The Dark Knight Can Dark Knight be viewed as a standalone movie?

[Conan_O'Brien]

I'm kind of a perfectionist myself and I can't help but not ignore the fact that Rachel Dawes was replaced by a different actress. It sort of ruins it for me a bit, so I ask, can this movie be seen as a standalone movie? As in... no references from the first movie, no needed background from the first movie. does this feel like a movie on its own? thank you

 

[ActuallyRobin]

Yes, I'm sure Nolan has said that's now he wanted the film to be viewed. I also share that opinion.

 

[Hobodeluxe]

Oh sure. I'm guessing there will be a few things that one might not pick up on but nothing that would be a hindrance to fully enjoying the film by itself. anything vital to the plot will be rehashed I'm sure.

 

[Anubis Raptor]

I'm kind of a perfectionist myself and I can't help but not ignore the fact that Rachel Dawes was replaced by a different actress. It sort of ruins it for me a bit, so I ask, can this movie be seen as a standalone movie? As in... no references from the first movie, no needed background from the first movie. does this feel like a movie on its own? thank you

No. I'm sure certain scenes throughout the film will only make sense if you saw the first movie.

 

[alfredN]

Thats the impression that Im getting. That you really dont have to know much about the first film...or even Batman in general to enjoy this film! Thats what makes it so friggin' cool. Its just a badass crime drama that happens to have a one guy dressed as a bat and another as a clown.

 

[Batman jr.]

And Maggie is a much better actress.

 

[CaptainBeaver91]

Bruce not operating in a cave may confuse some people who've not seen Begins.

 

[alfredN]

Yeah, good point Captain

 

[Omega Wizard]

What about Scarecrow?

 

[thedarks0ldier]

I'm kind of a perfectionist myself and I can't help but not ignore the fact that Rachel Dawes was replaced by a different actress. It sort of ruins it for me a bit, so I ask, can this movie be seen as a standalone movie? As in... no references from the first movie, no needed background from the first movie. does this feel like a movie on its own? thank you

Every movie should be viewed as a stand alone movie, unless it was originally intended to be one tight and collected story, such as Lord of the Rings, Kill Bill, or Star Wars.

I think every movie regardless of genre should be able to withstand the scrutiny any film receives, and not just depend on a sequel, or the previous installment to fill in the gaps.

In the case of franchises, such as this one, other installments should only compliment each other, but never require or complete each other, like that ven-diagram they use to show us about a healthy relationship

 

[Juha]

I'm kind of a perfectionist myself and I can't help but not ignore the fact that Rachel Dawes was replaced by a different actress. It sort of ruins it for me a bit, so I ask, can this movie be seen as a standalone movie? As in... no references from the first movie, no needed background from the first movie. does this feel like a movie on its own? thank you

Wow you sure are picky. I would understand if Bale would've been replaced. Or Caine or Oldman. But Rachel Dawes was such a poorly fleshed out character(although it didn't bother me at all and the character served its purpose just fine) that I honestly don't give a damn who plays her. Anyone can pull off that role and especially Maggie cuz she's better than your average actress. Also looks-wise I don't see any continuity problems whatsoever. Holmes and Gyllenhaal are both brunettes and cute.

And why are you worried if TDK can be viewed as a standalone movie? You've seen Batman Begins and so has everyone else who's interested in quality movies. I mean if there's someone out there who by now doesn't understand that Nolan's Batman movies are the hottest thing of the decade...well, such person is just inferior and should be treated as such. t:

 

[namtaB]

Sure. You can watch just TDK. No one's forcing you to watch BB as well.

 

[Aidan2209]

The Dark Knight is the sequel to 2005's Batman Begins. What's not to get?

 

[returntovoid]

The Dark Knight is the sequel to 2005's Batman Begins. What's not to get?

I agree with that.

 

[returntovoid]

I don't think TDK is a stand alone movie but i felt that Batman Returns had no continuety to Batman 89 because Returns didn't explain how Bruce Wayne/Vicki Vale broke up, The Joker was not referenced and where the hell was Harvey Dent in Batman Returns.

 

[Batman jr.]

The Dark Knight is the sequel to 2005's Batman Begins. What's not to get?

It doesn't have "Batman" in the title

 

[returntovoid]

It doesn't have "Batman" in the title

Everyone knows The Dark Knight is Batman's nickname.

 

[Batman jr.]

Everyone knows The Dark Knight is Batman's nickname.

I know, it was a joke. Just paving the way for the nitpicking-overanalysing crowd

 

[Sarg92]

Everyone knows The Dark Knight is Batman's nickname.

Hmm...

Not everyone.

Comic-book fans know that The Dark Knight is Batman's nickname, everyone else such as people that don't read comic-books (like myself) wouldn't know that The Dark Knight is to do with Batman. I only know The Dark Knight is associated with Batman because of this forum.

 

[Secret_Riddle]

The Dark Knight has a stand alone plot that is produced by the events of Batman Begins. With that said no prior knowledge is really needed to enjoy the Dark Knight.

Think Empire Strikes Back to A New Hope, both plots stand alone, although one very much took place after the other.

I guess my point is that The Dark Knight and Batman Begins are very much in continuity with each other.

 

[Fitzwilliam]

Everyone knows The Dark Knight is Batman's nickname.

They could be talking about Sir William de Claire?

 

[DieSmiling]

It's stand alone in the sense that it will make coherent sense if watched alone, although you will miss out on things references in the first movie. It's obviously intended to follow Batman Begins though, so I don't see why one casting change would screw up a well plotted story...

 

[allfilms]

i had to explain to one of friends that batman was the dark knight NOT the joker...they thought the joker was the dark knight.i guess i could see how someone could do that considering all we see is the joker in the previews and batman never goes by the dark knight in the first movie. on a side note, im glad we didnt get Batman:The Dark Knight as the title.

 

[Knightsaber Priss]

And Maggie is a much better actress.

I second this statement. Maggie certainly has added more layers to the character Katie portrayed as pretty much 1 dimensional.

 

[Eggyman]

I second this statement. Maggie certainly has added more layers to the character Katie portrayed as pretty much 1 dimensional.

I beg to differ. Planks of wood have many layers and different dimensions