The Dark Knight Rises - letdown or not?

[BatLobsterRises]

This might be oblivious of me, but the first time I saw the movie I didn't even notice that Batman wasn't in costume all that much. Didn't really occur to me because the movie had my full attention for 2 hours and 45 minutes. And from the first shot of Bruce walking towards Selina with the cane, I was fully invested in Bruce's story.

I always said that the first hour of Batman Begins was easily my favorite part of the movie, so in this series I've never been one to fret too much about how much time Bruce clocks in as Batman. The stuff in the pit is probably my favorite part of TDKR, which is no surprise considering it's kind of the counterpart to Begins' first hour.

And more than any of the other films, when Batman appeared on screen he really felt larger than life. I don't know if it was the way Bale filled the suit this time, how Wally shot him, Hans' music, or just the story...but he truly felt like the LEGEND he is.

[RustyCage]

Yeah, I think it isn't about how much time we see Batman as it is about crafting a story that makes us interested in what happens to Batman.

Just as importantly, it's about making Batman's appearances meaningful and impactful.

I would enjoy seeing longer stretches of Batman (it would definitely set the new film apart), but it would have to be supported by the above.

[Anno_Domini]

Originally Posted by Human Torch

I guess what I find most disappointing was after all the talk of Batman's "One Rule" in TDK,he still manages to kill the truck driver and Talia.

Batman didn't kill the driver. He stood firm on the idea of only shooting at the road and only shards of glass killed the driver. If a missile from the Bat ever did hit the driver, it would have blown up that entire area of the truck and include the passenger(Talia).

[The Guard]

Riiiiight.

[TheGuy]

Originally Posted by BatLobsterRises

This might be oblivious of me, but the first time I saw the movie I didn't even notice that Batman wasn't in costume all that much. Didn't really occur to me because the movie had my full attention for 2 hours and 45 minutes. And from the first shot of Bruce walking towards Selina with the cane, I was fully invested in Bruce's story.

I always said that the first hour of Batman Begins was easily my favorite part of the movie, so in this series I've never been one to fret too much about how much time Bruce clocks in as Batman. The stuff in the pit is probably my favorite part of TDKR, which is no surprise considering it's kind of the counterpart to Begins' first hour.

And more than any of the other films, when Batman appeared on screen he really felt larger than life. I don't know if it was the way Bale filled the suit this time, how Wally shot him, Hans' music, or just the story...but he truly felt like the LEGEND he is.

Bruce's time in the pit is my favorite part of TDKR too. I never felt the pace bogged down during Bane's rule.

[Anno_Domini]

Originally Posted by The Guard

Riiiiight.

So you'd like to assume a missile from the Bat shot right through to the driver with no damage to the driver's side, the dashboard or even any damage to the passenger side where Talia's in?

Yah, that makes a whole lot more sense.

[The Guard]

It's the idea that Batman didn't kill the driver (assuming he's dead) that I take issue with.

Batman either killed or knocked out the driver with his fusillade from The Bat, and then fired a deliberate, separate missle that caused the truck to lurch out of control which then directly causes him Talia and the driver (assuming he died) to plunge to the road below and die. This is what the film shows.

Whether Batman's gunfire causes "shards of glass" to kill the driver or not, he still killed the man (assuming he's dead) with multiple actions.

[shauner111]

I dont think it's his intention to kill him but i wouldnt mind in that one case because it's an all out war and Batman might have a new attitude this time. It's kill or be killed when it's a war. It's either that or million of people die. Even though Batman still didn't go around shooting everyone or trying to kill Bane..if it came down to it..this is the one instant where he would have to break his one rule.

There's just no time for games. And it's why he didn't give Catwoman **** when she killed Bane. He's not gonna go on a rampage, but the rules have changed at the end of the movie.

Can you really expect to have a war with just fists when ur aware that the opposite side have tanks and guns? And the police that Batman is leading will also be trying to kill the other side? I think Batman sort of changes his rulebook towards the end.

[Anno_Domini]

Batman's main focus was to deter the truck to go anywhere but that area underneath the river anyways and firing on the street was Batman's only option.

[BlueLightning]

It is the same case as with Harvey in TDK. It wasn't intentional, he had to do it or else the whole city would have blown up.

[RustyCage]

Originally Posted by BlueLightning

It is the same case as with Harvey in TDK. It wasn't intentional, he had to do it or else the whole city would have blown up.

And his sabotage/escape from the League of Shadows.

[BatLobsterRises]

It's like Joker said...killing is making a choice. Choosing between one life or the other.

Batman chose to try to redirect the truck by firing in front of it, over letting 12 million people die. Talia chose to tell the driver to drive straight into it anyway.

[TheDevilIsMe]

Wow. Poll results were more divided than I expected.

[Anno_Domini]

Ever since I saw the midnight showing of TDKR I had a feeling it would become such a controversial film because it's something many people did not expect for a Batman film. For Batman to only be around for about a year, retire, come back, and officially retire while passing the mantle down. And then you have TDKR being the most "comic-booky" film of Nolan's trilogy to boot which strayed away from the roots that Nolan build with Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, so I understand those reasons.

But for any other reason for someone to not like TDKR, and I'm gonna be perfectly honest...I don't understand those other reasons.

[BatLobsterRises]

And that's why it's no surprise it's more divisive among Bat-fans than the general public.

I think time will be very kind to this movie. A lot of the TDKR detractors feel the opposite but that's my honest opinion. Eventually I think the whole trilogy will stand the test of time and be looked at as one great body of work.

[TheDevilIsMe]

The general film-going masses love all the films.
The critics at large love all the films.
The fanboys in a majority love all the films to varying degrees.
A vocal minority fanboys love to argue about all the films.

That's how I see it.

I don't see how some fans can label TDKR 'controversial' or 'divisive' when there is nothing to suggest that other than some forum bickering. Most films would kill to have the scores of reviews that TDKR had from critics and movie-goers alike.