Negative reviewers of Dark Knight Rises receiving death threats?!

[enyawd72]

WOW. Really? It's just a freaking movie. Way to emulate your hero...
Didn't hear about anything like this with Spider-Man or Avengers. Are Batman's fans so much more passionate as to make some of them bat-*** crazy?

[MIB41]

Yeah, I read about that and just shook my head. Ridiculous. Rotten Tomatoes actually had to take down the comments page because it got so out of hand. I've attached the article below. It's rating remains very high which, for me, makes it puzzling that a few critical deviants would invoke this kind of response from the lunatic fringe. And besides, movies like this are critic proof. This film could blow in at 40% rotten and those theaters would be packed this weekend. The fact this film is getting used in the presidential campaign means it's already taking on a life of it's own (That article attached also). But at the end of the day it's just a movie. The word seems to be that 'Rises' will not be the third film jinx so many have been in highly popular trilogies. So that's encouraging. But the popularity of this movie is going to have it's fans and it's detractors. People who already have an angst against the series will use this story to further their disdain for the new film. And to fans overly hyped, they will use this story to champion the movie. For me, I love the series, but I just want a good conclusion. Then life moves on. And whether you have a preference for DC or Marvel heroes, I would HOPE most would like the idea of any film being successful in the genre. It only brings more attention and possibilities for other characters.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FILM_DARK_KNIGHT_ROTTEN_TOMATOES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-07-17-20-39-55

http://www.humanevents.com/2012/07/17/the-dark-knight-politicized/

[Earth 2 Chris]

That's nuts. It makes all of us comic fans (and Batman fans in particular) look insane.

Chris

[enyawd72]

^Agreed.

It would make an interesting scientific study of male personality types and the superheroes they are drawn to. I actually would imagine die-hard fans of Batman and Punisher to be more aggressive and violent type personalities, opposed to say, fans of Spider-Man or Superman. Would Captain America fans be more patriotic types with an interest in military service?
Curious...my own interest in scientific studies betrays my predisposition to liking Spider-man the most.

Weird.

[johnmiic]

I guess Twilight fans don't make us look normal anymore.

[madmarva]

The threats about the reviews have to be from insecure and immature fans who can't abide a view different from their own or just trolls looking to elicit reactions. The ones making the threats in all likelihood haven't even seen the film. So far only those who are able to attend screenings have even seen it.

I love to read reviews — generally after I've seen the movie although with something like this Batman movie I can't help be read them as I get access to them — to get another person's perception of a film and just to give me some additional information, if its to be had. A good critic/reviewer is going to see or get something that I didn't most of the time, and if he's a good writer, it will be enjoyable to read. But just because Travers or Ebert or Scott or Berardinelli doesn't like a movie doesn't mean I'm going to change my mind about a film I like. I had a great time watching Jon Carter or Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter no matter the critical consensus or box office draw.

^That's an interesting question, Enyawd72, and it may be true in many cases. Probably depends on how you define die-hard fan. I like Batman a lot and probably would consider myself a die-hard fan, but I really dislike the Punisher, other than as an antagonist. Of course, all these characters take on different views in every reader or fan's eyes.

You view Batman and Punisher as similar characters, but I don't. Of course there is not right or wrong view on them. I think we take what we want and also imprint what we want on the fictional characters we enjoy.

Certainly, violence is part of Batman's repertoire, but to me I think intimidation is his bigger tool with his skills as a detective, scientist, tactician and strategist as his primary or go-to methods. I see Batman as driven hunter who always attempts to use just the right amount of force to subdue his prey. He's not out to cripple or maim criminals, just effectively stop them. He clearly believes in rehabilitation and has some empathy or at least sympathy for the villains and what made them that way, or his rouge's gallery would be dead.

He doesn't use guns, he doesn't kill and he has other lines that he absolutely won't cross. Admittedly, this may be more of a silver- or bronze-age view of the character, but it's how I see him. There is a definite moral code Batman follows. He is extreme but he's not an ends justifies the means type of guy. Again this is my perception of the character from reading tons of stories over the years. I probably don't think much about the stories or elements of stories that run contrary to this depiction and obviously embrace the aspects of stories that back it up. And, as you can probably guess, while I appreciate Miller's Dark Knight Returns and believe it is a well-told story, it's not one of my favorites. Year One is much better to me.

The Punisher, to me, is a thug, really not better than the criminal element he takes out. Now admittedly, I never have really cared for the character other than how he was used to help define characters like Spider-Man in the 70s and DareDevil in the 80s, and haven't read his series regularly since the Mike Zeck mini series in the 80s. Some sort of nobility may have been infused into the character that I'm unaware of, but to me, he's a thug with access to bigger guns than the thugs he goes after.

Now, Wolverine is different. He is/was homicidal and does enjoy inflicting pain, but he fights against those urges and basically subdued them by the time Claremont left the X-men books the first time. He will kill without hesitation, but not indiscriminately.

Obviously, Wolverine defined cool as a character in the 80s and maybe even 90s, but to me what was most attractive about him wasn't just the rebel attitude, surly nature, cool claws and willingness to kill, but that he always battled to overcome the darker part of his nature or personality or mind. He wasn't just taking the easy road and giving in to his every desire. He wanted/wants to be good or better than he currently is. I think that's a universal theme or should be and the ultimate key to his popularity

As you mentioned, Superman and Spider-Man and Captain America are the moral champions of their respective Universes. They are the beacons of light to aspire to, but none of them are pacifists. I think they all could be defined as aggressive, they're just more polite or outgoing or need the cover of the night less than Batman.

[megoscott]

I think part of this has to be DC fans freaking out because Marvel has had so much success wtih Avengers? Like the only saving grace will be if this film is universally declared the greatest superhero movie ever, thus anything less that a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes feels like a bitter personal failure.

[Earth 2 Chris]

As more of a DC guy, I have no problem with Avengers outdoing DKR at the box office. Avengers was a fun, all-ages friendly popcorn flick. DKR is a dark, adult take on Batman, and definitely not for kids under 8 or so, at least.

I just wish these Batman movies could come out with some stupid controversy going through the press. Last time it was Bale's altercation with his mother and sister.

Chris

[kingdom warrior]

Anyone who makes death threats because of a movie should be locked up with Bubba for a whole year so they can "think things over" a bit more carefully......and anyone making this Political is insane in the membrane........

[CaptainTrenchcoat]

This is just nuts. Between this and the Rush Limbaugh thing, this movie is sure getting a lot of attention.

[thunderbolt]

This is just nuts. Between this and the Rush Limbaugh thing, this movie is sure getting a lot of attention.

Lol, does Rush's negativity get him death threats, too?

[WannabeMego]

Hey...I love a good conspiracy theory...they're entertaining...but this is just pure lunacy.

Rush is an absolute f'in moron.

[CaptainTrenchcoat]

Lol, does Rush's negativity get him death threats, too?

Unfortunately, it probably gets him more listeners. Who needs facts right? lol

[torgospizza]

Unbelievable how derailed things get.

[MIB41]

Now the Dark Knight haters are coming out as some stupid punk stands in front of a packed theater and opens fire on the crowd, killing 15 people. Jeez. It's a movie folks!!! And it didn't stop the film from breaking the midnight record by the Avengers either. People on both sides of this film need to get a grip.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/20/several-reportedly-dead-injured-after-shooting-at-colorado-movie-theater/

Here's an interview...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbB7iAnXItE