The Dark Knight Anyone think Alfred is haveing too big of a role in the new movies?

[Jerry!]

I think Gordon and Alfred were handled a lot better in BB than in B89. I understand that in B89 Burton wanted to do things differently, but there was absolutely no kind of partnership between Gordon and Batman, none in Returns either. There was what, one 2 line conversation Gordon had with Batman between the two movies? Come on. There was practically nothing in B89 other than at the end when he was reading Batman's letter. Its a joke to compare Gordon's character in BB to B89. He's almost nonexistent in Burton's movies, he doesn't matter much.

As for Alfred, he has a much more involved role in Bruce Wayne's life than shown in Burton's movies. He is one of the main characters. Now we are finally seeing that. Its almost like the same thing as how Gordon was handled in B89 to a lesser extent. Alfred matters a lot more than was made out to be in those movies. Nolan recognized that.

 

[Jerry!]

edit: double post.

 

[DocHoliday]

I think Gordon and Alfred were handled a lot better in BB than in B89. I understand that in B89 Burton wanted to do things differently, but there was absolutely no kind of partnership between Gordon and Batman, none in Returns either. There was what, one 2 line conversation Gordon had with Batman between the two movies? Come on. There was practically nothing in B89 other than at the end when he was reading Batman's letter. Its a joke to compare Gordon's character in BB to B89. He's almost nonexistent in Burton's movies, he doesn't matter much.

As for Alfred, he has a much more involved role in Bruce Wayne's life than shown in Burton's movies. He is one of the main characters. Now we are finally seeing that.

But he did have a big role in Batman & Robin Who can forget the epic MacGregor syndrome?

 

[Jerry!]

Heheh, yeah I knew someone would bring that up. Those scenes were weird because they were totally not in sync with the rest of the movie. It was like "What the hell are these serious scenes doing in this cornball movie?"

 

[sasquatchs]

Well that's one criticism that I had with Begins, and that I fear for TDK. Some dialogue is overly preachy. That scene in the bar, it sounded like Falcone wrote and rehearsed that speech before Bruce even showed up to confront him.

I'm hoping that overbearing, simplistic dialogue was the work of Goyer, the cast deserved better. I wonder if Alfred's lines from the trailer are from the script, they're cool, but too direct and plain, Bruce should already know all that. There was too much stuff in Begins where it felt forced, like the characters were talking directly to the audience to move things forward, rather than being their natural selves

 

[DocHoliday]

I actually quite enjoyed Alfred's role in Batman Begins. "why do we fall, sir?" . The scene in the cave when Wayne Manor is burning is probably my favorite Alfrd moment of all the Batmovies.

 

[Bandyt]

People don't give Alfred enough credit, he was the only one left after Bruce's parents died and basically raised him from 10 years old onward. He had to be a father without over stepping his boundaries too much as a paid servant. I'm glad these films are paying homage to such a crucial character in Bruce's life.

 

[GoogleMe94]

He is one of the main characters

thats my problem, you see. he never was a main character in the comics and in the movies because hes pretty boring. ok, because BB was an origin they could get away with haveing more alfred bringing up bruce and showing him the way, but in the future nolan films they should keep alfred away from being directly involved with the main story, he should go back to doing what he does best, BEING THE DAMN BUTLER. like i said, i dont want these movies to start turning into the (corny) spiderman movies. someone mentioned earlier that it would be different from SM 3 because he doesnt have a alien on him and hes making himself darker. alien or no alien, that is pretty much retreadting the same ground as other movies of the same genre, and if done, will look like a obvious ripoff. see, thats another cliche that i hope they will try to avoid. personally, i wouldnt mind a dark sinister storyline along the lines of Batman Returns, a dark tale with really dark villians with evil motivations and batman becoming darker in the process, but without the corny dialogue. thats what im hopeing for in TDK. BB really wasnt all that dark. hopefully the DARK knight will be much darker then its predessesor. from the really weird, creepy pics of the new joker, it looks tobe something like that. they are doing to joker what they did to penguin, i guess to bring some fresh life to the character.

 

[DocHoliday]

What you don't want Alfred to make an inspiring speech every movie ala Aunt May?

I have no problem with Alfred being a main character.

 

[EagleVision]

Lemme think about this question... NO.

 

[AndrewGilkison]

thats my problem, you see. he never was a main character in the comics and in the movies because hes pretty boring. ok, because BB was an origin they could get away with haveing more alfred bringing up bruce and showing him the way, but in the future nolan films they should keep alfred away from being directly involved with the main story, he should go back to doing what he does best, BEING THE DAMN BUTLER.

Thank god you are not involved in these movies. I like this Alfred being a part-mentor figure as well as a butler. It would be a waste of someone like Michael Cane and his acting abilities to just have him stand there in the background, and maybe say a funny quip once and awhile, while bringing in food or some crap. I think it's great that Nolan and his team are adding actual depth to the supporting characters like Gordon and Alfred, rather than them just standing there.

like i said, i dont want these movies to start turning into the (corny) spiderman movies. someone mentioned earlier that it would be different from SM 3 because he doesnt have a alien on him and hes making himself darker. alien or no alien, that is pretty much retreadting the same ground as other movies of the same genre, and if done, will look like a obvious ripoff. see, thats another cliche that i hope they will try to avoid. personally, i wouldnt mind a dark sinister storyline along the lines of Batman Returns, a dark tale with really dark villians with evil motivations and batman becoming darker in the process, but without the corny dialogue. thats what im hopeing for in TDK. BB really wasnt all that dark. hopefully the DARK knight will be much darker then its predessesor. from the really weird, creepy pics of the new joker, it looks tobe something like that. they are doing to joker what they did to penguin, i guess to bring some fresh life to the character.

You don't want them retreading old ground, and yet you want this movie to be like Batman Returns. Do you see the irony there?

 

[Jerry!]

thats my problem, you see. he never was a main character in the comics and in the movies because hes pretty boring. ok, because BB was an origin they could get away with haveing more alfred bringing up bruce and showing him the way, but in the future nolan films they should keep alfred away from being directly involved with the main story, he should go back to doing what he does best, BEING THE DAMN BUTLER. like i said, i dont want these movies to start turning into the (corny) spiderman movies. someone mentioned earlier that it would be different from SM 3 because he doesnt have a alien on him and hes making himself darker. alien or no alien, that is pretty much retreadting the same ground as other movies of the same genre, and if done, will look like a obvious ripoff. see, thats another cliche that i hope they will try to avoid. personally, i wouldnt mind a dark sinister storyline along the lines of Batman Returns, a dark tale with really dark villians with evil motivations and batman becoming darker in the process, but without the corny dialogue. thats what im hopeing for in TDK. BB really wasnt all that dark. hopefully the DARK knight will be much darker then its predessesor. from the really weird, creepy pics of the new joker, it looks tobe something like that. they are doing to joker what they did to penguin, i guess to bring some fresh life to the character.

Well I thank god you weren't involved with this movie is any way shape or form. The thing you don't understand is that Alfred isn't just the butler that knows Bruce's secret. He isn't just "there". He matters a lot in the Batman world. Doing what he does best isn't just simply being a butler, but guidance for Bruce and support where he doesn't really have anyone else that truly understands him. Thats his role in the comics and its finally showing up in the movies.

 

[GoogleMe94]

well, everyones got there own views of the character, deal with it. i'd love to see you talk to someone who likes the 60's show batman better then todays batman. you would probably flame him too. pity. i know most ppl on this board are pretty much in deep romantic love with nolans batman, but that doesnt mean everyone in the world is.

 

[CaptainClown]

I should have seen this thread coming. Since I am too lazy to read all the posts I'll say Alfred is going to be the one voice of common sense in Bruces life.

 

[Bishop]

i'm alright with alfred being an important, even pivotal character, but i find it ridiculous that he's getting second billing under christian bale, and above liam neeson

 

[Jerry!]

well, everyones got there own views of the character, deal with it. i'd love to see you talk to someone who likes the 60's show batman better then todays batman. you would probably flame him too. pity. i know most ppl on this board are pretty much in deep romantic love with nolans batman, but that doesnt mean everyone in the world is.

Thats fine, I remember watching those old Adam West reruns as a kid and I enjoyed them. But I understand that thats not how Batman was intended to be. Just like Gordon and Alfred aren't meant to be just in the background or there to just be there. They both play very meaningful roles in Bruce Wayne/ Batman's life and now its being portrayed properly in Nolan's movies.

 

[JdlC]

i like Alfred's role as it was in BB... it was sufficient... and it was not a thankless role they just throw in just to show us the conventional Alfred the Butler who only says yes sir, right away sir, no sir, etc. etc...

no matter how i turn it upside down, i don't see any basis for worrying YET...

 

[GregComicFan]

I think the Batman: The Animated Series did a good job with the episode "The Lion and the Unicorn" where it's revealed Alfred once had connections (or direct involvement) with British secret service. It made Alfred seem more like the "aged hero", who, at one point, was a skilled and brave hero in his own right. But now that time has past, Alfred is too old, and so he just works as a trusty butler to start a new, fresh life.

 

[ganstapappa]

i think alfreds role in BB was great. if you think about it he was a parent to bruce longer than tom and martha were. hes the one who went to meet the teacher night and did the things your parents would have done for you. this was always underminded but in the realistic world nolans going for it should be just as it was. alfred had to dicipline young bruce when he was bad. alfred is the best thing bruce. he deserves his dialouge and screen time because hes the closest person in the world to bruce. batman exsisted in BB for 1 or 2 weeks. he just met gordan so gordan got what he should have. hes was only Lt. so he wasnt really that big of a deal in BB but his importance and screen time should go up with his police rank because he can help more. he might be shown more than alfred in the future because a majority of BB was bruce wayne and his life and alfred was all he had but now that hes batman for a majority of the new film he'll be shown less and gordan more

 

[Banshee]

Why the **** do americans (most) always say then instead of than. It's ****ing stupid. I've read it so many times in this thread I can't stand to read and not say anything anymore. Googlemewhatever I'm talking to you mostly. When you say "bla bla bla more THEN bla bla bla," you sound like an idiot. It goes "bla bla bla more THAN, bla bla bla. God.

Living in America, I hear it so much, my girlfriebd does it on aim. Damn, its basic ****ing grammar idiots.

 

[Thespiralgoeson]

I love alfred, dont get me wrong, batman needs him. but why are they making him into an aunt may type of character and treating him like hes a main character or the source of bruces strength when he should just be the butler who follows orders? alfred is there for good advice and getting things done, hes like goliath to bruces davy, but they are giving him more screentime and story then friggin Gordon! they should make gordon the focus, if anyone, not alfred.

No.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Alfred and Gordon have always been misused. Gordon is honestly Batman's only ally. He trust him and even leans on him a bit.

Alfred is the only one that knows Bruce fully for the man he is. He is the one that can talk to him and point out how stupid and stubborn he is being. Alfred is far more important they anyone ever gives him credit for. He isn't Aunt May. He is beyond anything these other "similar" characters can or could be. The only exception could be the Kents.

The more he is in the films, the better. I love Michael Caine and his performance so far. I am tired of Alfred being kicked to the side by some sidekick.

 

[Hole Shot]

Yeah. Gary Oldman's Gordon is too good to be stuck driving the Batmobile. He should be driving a flashy sports car, filled with topless women.

And Ricardo Tubbs replaces Flass!!!

 

[Hole Shot]

Why the **** do americans (most) always say then instead of than. It's ****ing stupid. I've read it so many times in this thread I can't stand to read and not say anything anymore. Googlemewhatever I'm talking to you mostly. When you say "bla bla bla more THEN bla bla bla," you sound like an idiot. It goes "bla bla bla more THAN, bla bla bla. God.

Living in America, I hear it so much, my girlfriebd does it on aim. Damn, its basic ****ing grammar idiots.

I've never ever noticed that, I'm the type that whenever someone says "me and bla bla" I go "you mean, bla bla and I" You're right on the use of the word then vs than, but I don't see it as something plaguing American society. Either it's your girlfriend does it some much that seeing GoogleMe94 caused this explosive tirade of yours...or you're having an explosive tirade because GoogleMe94 is your girlfriend!

 

[JdlC]

Why the **** do americans (most) always say then instead of than. It's ****ing stupid. I've read it so many times in this thread I can't stand to read and not say anything anymore. Googlemewhatever I'm talking to you mostly. When you say "bla bla bla more THEN bla bla bla," you sound like an idiot. It goes "bla bla bla more THAN, bla bla bla. God.

Living in America, I hear it so much, my girlfriebd does it on aim. Damn, its basic ****ing grammar idiots.

LOLZ, you're really angry...

anyway, another thing that bothers me is how a lot of people mispell sequel to sequAl... i mean WTF? i don't think that's a simple typo...

...english is not even my first language but at least I try my best to be comprehensible...