Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 9+
Stylish, violent, and often dull Batman adventure.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that kids watching this movie will see the murder of parents before their own kids, disfigurement, a quill pen jabbed in a man's throat and another electrocuted to death, along with numerous shoot-outs, wild chases, and vigilantism portrayed in a favorable light.
- Families can talk about vigilantism. When Batman decides to punish or kill criminals himself, instead of handing them over to the police, is he doing the right thing? For younger kids, you might discuss whether Batman acts like a good guy when he dangles people over city streets or kills criminals. Older kids might be interested in discussing real life instances of vigilatism and contrasting that with what happens in the movie.
The good stuff
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Positive messages: Although he's ostensibly the good guy, Batman is played here as he was originally conceived, a dark and troubled vigilante. He's never as grotesque as the Joker, but Batman's behavior is often as violent. He tends to kill the criminals he pursues.
What to watch for
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Violence: Numerous shootouts, killings, chases, and fight scenes. In a flashback, Bruce Wayne remembers witnessing his parents' killing; the film's first scene parallels this with a present-day child seeing his father killed by a mugger. The Joker kills one victim with a quill-pen in the throat, and electrocutes another. Batman and Vicki nearly meet their fate at the movie's end while hanging from a ledge.
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Sex: Implied sex between Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Vicki Vale.
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Language: Double entendres, frequent mild obscenities.
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Consumerism: Part of a series of movies that spun off numerous licensed products aimed at kids, including toys, clothing and fast food tie-ins.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue