New Trailer Out

[The Laughing Fish]

Love that interview with Henry Cavill and the kids!

As for an R-rated Batman v Superman on home video? Not feeling it. The movie doesn't need to increase the gore factor to be "edgy". Besides, I think it will only give people another reason to hate on Zack Snyder.

[johnnygobbs]

Love that interview with Henry Cavill and the kids!

As for an R-rated Batman v Superman on home video? Not feeling it. The movie doesn't need to increase the gore factor to be "edgy". Besides, I think it will only give people another reason to hate on Zack Snyder.

Isn't it good to have the choice though?  Not that I personally care for gore, but I'd always prefer to see a filmmaker's full, undiluted personal vision in some type of capacity.

If only special editions had been more the range when Tim Burton made Batman and Batman Returns.  I'd love to have seen what Burton had to cut out or entirely omit from those films.

[The Joker]

R rated BvS? Maybe even an R rated Wolverine movie now? Looks like Deadpool really started something that Watchmen didn't back in '09. I'm good with choice, but some comic book properties, in order to adapt it atleast somewhat faithfully, lend itself to R while most superheroes under the DC/Marvel umbrella honestly do not. A filmmaker, any filmmaker, can do alot with a PG-13 rating. That's been pretty clear for a long time now.

[Silver Nemesis]

Did you see that article James Gunn wrote about studios learning the wrong lessons from Deadpool's success? I'm not saying that's what's happening here, but it might be relevant.

However I think it's more likely the R-rating arose by accident from Snyder going overboard in one or two particular scenes, similar to how The Avengers (2012) was originally rated R by the MPAA because of the Coulson stabbing scene. It wouldn't have made much difference if they'd released an R-rated cut of The Avengers with that few extra seconds of gore, and I doubt the extended version of BvS will be any more substantially improved over the theatrical cut.

I've objected strongly to the toning down of certain R-rated film franchises in recent years (Terminator, RoboCop, Die Hard, etc), but I don't think turning PG-13 franchises R-rated is necessarily the right way to redress the balance. That said, Gobbs makes a valid point about the greater freedom afforded filmmakers when they're unencumbered by studio-mandated content restrictions. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if there's a worthwhile difference between the two versions. But for now, instinct tells me the PG-13 cut will be adequate.

[johnnygobbs]

Did you see that article James Gunn wrote about studios learning the wrong lessons from Deadpool's success? I'm not saying that's what's happening here, but it might be relevant.

However I think it's more likely the R-rating arose by accident from Snyder going overboard in one or two particular scenes, similar to how The Avengers (2012) was originally rated R by the MPAA because of the Coulson stabbing scene. It wouldn't have made much difference if they'd released an R-rated cut of The Avengers with that few extra seconds of gore, and I doubt the extended version of BvS will be any more substantially improved over the theatrical cut.

I've objected strongly to the toning down of certain R-rated film franchises in recent years (Terminator, RoboCop, Die Hard, etc), but I don't think turning PG-13 franchises R-rated is necessarily the right way to redress the balance. That said, Gobbs makes a valid point about the greater freedom afforded filmmakers when they're unencumbered by studio-mandated content restrictions. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if there's a worthwhile difference between the two versions. But for now, instinct tells me the PG-13 cut will be adequate.

Good points Silver Nemesis.

I also agree with the posters who have argued that PG-13 rating gives a filmmaker more than adequate scope to include all the gore and profanity that could possibly be necessary for a Batman film (unless one is particularly looking for a panel-by-panel adaptation of one of Frank Miller's graphic novels, although I realise Zack Snyder has past form here). 

Personally, I prefer comic-book movies that are pitched at a relatively sophisticated audience but not necessarily one that is restricted only to adults.  I also prefer the Marvel Cinematic Universe's relatively bright and breezy, and family-friendly, tone, as well as 90s CBMs like The Rocketeer and The Mask, not to mention the Donner Superman and Burton Batman films, to many of the darker, grittier and more violent CBM offerings of recent years (although there are exceptions like Watchmen and the underrated 30 Days of Night, both of which I like), but I have yet to see the highly praised Deadpool movie that is currently blazing the box-office.

However, ultimately I want each filmmaker to feel free to put their own vision of a CBM on-screen without becoming too shackled by non-artistic considerations.  I don't think a large amount of gore and profanity particularly benefits CBMs but ultimately I'd rather the individual filmmakers came to that decision, on an artistic basis, rather than see the studios or rating board dictate the final cut, or whether audiences will ultimately be able to see a 'director's cut'.

[The Joker]

Did you see that article James Gunn wrote about studios learning the wrong lessons from Deadpool's success? I'm not saying that's what's happening here, but it might be relevant.

However I think it's more likely the R-rating arose by accident from Snyder going overboard in one or two particular scenes, similar to how The Avengers (2012) was originally rated R by the MPAA because of the Coulson stabbing scene. It wouldn't have made much difference if they'd released an R-rated cut of The Avengers with that few extra seconds of gore, and I doubt the extended version of BvS will be any more substantially improved over the theatrical cut.

Haven't read the article, no. But from what I can guess it might detail, it's probably the idea of movie studios, in light of the success of Deadpool, optioning that R rating for superhero films like never before. Classic Hollywood.

Snyder with BvS and Whedon with Avengers perhaps pushing the envelop too much sounds right. I think any filmmaker, especially with these projects, probably will shoot a scene or two that just might go over that PG-13 rating, and if so, adjustments were always made. To me, a commercially released R rated Avengers movie seems just as odd as a R rated BvS movie. I mean, other than it coming across as extremely gimmicky, it also seems like a not-so-subtle attempt to train audiences into thinking R means more "edgy". Which, with the superhero genre, is a trap. 

[The Dark Knight]

New clip:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GqsDwASsGN8&ebc=ANyPxKqKVnP82GN4iDCHxNxwvJoSBKx6Q-dRQGIN6u8qnRJuq1CcLkWXblW6skeBGJyYrNEazEdpUb6DOfS08xkJr5xmhzaOpg&time_continue=1

I'm going to do a BvS review after I see the film. I'm not completely sure how long it'll take to write, but I'll get it done. In fact, I'd like to do a few more features. But I'll need the right topics, because it needs to be something I'm passionate about. But I'll start with the BvS review for starters.

[Paul (ral)]

[Silver Nemesis]

I'm going to do a BvS review after I see the film. I'm not completely sure how long it'll take to write, but I'll get it done. In fact, I'd like to do a few more features. But I'll need the right topics, because it needs to be something I'm passionate about. But I'll start with the BvS review for starters.

That sounds great, TDK. It seems like everyone on this site has a specialist area of knowledge or interesting new perspective on some aspect of the Batman franchise. It's awesome when they share that knowledge/insight in the forums, but it can be even better if they present their ideas as features. I'll look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Meanwhile I've got some more ideas for features lined up too. I'll try and post a few over the next few months, provided I get the time to finish them. Hopefully between us all we can keep a steady stream of features coming throughout 2016.

[THE BAT-MAN]

Check this out.