The Dark Knight What did kids think of The Dark Knight?

[gazzilla8000]

TDK got a very positive reaction from audiences for its mature handling of themes such as corruption and power. However, in none of my 4 viewings at the cinemas did I notice many children there.

I am wondering, how did the children (the future generation of us Batfans) find the film? Personally, I loved the '89 Batman the first time I saw it when I was 5. While alot of the politics went over my head I had a pretty good understanding of the basics of the story, and I loved the atmosphere/visuals of the film.

Was TDK too violent/scary/smart for children, or am I not giving them enough credit these days?

 

[Angeloz]

There's very graphic video games these days. It's mild compared to that.

Angeloz

 

[Bathead]

While I suspect that the more subtle aspects of the movie probably went over most (but not all) kid's heads, there's plenty of stuff in this movie to satisfy their need for "coolness". The Batpod doing a 180 up a wall is just one example of many. (Hell, even I thought that was ultra-cool!) I'd be willing to bet most kids were highly entertained, with not a few being brought over to the Dark (Knight) side.
I can't see them being really scared by it either, although I could see maybe a very few really young kids being creeped out by the Joker and Two-Face, but not enuff to cause nightmares, I would think. Besides, really young kids (say 5 or 6) probably shouldn't see it anyway.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

I don't think it was too scary or violent for kids. But as I said when it first came out, I think a lot of them will be lost on the story and meanings in the film.

 

[Rolf]

I do not think they will really care about the message the film is trying to send.

Kids mostly watch these things for the "coolness factor", the problem is batman for the most part is fairly lacking in in the "coolness factor".

Kids can't apreciate villains who don't need brute strength to be serious threats, and while I can to some degree understand that position, I don't think they should let it detract from the impressive action sequences in this franchise...

I do not think they will find the Joker and the Two-Face scary, but they will find them a bit boring. I mean Batman did'nt even have a real "fight" with the Two-Face, kids do not appreciate villains like that.

Kids do not appreciate the concept of phsychological threat, while TDK was still in production someone came out and asked "Can any of the Batman villains FIGHT?"

The reason Batman suffers frequent declines in poularity is because people find it... Boring.

And while mature audiances may dominate the film ordiance now, eventually no one will care what we think and the kids and teenagers will decide whats worth while, they cannot relate to a vigalantee billionair, they can relate to middle-class teens putting on sugestive costumes though, that is why Warner Bros made Batman Beyond, to cash in on Spiderman's growing popularity. (Back when I was school this was the only interprataion my otherwise Bat-hating school mates seemed to enjoy.)

Unless Nolan has made it so that the action sequences are enough to make kids forget that Bruce Wayne cannot be related too by most people anothert Bat-Decline is on the horison.

At least for now we can rest assured that anyone who sings "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells" next Christmas will look like a bit of an idiot.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

Yea I agree with what you are saying. The villains are more cerebral, not physical. Kids don't want to see that. But I don't think Nolan cares to be honest, these films aren't aimed at kids. And the comics aren't really aimed at kids either to be honest, the themes, the storylines.

 

[Angeloz]

I'm not complaining about it not necessarily being aimed at kids. The last time they did that it harmed the franchise.

Angeloz

 

[Ace of Knaves]

Agreed. Batman is supposed to be the complete polar opposite to Spidey, that should be reflected in the films.

 

[Rolf]

Yea I agree with what you are saying. The villains are more cerebral, not physical. Kids don't want to see that. But I don't think Nolan cares to be honest, these films aren't aimed at kids. And the comics aren't really aimed at kids either to be honest, the themes, the storylines.

Thats the whole problem, the reason Batman falls into declines in popularity is because it does little to appeal to new genarations of potential fans and only appeals to the currant genaration.

If Nolan decides to use physical threats like Man-Bat or Bane he would probably catch the attention of younger audiances, though he may lose some of his currant audiance, but would replace it with the many kids and teens clamering to see Batman's back get broken or an epic airial fight scene.

And I don't think Nolan does not care:

"Not the youngest kids obviously, I think what we’ve done is probably a bit intense for them but I certainly didn’t want to exclude the sort of ten to 12-year olds, because as a kid I would have loved to have seen a movie like this." - Nolan

 

[Nirvana]

What did kids think of The Dark Knight? Ask half the posters here.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

Thats the whole problem, the reason Batman falls into declines in popularity is because it does little to appeal to new genarations of potential fans and only appeals to the currant genaration.

If Nolan decides to use physical threats like Man-Bat or Bane he would probably catch the attention of younger audiances, though he may lose some of his currant audiance, but would replace it with the many kids and teens clamering to see Batman's back get broken or an epic airial fight scene.

And I don't think Nolan does not care:

"Not the youngest kids obviously, I think what we’ve done is probably a bit intense for them but I certainly didn’t want to exclude the sort of ten to 12-year olds, because as a kid I would have loved to have seen a movie like this." - Nolan

I want to see Deathstroke adapted to film. I think he could fit perfectly into Nolans world. Obviously he can't be a indestructible metahuman, but he can be slightly changed to be a surviving league of shadows ninja, in Gotham to clean up the remainder of the mob in lethal fashion. Batman can't let that happen, so they clash. Deathstroke and Bane are the only Bat-rogues who can match Batman physically really. That's whats been lacking from these films IMO. Someone who can stand toe to toe with Batman and hand him is ass. I'm pretty bored of seeing him just beat up generic goons or whatever.

Yea that's what I meant, Nolan isn't aiming to please the younger kids like Raimi and co. That's a good thing.

 

[Killer Queen77]

Parent's point of view here!

I'm a mother of 3 children. Youngest is 3 & a half, oldest is 11 and the middle one is 7.

I didn't take the 11 year old to see it in the cinema, and I was glad I didn't.

Not because it was too violent as such, but other factors. The content is very adult, as in, you've really got to use your brain to understand what's happening. Sometimes I found myself a little confused! lol.

But also, there little things like the fake Batman slamming against the window and the loud, loud sound effects.

I think aswell that, the film being so long, my 11 year old would've sat there yawning through some of it.

When we got the Blu Ray, I said we'd have a "Dark Knight night". And my theories were correct! He got bored during the more mature bits (discussions about law, Gordon and Dent, the Mayor etc). And he perked up during the Joker scenes, the Batpod/truck chase, etc. Then he went to bed before the film even finished!

My other two have seen parts of TDK. Obviously I haven't shown Two Face to my 3 year old.

But they both love The Joker and Batman. Especially The Joker. My youngest does the cutest ever Joker impersonations. She even pretends to back out of the door pulling on a pretend string in her coat!!

(Before I get flamed for letting my 3 year old see The Joker, I've only let her see the scenes which I find appropriate.)

TDK is not a kids film, but I have no problem with my 11 year old seeing it at home on a smaller screen without the loud sound system.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

Yea I don't even think TDK is that violent to be honest. The worst part is Two-Face, but I'm sure most kids see something similar when they see the Mummy films.

 

[Lobo]

I went with my Bro, his GF, and her 11yo daughter, who loved the film.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

What did kids think of The Dark Knight? Ask half the posters here.

Ohhh!!!... Miaooow!!

 

[frakkingoff]

I took my sisters (4 and 6 years old). They loved it (they're also fans of Batman '89, Batman Returns, and Mask of the Phantasm - haven't let them see the Schumacher crap).

People aren't giving kids enough credit - they're not stupid or all that easily scared (Dark Knight is more psychologically scary than visually), so loud noises and Two-Face really don't freak as many out as you might think. And just because they're isn't necessarily a big fight, doesn't mean that the villains aren't appreciated - remember, the Joker and Two-Face are colorful and very interesting to watch (both as characters and visually). The movie is just as interesting, even if it isn't always as flashing as Spiderman. It's not geared to them, and some of it may pass over their heads, but it's still lots of fun.

My sister loved the Joker.

I've seen a few other kids in my several viewings at the theater - they all seemed to like it.

 

[batman11]

I think it all depends on the kids and the parents honestly. If your child grows up playing GTA, blasting away hookers and firing shells at cops for fun, then I'm sure TDK would be a walk in the park. But if your kid is still watching Dora at age 12 and sucking his thumb, then perhaps seeing Harvey Dent blown half to hell by a psychopath wearing clown makeup isn't the best thing to show him or her.

There is of course a middle ground, but it's no fun to talk about that. t:

 

[hatebox]

I loved B89 as a kid so I see no reason why I wouldn't have loved TDK too.

I think it's easy to underestimate how much genuine darkness appeals to kids too.

I bet at some schools there'd be 10 year old who boasted they'd seen it and all the others who weren't allowed would get jealous.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

Good point.

 

[mrsparkle]

My 5 year old little brother, who loves batman, found it boring and walked out. On the other hand he loves batman forever so I guess it really did serve its purpose.

My ten year old brother on the other hand, loved the whole thing even the political dialogue scenes.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

Why did you take a 5 year old in the first place? That's so irresponsible!!!

 

[Mutagen]

Thats the whole problem, the reason Batman falls into declines in popularity is because it does little to appeal to new genarations of potential fans and only appeals to the currant genaration.

If Nolan decides to use physical threats like Man-Bat or Bane he would probably catch the attention of younger audiances, though he may lose some of his currant audiance, but would replace it with the many kids and teens clamering to see Batman's back get broken or an epic airial fight scene.

And I don't think Nolan does not care:

"Not the youngest kids obviously, I think what we’ve done is probably a bit intense for them but I certainly didn’t want to exclude the sort of ten to 12-year olds, because as a kid I would have loved to have seen a movie like this." - Nolan

Don't forget Mister Freeze. One of my favourite Bat-villains, but like Bane and Man-Bat, we probably won't see them, mostly because of the type of movies Nolan's projecting.

Scarecrow, with his chemicals, was a match for Batman, and they really didn't play on that too much. Although I would love to see them onscreen, I would also like to see them done justice as well.

 

[scifiwolf]

I'm getting the feeling there are two sides to this discussion: did they like it, and is this too scary/disturbing?

For the first, I would imagine, if I were a kid, I would have liked it, even with fully understanding the nuances of the film. As I grew older, repeat viewings would peel back more layers, furthering my appreciation of the film.

The second side of the disturbing nature of the film is totally subjective. I wasn't allowed to see Jurassic Park in theaters, but my aunt and uncle gave it to me when it came out on video, and it didn't bother me one bit. Each child is different how they respond. I remember hearing reports of parents complaining that they took their children and the kids were terrified. "Why would they make this movie if kids will see it" they asked. Well, it clearly had a rating, and it's parents' jobs to judge what their own children can handle. Killer Queen77, you seem like a model parent in that regard. I applaud your common-sense approach to exposing your children to the movie.

 

[Jay#1]

Kids liked it bottom line. My nephews, 7 and 3 LOVED the movie when we watched it in theaters and watched it when i bought it on dvd. KIds liked the film. case closed.

 

[Ace of Knaves]