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The Dark Knight
- Review Date: July 15, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Excellent sequel much darker, more violent than the first.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that although this sequel to Batman Begins is an excellent movie, it's also much darker and more violent than the first one. Remember: Not all Batmen are created equal. Even though this movie is about a comic-book character, neither it nor its flawed hero and villain are aimed at younger kids or appropriate for them. The film is loaded with intense action, from bombs and bullets to martial-arts fighting and hand-to-hand combat. In addition to the hard-hitting action, expect some drinking and a bit of sexuality. And The Joker's nightmarish appearance has the potential to frighten viewers of all ages. Much of the movie's buzz surrounds actor Heath Ledger's excellent work in that villainous role -- his final completed part before his January 2008 death from an accidental drug overdose.
What's the story?
Following 2005's Batman Begins, THE DARK KNIGHT continues the adventures of billionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), who poses as a playboy in public -- and in private takes to the streets as costumed vigilante Batman, working to clean up the beleaguered city of Gotham. This time around, Batman has allies, including up-and-coming district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), whose own crusade to stop Gotham's gangs and organized crime families is almost as effective as Batman's -- and, more importantly, carried out within the letter of the law. Weary and battered, Wayne is eager to help Dent so that he can retire Batman's shadowy efforts, but the arrival of a new player, the giddy and grim anarchist known as The Joker (Heath Ledger) tosses a very wild card into the game.
Is it any good?
Big, bold, and bruising, The Dark Knight is a prime example of how a high-budget, high-profile comic-book sequel can still be an actual movie -- well-made, exciting, invested, and engaging. Yes, it's going to sell tickets and toys, but credit has to go to director/co-writer Christopher Nolan for making a strong, rich film that gives audiences plenty to talk about and mull over even after the initial adrenaline rush wears off. Like the other filmmakers who've tackled Batman in the modern age, Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher, Nolan has an obvious enthusiasm for the character; unlike Burton and Schumacher, Nolan also has an obvious respect for the character's history, grounding the costumes and action with real character development and focused storytelling.
The actors are all excellent, as well; Ledger's work as The Joker is earning Oscar buzz, and that's not just post-mortem sympathy talking. His swaggering, unhinged take on the character makes for an unsettling, compelling interpretation. As Dent (who, as comic-book fans know, eventually becomes the scarred villain Two-Face), Eckhart also delivers a strong performance that goes much deeper than the special-effects makeup he winds up wearing. Bale's performance is also terrific, whether he's portraying Batman's driven crime-fighting exploits or the quieter moments of Bruce Wayne's struggles behind the mask. Supporting players Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Maggie Gyllenhaal also deliver in their smaller roles. The Dark Knight is two and a half hours long, but it never meanders or wastes time; instead, it's packed to the brim with action, ideas, well-drawn character moments, and surprisingly effective drama.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the movie's violence. How does the film differentiate between "good" and "bad" uses of violence?
What distinguishes Batman from The Joker? Both are angry and dark; why is one a hero and one a villain? Is the rule of law more important than the rule of force?
What does it take to maintain order in the face of those who try to create chaos? Does keeping the public safe from harm justifying curtailing their right to privacy?
Talk about the media coverage around Ledger's role in the film. How does a tragedy like his death affect a film's marketing and publicity?
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- Teens & kids
Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
How do you explain a psychopath to a kid?
The questions I've received from my mature 12 year old since the movie:
Why do psychopaths want to kill, and wreck havoc, for its own sake?
Are there really people like the joker in the world?
Do we really have to get as bad as they are to stop them from hurting us?
Can they be stopped?
My daughter has had nightmares every night for a week.
My recommendation is that parents exercise a higher level of caution than usual when considering this movie.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Intense experience
The Dark Knight went beyond the typical comic book film. It was an Intense experience that took me as the viewer through an wide range of emotions and engaged my brain. While I loved the movie, I came out of the showing needing time to process everything that was thrown at me over the last 2 1/2 hours. This film is definitely not for children. The viewer needs to be able to handle the emotion and reality that is put in front of them. While the violence happens quickly some actions are still shocking. All-in-all, still an excellent film.
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Teen, 15 years old
March 13, 2010
AGE
The Creepiest PG-13 Film of the Year Award
Me and Daddy went to see Batman Begins at the theater. Great, but not the best. Then we saw The Dark Knight. Scary, but really well-made. Daddy says he could watch this every night. Trust me, I believe him. He's much more into eeriness than I am. I looked it up, and that is a word, but that's beside the point. The point is that no one should see this movie until they're a teen. And even then, it might freak them out a bit. Everyone else was good, but the Joker made the show. That also means he was in it a lot. Not only does he look scary, he is scary. People are shot, stabbed, poisoned, burned, blown up, and hanged from a skyscraper. (the gallows kind of "hanged") All on camera. If that doesn't help you decide on the movie, I don't know what will. Besides the language. The start and middle of the movie aren't that bad, but once you get towards the end, it starts getting bad. They take the Lord and his Son's name in vain numerous times. As you can tell by my username, I don't like that. But bottom line. This is kind of a horror film. Do not watch with small children, or any children, for that matter. Well, I guess teens might be okay.
What other families should know:
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Parent of 3 and 6 year old
October 16, 2009
AGE
Whether you like comic books or not, this is a classic.
This is the master of all comic book stories. But the depth of the subtext in this movie is well above a pre-teen's head. Heck, most of the time, I was depressed myself. Obviously very violent. On the good note, there are some people in this movie who urge you to believe in the fact that people will choose good more often than not. A good message. Do not show this movie in its entirety to kids under 10. Its scary, the villian can't be understood, and there is some real sense of dread in here.
What other families should know:
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
pretty violent
whew, i'm so glad i didn't bring my 8 and 10 yr old kids to this even though they are dying to see it!!
they would not have slept for weeks!
very scary and very, very violent.
in my opinion they should save this stuff for die hard and make batman ok for kids
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Parent of 8 and 11 year old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Too violent for PG-13
As the parent of three boys ages 19, 11, and 9, this movie was looked forward to in our household. Unfortunately when my husband and I saw it to prescreen the movie before the kids, we found it to be far too violent and the plot too involved for our two youngest boys. I don't know how much more violent it could have been to earn an R rating! This movie was for too intense for any child under the age of 17. The Joker was evil through and through with graphic displays of violence like slamming a guys face onto a sharp pencil and graphically slashing several people to give them a "joker smile". Not a kid friendly batman.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Excellent, but not for everyone
This is by far one of the best films I've ever seen. The story is rather familiar territory (with several twists), the action is mind-boggling, and the characterizations are excellent. The themes and questions raised are honorable and timely, though a bit mature. I believe this film, as mesmerizing as it is, falls just shy of an "R" rating. The language and sexuality are minimal, but the violence is intense and shocking. It's not so much what's shown, but I was surprised by the sheer volume and scope of it. The Joker, played wonderfully by Heath Ledger, scared me and is sure to terrify children. I would not take a child to this film, and I would exercise caution in allowing teens to see it. Overall an incredible piece of work for an adult audience.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
VERY dark, more for adults but really well done.
Parents be cautioned...this is more for older teens. Subject content gets progressively more dark as movie unfolds. Heath Ledger was nothing less than BRILLIANT--down to every last creepy detail. The Joker is a sick, twisted murderer with a comical line tossed in here & there--great for us adults, not for kids. Ledger should receive numerous awards for his performance...so sad he won't be here to see how well appreciated this role is. The special effects and action sequences were AMAZING! What a ride! Two-Face's two faces were so realistic they made me cringe...perfect make-up effects. I highly recommend this movie for any adult who likes a visually stimulating, well written blockbuster.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Sick and disturbing violence.
I do not understand anyone letting their children under the age 17 watch this senselessly violent and dementedly sadistic movie. It says much about today's society and the caliber of the masses....
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Teen, 13 years old
August 23, 2009
AGE
Kind of tiring, too long, joker's pretty freaky.
What other families should know:
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| Topics: | superheroes |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Christopher Nolan |
| Cast: | Aaron Eckhart, Christian Bale, Heath Ledger |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 152 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 18, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | December 8, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | intense sequences of violence and some menace |
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