The Batman General News & Discussion Thread

[antsman41]

No worse than the violence in Gotham

That is what's so odd with the ratings system... they wouldn't let Heath's Joker actually cut people/create wounds/show blood because of the already heightened level of horror. Yet, that same year you have other actions films that aren't "scary" or "moody" that can show more blood and cuts, etc. because of their lower level of realism/honest portrayal of threats.

 

[BarryLyndon]

I think rated r or not the movie can be great no matter what.
But...

Rated R does not only rely on violence and can make for a better film.

It makes the stake higher, anything can happen, your vilains can also do things which are more disturbing in a psychological and physical way. The characters are always at risk, so you're much more invested in them if you don't know how far it can go (I think it's Quentin Tarantino who said that).

Plus, it can bring thematics which are more suited for adults.

If they really want to separate from previous installments I think Rated R would be a bold move and really make for a unique Batman film. Let's just not go violent for the sake of violence. I don't want a deadpool Batman, I want a Chinatown/Se7en Batman.

But yeah toys may win this battle, so for now we can only hope.

 

[antsman41]

We've had three Gotham set movies in the past ten years that used Gotham Transit Authority during filming. Actually had to google set photos from TDKR, BvS, and Joker to see if that logo was from one of those or The Batman.

When ever they use Rucka's map from NML as a basis, it's a win.

Nolan's (well, 42 Entertainment's viral campaign) is still the best realistic interpretation of that.

Ugh, I can't find my old Lightroom/Photoshop compiling of all of the pieces we got from various sites that I created.

 

[MovieSlave]

That is what's so odd with the ratings system... they wouldn't let Heath's Joker actually cut people/create wounds/show blood because of the already heightened level of horror. Yet, that same year you have other actions films that aren't "scary" or "moody" that can show more blood and cuts, etc. because of their lower level of realism/honest portrayal of threats.

I remember that glorious viral marketing campaign for TDK and there was a picture of the copycat Batman that gets hung and slams into the Mayor's window. In the pic the Joker card was stabbed into his chest with a knife. For the movie they edited to where it was a paperclip dug into the chest pad he was wearing. I was surprised they couldn't get away with the knife even if they didn't have blood around it.

 

[Astro13Zombie]

I’m going to get ripped for this, but I would be ticked if this ends up being R rated. With the stuff that we have seen or heard of so far such as “blood soaked extras” or

Spoiler

taped head dead body guy

I already am nervous. But my youngest son is going to be the age that I was when 89 came out when Reeve’s film comes out. He is over the moon for this film and dreams of going to see it with me. This child’s room, even his wardrobe, is a shrine to Batman. It would royally suck if they Up the violence just for violence’s sake.

Batman 89 had a lot of violence and disturbing imagery.
Do you feel that it was too much for you at that age?

 

[Boom]

 

[TheSmoothKnight]

False alarm

 

[Boom]

 

[FatRobin]

Bruh

 

[TheSmoothKnight]

I'm not going to lie, I thought it real lol I don't watch Titans.

 

[Invader Joker]

The way I see it, the rating system is absolutely idiotic anyway and has only become more pointless by the years.

Most superhero films are rated PG 13, but does anyone listen to that? You constantly see kids 3-12 year old going to see the Marvel movies with their parents, and by the time they're 13 it's the most pointless thing in the world.

And are 13-18 year old really shocked or affected by anything in most R rated films nowadays? It just becomes a pointless restriction in the end.

It's like the current PG 13 should be PG, and the current R should be PG 13.

At the same time I do simpathize with the qualms about having this movie be R rated, I really do, but Batman's world is a violent one, and in a detective crime story, well, crime scenes that Batman is investigating aren't always going to be PG 13. So if the story really calls for it, I'd say make it R rated bearing in mind that the R rating label is pointless nowadays.

 

[Boom]

The MPAA's rating system is a bit antiquated.

 

[Invader Joker]

It would be interesting and even a breath of fresh air to not only receive a theatrical cut Batman film that’s rated R but a grimy/gritty detective Batman film that’s R and that seems to be the tone they’re heading for. However, I truly don’t think it will be R.. I think WB might be a little gun shy after TKJ tanked and BvS unrated was just.... meh at best. The latter being the epitome of making an R film just for the sake of being R.

TKJ didn't tank, its theatrical release was super limited, they weren't expecting super great numbers from that since it's a mostly a home video and digital release. The thing that'll give them pause is BoP being a flop.

 

[emielaen]

I think rated r or not the movie can be great no matter what.
But...

Rated R does not only rely on violence and can make for a better film.

It makes the stake higher, anything can happen, your vilains can also do things which are more disturbing in a psychological and physical way. The characters are always at risk, so you're much more invested in them if you don't know how far it can go (I think it's Quentin Tarantino who said that).

Plus, it can bring thematics which are more suited for adults.

If they really want to separate from previous installments I think Rated R would be a bold move and really make for a unique Batman film. Let's just not go violent for the sake of violence. I don't want a deadpool Batman, I want a Chinatown/Se7en Batman.

But yeah toys may win this battle, so for now we can only hope.

thank you.

And I really don’t see Reeves as a “violence for violence sake” type of storyteller.

 

[shauner111]

I was in elementary listening to hardcore rap, watching Rated-R gangster/horror movies. I was 19 when I saw TDK in theaters, and I could easily imagine myself being 5 or 6 watching TDK and enjoying the hell out of it just like I did with T2 back in those days. The rating system is ******ed, and some parents are just lame. This is why some kids grow up offended over everything, because their parents sheltered them for so long...it’s like a culture shock at once when they see anything resembling real life, like violence or crude humor.

 

[C Prometheus]

TKJ didn't tank, its theatrical release was super limited, they weren't expecting super great numbers from that since it's a mostly a home video and digital release. The thing that'll give them pause is BoP being a flop.

Possibly, but it's hard to say for sure given the daunting amount of success that the studio had just months ago with Joker.

The studio was banking on BoP being a hit because of Harley Quinn, but failed to account for how a massive chunk of her fanbase skew towards the younger side and I've noticed in recent years that a fair number of adults have a more mixed opinion on Harley- with only a select part of the adult community even aware of who the titular "Birds of Prey" were supposed to be. Plus the film wasn't quite generating excitement enough for the remaining older demographic that it was made for.

In contrast, practically everyone knows and loves Batman, much like with Joker. Obviously there's some financial risk at play with making an R-rated live action solo Batman film, but a lot of that comes down to the budget. Supposedly The Batman is working with a budget of around $110 Million, which is quite a bit more than Joker's budget ($62.5m)... but it's also less than half of the budget for Batman v. Superman ($250-300m), which was originally made and designed as a Rated R film and given an Uncut Edition on home release.

We'll see what happens. I'm not expecting it to be rated R right now... but it is starting to feel like that might actually be on the cards, given what we know so far. And that's a very exciting possibility to consider, if it proves to be accurate. Not because I want more violence for the sake of violence, but because I'd be excited to see what Reeves can bring to the table with his Fincher-inspired live action vision of Batman in that sort of sandbox.

EDIT: Let's also not forget the previous success that Batman: Arkham Knight had with its sales as a Rated M game.

 

[TheSmoothKnight]

 

[Zorro]

I fell in love with batman and he was my first superhero when I was just 3 or 4 yo when my parents took me to see B'89. By the time returns came out, I had discovered Adam West and old batman cartoons but they weren't batman to me or cool like Burton's films and I got into comics the day after Returns came out and in 1992 Batman was already usually brooding and dark.

I saw Returns as a horror movie mixed with a superhero and it didn't bother me because at 6 or 7 yo because I was already exposed to horror slashers thanks to tv and my sister's friends having them on vhs.

I turned out fine fine...I think

 

[TheSmoothKnight]

Pretty cool insights of whats going on inside of the Shed.

 

[TheGuy]

I think those should be spoilers?

 

[Babillygunn]

The rating system is ******ed, and some parents are just lame. This is why some kids grow up offended over everything, because their parents sheltered them for so long...it’s like a culture shock at once when they see anything resembling real life, like violence or crude humor.

Lol. Tell us how you really feel. Honestly, I fully acknowledge that I am a helicopter dad. But I am unapologetic about it. I want my kids to have some shock at the ugliness of life and not to be complacent. But I don’t teach them to fear the ugliness, I want them to stand up to it. My kids know what’s going on. They aren’t sheltered from realities (my oldest son is adopted, spent his first year in an orphanage after being abandoned on the side of a road. He knows how ugly the world is). But we don’t have to see it to know it’s there.

I guess I would rather celebrate what is good in the character of Batman rather than wallow in the carnage of his world or his enemies. I know it is a balance, but I think that’s what the Nolan trilogy did so well-acknowledge the evil acts of the villains but emphasize the nobility of the good characters.

Read War on Crime by Paul Dini and Alex Ross sometime. I’d say that may be the definitive Batman story and there are no super villains,no nemeses, no bloody violence. But make no mistake, it is inherently adult.

 

[BarryLyndon]

thank you.

And I really don’t see Reeves as a “violence for violence sake” type of storyteller.

I agree with you about Matt Reeves approach, though I would lie if I don't say I didn't like any of his movies prior to that one, even his composer didn't really get me at all before. But I see potential nonetheless, the guy seems really invested and is clearly going the right way for now.

Like Batman said in Returns ''Things change''.

I just don't want a cgi fest, I like movies that are taking themselves seriously and are in balance between commercial and auteurish, which I think is the best form of cinema.

 

[DKDetective]

The way I see it, the rating system is absolutely idiotic anyway and has only become more pointless by the years.

Most superhero films are rated PG 13, but does anyone listen to that? You constantly see kids 3-12 year old going to see the Marvel movies with their parents, and by the time they're 13 it's the most pointless thing in the world.

And are 13-18 year old really shocked or affected by anything in most R rated films nowadays? It just becomes a pointless restriction in the end.

It's like the current PG 13 should be PG, and the current R should be PG 13.

At the same time I do simpathize with the qualms about having this movie be R rated, I really do, but Batman's world is a violent one, and in a detective crime story, well, crime scenes that Batman is investigating aren't always going to be PG 13. So if the story really calls for it, I'd say make it R rated bearing in mind that the R rating label is pointless nowadays.

I was in elementary listening to hardcore rap, watching Rated-R gangster/horror movies. I was 19 when I saw TDK in theaters, and I could easily imagine myself being 5 or 6 watching TDK and enjoying the hell out of it just like I did with T2 back in those days. The rating system is ******ed, and some parents are just lame. This is why some kids grow up offended over everything, because their parents sheltered them for so long...it’s like a culture shock at once when they see anything resembling real life, like violence or crude humor.

Agreed with both of these for the most part. The upper limits of content for PG and PG13 are both ridiculously low and need to be reevaluated. I feel like it has killed what were once "soft R" blockbusters, which are serious, adult minded films, and encourages filmmakers to either sanitize such a story to get a PG13 rating or go overboard with R rated content to make sure the adults feel like they get their money's worth. Like Shauner, I saw things like Terminator 2 as a pre-teen and watch the Sopranos with my Dad at age 12 every Sunday night.without issue. However, not all kids are that mature. Most of the Marvel films should fall in PG instead of PG13 and PG13 should be loosened to allow a little more grit, blood, and language. I think the lack of blood and similar things in PG13 films, just shows a lack of consequences for violence and just desensitizes kids to it. It all becomes a joke.

However, I still think there should be some language, gore, and violence limitations for PG13 films, if in part to challenge filmmakers to be more creative with storytelling. Restraint can be good and sometimes needs to be forced. For instance, with Birds of Prey, the core story was a PG13/soft R story. However, but by making it R rated, I feel like the filmmakers took that as go ahead to get excessive with the language and the gore. A lot of it just felt like cheap thrills rather than serving the story.

 

[Mr. Gatsby]

As skewered as the MPAA system can be, I think if you're making a Batman movie and you need it to be R for it to be good, then you're going about making a Batman movie wrong and it probably isn't a great Batman movie in the first place.

Plus Reeves is a talented filmmaker, I don't think he'll need to show gratuitous violence and grit to tell his story. I don't think there's anything in an R rated Batman movie that Reeves couldn't achieve in an PG-13 rating.

 

[Wheels]

I don't think the Harley Quinn movie went far enough lol. The animated series is better.