The Dark Knight Rises Clearing up the ending of TDKR (MUST READ)

[Krukow]

Maybe Batman used Tesla's machine to create two of himself and thus the Bruce you see at the end isn't the Bruce in the Bat.

No, wait, that would be stupid because those are two different movies...

 

[rickfox]

The only reason the ending is "ambiguous" is because there are fans who refuse to tolerate the idea of Bruce Wayne actually getting a happy ending. Nolan showed plenty to make it clear that Bruce survived; the worst mistake you could claim is showing glances inside the cabin of the Bat ( nevermind that the film uses anachronic scenes elsewhere ).

they are ridiculous

 

[nimrodson]

Again, HOW/WHEN did Bats escape from the bat?

Someone help me out, please. Someone drop some knowledge on me. Because i'm slow. Like, explain it to me as if I were one of these third graders. I'd love to know.

 

[Spider-Fan83]

I am totally blanking on it... or maybe I missed something

but, how do people think Bruce died (I mean, other then those who know he's batman)

 

[Krukow]

I am totally blanking on it... or maybe I missed something

but, how do people think Bruce died (I mean, other then those who know he's batman)

Spoiler

Quite probably via that kangaroo court, like lots of other rich people? I doubt Scarecrow was keeping detailed records...

 

[747]

Just came back from my first viewing absolutely loved the ending and thought it was perfect, very inspirational, giving closure to Bruce, the main character of the trilogy, while opening other more ambiguous doors.

Everything the original poster wrote was exactly how I got the ending, don't see how some people could have found it confusing.

Spoiler

And while I absolutely loved JGL and his character in the movie (biggest positive surprise by far, maybe his best performance I've seen). I really want to live out his future journey in my head, not in a sequel. Though the thought thrills me, let it stay so. Perfect way of saying how Batman was meant to be a symbol, a legend and doesn't necessarily have to mean there is always gonna be a Batman, but at least there is always gonna be something or someone, like in the future of Nolanverse, there will probably be John Robin Blake as a costumed crime-fighter, most likely not in a Batman suit. There can be only one Batman, but as long as his legend lives, there are others out there who can and will continue his legacy

 

[TinkerTailor]

I don't recommend that anyone on this thread failing to comprehend what happened at the end of TDKR ever watch a David Lynch film.

 

[Dragon]

It isn't about failing to comprehend it. It's that some of us refuse to make excuses for it. It would've taken some actual work and cleverness on Nolan's part to show a believable way in which Batman survived. And for that matter how he saved Gotham from an ACTUAL nuclear bomb, not the cartoon fireworks presented in the film. If Nolan had actually come up with a clever resolution to the "Average citizen" plot instead of the incredibly predictable Miranda twist. If Batman was actually the detective that he's supposed to be and figured it out. Plain and simple, Nolan is a cheat. He cheated throughout TDK and he's did so with this movie.

 

[jonnywhc]

Whats your problem?

He ejected and survived. Done.

 

[Spider-Fan83]

Spoiler

Quite probably via that kangaroo court, like lots of other rich people? I doubt Scarecrow was keeping detailed records...

thats what I figured, just that people assumed he was one of the ones killed in all the chaos...

but couldn't remember if there was any scene or further explanation

 

[Godmaul]

I've only had 1 viewing thus far, and I'm going again tomorrow night and Saturday afternoon...

That being said, how are people really not understanding the ideas in the ending? People really think Bruce didn't survive? Really?

 

[UaalaDan]

Spoiler

Quite probably via that kangaroo court, like lots of other rich people? I doubt Scarecrow was keeping detailed records...

Probability doesn't count in a movie. Is it there or is it not? It's not so it's a plot-hole. For a movie that does tons of exposition, such an important thing like this can't be omitted.

 

[GENERAL RAAM582]

I loved the ending, how it came all together, and having the Batman Legend still live on, and to know he'll be there if they ever need him. I think the whole "Robin" thing is getting a bad rap, I thought it was great. Bruce always talked about being a symbol and hope for Gotham, and now Batman is a symbol. Like he said, it doesn't matter who's behind the mask.

 

[UaalaDan]

That a thread like this has to exist underlines the weakness of this film. The film shouldn't need to be explained by fans. It should BE ON THE SCREEN. We paid to see a film- not to have it explained and interpreted afterward.

And these explanations are bull. Batman had no time to escape the Bat. The Bat was always in full view so we would've seen him make him escape. It was similar to Harvey escaping Maroni's limo in TDK. Impossible. It was just a contrived emotional ploy on Nolan's part. For that matter, even with the bomb having been taken out over the sea- Gotham still would've been destroyed. It's a f-ing NUKE. The blast radius would've totalled Gotham. The tidal wave generated by the blast would've flooded Gotham. And what about the frickin' radiation? The damage to the water supply, and sea life? But we're supposed to accept all of this because these are "great" movies.

Completely agree.

I think it would've been a better ending if he had died for sure 'cause I wouldn't be bothered by all the problems it has.

 

[nimrodson]

Sooo... Did we ever figure this out? I'm still scratching my head.

 

[Homer J. Fong]

To be honest, I don't think this underlines the film's weakness. Rather, it underlines some of the viewers' weaknesses in comprehension. I didn't think that the ending needed to be explained at all. It was pretty clear that Bruce is indeed alive and well. They practically spelled it out for the viewers.

I didn't see any ambiguity at all, and I certainly do not think this thread and the amount of viewers points to poor storytelling on Nolan's part. I'm tempted to question the way the final moments are constructed, because there is a surprising amount of confusion, but I just can't; I really think it's on the viewer, not the film, if they're confused.

 

[Godmaul]

Anyone who paid attention to the story behind these 3 films and also closely followed the ending has figured it out.

Others...not so much. But what I will say is that it's only important that each of us enjoyed it on a personal and individual level, and what difference does it make arguiing over whether someone else's interpretation matches our own. Especially to the degree I've seen here in this thread, where at times its borderline uncivil.

Cmon folks, let's at least be cordial

 

[Midnight Black]

Lol, people just want and need more I guess.

 

[UaalaDan]

No, people just want a movie in which it's director does his best to avoid plot-holes and stupid explanations.

 

[kvz5]

Venus posted the scans of the ending from the novelization - http://pantyfire.tumblr.com/post/27929443393/last-few-pages-of-the-dark-knight-rises-relevant-john

Fox and Alfred definitely knows that Bruce is alive. What Alfred saw was real. Blake doesn't know. Not sure about Gordon really.

 

[Midnight Black]

No, people just want a movie in which it's director does his best to avoid plot-holes and stupid explanations.

& Avengers didn't have any holes? All movies had holes. TDKR explained quite a bit. I take it you just don't like a movie where things are put on a plate and handed to you. I mean he did give enough clues and hints that Batman survived as he could without drawing an outline.

 

[Nevincer]

Venus posted the scans of the ending from the novelization - http://pantyfire.tumblr.com/post/27929443393/last-few-pages-of-the-dark-knight-rises-relevant-john

Fox and Alfred definitely knows that Bruce is alive. What Alfred saw was real. Blake doesn't know. Not sure about Gordon really.

Of course Gordon knows now, the Batsignal is enough indication of that imo.

 

[Midnight Black]

Plus he is suppose to be a good detective. I mean if he can't figure that out than he does need to retire lol.

 

[jonnywhc]

Blake knows because he was left those coordinates.

 

[robthorn24]

It isn't about failing to comprehend it. It's that some of us refuse to make excuses for it. It would've taken some actual work and cleverness on Nolan's part to show a believable way in which Batman survived. And for that matter how he saved Gotham from an ACTUAL nuclear bomb, not the cartoon fireworks presented in the film.

You do know that Batman could have bailed out at anytime, right? It's possible that he bailed out while still in the city, and not over the sea at all. He's been known to do this sort of thing, because... well you know... he is Batman. Just because they showed a shot of his face in the Bat before the bomb went off, doesn't mean that that is the exact moment when he ejected. Remember, at this point in time, Nolan wants us to believe that he's dead so the cafe reveal at the end has more of an emotional impact on the viewing audience. It's not like Nolan needs to draw out Bruce's survival in crayon. There's no need.

Also the film never says that there wouldn't be any repercussions from the blast. Maybe Gotham's sea life is affected by the event. In all probability, Gotham will have to endure serious consequences of that bomb. After all this is Gotham City. Sometimes things just go bad. But remember, they are wrapping up Bruce Wayne's story at this point, not doing a Discovery Channel special on effects and survival of a nuclear blast.