Fox Loses Appeal to Overturn R-Rating on 'This Means War'

The Classification and Rating Appeals Board on Thursday upheld the R rating bestowed McG's comedy This Means War, which 20th Century Fox opens on Valentine's Day.

our editor recommends

'This Means War' Release Date Moves Up to Valentine's Day

Reese Witherspoon Plays Chris Pine, Tom Hardy in 'This Means War' Trailer (Video)

PHOTOS: Movie Stills From 'This Means War'

This Means War -- starring Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy -- was assigned the restrictive rating for "some sexual content." Fox was appealing in the hopes of lowering the rating to PG-13.

PHOTOS: The Many Faces of Tom Hardy

The appeals board reached its decision after hearing statements from Ted Gagliano, president of feature post production for Fox. The Classification and Rating Administration, which administers movie ratings on behalf of the Motion Picture Association of America and the National Organization of Theater Owners, was represented by chairman Joan Graves.

This Means War follows the travails of two seasoned government operatives and best friends who turn their skills against one another after falling for the same woman. Timothy Dowling and Simon Kinberg wrote the script.