What Joker gave this film a PG-13 rating?

Rating: 3/10 (29 July 2008)

Perhaps if this movie had been rated R, I would have been prepared for the graphic brutality of it. Instead, I found myself thinking that I just wanted to walk out. Yes, the production values are high and the performances are good, but I didn't need to spend ten bucks, only to want to look away from the screen repeatedly. Eventually, I rationalized that one of the points of the movie was to show Gotham's descent into chaos and crime. It did that very well. And the situation with the two ferry boats, and its resolution, was intriguing. But if I'd have known how relentlessly depressing and violent the movie was going to be, I'd have stayed home. (Gotta say, I did like the bike!)