Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Batman is the 1989 movie starring Micheal Keaton as "the Caped Crusader"; this was the first reintroduction to the darker, more "noir" Batman instead of the campier 1960s Batman that was the most well-known version. 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 man electrocuted to death, along with numerous shoot-outs, wild chases, and vigilantism portrayed in a favorable light. Expect some profanity, including "bitch" and "s--t"; cigarette and cigar smoking; and champagne drinking -- a woman acts drunk before an implied one-night stand with Bruce Wayne. The Joker makes sexual advances toward Vicki Vale. Prostitutes walk up and down a bustling and crime-filled city street; one of them accosts a young boy.

Sexual Content

Implied sex between Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Vicki Vale. The Joker makes sexual advances toward Vicki Vale. Prostitutes walk up and down a bustling and crime-filled city street; one of them accosts a young boy.

Violence

Numerous shoot-outs, 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 die at the movie's end while hanging from a ledge. Fights with knives and swords. Talk of the Joker's ex-girlfriend committing suicide.

Language

"Son of a bitch," "s--t," "dick," "bastard."

Social Behavior

The lines between good and evil are not clear-cut, and though Batman/Bruce Wayne are the heroes, their motivations are as much rooted in vigilante justice as the desire to do good -- perhaps even more so.

Consumerism

Movie based on iconic comic-book hero created by DC Comics, which has also led to the merchandising of toys, clothing, games, and so on.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Cigar and cigarette smoking. Champagne drinking -- a woman acts drunk with a man after a dinner date, stumbling, slurring her speech.