Watch Iron Man dealing out righteous justice by making countless things explode does more to convey the notion that violence is OK, or at least not “real,” than what one sees in Slumdog Millionaire. It desensitizes kids to the effect of violent acts with weapons.

And, come to think of it, the ambush scene at the start of Irom Man is just about as realistic and “disturbing” as anything in Slumdog.

I’ll never understand the guidelines of the MPAA, and might want to check out the documentary film against the MPAA that was in the previews before Slumdog. Prescient preview, as it turned out.

Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and language

I’m thinking the intensity of some of the scenes in question earned the R ratings, while Iron Man’s violence is more flip and comic book like.

I find it amazing that the film has only made $8 million or so as of last weekend. I expect the box office to really pick up as the film warrants wider release due to the accolades and buzz it has received.

By the way, we really enjoyed the film. We’re very curious, though, as to why it is rated R. Yes, there is some violence — a man set aflame and running about, a man shot at point-blank range (but the camera cuts away and you see nothing graphic), and a beating or two — but having watched Iron Man again on DVD last night, that movie was just as violent (if not more) and garnered a PG-13 rating. Iron Man sets various things and people on fire in the cave escape scene, dozens of people are gunned down, etc. In Slumdog, there is virtually no profanity and zero nudity and only implied sex.

Do you have a theory, Christian, as to why this fine film got an “R” rating? I’m puzzled.