The Dark Knight Rises Can Nolan Break the Trilogy Curse?

[Avengers-Report]

i don't get when people say that TDK can't be topped.

I do even if they are not right. I mean, think about TDK. You have a new portrayal of Joker, played by a beloved actor that died from basically being the character, and an amazing story that blew everyone away. When it comes to the general public, Bane and Catwoman are just not going to top it.

Don't get me wrong, I really hope TDKR tops TDK. I just don't think it will happen; not because I don't believe in Christopher Nolan, but because TDK was just that good.

 

[Doctor Who]

Wait. Star Wars fell flat with ROTJ?

I didn't think so; I thought the original Star Wars Trilogy was perfection. I love I-III as well being the nerd I am, but I don't believe them to be as great and as legendary as IV-VI.

 

[HolyPurpleSocks]

Actually TMNT is considered a Saga, buddy.

And yes, Nolan's trilogy should be a complete success; if not, perhaps even BETTER than TDK.

Actually, 'TMNT' is in a completely different continuum. It used CGI and a separate cannon from the live action movies. So no.

 

[robthorn24]

I vote yes. I see absolutely no reason why Nolan can't break this supposed trilogy curse. If you have continuity, good actors, a great story, and a respect for the film(s) and you've got yourself the ingredients for a solid trilogy. I think Nolan's Bat-films carry every trait listed.

 

[Flare]

I thought TMNT and the originals were both of the "same canon". Weren't their references to Shredder's defeat, as well as the display of the TGRI canister and time sceptor from the third film?

Anyways, I don't see any trilogy curse either. BUT, I am hoping that TDKR breaks the recent trend of awful third films in superhero franchises. X3 and Spiderman3 were dreadful. And I had high hopes, as I thought that X2 was good and that Spiderman 2 was excellent. Both of those scenarios have me convinced that TDKR is no lock for the "awesomeness" category.

 

[robthorn24]

I am hoping that TDKR breaks the recent trend of awful third films in superhero franchises. X3 and Spiderman3 were dreadful. And I had high hopes, as I thought that X2 was good and that Spiderman 2 was excellent. Both those scenarios have me convinced that TDKR is no lock for the "awesomeness" category.

I don't think that those mentioned scenarios have any bearing whatsoever on TDKR's "awesomeness" factor.

 

[CConn]

I didn't think so; I thought the original Star Wars Trilogy was perfection. I love I-III as well being the nerd I am, but I don't believe them to be as great and as legendary as IV-VI.

Yeah, I mean, obviously ROTJ isn't as good as Empire. But it's not like it's Spider-Man 3 or anything.

While I personally hate the prequels, most people seem to thing Episode III is the best of that trilogy as well.

 

[MasterOgami]

ROTJ is fine, I often prefer it to ESB. Then again my usual answer to "What's your favorite Star Wars?" is "The one where they fight. In space. With lightsabers." ROTS is quite superior to AOTC, which breaks the "curse", if you look at Star Wars as two trilogies.

Love Last Crusade a bit more than Temple of Doom. Actually I'd even put Crystal Skull (as off the rails as it gets) somewhere slightly above Temple of Doom. Don't get me wrong though, I quite like TOD :P

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome gets a lot of flak these days (mostly for featuring "too many kids" and "not enough smashy smashy"), but yeesh, its a good movie. As I recall Siskel and Ebert preferred it to both of the previous films, with Siskel quoted as saying its "a series of films that just keeps getting better and better" and Ebert calling it one of the best films of 1985. Tom Hardy's the new Max Rockatansky for those that didn't get the memo. :P

I'd easily take Back to the Future Part III over Part II. Same with TMNT, because yikes Secret of the Ooze is...I mean its fun..aside from that "Ninja Rap" bizness... As I recall TMNT III was better, but its been years and years. (Edit- for those wondering, yes, the CGI TMNT -is- supposed to be a part of the same continuity as the original live action pictures, just years later. That's one reason you can get all 4 in a set now.)

Highlander III at least makes -a little- sense in relation to the original, where (any version of) Highlander II is just a complete mess. For anyone interested, Highlander 5 was actually somehow worse, IMO anyway.

Sure Leone's Dollars Trilogy isn't a trilogy in a certain sense, but in that case neither is Mad Max or even Nolan's Batman series. If you're watching the Dollar's trilogy as a -trilogy- though, keep in mind you start with The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly and finish with For a Few Dollars More, which is fine by me since I prefer it, gasp). Either way you do it, its untouched by any "curse".

I'd sooner watch the dumbed-down kiddified RoboCop 3 than the crazed-nightmare that is RoboCop 2, though I consider neither to be a true sequel/canonical. Same goes for Highlander, though I can still at least enjoy its sequels in an Elseworlds sort of sense. :P

 

[phantasmata]

so sick of everyone crapping on spider-man 3. dancing evil petey parker is one of the most AMAZINGLY BONE-CHILLING sequences ever.

 

[Flare]

I don't think that those mentioned scenarios have any bearing whatsoever on TDKR's "awesomeness" factor.

I wasn't suggesting that they did. They just serve as a reminder that a third film can fall flat, despite the success and the momentum of the second film. That may seem obvious, but Spiderman 2 and X2 had me convinced that the franchises had likely "caught their stride" and would at least produce decent, if not excellent final films to end the trilogy. I thought they finally "got it". But they of course disappointed, like anything that progresses only to take a huge step backwards.

 

[metalhead_dave]

I think so, at least when it comes to Super Hero movies. Trilogies outside of that have been good as others have posted. You all have forgotten Die Hard though(though I think "With a Vengence" is a stronger film than Die Hard 2, a film I think is pretty weak).

But I digress. Part of the reason the third film in Super Hero trilogies fail is the studio interference and pressure. Sony shoehorned Venom into Spider-Man 3, Fox gave X-Men 3 Brett Freaking Ratner, WB wanted to make Batman more family friendly after "Returns" came out.

With Nolan, he has no pressure. He delivered WB a billion dollar film with The Dark Knight, and an Oscar contender with Inception. WB asked him to "godfather" Superman. They are letting Nolan get away with a four year gap between Batman movies, and I think remembering in some articles it said WB "has left Batman in the hands of Christopher Nolan." It's almost like he has WB by the short and curlies.

The development, as of now, seems like an interesting and unique scenario because Nolan looks completely free. So could he break the super hero threequel curse? I think he's got a good chance.

 

[CConn]

I wasn't suggesting that they did. They just serve as a reminder that a third film can fall flat, despite the success and the momentum of the second film. That may seem obvious, but Spiderman 2 and X2 had me convinced that the franchises had likely "caught their stride" and would at least produce decent, if not excellent final films to end the trilogy. I thought they finally "got it". But they of course disappointed, like anything that progresses only to take a huge step backwards.

Well, with X3 they had a totally new director and screenwriters, so any idea of them having "caught their stride" kinda went out the window. The same can be said for movies like Superman 3, Batman Forever, etc.

Spider-Man 3's failure was surprising however; has the director had hit it out of the park the first two times.

 

[Flare]

Well, with X3 they had a totally new director and screenwriters, so any idea of them having "caught their stride" kinda went out the window. The same can be said for movies like Superman 3, Batman Forever, etc.

Spider-Man 3's failure was surprising however; has the director had hit it out of the park the first two times.

Point well taken.

And yes, I have no idea what the hell Raimi was thinking. I thought he could do no wrong after SM2. My mistake I guess. In my desperation I turned to a man I didn't fully understand...

 

[FCEEVIPER]

Can Nolan Break the Trilogy Curse?

In my mind, Nolan already did.

 

[The Batman]

you guys forgot the james bond films. Dr. No, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger were all home runs. Hell, people think the THIRD film is the best film of that franchise.

*Waits for nitpicking "James Bond dosent count" post*

 

[Doctor Who]

Actually, 'TMNT' is in a completely different continuum. It used CGI and a separate cannon from the live action movies. So no.

Actually given the notion that even this movie was CGI, the movie does acknowledge the events of the first 3 films at the end of the movie; example, the return of Shredder after his supposed demise in Secret of the Ooz, and the collage Splinter has in his room of collected objects, relics, and items from all three of the previous films.

Shredder's helmet and visor, the broken container of Ooz, the Time Travel Scepter, one of the turtle's Samurai mask and tunic, and etc.

So yes, my friend. LOL

 

[Godzilla2014]

I think he can. Nolan's third Batman film is the conclusion of his story, not just the second sequel. It's rare for a director of a superhero film series actually gets to make the conclusion to his/her narrative, and the first for Batman. Both of the Batman films he has made to this date were great, and I am glad to have been able to see them in theaters and experience the hype around them, and witness how he has raised the bar for superhero movies. After Nolan's films, "it's a comic book movie" will no longer fly as an excuse for superhero movies to be crap.

 

[brett66]

you guys forgot the james bond films. Dr. No, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger were all home runs. Hell, people think the THIRD film is the best film of that franchise.

*Waits for nitpicking "James Bond dosent count" post*

That would make sense if Sean Connery had only done three Bond films.

 

[Doctor Jones]

The third film curse has been broken more than a few times and of course it can be better than TDK. It's all very much possible.

 

[BrazilianBatFan]

Yes, he can. What really makes me excited is that the show will be back on its star, the amazingly wonderful stubborn relentless intelligent Batman, my favorite superhero hands down - which will be great for us the fans at least. As for the opponents, Catwoman is as famous as the Joker as far as general audiences. She may not be as dangerous and destructive but she is fun to watch. Bane will have to make an impression and I think Tom Hardy is the man for the job. I'm sure Bale will bring his A+ game and will have a ball.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

I have a feeling that no matter what Nolan does, or how successful this movie becomes... fans will complain and chastise Nolan forever.

If it makes a penny less than The Dark Knight... it'll be a failure.

If it gets one percent less on rotten tomatoes than The Dark Knight... it'll be a failure.

Just look at the recent news about the potential League of Shadows. The fans are condeming Nolan before a single frame has been shot or the news has even been proven...

So can Nolan break the trilogy curse?... Yes I think he can

Can Nolan overcome fan expectations?... Probably not!

 

[El Payaso]

I have a feeling that no matter what Nolan does, or how successful this movie becomes... fans will complain and chastise Nolan forever.

If it makes a penny less than The Dark Knight... it'll be a failure.

If it gets one percent less on rotten tomatoes than The Dark Knight... it'll be a failure.

Just look at the recent news about the potential League of Shadows. The fans are condeming Nolan before a single frame has been shot or the news has even been proven...

So can Nolan break the trilogy curse?... Yes I think he can

Can Nolan overcome fan expectations?... Probably not!

I know. Nolan is doomed. Dooooooo-ooooo-ooooomed.

 

[Rodrigo90]

you guys forgot the james bond films. Dr. No, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger were all home runs. Hell, people think the THIRD film is the best film of that franchise.

*Waits for nitpicking "James Bond dosent count" post*

Technically,it doesn't. Nor does any adaptation from a novel.

 

[kvz5]

Yes, he can. What really makes me excited is that the show will be back on its star, the amazingly wonderful stubborn relentless intelligent Batman, my favorite superhero hands down - which will be great for us the fans at least. As for the opponents, Catwoman is as famous as the Joker as far as general audiences. She may not be as dangerous and destructive but she is fun to watch. Bane will have to make an impression and I think Tom Hardy is the man for the job. I'm sure Bale will bring his A+ game and will have a ball.

This is the last one for the superb Nolan/Bale/Oldman/Caine/Freeman team (seriously, who would have thought that this line up was even possible years back?) and I'm positive that they will all deliver and do their damn best to blow us away. We also have the great additions of Anne and Tom who will definitely step up to prove themselves worthy of being cast in such a high profile project.

 

[Sloth7d]

I'm with The Nostalgia Critic and Avgn in that Spider-Man 3 already has broken the curse if we're limiting this to just Super hero movies.