Uh-oh. You might remember that the Liam Neeson-starring Taken was a pretty hard-edged action film, that wasn't shy of a bit of violence and swearing. In the UK, it got a 15 certificate in cinemas, and a harder, 18-rated cut was presented on DVD and Blu-ray.
Taken 2 is due in cinemas in the first week of October, and a similarly hard-edged film was expected. However, the BBFC website has just announced the classification of the film in the UK, and somewhat oddly, Taken 2 has been given a 12A (the equivalent of PG-13 in the UK).
Taken 2 hardly sounds like fodder for a 12-year old to us, even appreciating that the rating isn't always the be all and end all. However, closer examination reveals, sadly, that the film has been cut to meet a targeted 12A rating.
On original submission, the film was set to be classified 15, in line with the first film. However, according to the BBFC, "During post-production, the distributor sought and was given advice on how to secure the desired classification. Following this advice, certain changes were made prior to submission."
Those changes amounted to three scenes, which were subsqeuently re-edited (we don't have specific details as to how much footage was affected), to earn a 12A.
We can't help thinking that this is one instance where chasing a broader certificate may well isolate part of the audience who liked Taken in the first place.
Taken 2 arrives in the UK on 4th October 2012. And, thanks to the certificate, you can basically take a six-year old with you if you like, and that's okay.
Who'd have thought it? The Taken sequel chasing a family-friendlier certificate, by choice...
BBFC.
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