The Dark Knight Rises Family Movie Review

the dark knight rises movie review rating guide for parents and families

MPAA Rating
PG-13

for intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language

Genre
Action

Director
Christopher Nolan

Starring
Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, Juno Temple

Studio
Warner Bros

Release Date/In Theaters
7/20/2012

The Dark Knight Rises Movie Summary

Christopher Bale returns as Batman, picking up the story after the adventures of The Dark Knight. Batman takes on Bane, Tom Hardy, and Catwoman, Anne Hathaway.

The Dark Knight Rises Movie Review for Parents

-by Ginger

            First Spidey, now Batman! It’s a double WHAM! POW! BLAM! coming to the movie theaters this July. The Dark Knight Rises is the latest addition to big screen comics and this parental guide to the movies thinks that this one is sure to please. DC comics could not let Marvel be the only blockbuster superhero on the screen, so they too had to bring back one of their all-time favs.

            In this story, Batman has taken a fall for Two Face’s crimes. Everyone now thinks Batman is a terrorist! When Two Face emerges as the latest terrorist and Gotham’s police force is overwhelmed Batman man must decide to reemerge and help out or whether to remain hidden from a city that thinks he is the criminal. Batman is seen as public enemy #1 and everyone wants him. He must not only save Gotham from Two Face he must restore his reputation as a friend of the people. It will not be easy, as Two Face tries to once again make Batman look like the bad guy. Of course, Batman knows that he must defeat Two Face, even if it means risking not only his reputation, but his life.

            This Batman flick was rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence. It also contains some sexuality and language. The sexuality is suggested, rather than explicit. As expected, Batman is dark with a foreboding sense of doom, death, torture, and sadness. There are violent explosions, a terrorist and a choice that must be made. Batman must decide whether to risk his life to save Gotham and its people or whether to sit back and watch their destruction. There is lots of weapons fire, martial arts weapons, gas masks and people running in fear. It was the intensity of the violence in The Dark Knight Rises that caused this family review to the movies to rate it higher than a PG-13. However, if your preteen is a comic book fan, or has seen adult action flicks they have seen this type of action before.

            Surprisingly, the Joker does not make an appearance in The Dark Knight Rises movie. The Joker is a perennial arch enemy of Batman and his absence is missed. This Batman has a new set of characters, but it is still a continuation of the Bruce Wayne story. This is a new direction for this classic hero. Is it a refreshing change, or will this change in direction go away too? We would like to hear what you think, so post your thoughts on the Parental Guide Facebook page and let us know.

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