The Dark Knight Batman's Competition in 2008

[Rynan]

As for Batman Begins being too dark for 8-year old.

Sorry, I don't think so. Batman Begins IS dark, and violent.......but not grotesque about it. Things in there kids will dig because it's Batman.

The story is certainly too sophisticated for 8-year olds, but I'm sure 8 out of 10 kids can handle watching Batman Begins. Most kids have seen far worse things.

My 10 year old cousin saw it. He thought it was awesome.

It isn't "too dark". That's just ridiculus.

 

[Advanced Dark]

It's too dark for 8 years olds and even 10 years olds. I'm sure you 10 year old thought it was awesome. The images should never have entered his brain.

 

[Advanced Dark]

Hey guys don't forget about the Wolverine movie which should start filming in 2007. However it could slip into 2009 as well with Hulk 2. Wolverine should be very dark and very violent. Benioff is writing an R rated script knowing the studio will probably soften it to PG-13 but it should still be much darker than the X-Films.

 

[ArmsHeldOut]

I definitely agree that the Begins sequel should remain serious in tone and somewhat dark; however, I have a few suggestions which might help the film perform better at the box office.
For one, as much as I liked the original music score, I have to admit that it didn't grab me. When I think of Batman I want to hear something menacing, yet heroic and upbeat. Regarding great film scores of the past like the original Superman and Star Wars series, you just couldn't help, but be moved by the distinct and epic sound that is so memorable even today.
Taking a closer look at Batman Begins, I think larger audiences would also appreciate a reduction in the frantic pace of film editing. With the origin story now told, there is plenty of room to slow down just a bit and let us enjoy what befolds before our eyes.
I've found that a larger portion of moviegoers expect to see huge special effects in a film centering on a superhero icon, but this is certainly not what The Batman is all about, as most of us on here will attest.
With that stated, Nolan and company have their work cut out for them. Of course, many critics of Batman Begins praise the film's successful intent to be grounded in reality and this is where Nolan can continue to work his magic. Every up and coming action film, including the 007 restart is using Begins as a point of reflection and influence and that says a lot. As Josh Whedon so adeptly points out, Batman has " ..everything. He's got so much of the work done for him. He's got the best rogues' gallery. He's got the best origin story."
I guess you could say that Batman Begins and future sequels of the same ilk will not be for everyone, but as long as the films deliver to a select range of people who know what to expect and have a desire to be engrossed on a more intellectual level, as opposed to a visual one, then all should be well.

 

[StorminNorman]

It's too dark for 8 years olds and even 10 years olds. I'm sure you 10 year old thought it was awesome. The images should never have entered his brain.

Give me a break man

 

[Advanced Dark]

^ No I won't give you a break. Clearly your not an adult nor do you have your own children. I have 2 girls 4 & 6 and even if they were boys I wouldn't let them see Batman Begins. The Tim Burton films are dark enough though campy, while Begins is serious as hell. There's not need for 8 year olds to see it. I don't want my 8 year old in school talking about it nor do I want them having nightmares about freaks with masks with worms coming out of it, etc...The movie as an entirety is too serious for 8 year olds.

 

[Advanced Dark]

I definitely agree that the Begins sequel should remain serious in tone and somewhat dark; however, I have a few suggestions which might help the film perform better at the box office.
For one, as much as I liked the original music score, I have to admit that it didn't grab me. When I think of Batman I want to hear something menacing, yet heroic and upbeat. Regarding great film scores of the past like the original Superman and Star Wars series, you just couldn't help, but be moved by the distinct and epic sound that is so memorable even today.
Taking a closer look at Batman Begins, I think larger audiences would also appreciate a reduction in the frantic pace of film editing. With the origin story now told, there is plenty of room to slow down just a bit and let us enjoy what befolds before our eyes.
I've found that a larger portion of moviegoers expect to see huge special effects in a film centering on a superhero icon, but this is certainly not what The Batman is all about, as most of us on here will attest.
With that stated, Nolan and company have their work cut out for them. Of course, many critics of Batman Begins praise the film's successful intent to be grounded in reality and this is where Nolan can continue to work his magic. Every up and coming action film, including the 007 restart is using Begins as a point of reflection and influence and that says a lot. As Josh Whedon so adeptly points out, Batman has " ..everything. He's got so much of the work done for him. He's got the best rogues' gallery. He's got the best origin story."
I guess you could say that Batman Begins and future sequels of the same ilk will not be for everyone, but as long as the films deliver to a select range of people who know what to expect and have a desire to be engrossed on a more intellectual level, as opposed to a visual one, then all should be well.

The box office should go up because the bad taste in the franchise is gone. Also the first film was an origin film while the new one can focus on a tangible villain that people are familiar with. I'm wondering if the Joker should play a small role in the next film sort of doing things in the back ground setting up part 3.

 

[StorminNorman]

^ No I won't give you a break. Clearly your not an adult nor do you have your own children.

No, I am not an adult nor do I have children - however I am largely responsible for my 6 year old cousin who stays with us. He loves Spider-man, Star Wars and Batman, he plays video games in which he plays a storm trooper and shoots rebel troops, he watches Spider-man kick the crap out the Green Goblin AND he watched Batman Begins and all its scary scary scenes. Guess what, he is as happy as he can be!

I have 2 girls 4 & 6 and even if they were boys I wouldn't let them see Batman Begins. The Tim Burton films are dark enough though campy, while Begins is serious as hell.

Great, we have different views on this. Your own personal views however are not that relevant when it comes to this conversation. We are talking about the mainstreme and what movies parents will or will not take their children too - Batman is a franchise most parents have no problem with.

Now the Tim Burton Batman had some slightly disturbing images for a younger child - it is much closer to how you are trying to depict Begins than Begins actual was.

There's not need for 8 year olds to see it. I don't want my 8 year old in school talking about it nor do I want them having nightmares about freaks with masks with worms coming out of it, etc...The movie as an entirety is too serious for 8 year olds.

Again, I disagree. My 6 year old cousin has no problem with it. My 10 year old sister had no problem with these scary scenes either FWIW (she was not a big fan of the movie in general however).

 

[Advanced Dark]

^ Make your own kids and then we'll talk. It's not appropriate. Period. End of discussion with me on it. And for someone to say Batman Begins is not dark and violent is ludicrous.

 

[StorminNorman]

^ Make your own kids and then we'll talk. It's not appropriate. Period. End of discussion with me on it. And for someone to say Batman Begins is not dark and violent is ludicrous.

Batman Begins is very dark (visually) and it does have violence - it however does not have an overly dark theme nor does it have excessive violence.

YOU may not think its appropriate - others would disagree. I believe most mainstreme movie goers would side with the latter.

 

[Advanced Dark]

Batman Begins is very dark (visually) and it does have violence - it however does not have an overly dark theme nor does it have excessive violence.

YOU may not think its appropriate - others would disagree. I believe most mainstreme movie goers would side with the latter.

Running Time: 2 hrs. 20 min.

Release Date: June 15th, 2005 (wide)

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic elements.

 

[Advanced Dark]

Parents Television Council Reviews

PTC reviews aim to provide you with advance information about an entertainment offering so that you can be the final arbiter of what you and your family see.


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Batman Begins
By Kimberly Sielen

Release Date: June 15, 2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic elements.
Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Garly Oldman, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe
Genre: Superhero Action/Adventure

Long gone are the days of "BANG!" and "POW!" flashing across your television set during the 1960s Batman show and the neon world of Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. In its place is a dark, violent, brooding movie which should not be seen by children under fifteen or those easily frightened.

Batman Begins is the story of Bruce Wayne's (Christian Bale) return to Gotham after years of self-inflicted exile. As a boy of eight, Bruce witnessed his parents' brutal murders, and then spent much of the next two decades wandering the planet, looking for an escape to his guilt. When the film opens, he is in a Chinese prison and fighting for his life against the other inmates. He is released by a mysterious figure, Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), and Bruce follows him to a remote training center led by Ra's Al-Ghul (Ken Watanabe). It is here Bruce's transformation begins; he picks up important elements of his future alter-ego, like distraction and intimidation. Meanwhile, in Gotham, the city's criminals are being transferred from the jail to a mental hospital by Dr. Jonathan Crane (Cillian Murphy), much to the dismay of the assistant DA (and Bruce's childhood love) Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes). Also, the once powerful Wayne Enterprises is in the hands of the Richard Earle (Rutger Hauer), a corrupt CEO determined to make the company public. By the time Bruce returns to Gotham, he barely recognizes it. The city and company that his parents had created and loved are in the hands of the greedy and evil. Only with the help of his trusty butler Alfred (a hilarious Michael Caine), the last honest cop, Lieutenant James Gordan (Gary Oldman), and a high-tech scientist, Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), is he able to create Batman and save Gotham.

Batman Begins is not for the faint of heart and fully earns its PG-13 rating. It is a truly scary movie that can make the entire theater jump in fear or surprise. The most intense moments are flashbacks involving Bruce falling into a cave full of bats as a child. There are many fight scenes, both with and without weapons, and though many die, the only gore shown is a bloody nose. However, this is not to say that Batman Begins is not graphic. The main plot line involves a drug which permanently paralyzes a person in madness and fear. The audience sees what the drugged victim sees - their worst nightmare. These images are very disturbing - bugs crawl out of the Scarecrow's (Dr. Crane's) mask, and Batman's eyes have a demonic red tint while soaring above the masses.

Though Batman Begins is a very violent film, there is very little offensive language, and virtually no sex. The only sexual innuendo occurs when Bruce Wayne, in an attempt to maintain his public image (at Alfred's urging), ventures back out into society, after his return, with two models who end up playing in a fountain (there is no nudity). The language however, is harsh occasionally, resulting in its PG-13 rating. Overall, parents and guardians should think twice before taking anyone under the age of fifteen to this movie.

There are about 200 other reviews that say the same thing. Batman Begins is an awesome movie. Not for little kids, and surely not for 8 years olds. As far as your being responsible for a 6 year old I doubt you know what resopnsibility means. Do you go to the school when he gets in trouble? Do you pay for his food, schooling, did you change his diapers, feed him, teach him wrong from right, take him out of his crib every time he woke up in the middle of the night crying, do you take him to the doctor when he's sick?

I doubt it.

 

[StorminNorman]

The PTC also said that they wouldnt recommend taking anyone UNDER THE AGE OF 17! to go see Poseidon and also believe that Mr. and Mrs. Smith should of been rated R.

 

[Advanced Dark]

^ Did you see Poseidon? I think 17 is old enough. Probably 14-15 is old enough for that one though they do show alot of people dying it's not done in the same dark way as other films like Total Recall. LOL

 

[StorminNorman]

Running Time: 2 hrs. 20 min.

Release Date: June 15th, 2005 (wide)

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic elements.

Spider-man 2 is also rated PG-13, would you be against an 8 year old seeing that?

 

[Advanced Dark]

There are certain scenes in Spiderman 2 that are not really suitable for an 8 year old. It's not as dark as Batman but the fight scenes are pretty damn intense w/Doc Ock and the whole scene in the surgery room. I'd let my kids watch an edited version of that on network tv.

 

[StorminNorman]

^ Did you see Poseidon? I think 17 is old enough. Probably 14-15 is old enough for that one though they do show alot of people dying it's not done in the same dark way as other films like Total Recall. LOL

So you agree that some of the PTC's ratings are a little extreme.

Also they saw that the show Law and Order is unsuitable for children - I watched that show every night with my father when I was 6,7,8 years old - never bothered me. The PTC is a tad bit extreme for my personal tastes.

 

[StorminNorman]

There are certain scenes in Spiderman 2 that are not really suitable for an 8 year old. It's not as dark as Batman but the fight scenes are pretty damn intense w/Doc Ock and the whole scene in the surgery room. I'd let my kids watch an edited version of that on network tv.

But you see, most of mainstreme America took their 8 year olds to go see Spider-man 2 IN theaters, and thats what we are really talking about - Mainstreme America. Again, most of Mainstreme America have no problem taking their children to go see a Batman movie.

 

[Rynan]

There are about 200 other reviews that say the same thing. Batman Begins is an awesome movie. Not for little kids, and surely not for 8 years olds. As far as your being responsible for a 6 year old I doubt you know what resopnsibility means. Do you go to the school when he gets in trouble? Do you pay for his food, schooling, did you change his diapers, feed him, teach him wrong from right, take him out of his crib every time he woke up in the middle of the night crying, do you take him to the doctor when he's sick?

I doubt it.

Okay, now your pushing it Ass-Hole.

Look, just because Norm doesn't agree with your idea of "age appropriate"-ness in movies, doesn't give you the right to make him into an irresponsible monster of a human being(no matter what his casting choices are). I personally think your a horrible person for even suggesting that. Who the hell are you to tell people what they can or can not see, huh? What kind of holy man are you that you can do that? If his 6 year cousin's mother had a problem with it, she wouldn't have let him go. But no, she didn't. Neither did his 10 year old sister. Just because you have a problem with it doesn't give you the right pass judgement on them.

If people want to go see the "violent" and "dark" Batman Begins, so be it. If they want to take they're kids or realtions, so let them. If the child wants to go, they have full right as a parent or guardian to take them, it's not up to you to tell them "No". So stuff you foolish and weak words up your self-rightious ass and leave people the hell alone. They can make their own decisions without your pestering annoyance.

There, I'm done. Eat it.

 

[StorminNorman]

There are about 200 other reviews that say the same thing. Batman Begins is an awesome movie. Not for little kids, and surely not for 8 years olds. As far as your being responsible for a 6 year old I doubt you know what resopnsibility means. Do you go to the school when he gets in trouble? Do you pay for his food, schooling, did you change his diapers, feed him, teach him wrong from right, take him out of his crib every time he woke up in the middle of the night crying, do you take him to the doctor when he's sick?

I doubt it.

This last part was added after I replyed to this particular post.

I would like to see 200 other reviews saying that Batman Begins is a overly violent movie and should not be seen by anyone under the age of 13.

My cousin has no father and his mother is a wack job who quite frankly does not give a rats ass about him - he lives with my family. He is a great kid, but my parents do not have the time to look after him with their jobs, so that burden is handed down to me. If he is sick at school, yes - I have to leave school and pick him up. I am responsible for fixing him snacks and dinners and I would like to think that I play a little role teaching him right from wrong. Again - he loves Spiderman, he loves Star Wars and he loves Batman and is not at all tramatized from watching any of these films.

 

[BatMatt]

I would say Batman Returns is far more inappropriate for children than Begins (even though I saw Returns in theaters when I was five).

 

[CConn]

I saw it when I was 4, and yeah, I would definitely say it's more graphic than BB. Still, it didn't affect me at all. Nor did it affect my sister, or my cousin who saw it at equally young ages.

In any case, what's even the rationale of a Batman moving being too dark for children? They're going to turn into an axe murderer when they grow up because BB has a few dark scenes? Movies haven't nearly enough influence to do that alone.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

People used to think so.

They used to say the same about music, books, and comic books.

Thos mother****ers were just crazy.

They're saying the same things about videogames today. Crazy people.

But, yeah.....Batman Begins is not too dark. It's dark, deep and sophisticated.....but not too dark for a kid to enjoy.

 

[Katsuro]

I think some people are forgetting what this debate is about. It's about whether the darkness of the new Batman movies will negativley affect it's box office. I have to say, the answer is most definatley no (or very, very little). He's Batman. He's an american icon, a superhero, a comic book character. Most people associate with him as being somewhat kid-friendly. Kids today watch "The Batman" on TV, or grew up watching JLU, and are fans of this character. They're gonna bug their parents to see it, and the parents will allow them, because it's freakin' Batman!

Batman 2 will be a huge hit come 2008. The first movie wasn't so strong because people hated the previous Batman films, but now that their confidence has been restored, people will flock to the theaters. I can definatley see it being the top movie of the summer.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Agreed.