Clowning Around...

Last night, I finally got to see 'The Dark Knight' at my local picture hole and it is needless to say it did not dissapoint. I'm not going to go on an extended trip of delight and hyperbole about it - there's plenty of glowing reviews for you to read out there about Christopher Nolan's latest offering.

However, one thing did disturb me and that was the presence of a very small child in the auditorium. This child didn't make any trouble but it was the fact that such a young child was even present in the auditorium was the main issue for me.

It's that pesky 12A rating introduced into the UK in 2002 that legally allows any child to see a 12A film whilst accompanied by an adult. It's a nice idea to allow people to take the reigns of liberal parenting and run with it, but in real life I have seen so many small children present in 12A films which I would consider unsuitable for such immature and impressionable minds - I have to wonder where liberal parenting stops and carelessness begins.

Before you think I'm a crazy Mary Whitehouse type, I'll reassure you now that I'm not. I don't believe kids automatically go out and commit heinous crimes after seing video nasties unless they've got a couple of screws loose to start with. I also think films are an amazing medium to allow children to experience fantasy, dreams and different emotions in a safe environment. What I do believe though is that kids are impressionable and have deeply vivid imaginations.

The Dark Knight is terrifying in places - Heath Ledger's Joker puts even the toughest critic on edge with his unhinged performance. The first glimpse of Two Face 'aint pretty on it's initial reveal for some adults. I'm not sure how a 6 year old would react.

The sad truth is that some parents, and clearly the staff at my local well known cinema chain clearly don't give a s**t about what children are seeing. One child was so small, it was getting carried out of the auditorium.... Isn't that a baby? I wonder whether the 12A certificate exists simply to increase audience revenue, and allow parents to forgoe the babysitter when they want to see a slightly more adult themed film. Why not just take the kid with you?

Well, rant over. In the Joker's own words...'whatever doesn't kill you simply makes you... stranger'.