The 12A rating is a growing problem in UK cinemas.
And it’s one that seems impossible to fix now…
Popcorn is duly being sold, although not quite as much as last year.
However, what certainlyishappening is problems in the multiplexes of Britain.
Theyd have no chance now.
Im coming back to that.
This isnt a new problem per se.
Just becauseApollo 13had a PG certificate, that didnt make it fodder for a seven year old.
But then the cinema, for a subset of parents, is an easy, surrogate babysitter.
Not all, I might add.
And its even worse today.
In fact, it almost certainly isnt.
The 12 bit of the certificate is still the crucial part, in terms of guidelines.
A 12A, in theory, is supposed to be a 12.
Its a bigger industry problem.
Im also aware that Im short-changing parents a little here too, in some cases.
But also, my children nag me to see films I think they may be too young for.
I check the films out beforehand, but that doesnt mean Im immune to pester power.
Its just few choose to seek it out.
In introducing the 12A certificate, what the BBFC has ultimately done is shift the onus in two directions.
Firstly, its shifted it heavily to parents.
Itd be fine if dragging a five year old to seeRogue Oneonly affected said child and their accompanying family.
But we all know that it takes one person to ruin a screening.
And it only takes one person to spoil that.
But why should we have to?
But they seem to be exceptions.
But again, its a shame this has to happen.
This, though, is circumnavigating a problem, rather than fixing it.
I want it always to be so.
Furthermore, its been clear that 12A still means 12, and I do get that.
Its just I do think its become PG by default in practice.
The BBFC has full information on 12,here.
But I think I called it wrongly.
I see no signs that it will.
