At the start of the Aviator trailer, it says that “the film advertised has been rated PG-13.” It says “PARENTS [ARE] STRONGLY CAUTIONED” over “thematic elements, sexual content, nudity, language and a crash sequence.” Thematic elements? In this story of an eccentric, go-for-broke, control-freak aviation pioneer, what thematic element could possibly be considered threatening or upsetting to the jaded mind of a typical 10 year-old? And what kid these days is going to blink an eye at a mere depiction of a plane crashing ito a residential neighborhod in Beverly Hills (which Howard Hughes actually did in 1946) when they spend 80% of their free time on ultra-violent video games?
