At the back end of last week, the BBFC classified Taken 2 as a 12A in the UK. That’s our equivalent of a PG-13, and it was a surprising classification for a film whose predecessor was rated 15 in cinemas.

Furthermore, the original Taken got an “extended harder cut” on DVD, which took it to an 18. The decision to go for a family-friendlier rating for the cinematic release of Taken 2 was, to put a mildly, a bit baffling. You can read all about that in a bit more detail here, and our review of the new film itself here.

The problem, it seems, is we have an inversion of the situation that existed in the 80s and 90s. Back then, the full cut of a film would be in cinemas. It would be rated whatever was appropriate, with the eventual video release the more likely to be chopped. Now, things seem to be the other way around. The message to those of us who like action cinema in particular without the edges knocked off to get a broader certificate is this: go and watch the PG-13/12A rated version at the cinema, and we’ll give you an unrated/uncut version on DVD and Blu-ray.

Can I be the latest to call bullshit on this?