Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)

[dan2026]

This doesn't seem anymore violent than the average Batman or Ninja Turtles comic to me.
Probably less so to be honest.

[RickWJ324]

Originally Posted by dan2026

This doesn't seem anymore violent than the average Batman or Ninja Turtles comic to me.
Probably less so to be honest.

It is more violent than any TMNT cartoon and any Batman toon (unless you count the new DC direct to video stuff that has much language and violence). Don't get me wrong, I have ZERO problems with them being violent, bloody, cursing, etc. I'm a grown man. However, this movie is probably going to appeal to a lot of kids that are fans of TMNT cartoons. Many parents won't realize that there are a few graphic scenes in it (most Batman cartoons and TMNT cartoons don't even show blood at all). This has teeth getting busted out, ninja stars penetrating skulls, on-screen beheadings, etc.

Again...I have no problems with any of that. It's just a little disappointing as I'm not able to watch this show with my little one (who's dying to see it). Fortunately I watched this one before showing it to my son.

[dallywhitty]

It's just a few frames of blood. You guys are making out like it's the animated equivalent of A Serbian Film.

[MifuneFan]

Surprised Warner didn't just make two cuts. TMNT has become such a kiddie franchise so it's odd that they didn't foresee that having a more mature TMNT / Batman movie wouldn't exactly be the most appropriate thing for a 6 year old. It probably wouldn't have been that difficult to make a PG cut of it.

[RickWJ324]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

It's just a few frames of blood. You guys are making out like it's the animated equivalent of A Serbian Film.

I'm not making it out like it's anything other than it is. I am 100% NOT bothered by it at all. I own all of the DC Direct movies and many of them contain scenes much worse. All of those movies are very much mature and not appropriate for a small child, which is why my son hasn't seen any of them.

This movie isn't "that bad"...I was only pointing out scenes that may be inappropriate for little ones.

MifuneFan was right on the money... being what this title is, you would think that the violence would've been toned down to make it a little more kid friendly. TMNT is pretty much geared towards kids now (at least as far as tv and movies go). The few scenes that I mention could've easily been edited differently and not taken anything away from the movie at all. If this were being marketed as a "Frank Miller Dark Knight/Mirage TMNT" movie then it would be obvious that it's more adult. As it is though, this looks like a kid-friendly flick (by the commercials and animated style). BTW... a Dark Knight/Mirage-style TMNT B&W film would be EPIC!!

[Britnasty]

Totally agreed with the sentiments. I wouldn't show this to my 6 year old nephew who loves the Turtles because of the gory kills and blood. It's totally out of left field for that franchise.

[splintersan]

Originally Posted by RickWJ324

I'm not making it out like it's anything other than it is. I am 100% NOT bothered by it at all. I own all of the DC Direct movies and many of them contain scenes much worse. All of those movies are very much mature and not appropriate for a small child, which is why my son hasn't seen any of them.

This movie isn't "that bad"...I was only pointing out scenes that may be inappropriate for little ones.

MifuneFan was right on the money... being what this title is, you would think that the violence would've been toned down to make it a little more kid friendly. TMNT is pretty much geared towards kids now (at least as far as tv and movies go). The few scenes that I mention could've easily been edited differently and not taken anything away from the movie at all. If this were being marketed as a "Frank Miller Dark Knight/Mirage TMNT" movie then it would be obvious that it's more adult. As it is though, this looks like a kid-friendly flick (by the commercials and animated style). BTW... a Dark Knight/Mirage-style TMNT B&W film would be EPIC!!

Well you are right that the cartoon is directed towards younger children but the TMNT comics that have been in production with IDW since 2011 and the cross over comic that this was inspired by is directed towards teenagers and adults, it's not overly violent but it deals with some adult themes and has content that is not appropriate for children under say 9-10 year olds. There is blood, death and mature themes.

IDW currently and has in the past made Kid friendly comics based on the current running TMNT cartoon on Nick, both for the 2012 CG show and the new Rise of show. They even did a Batman TMNT crossover as well.

DC probably should have been more conscious of this and while I haven't seen it yet my friend said the movie feels very much like it was intended for all audiences and then just a few violent scenes thrown in to make it violent. I'm hopefully buying it and watching it this weekend.

[RickWJ324]

Originally Posted by splintersan

Well you are right that the cartoon is directed towards younger children but the TMNT comics that have been in production with IDW since 2011 and the cross over comic that this was inspired by is directed towards teenagers and adults, it's not overly violent but it deals with some adult themes and has content that is not appropriate for children under say 9-10 year olds. There is blood, death and mature themes.

IDW currently and has in the past made Kid friendly comics based on the current running TMNT cartoon on Nick, both for the 2012 CG show and the new Rise of show. They even did a Batman TMNT crossover as well.

DC probably should have been more conscious of this and while I haven't seen it yet my friend said the movie feels very much like it was intended for all audiences and then just a few violent scenes thrown in to make it violent. I'm hopefully buying it and watching it this weekend.

I'm very aware of the IDW books as I own each and every one of them (including all of their mini-series, and titles based on the various tv shows). If IDW printed it, I have it.
That being said...your average person going in to pick up this movie may not be familiar with the IDW books and simply see it as a new TMNT cartoon that happens to be crossing over with Batman. It is a NICKELODEON co-production and to date, Nick has never done a mature TMNT cartoon. Again...I'm not advocating censorship nor am I suggesting they screwed up by putting these few scenes in the movie. It is however not needed to move along the story at all and it does present a problem for those that would probably buy this for their children to watch. I was buying it regardless as I'm a TMNT and Batman fan. However, it is something I very much would've liked to share with my 6 year old son....something that I will no longer do.

[Sky_Captain]

It's rated PG-13, you were well warned.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

It's rated PG-13, you were well warned.

This.

Frankly I don't see why anyone should be deterred from showing it to a six-year-old anyway. I watched the Burton Batman films repeatedly as a little kid and I didn't blink twice at the (sometimes bloody) violence.

[RalphoR]

I doubt Hush is going to be any less graphic so....

[CrazyBlu-RayFan]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

It's just a few frames of blood. You guys are making out like it's the animated equivalent of A Serbian Film.

They're not saying it's on that level, it's just the fact that it's literally the only piece of Turtles animation with this kind of harsh violence that makes it kind of shocking (especially since Nickelodeon was involved with this and is supposedly showing it on their TV channels [though most likely censored]). Even the live action movies never got this violent (including the PG-13 ones). I don't mind it (as it's a nice throwback to the Turtles more brutal comic roots), but it definitely is going to upset many parents (especially those who don't realize that PG-13 animation is more violent than PG-13 live action).

[RickWJ324]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

This.

Frankly I don't see why anyone should be deterred from showing it to a six-year-old anyway. I watched the Burton Batman films repeatedly as a little kid and I didn't blink twice at the (sometimes bloody) violence.

Really? I also watched horror movies and R rated scifi from a very young age... doesn't mean I will allow my 6 year old to watch it. Do you have young children? As a parent it's up to me to keep inappropriate things from my child. As you mentioned, it's PG-13 so not appropriate for a 6 year old. I honestly didn't catch that it was rated PG-13, so that's on me.

I'll say it one last time...I'm NOT saying the scenes shouldn't be in the movie. I'm all for a hard R version as far as watching it myself...no problems with nudity, violence, or language for MY entertainment.

This movie looks like a cross between TMNT toons and the Batman Unlimited toons...which it could've easily been. It's not though (for the reasons I posted before with screen shots) and that's perfectly fine. I watched a digital copy and have the blu-ray pre-ordered from Amazon and will be proud of owning yet another Batman movie. I posted what I posted merely to let others know that there is material above the typical "TMNT or Batman Animated type of fighting" and some responsible parents may want to understand that before sitting little junior down to watch it. Could my son watch it and not be bothered by it? Absolutely! He'd probably be a little shocked by seeing a headless body fall to the ground, but it's not like it would cause nightmares. Still, as a responsible parent I filter what my 6 year old will take in and scenes like that aren't appropriate for him yet.

[AFFanAttic]

I watched this last night and am glad that I enjoyed it! I'll usually give these animated movies ten minutes or so and I usually just… can't. Mostly because of the visual quality makes it difficult to get engaged, as the simple presence of a familiar comic book character can't just do that on its own for me.
It was goofy-entertaining and I thought genuinely funny. And most importantly, the animation didn't turn me off. I want to own it on disc eventually.

I'll also go on the side saying the bloody elements did feel just a little out of place. I'm not someone with kids or worried about if I can show this to a young person, and I wasn't personally put off by these aspects. It is just a little bit silly that everything else about this seems kid friendly* and then there are these quick disposable inserts to assure the viewer that this batman ninja turtle movie is for mature adults lol.

*this feels like 10 and up, to me. but I know nothing. if there had been a curse word thrown in just to establish some needless adultness, it would have felt a lot more annoying and contrived.

[CrazyBlu-RayFan]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

This.

Frankly I don't see why anyone should be deterred from showing it to a six-year-old anyway. I watched the Burton Batman films repeatedly as a little kid and I didn't blink twice at the (sometimes bloody) violence.

Funny enough, when I was a kid (like 4-5 years old) my parents were fine with me watching the first Burton Batman but absolutely forbid me watching Batman Returns until I was actually 13. I was a good kid so I actually did wait until I was 13 and I definitely understand why they did that. Returns definitely is darker, more violent, and even ends in a depressing way; while the first Batman had a bit more comic book violence, silliness, and a happier ending.

[splintersan]

Originally Posted by RickWJ324

Really? I also watched horror movies and R rated scifi from a very young age... doesn't mean I will allow my 6 year old to watch it. Do you have young children? As a parent it's up to me to keep inappropriate things from my child. As you mentioned, it's PG-13 so not appropriate for a 6 year old. I honestly didn't catch that it was rated PG-13, so that's on me.

I'll say it one last time...I'm NOT saying the scenes shouldn't be in the movie. I'm all for a hard R version as far as watching it myself...no problems with nudity, violence, or language for MY entertainment.

This movie looks like a cross between TMNT toons and the Batman Unlimited toons...which it could've easily been. It's not though (for the reasons I posted before with screen shots) and that's perfectly fine. I watched a digital copy and have the blu-ray pre-ordered from Amazon and will be proud of owning yet another Batman movie. I posted what I posted merely to let others know that there is material above the typical "TMNT or Batman Animated type of fighting" and some responsible parents may want to understand that before sitting little junior down to watch it. Could my son watch it and not be bothered by it? Absolutely! He'd probably be a little shocked by seeing a headless body fall to the ground, but it's not like it would cause nightmares. Still, as a responsible parent I filter what my 6 year old will take in and scenes like that aren't appropriate for him yet.

Agreed. It seems some people are taking your observations of the film, you letting other folks know about the violence, which many didn't expect as you saying that no one should allow young people to watch it. All you did was offer a warning to those unaware like yourself and that you don't plan on letting your 6 year old watch it. That's pretty simple to understand to me.

I personally don't think I watched too much violent films at age 6 but I do remember around 7 or 8 starting to watch PG-13 films and some rated R depending on what my Dad deemed alright for me to watch and if it was something he was too worried about he just told me to cover me eyes for a few seconds or minutes depending on the content. I don't have kids but I probably wouldn't let my 6 year old watch this but every one is different and kids at 6 can have varying degrees of maturity. My friends daughters are 4 and 6, they watch and love The Nightmare Before Christmas, my niece and nephew are 8 and 10, they tried watching it around this past Christmas, both were terrified and asked to have it turned off. People need to remember that the person next to them is not them.

[RickWJ324]

Originally Posted by AFFanAttic

I'll also go on the side saying the bloody elements did feel just a little out of place. I'm not someone with kids or worried about if I can show this to a young person, and I wasn't personally put off by these aspects. It is just a little bit silly that everything else about this seems kid friendly* and then there are these quick disposable inserts to assure the viewer that this batman ninja turtle movie is for mature adults lol.

Well said!! It does feel a little "off". Almost the entire movie is "kid friendly" and those few scenes feel out of place, which if it's not really adding to the film, could've easily been omitted and opened this film up for those little ones that run around the house screaming "booyakasha"

Now if this were a story like TDKR or Kingdom Come then I would want it as Hard R as you can get. For this title, it seemed a little out of place.

[Kedrix]

Originally Posted by RickWJ324

Really? I also watched horror movies and R rated scifi from a very young age... doesn't mean I will allow my 6 year old to watch it. Do you have young children? As a parent it's up to me to keep inappropriate things from my child. As you mentioned, it's PG-13 so not appropriate for a 6 year old. I honestly didn't catch that it was rated PG-13, so that's on me.

I'll say it one last time...I'm NOT saying the scenes shouldn't be in the movie. I'm all for a hard R version as far as watching it myself...no problems with nudity, violence, or language for MY entertainment.

This movie looks like a cross between TMNT toons and the Batman Unlimited toons...which it could've easily been. It's not though (for the reasons I posted before with screen shots) and that's perfectly fine. I watched a digital copy and have the blu-ray pre-ordered from Amazon and will be proud of owning yet another Batman movie. I posted what I posted merely to let others know that there is material above the typical "TMNT or Batman Animated type of fighting" and some responsible parents may want to understand that before sitting little junior down to watch it. Could my son watch it and not be bothered by it? Absolutely! He'd probably be a little shocked by seeing a headless body fall to the ground, but it's not like it would cause nightmares. Still, as a responsible parent I filter what my 6 year old will take in and scenes like that aren't appropriate for him yet.

Yeah, my son is 4. He's watched the entire run of TMNT (the newer one, except for the last season/volume in which it went off the blocks violence and story wise) and he's watched plenty of Batman Animated Series. But there is no chopping off heads or massive blood loss or anything like that in those shows. (However, he didn't get pretty sad when

[Show spoiler]Splinter died near the end of the show, all I heard was SENSEI NOOOOOOOO

). My son probably wouldn't be bothered by it either but just because Daddy watched the freaking Exorcist when he was probably 7 or 8 doesn't mean my son should have to be exposed to anything I or my wife don't want him to.

And also in the same breath, I'm glad they have the guts to release a hard PG-13 movie as well. I'm sure I will still buy it. But they could have thrown a stone to some of the parents trying to be responsible and also include a PG version on a dvd (or digital) or something.

My only saving grace is my son won't remember I told him there was a crossover coming. So....I guess I will just wait until Paw Patrol and PJ Masks do a crossover, lol.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

This.

Frankly I don't see why anyone should be deterred from showing it to a six-year-old anyway. I watched the Burton Batman films repeatedly as a little kid and I didn't blink twice at the (sometimes bloody) violence.

When I was a kid I was already watching stuff like Friday the 13th & other slashers.

[RickWJ324]

Originally Posted by Kedrix

Yeah, my son is 4. He's watched the entire run of TMNT (the newer one, except for the last season/volume in which it went off the blocks violence and story wise) and he's watched plenty of Batman Animated Series. But there is no chopping off heads or massive blood loss or anything like that in those shows. (However, he didn't get pretty sad when

[Show spoiler]Splinter died near the end of the show, all I heard was SENSEI NOOOOOOOO

). My son probably wouldn't be bothered by it either but just because Daddy watched the freaking Exorcist when he was probably 7 or 8 doesn't mean my son should have to be exposed to anything I or my wife don't want him to.

And also in the same breath, I'm glad they have the guts to release a hard PG-13 movie as well. I'm sure I will still buy it. But they could have thrown a stone to some of the parents trying to be responsible and also include a PG version on a dvd (or digital) or something.

My only saving grace is my son won't remember I told him there was a crossover coming. So....I guess I will just wait until Paw Patrol and PJ Masks do a crossover, lol.

That scene you spoiler'ed out caused many a tear in my home (myself included)... I have that entire series and have watched them multiple times. It gets me every time! Such an awesome show.