Open Discussion: Analyzing Films.

[Sentinel X]

Hello. I don't know if this will work but whatever...
Well i like movies, a lot...as most of you do. I often analize films and look for hidden meanings, metaphors, etc (and I know a bunch of people who like to do this as well) but sometimes I'll miss something or something will go completely over my head...so I'd like to make a thread just to analize films and see things from different people's persepectives. Its basically just an open discussion about various films. And just so this thread doesn't stay stagnant, I'll be putting a different movie to discuss every two weeks or so....and you can also reccomend a movie to discuss if you'd like to.

The first film I'd like to analize, since practically everyone has seen it is The Dark Knight.

A few questions to concider:

What is the theme of the movie?
What are some symbols and metaphors you picked up while watching the film?
How do the charecters compare and contrast?
How does the film techniques enhance the film?
What was the most important scene of the film?
How does the protagonist differ from the antagonist?
What message does the film ultimately coney?
What are some quotes or ideas that you find very interesting?
Is there anything in this film that relates to modern issues?

of course you can bring up as many topics as you'd like...I hope this works out and doesn't turn out to be a big mess.

 

[WeaponXProject]

To me, these to scenes jumped out the most to explain the movie: When Gordan explains why Batman is running to his son Jimmy at the end of the movie and the scene when Alfred explains that they had to burn down the forest to stop one man's chaos.


Another interesting note was "How far Batman would have to go in order to stop the Joker?" Would he give in and kill him or would he find a way to prove the Joker wrong. In a way he proved the Joker wrong and in another way a new chaos was born in Harvey Dent's revenge on the Gordan family. There is always another villain and mentally can Batman deal with that? Or will he eventually give in and give up like he attempts to. But Batman did not give in. He would not let the white night become Two Face, instead he assumed the blame. To protect his city.

We all know there is more to this movie than a cape and a cowl and a villain with lipstick grin. I am interested to see what others think as well.

 

[Sentinel X]

^ Well the most important scenes in my opinion were: The Hospital Scene with Joker and Dent and Gordon's speech to his son.

I think the film is ultimately telling us that we do NEED governments or our lives would be utterly chaotic. Joker embodies anarchy, he is even metaphorically depicted as a dog (and as we all know dogs have no rules they just wander about being dogs). Batman is the complete oppposite, he embodies government...he has order, tries to keep things under control, and most importantly he follows rules.
The question is can we live without a governement?...and I think TDK's answer is no. We need an institution to protect us and keep us safe...and without governement we're all just animals, dogs...like the Joker.

I really liked the quick bit of Alfred burning the letter and Bruce willing to take the blame for Harvey's wrong doings. It shows that sometimes we can't handle the truth...todays government is full of conspiracies but maybe it is for our own good?...who knows.

And it interesting that you brought up how far Batman would go to stop Joker. In the end Batman kills Harvey Dent (intentional or not)...and this shows that a good government has its limits and unfortunately there are times when rules must be broken for the greater good.
I felt that Harvey 'The white knight' was everything people like about our government but deep down he was corrupt and a villain. Where as Batman 'the dark knight' is everything we hate about the government but he is ultimately working for us and to protect us. Batman, Harvery Dent, and The Joker all juxtaposed each other quite well throughout the film