I saw it today and thought that the violence was pretty understated compared to a lot of the "gore porn" horror movies that are released. I wouldn't take young children to see it.
I also thought it did a very good job of not applauding violence.
Aside from the actions of Bane...
You start with a man who's life is ruined--and the lives of all those around him--by violence. Violence that has caused him regret.
You go on to the lamentation of his friends for him to put it behind him and go on with his life.
The portrayals of Bane's violence give nothing with which to sympathize or empathize.
Batman has to come to grips with the effects of violence in his life and what has cost him and make a real choice as to whether he can endure more suffering to defend the innocent.
Batman in the film steadfastly refuses to use lethal weapons against his enemies and in the end is willing to sacrifice himself to save others from them.
The villain's source of pain is revealed and one is even shown shedding a tear--making them more human--but also showing that their pain was no greater than Batman's and that each had to make a choice as to what they would do. Batman chooses to "rise" and they choose to continue to descend.
I don't think we should be casual about violent films or take them for granted but this one actually took a moral high ground. It certainly is no more graphic than reading in the OT about Deborah driving a tent stake through the head of a king.
The point of the stories is as important as the content. Batman is a fable for our generation--a morality tale and a hero legend.
