OT:New Batman movie not for kids?

[Disney loving Iowan]

We do not allow our DD15 to go to R rated movies and only a few PG13 if we know they aren't too violent, foul language laden, or have sexual themes. Of course there has been alot of hype about the new Batman movie and a friend of my DD's has asked her to go with her to see it. I have heard that it is pretty dark and disturbing and has alot of violence. I couple reviews said it is not for kids. I was hoping that other parents who share our point of view on the movies they let their kids see could help me out with some reviews on the movie. Please keep in mind that we stick to the guidelines I mentioned above. Have you seen it yourselves? Would you allow your 15 year old to go see it?

 

[mjkacmom]

Ds10 saw it with a friend and the friend's father, and he said parts were pretty scary!

 

[sk!mom]

Have you seen it yourselves? Would you allow your 15 year old to go see it?

My DD12 saw it, so yes, I wouldn't have thought twice about a 15 yo.

I saw it and thought it was very dark and scary but in my view, obviously, I didn't think it was too much for a 12 yo. Your post, though, sounds as if you are likely much stricter on this issue than I am so maybe go see it first.

I consider most PG13 movies to be fine for my DD12- I really only have a problem with sexual content.

 

[motherofautumn]

I saw it -- if I were you, I wouldn't let your DD go. It's got no bad language, and no sex, but the violence more than makes up for that. A friend I saw the movie with was ready to get up and leave part way through because she was tired of the violence. But I really liked it!!

 

[Nie0214]

She's 15, not 10. Do you let her watch the news?

 

[BebopBaloo]

The Dark Knight is a very well thought out film and is actually a very deep story. There isn't any foul language, or sexual scenes, though romance is a factor to the storyline. The violence is there, but it is not graphic. Mostly, the violence is on a psychological level. I loved this film and thought The Joker was incredibly well played, however, he is very intense. This film is about chaos versus order and the true good that can be found within most people.

 

[margiemc]

We took our DD11 to see the Dark Knight this week. She liked all of it (although one part "creeped her out"). It didn't stop her from asking to see it again! She's seen all of the Indiana Jones and Star Wars movies too. There is alot of violence in all of those movies, but the Dark Knight was mostly guns. You have to decide what's best for your kids. We only let her watch PG-13 movies that we have seen first. That being said, she is always coming home and telling me her friends watched Scream or Scary Movie or Halloween!

 

[Chipmunk89]

We actually saw the movie today. I would have no problem letting a 15 yr old see it. By the way, DS8 loved it!

 

[marcyinPA]

My DH took our DS13 and our DS9 to see it. He said he'd wished he'd left our DS9 home. DS13 could handle it, but DS9 was scared.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

She's 15, not 10. Do you let her watch the news?

Gosh thanks for being so nice!!! I really appreciate it!!!!
You know as I stated we have standards and guidelines that we adhere to. I don't believe that kids need to be exposed to everything bad in this world. There is enough with what is on the news. I don't want her to be one of those kids who watch so much violence that she becomes immune to it and loses her sense of how terrible it is. I wanted opinions from others who care about what they subject their kids to. I don't think your attitude was warranted. And it surely isn't appreciated. I always try to be nice to others on the boards and show respect for others. I would appreciate the same.

As to the others who have given me their actual opinion, thank you!

 

[Scrapfriend]

There is a website called http://www.pluggedinonline.com/ that has good reviews and will describe scenes that can help you decide on the content in the movie. If I remember it also lists how many times a swear word is said, that is how detailed it is. Maybe this can help you decide.

 

[leagirl12]

I have seen it and while I wouldn't let my ds10 see it I think I would be okay if he were a few years older.

I am pretty protective about the films I let my kids see. If it is PG-13 then me or dh have to see it first before we let the kids see it. Trust me this gets expensive when it is one of the films you just have to see in the theatre. LOL!!!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Thanks for all the good info. I really appreciate it!!!!

 

[jennilouwho]

Gosh thanks for being so nice!!! I really appreciate it!!!!
You know as I stated we have standards and guidelines that we adhere to. I don't believe that kids need to be exposed to everything bad in this world. There is enough with what is on the news. I don't want her to be one of those kids who watch so much violence that she becomes immune to it and loses her sense of how terrible it is. I wanted opinions from others who care about what they subject their kids to. I don't think your attitude was warranted. And it surely isn't appreciated. I always try to be nice to others on the boards and show respect for others. I would appreciate the same.

As to the others who have given me their actual opinion, thank you!

If it makes you feel better, I am a 30 year old married woman who chooses not to see most PG-13 movies anymore due to the violence or sexual situations. I don't feel I really need to see those. I don't think it's bad if other people do, but that's a choice I make for myself. I saw the first batman one, but decided against this one since I heard it was pretty violent. Hubby is pretty anxious to see it, so he'll probably go with some friends. Good for you though for sticking to whatever standards you set in your house.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

First of all, SPOILER ALERT - - if you don't want to know what happens in the movie, skip my post. Go now, go on!!

To the OP, there are a couple of scenes I can recall in the movie that were extremely psychologically upsetting: a scene where there is a bomb on each of two fully loaded barges and the Joker gives each captain a phone call with instructions to either blow up the other one, or be blown up by him in 20 minutes. One has families and children on it, and the other has inmates on it. The other, worse IMO, scene had the movie's apparent protagonist (the DA) go bad after losing his girlfriend in a bomb blast. He hunts down the chief of police's wife and kids and holds a gun to his son's head, telling the dad he's going to kill the boy but ordering the dad to lie to his son and tell him "everything's going to be okay, son". All said in front of the terrified boy, his mother and little brother. Pretty dark stuff, even for an adult.

I'm sure there were other scenes that rivaled those, but those two stand out in my mind as the most disturbing. All said, I'm a grown-up and I liked the movie for the Joker's acting and special effects. You know your DD15 best. My DS13 saw it, and thought it was cool. I'd say definitely not for the under 10 set. As long as your DD can separate fantasy from fact, I think it would be okay.

Hope that helps!

 

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

We use www.kids-in-mind.com to check movies for our DD12, almost 13. Will will not let her see this yet. We really try and make sure that she is watching decent movies. I can see your concern.

 

[ChristusG]

Kudos to you for staying on top of the media that your child takes in.....unlike Nie, who either does not have children or does not care what they watch. The comment they made was very unnecessary.

I have no personally seen the Dark Knight but my husband has, and said it could be quite dark and psychological in some parts. Like you, I will screen what my children see. I want them sheltered, not desensitized and worldly.

 

[Chloesmom]

My DD is 9 and wants to see this so so bad. There is no way she will see it.. not for a few years. She is pretty mature but like a previous poster said.. its psychological and I'm not sure how she will digest that. Also, she loved Heath Ledger. She can recite word for word Knights Tale to you. She has posters of him up in her room and she cried when he died. I'm worried it wil upset her to know it's him in the movie..

 

[ChrisandDon'sMommy]

15, yes, 12 and under, no

 

[PrinceAndPrincessQ]

I really think each child is different and it should depend on the maturity of the child.
That being said....my son 12 and daughter 8 both saw the movie and neither seemed a bit bothered by it.
I was a bit worried about my daughter, so I talked with her before we went and she reminded me that she had seen the previous Batman at home on video. Sooooo, after considering this, I did take both children and like i said both were fine and never seems scared at all. After the movie, both said they liked it but never expressed a concern.

I have a nephew that is 16 and honestly, I would be more concerned about him than my children. It does depend on the mentality of the particular child.