Nolan Dark Knight Trilogy (BB/TDK/TDKR)

[SnakeDoctor]

Logan is the Marvel movie that's closest to these. The Avengers movies aren't even quite the same genre.

SnakeDoc

 

[Khev]

Logan is the Marvel movie that's closest to these.

Agreed.

 

[RIDDICK]

I don't.
Outside of the cringy and idiotic finale Logan doesn't feel like a superhero movie.
I can have issues with TDK, and I can hate Rises, but at least they were superhero movies from start to finish.

 

[Zurdo95D]

I cannot help but think, if Batman had truly died from the bomb explosion at the climax of Rises, what would the consensus for the film would be. To me, it would elevate it much more.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

I cannot help but think, if Batman had truly died from the bomb explosion at the climax of Rises, what would the consensus for the film would be. To me, it would elevate it much more.

Not to me. That would be predictable. In fact, I think most people expected him to die. The most logical thing was Batman retiring, not just because of the physical damage he sustained in the 3 films, but because it was already established in the previous films that he wanted to move on. Not to mention, having Bruce Wayne finally move on with his life and find happiness, is not only satisfying to see after all he went through, but the ultimate victory. He succeeded where all other Batmans failed, where it matter most. He even managed to make Batman a public hero again and an "everlasting symbol" (BB). It made sense for Nolan's Batman to retire and find some kind of happiness, since it's also one of Nola's motifs in most of his movies, think of Inception, The Prestige, Momento, Interstellar, Dunkirk...etc.


Look at Battfleck, an almost 50 year still playing dress up, with no life, and with mommy issue...pathetic. I know that's Batman's whole schtick, but it's like watching an aging rock star not knowing went to move on.

 

[Zurdo95D]

Not to me. That would be predictable. In fact, I think most people expected him to die. The most logical thing was Batman retiring, not just because of the physical damage he sustained in the 3 films, but because it was already established in the previous films that he wanted to move on. Not to mention, having Bruce Wayne finally move on with his life and find happiness, is not only satisfying to see after all he went through, but the ultimate victory. He succeeded where all other Batmans have failed. He even managed to make Batman a public hero again and an "everlasting symbol" (BB). It made sense for Nolan's Batman to retire and find some kind of happiness, since it's also one of Nola's motifs in most of his movies.


Look at Battfleck, an almost 50 year still playing dress up, with no life, and with mommy issue...pathetic. I know that's Batman's whole schtick, but it's like watching an aging rock star not knowing went to move on.

Very fair statement. I do agree with giving Batman closure. I was also reminded a bit of The Dark Knight Returns when he faked his 'death'.

 

[Bravomite]

I cannot help but think, if Batman had truly died from the bomb explosion at the climax of Rises, what would the consensus for the film would be. To me, it would elevate it much more.

I thought it was deliberately left up to audience interpretation. You could either view it through the lense of campy 66 batman where he literally escapes unscathed against impossible odds leading to the happy ever after ending. Or it could be viewed through the lense of the more 'realistic' gritty Nolan (mostly with the exception of parts of TDKR haha) batman where he simply wouldn't make it out and knew all along that it was a one way ticket. Depending on your take, the Alfred cafe scene either shows what he actually saw or it reflects what he would have wanted for Bruce (as he expressed earlier in the movie).

I've always leaned towards the interpretation that he didn't make it because Bruce had become the mask and he was 'the Batman' - I don't think there was ever an 'out' for him ... Even Rachael was a pipe dream. He would never have quit and death in the service of Gotham was the inevitable end.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

Very fair statement. I do agree with giving Batman closure. I was also reminded a bit of The Dark Knight Returns when he faked his 'death'.

I guess some people can't accept the idea of Batman not being Batman. Others prefer Batman fighting crime for a long time, as opposed to a few years, but it makes no difference to me. I can accept Nola's Batman for what it is, just like I can appreciate Burton's version, or Adam West Batman living with a young man that's not his son....

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

I thought it was deliberately left up to audience interpretation. You could either view it through the lense of campy 66 batman where he literally escapes unscathed against impossible odds leading to the happy ever after ending. Or it could be viewed through the lense of the more 'realistic' gritty Nolan (mostly with the exception of parts of TDKR haha) batman where he simply wouldn't make it out and knew all along that it was a one way ticket. Depending on your take, the Alfred cafe scene either shows what he actually saw or it reflects what he would have wanted for Bruce (as he expressed earlier in the movie).

I've always leaned towards the interpretation that he didn't make it because Bruce had become the mask and he was 'the Batman' - I don't think there was ever an 'out' for him ... Even Rachael was a pipe dream. He would never have quit and death in the service of Gotham was the inevitable end.

I like this interpretation...but it sounds like fan fiction or someone in denial who just can't accept Bruce Wayne moving on. Why? Lucius Foxx finding out that the auto pilot was fixed.

 

[RIDDICK]

...but it sounds like fan fiction or someone in denial.

Aka Goyer and Nolan after "Batman Begins".

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

Aka Goyer and Nolan after "Batman Begins".

It really is fan fiction, all of it, including BB.

 

[Bravomite]

I like this interpretation...but it sounds like fan fiction or someone in denial who just can't accept Bruce Wayne moving on. Why? Lucius Foxx finding out that the auto pilot was fixed.

Haha! It makes watching TDKR more interesting and I do enjoy interpretating the ending from both sides of the coin. I view it in a similar fashion to the spinner at the end of inception.

Either way, Bruce Wayne is dead and the Batman becomes the hero the city needs, a symbol for Gothamites to believe in, their white knight. Even though it wasn't Bruce's initial intention for Batman to fulfil the Harvey Dent role, he does achieve his goal for his city when hope is restored to the people through the redemption of the Batman.

It's up to the audience whether they accept the happy ending with Bruce learning to move on and let go of his 'duty' with his goal achieved or if they are more cynical and unwilling to see this Bruce adapt from the established batman canon - the ending and your interpretation of it are a reflection on you... So most times I am a fan boy in denial lol.

 

[Prime Clone]

I thought it was deliberately left up to audience interpretation.

I actually thought he did die, and that Alfred's vision was an hallucination. Once I realised everyone else thought he survived, I realised I was wrong.


...or was I!?

 

[ShadowX81]

I always wondered why it was that Bruce giving up the Batman persona and moving on meant that he and Alfred had to completely ignore one another. I get Alfred wants Bruce to have a life, but he is for all intents and purposes his Dad. You'd think they'd want to keep in touch.

 

[RIDDICK]

It really is fan fiction, all of it, including BB.

TDK and Rises do feel like fanfiction in relation to BB.
The change in tone and visuals in TDK was already too much, but they dragged it to the bottom with Rises.

I always wondered why it was that Bruce giving up the Batman persona and moving on meant that he and Alfred had to completely ignore one another. I get Alfred wants Bruce to have a life, but he is for all intents and purposes his Dad. You'd think they'd want to keep in touch.

What man wouldn't want to move on from the relationship with his father figure after livin' most of his life with him?!

 

[ShadowX81]

What man wouldn't want to move on from the relationship with his father figure after livin' most of his life with him?!

All of them that have a decent relationship with them. Most people don't move out only to never talk to their parents again and completely ignore them in public spaces when they run into one another.

 

[MedievaL]

Didn't Nolan confirm Bruce Wayne survives in some interview?

 

[RIDDICK]

All of them that have a decent relationship with them. Most people don't move out only to never talk to their parents again and completely ignore them in public spaces when they run into one another.

I wouldn't call bein' a butler to your "son" a decent relationship. And even if we throw real life view out the window, as you suggest, Bruce/Alfred's relationshop are still more complicated than just son/father.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

All of them that have a decent relationship with them. Most people don't move out only to never talk to their parents again and completely ignore them in public spaces when they run into one another.

He didn't ignore Alfred. He smiled at him.

Besides, did you not see Batman Begins? He left Alfred...and everyone and everything behind for like 8 years. No communication. Alfred declared him dead.

 

[Zurdo95D]

I also noticed in TDKR we see Batman in daylight in all the three films.


(On a side note, during the sewer fight with Bane, Batman gets covered in water and made his suit look shiny, and I'd like HT to do a figure representing this, I think it'd turn out cool.)