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| A Good Day To Die Hard - Out Now In Cinemas |
I say a big fat - NO!
This comes to light since the release of the new Die Hard movie in the UK, where Fox and the BBFC have received a slating from fans of the franchise.
Fox approached the BBFC with a workprint of the movie and asked what rating they would receive.
Originally, the BBFC offered a '15' rating uncut, however they gave them optional changes which could be made in order to receive a '12A' rating.
For those who aren't familiar with UK ratings. 12A is like the PG-13 rating, where the film is suitable for persons aged 12 and over, but persons under 12 can view the film with an adult or guardian. The film content is limited on its violence, sex and strong language however, a limited use of the f-word can be used throughout the film.
Fox came back with a finished print taking the suggested cuts on board and the BBFC rated the film '12A'. However, it looks like the UK are the only country (could be wrong) who have received a watered down version of the movie.
So in a time where people are blaming games, movies and television for violence in society (and not the fact that violent people have issues to begin with). Is it right, the BBFC should be making suggestions to studios so adult themed movies like Die Hard can receive a rating where kids can see these films? No is the answer! The BBFC should be looking movies like this and ask 'Is it really suitable for kids?'.
Now in all honesty we know full well why Fox have opted for a lower rating - money! So here we have another argument. Exploiting kids to adult themed movies at the cinema in order to receive a few extra bucks. Shouldn't the BBFC be doing something to stop this explotation in censorship by not offering suggestions to studios so films like Die Hard can't receive a lower rating?
Another reason, especially more-so in the UK is releasing 'uncut' versions of movies on DVD and Blu-Ray.
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| Ripping Off Customers with Uncut Versions |
Customers in the UK have always in my opinion, been victims to a rip-off market, more so with DVD and Blu-Ray films.
Live Free or Die Hard aka Die Hard 4.0 in the UK, suffered the same treatment at the cinemas. It was butchered in order to receive a '12A' rating, then on DVD received a '15' rating uncut. Why? To make more money.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind 'uncut' or 'director cut' versions of films such as 'Big' or 'Blade Runner' where the additional footage wasn't cut from the cinema release in order to receive a lower certificate, but the director's chose not to use the footage as they didn't think it was suitable to use for running time or pace purposes.
But more recently, I've noticed films that have received a '12A' rating are getting the 'uncut' treatment later on and it is down to ripping off customers as a majority of these 'uncut' versions only have minutes of extra footage where strong language and minor cuts to violence have been restored.
Overall then, should the BBFC put a stop to studios exploiting kids to adult themed films by not offering them alternative ratings? Yes is the answer!
