Reaction to the latest Harry Potter movie's PG-13 rating

Traffic around Tulsa theaters is getting "Hairy" this weekend. The 4th "Harry Potter" movie premiered Friday morning. <br/><br/>The movie carries the series first PG-13 rating for "fantasy violence" and

Friday, November 18th 2005, 10:38 am

By: News On 6

Traffic around Tulsa theaters is getting "Hairy" this weekend. The 4th "Harry Potter" movie premiered Friday morning.

The movie carries the series first PG-13 rating for "fantasy violence" and "frightening scenes." But that isn't keeping kids from the box office.

News on 6 anchor Scott Thompson says nationwide movie ticket sellers say this if the fastest-selling of all the Harry Potter movies, despite being rated PG-13, but the pumped-up violence was on the minds of parents - and their kids.

12 year old Matt Dixon: "It's just really good and interesting and tense. It really gets your attention." Getting the attention of a lot of parents is the movie's PG-13 rating. That's why Matt brought dad to buy the tickets. Matt says the stronger violence won't sneak up on him. "I expect it to be a lot graphic, it's supposed to be a lot scarier is what I've heard." Steven Margwarth has his ticket, but he knows Aunt Denise Brown may still have to cover his eyes during the scariest parts. "Because it's PG-13." Denise Brown: "And he's listened to the audio books so he knows which parts will be scary."

Since Harry Potter is a little older in each movie, the scenes get more serious. 9-year-old Jarred Bethea brought 10-year-old brother Curtis Bethea and his grandparents to the movie. He says the maze scene and the fight scenes were some of the scariest. Jarred Bethea: "And then this other person died." Scott Thompson: "Oh no. Was that scary at all?â€ Jarred Bethea: "Yeah, a little bit." Curtis Bethea: "Yeah.â€ â€œItâ€™s too scary for little kids, I think.â€

Claire Bowles went with her two daughters, who are a little older. She says parents - not ratings - should determine if a movie is appropriate for their children. â€œBut PG-13? I think thatâ€™s a little high. I think mature 11; 12 year olds could - if they read the books.â€

So far, the reviews from the youngest critics have all been positive. Curtis Bethea: â€œItâ€™s the best movie since the last Harry Potter.â€

Not only is this movie the scariest of the Harry Potter films, it's also the longest. So, youngsters not only have to make it through the scary scenes, but also sit still for more than 2-and-a-half hours.