in July 2014, a few weeks before its official release in cinemas. We classified the film 12A along with the content advice of ‘moderate fantasy action violence, threat, moderate bad language’.

When rating violence, we will consider a range of factors, including: the strength and the level of visual detail; whether it is realistic, stylised, comic or fantastical; its frequency and the length of such sequences within the film as a whole; and the context in which it occurs.

As a key age rating consideration, the film’s scenes of action violence are high octane, with colourful space battles featuring various aircrafts, futuristic weapons and explosives, as well as crunchy hand-to-hand fights. Characters are often hit with gun blasts, hacked at with blades and sometimes explode. These elements all contributed to the film’s 12A age rating.

While impactful, the violence in Guardians of the Galaxy takes place within fantastical settings and a wider universe familiar to Marvel fans. Though high stakes, there are more possibilities open to the heroes to escape than if the action were set somewhere on Earth, or in our own reality. The comic banter between Quill and his band of misfits also helps to break up lengthy battles and ease tense moments of conflict. 

The Guardians often find themselves in life threatening situations, meaning that threat was also a key consideration when deciding on the age rating. Ronan, for example, remains an ominous presence throughout the film. He’s cold, ruthless and wields a Kree war-hammer, making him a formidable opponent. We first see him being dressed in his armour and warpaint, before he performs a ritualistic killing of a man held captive on his ship, the Dark Aster. Like his armour and his surroundings, Ronan is often shrouded in darkness, which gives him the air of a powerful demon that we might see in horror movies.

Even in the face of Ronan’s most powerful moments, however, Guardians of the Galaxy provides a blend of the light and the dark. In the film’s climactic battle, after harnessing the power of the Infinity Stone, Ronan prepares to destroy the planet of Xandar. But Quill’s expertly timed dance moves are able to distract Ronan, ultimately enabling the Guardians to vaporise him. The use of music in this scene, like elsewhere in the film, helps to lift the tone in perilous moments and inject some comedy relief, which reduces the sense of threat.

Quill’s insult to Ronan - calling him a ‘turd-blossom’ - also adds to this comic relief. Uses of moderate bad language, such as ‘bitch’, ‘dick’, ‘prick’ and ‘whore’, are used elsewhere in the film to comic effect. A middle finger gesture from Quill in his holographic mugshot provides another memorable moment, and one that showcases his character’s irreverent attitude. While these terms and gestures are a little saucier than what had previously come before in films of the MCU, they contribute to the film’s unique humour; furthermore, they do not challenge a 12A age rating.

Superhero blockbusters and the film industry

The 12A is often a sought after age rating for filmmakers and distributors of blockbuster titles as it potentially broadens the audience for their film. A 12A age rating, which is only applicable to cinemas, enables children younger than 12 to see a 12A rated film if accompanied by an adult.

The origin of the 12A as an advisory classification (i.e. a rating that doesn’t carry a strict age restriction, similar to U and PG), was introduced in 2002 in response to the growing appetite among younger audiences to see new superheroes and other action franchises at the cinema. In the early 2000s the BBFC received complaints from parents whose children were disappointed they were unable to see the likes of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, or the latest James Bond title on the big screen - and yet they were able to collect toys, magazines and other merchandise associated with these films.

In response to this feedback, the BBFC conducted a pilot study in Norwich to test several 12-rated films showing in cinemas during an eight week period with under 12s. The outcome of this study revealed that people were in favour of making the 12 an advisory age rating - providing that under 12s were accompanied by an adult. A national survey later reinforced this feedback, leading to the introduction of the 12A age rating as it is now known.

This meant that while the BBFC would continue to provide age ratings and guidance for audiences in line with its trusted national standards, the 12A enabled parents and other caregivers the opportunity to decide for themselves whether a particular feature is suitable for their child(ren). This paved the way for 12A rated franchise films, such as Guardians of the Galaxy and its two sequels, to help them find a broader audience.

Remember you can read the content advice for the movie to find out more information about the age rating.

Suggested viewing

The Suicide Squad (James Gunn, 2021). 15
Spider-Man (Sam Raimi, 2002). 12A
Serenity (Joss Whedon, 2005). 15

Discussion points 

• What significance did the introduction of the 12A rating have for films in the superhero genre, and their fans?
• A comic tone proved crucial to the 12A rating for Guardians of the Galaxy. Pick a scene from the film and analyse what effects comedy has on other classification issues, such as violence and threat.
• How important is the BBFC’s content advice for audiences, particularly for films that have a 12A age rating?