The Dark Knight Rises Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake V

[Kane52630]

Called it....sorta. t:
http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=23139685&postcount=591

I'm glad it came true.

 

[Robin91939]

But does it? Just because Bruce has provided Robin with the means to become "more than just a man" doesn't mean that he's ready to do that. We don't know what Robin will do after finding the cave, but my guess is it'll be some time before he hits the streets with his new persona.

Aside from spending 5 months at 'war' during Bane's siege on Gotham, we can imagine different scenarios for him to further his training:

-- Already a police officer trained in hand-to-hand combat, general knowledge of the inner workings of crime in Gotham, familiar with the Gotham landscape, and trained to use weapons
-- He may take it upon himself to further his training in hand-to-hand combat after seeing what Batman was capable of, maybe going so far as to traveling to world to do so
-- He'll have to improve his physical condition by working out
-- He'll have to spend time learning to use the various tools and vehicles which Bruce has provided him with
-- Prepare himself for his mission by keeping a watchful eye on the city for quite some time
-- He has an ally in Gordon and most likely Fox, just as Batman did. He is not alone.

** There's also the possibility that Bruce will make it known to Blake that he is still alive, and that Blake will travel overseas to be trained by Bruce himself. MAYBE, Bruce will become restless in his new life and eventually return to Gotham. OR he will return when need to aid Robin against a formidable threat.

There are many ways to look at this scenario and many stories that can still be told within this universe. We'll just never get a chance to see them.

I agree.

And after seeing the film, the name being simply "Robin" was fine by me. I would have PREFERRED Grayson (only because now fans of the films will think John Blake is a Robin in the comics and Dick Grayson kind of gets shafted when he is a truly great character) but this John Blake character is a way of honoring ALL of the Robins throughout the mythos. Truth be told, we don't know what his full "legal" name was. We just know that he was Robin... and that is more of an honor to the character than I ever thought we'd get in a Nolan film and seeing Robin and Batman taking out a group of mercs was pure fanboy joy for me.

I love the openness of the ending -- I love the "will Batman train Robin?" We don't know what else was in that bag. What else was on that note. Were there instructions of how to find Bruce for training? We there instructions of how to train himself?

Will Bruce ever come back to the aid of Robin? Will Robin become Batman, Robin or Nightwing? There are just so many interesting questions, but it's a perfect time to let the audience speculate how it continues and leave it here.


ALSO: I can't wait for about 3-4 months to go by and Nolan and Joseph Gordon-Levitt can finally talk about the Robin character and Nolan can say what changed his mind in bringing him into the story. I am VERY interested to hear the reason... My guess is Goyer and Jonah wore him down and made him see that, like Selina Kyle, Robin is essential to Batman.

-R

 

[Kane52630]

My guess is Goyer and Jonah wore him down and made him see that, like Selina Kyle, Robin is essential to Batman.

-R

Agreed.

 

[Apollo]

question -

Spoiler

when did john blake say he first met bruce wayne/batman? i can't remember exactly what he said. something like "i know you are batman because we met before". something something. when did they first meet?

 

[Robin91939]

question -

Spoiler

when did john blake say he first met bruce wayne/batman? i can't remember exactly what he said. something like "i know you are batman because we met before". something something. when did they first meet?

They didn't meet, per se. They crossed paths. When Blake was a kid Bruce came to the Boys Home where Blake lived. It was there that Blake noticed the same pain in Bruce's eyes, the same anger in his face that Blake had tried to hide his whole life. He noticed and recognized the fake smiles and the hidden rage in Bruce and it was this that had him start to realize that he had to be the Batman.

Once you suspect Bruce Wayne -- it's gravy. Blake would go on to know that Wayne had the resources to be Batman and that his appearances, disappearances and reappearances in the city all coincided with that of the Batman...

-R

 

[Bruce Malone]

Hey robin9139,

What was your personal reaction to when you first heard the robin name said? I'm not even really a robin fan but even i started smiling.

 

[Benstamania]

Not sure why people wanted John Blake's name to be Dick Grayson... that would change the entire movie. Can you imagine the fanboy backlash if Dick was a beatcop with heart instead of an acrobat who was taken in by Bruce?

I think the whole Blake/Batman thing worked out wonderfully.

Spoiler

Ah, but Dick was a police officer at one point in his life. I even said I'd be cool with that... Maybe if they had mentioned of his time in the circus (while he was at the orphanage) and then he later becomes a cop.

I'd actually be more "ok" with that than what we got.

In the end it doesn't matter. It's all going to be rebooted anyway.

 

[PowersOfMind]

Though it isn't verbally expressed, it's pretty obvious that was the first time he had ever killed a person before...and he didn't like the way it felt.

Despite that, at this point in the film, he is still a cop and has not decided to leave his job behind. Gordon was in danger and he raced to save him with what he had at his disposal. He had to.

It's not as if he already had access to Batman-like tech. The fact that he felt so guilty after killing those people was one of the first inklings of his changing mindset about himself and his job.

I agree. They point out that crime is on the decline in Gotham. So even if he's no stranger to holding a gun and firing it, that's not the same as using deadly force and/or taking a life.

 

[Robin91939]

Hey robin9139,

What was your personal reaction to when you first heard the robin name said? I'm not even really a robin fan but even i started smiling.

As I've said in other threads -- it was a vindicating moment.

It was showing that a Robin character could work in the context of the Nolan films. It was awesome to see Nolan change his stance on the character and at least honor his importance to the mythos. It was great. I actually wonder what changed his mind. Was it Jonah and Goyer telling him that Robin was as essential as the Joker, Two-Face and Catwoman to tell a definitive Batman story?

Would I have preferred the secretary said, "Mr. Grayson"...? Maybe.

But John Blake was a worthy amalgamation of all of the Robins who came before him.

Dick Grayson: Cop. Orphaned by crime. Idealistic and a touch naive.

Jason Todd: A bit of an angry streak (especially in his youth), and a bit of a hot head. Orphan.

Tim Drake: Deduced Bruce Wayne was Batman. Inspires Batman to keep going, proves to Bruce that the city "needs" Batman ("I still believe in Batman"). Blake/Drake. Also -- he seems to seek out the role of Bruce's/Batman's sidekick/ally.

Damian Wayne: Use of deadly force (despite him later despising himself for it).


It was just a great moment that will show people that if done right, any character in the Batman mythos is do-able. Bane got his vindication in this film, Robin did, Two-Face in the last film, so on and so forth. This John Blake version of Robin will leave a taste in people's mouth that will be far more palatable than the Chris O'Donnell version from the late 90's. Hopefully making the character less taboo in the minds of the fans as well as the general audience. Robin is an amazing character. He is a fun character. And he can be a very serious character... Hopefully now people see that. Hopefully now people will want more.

In the next franchise, do I want to see a full on adaptation of Robin? Yes. But for now -- this is enough. This is plenty. Robin was included in The Dark Knight Trilogy, and that makes this trilogy about as close to definitive as it can be for this fan.

Thank you Christopher Nolan for taking Robin a step in the right direction toward a cinematic renaissance.

-R

 

[EliteF50]

Spoiler

Ah, but Dick was a police officer at one point in his life. I even said I'd be cool with that... Maybe if they had mentioned of his time in the circus (while he was at the orphanage) and then he later becomes a cop.

I'd actually be more "ok" with that than what we got.

In the end it doesn't matter. It's all going to be rebooted anyway.

I prefer the idea that Nolan created a new Robin. If his name was Dick, we'd know the big ending right from the beginning.

Besides, having him reference his circus days wouldn't work considering Bruce taking Dick in was a huge part of the character's backstory. And since he didn't do that... it'd be weird.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

As a Robin fan, I loved the reveal. It was definitely my biggest reaction in the theater. I fully accept this version as a valid version of the character.

 

[EliteF50]

As a Robin fan, I loved the reveal. It was definitely my biggest reaction in the theater. I fully accept this version as a valid version of the character.

I'm not a big Robin fan, but I do like the character. Seeing Nolan's version of Robin was just perfect. Especially the last shot.

 

[craigdbfan]

As I've said in other threads -- it was a vindicating moment.

It was showing that a Robin character could work in the context of the Nolan films. It was awesome to see Nolan change his stance on the character and at least honor his importance to the mythos. It was great. I actually wonder what changed his mind. Was it Jonah and Goyer telling him that Robin was as essential as the Joker, Two-Face and Catwoman to tell a definitive Batman story?

Would I have preferred the secretary said, "Mr. Grayson"...? Maybe.

But John Blake was a worthy amalgamation of all of the Robins who came before him.

Dick Grayson: Cop. Orphaned by crime. Idealistic and a touch naive.

Jason Todd: A bit of an angry streak (especially in his youth), and a bit of a hot head. Orphan.

Tim Drake: Deduced Bruce Wayne was Batman. Inspires Batman to keep going, proves to Bruce that the city "needs" Batman ("I still believe in Batman"). Blake/Drake. Also -- he seems to seek out the role of Bruce's/Batman's sidekick/ally.

Damian Wayne: Use of deadly force (despite him later despising himself for it).


It was just a great moment that will show people that if done right, any character in the Batman mythos is do-able. Bane got his vindication in this film, Robin did, Two-Face in the last film, so on and so forth.

In the next franchise, do I want to see a full on adaptation of Robin? Yes. But for now -- this is enough. This is plenty. Robin was included in The Dark Knight Trilogy, and that makes this trilogy about as close to definitive as it can be for this fan.

-R

Well said mate.

Spoiler

Vindication really is the right word. For all of us Robin fans who wanted him in this film and really thought that Blake was going to be an amalgamation of him.

Did I have certain issues with how the ending was handled? Yes. I think they should have elaborated a tad more on how Blake would acquire the resources to become Batman/Red Robin type in Gotham. I'll just assume that Fox will provide him with what the gadgets/tech/suit he needs under the book.

This is what I said back in March of 2011. Boy was I right on the money.

http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=19906903&postcount=221

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

That last shot. So damn good and it packed a real emotional punch.

 

[Goku Goes Crazy]

I still can't believe Robin was in the film. I was so sure before seeing the movie that John Blake would just be John Blake. I was even thinking that he wouldn't take over Batman's mantle or anything like that. He would just be a cop.

Man, my jaw dropped at the ending. I think the way Nolan incorporated Robin was very cool. I loved it.

 

[Robin91939]

Well said mate.

Spoiler

Vindication really is the right word. For all of us Robin fans who wanted him in this film and really thought that Blake was going to be an amalgamation of him.

Did I have certain issues with how the ending was handled? Yes. I think they should have elaborated a tad more on how Blake would acquire the resources to become Batman/Red Robin type in Gotham. I'll just assume that Fox will provide him with what the gadgets/tech/suit he needs under the book.

This is what I said back in March of 2011. Boy was I right on the money.

http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=19906903&postcount=221

Absolutely. And in our minds, who knows?

-Blake can become Red-Robin, Robin, Batman or Nightwing.
-He could protect Gotham on his own.
-Bruce could at one point return and fight at his side.
-Bruce could have left instructions in that bag to go to Fox for equipment/tech.
-Bruce could have left instructions as to where to find him for training.
-Bruce could have left instructions as to how to contact him if he ever needs to return.

Anything can happen from here. But nothing has to be seen. I don't need to see those films. I would watch them gladly -- but it ended perfectly. Bruce Wayne IS Batman and Nolan allowed him to find peace and retire but he could always return. And at the very least he left the city in the hands of Jim Gordon and Robin...his worthy successor. How great is that?

WAYNE
As a man I'm flesh and blood I can be ignored I can be
destroyed but as a symbol. As a symbol I can be incorruptible,
I can be everlasting. ​

-R

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

So doesn't this movie reflect Earth-Two? Bruce and Selina live happily ever after while Robin takes up the mantle.

 

[CapedCrusader14]

I demand a spin off series with Blake as the hero!

 

[craigdbfan]

I demand a spin off series with Blake as the hero!

Nah.

Like Robin said I'd prefer if it's just left to the viewers imagination.

 

[KalMart]

Was anyone else reminded by Levitt's Blake of Robert Patrick's Agent Dogget on the X-Files? The semi-NY accent kinda' helped that, I think.

 

[Figs]

This is what I said back in March of 2011. Boy was I right on the money.

http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=19906903&postcount=221

Damn! Good call hahaha!

 

[CapedCrusader14]

Nah.

Like Robin said I'd prefer if it's just left to the viewers imagination.

Please?

No it's fine I can see a ton of fan-fiction being created.

 

[craigdbfan]

Damn! Good call hahaha!

Thanks man.

 

[ComicStalker]

One thing about Bruce disappearing with Selina and giving Blake instructions to find the Bat-Cave. Were they implying that both Bruce and Selina used the Clean Slate program to disappear? If so, how long would it take for someone to recognize Bruce? I can see Selina Kyle using it and it working because to the world she was a nobody. But wasn't it said in BB that Bruce couldnt go 10 miles without someone recognizing him?

 

[craigdbfan]

One thing about Bruce disappearing with Selina and giving Blake instructions to find the Bat-Cave. Were they implying that both Bruce and Selina used the Clean Slate program to disappear? If so how long would it take for someone to recognize Bruce? I can see Selina Kyle using it and it working because to the world she was a nobody. But wasn't it said in BB that Bruce couldnt go 10 miles without someone recognizing him?

A remote Italian village is a bit more than 10 miles away from Gotham.