Batman Begins

What’s it about?

After witnessing his parents’ death, Bruce learns the art of fighting to confront injustice. When he returns to Gotham city as “Batman,” he must stop a secret society bent on destroying the city.

The facts

• Directed by Christopher Nolan (Interstellar, Inception)
• Starring Christian Bale (American Psycho), Michael Caine (The Prestige), Ken Watanabe (Inception), Liam Neeson (Shindler’s List), Gary Oldman (Dracula), Katie Holmes (Disturbing Behaviour), Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer), Tom Wilkinson (In The Bedroom)
• English and Mandarin languages
• Runtime: 140 minutes

Why did it get this rating?

This film game was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.

Violence

The violence in the film includes intense hand-to-hand combat, the use of various weapons and dangerous devices, and large-scale explosions. Characters are shot, stabbed, injured, and killed in confrontations. Some injuries are visible, but nothing is shown close up or in much detail.

Some of the strongest violence includes:

• There is discussion about a man in prison who slashed his own wrists. He is shown later with bandages on his wrists. 
• A corrupt police officer shoots a man and dumps the body into the river.
• A child’s parents are shot and killed in front of him.
• People are threatened to be dropped off tall buildings.
• A villain spreads a poison that makes people hallucinate.

When content stays with you:

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.  

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?
• Brain development – how it works, why it matters