TDKR has been out a week and tonight it hit me: no more Nolan Batman.
I am bummed.
Been a Batfan since I was 4 years old watching Adam West on TV and taking him VERY SERIOUSLY.
As a teen, DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, YEAR ONE, and KILLING JOKE left deep impressions.
Same is true for Bruce Timm's animated work. Wonderful.
No offence to the Burton/Schumacher fans, but I never connected with that series of films.
In BATMAN BEGINS, Nolan and his gang made a brilliant amendment to Bruce Wayne: they added GUILT over the death of his parents to his FEAR of bats. It generated even more power, and tragedy, to Bruce's motivation. Ever since, we have all felt an even grander sympathy for Batman in these films.
It was so satisfying to see Bruce smiling, (accompanied by Selina), at that cafe in Italy at the end of TDKR. This version of Bruce Wayne has completely earned his happiness.
I will really miss Nolan's fresh, often surprising, interpretation of the Batman universe. His imagination and ability to make things feel grounded and believable was always startling but welcomed. And this approach was entirely appropriate for the one superhero who hasn't one superpower.
The cast has been top notch. The villains get all the attention, but it is unlikely anyone will ever improve on Bale's interpretation of Batman and Bruce. This series would not have worked without him.
Personally, I do not want this continuity extended or revived. Leave it alone. Bruce has moved on to a brighter future and any further stories will only dilute.
Cannot believe Batman was taken so seriously and given such respect for a complete trilogy. And I am one of the people who likes TDKR the best...still stunned this all ended so strong.