The Dark Knight Rises Should the Nolanverse Continue After Batman III?

[Ace of Knaves]

Thanks man. I think it's about damn time we had some narration from the goddamned Batman in film! It can work without being cheesy as proven multiple times. And his thought process/narration is such a massive part of the comics, why not the films? Obviously not constant voice overs, just at certain points in the story.

 

[The Joker]

I cannot imagine Batman narrating in the movies. Thought balloons and narration boxes in the comics are just not the same as hearing Batman narrate in the movies.

 

[IBRAH08]

I cannot imagine Batman narrating in the movies. Thought balloons and narration boxes in the comics are just not the same as hearing Batman narrate in the movies.

True. But it would still be really cool. Like how in the Sherlock Holmes movie he narrates his strategies . Bats could have some internal monologue, it would be hella

 

[ChickenScratch]

Thanks man. I think it's about damn time we had some narration from the goddamned Batman in film! It can work without being cheesy as proven multiple times. And his thought process/narration is such a massive part of the comics, why not the films? Obviously not constant voice overs, just at certain points in the story.

I totally agree. I want to see a neo-noir/art deco/retro-futuristic urban nightmare in the style of Sky Captain and Casshern, only on a huger scale. For me I think a digital backlot type version of Batman would look incredible, after watching all the cool scenery, environments and huge action created in Casshern I think it's the way to go for the next version.

Also, the narration would be great. Highlight the Sherlock Holmes side of Bruce.

 

[regwec]

True. But it would still be really cool. Like how in the Sherlock Holmes movie he narrates his strategies . Bats could have some internal monologue, it would be hella

I thought just the same thing when I saw the most recent "Sherlock Holmes". Holmes' pre-fight predictive ability is even more applicable to Batman. Furthermore, narration as provided by Batman himself would allow more complex crime-scene investigations and detective dramas to be pursued, without endless exposition to the audience in other scenes. It would serve just the same purpose as in the comics.

 

[The Joker]

I'll have to check out the Sherlock Holmes movie, because narration never seemed like a Batman trait. Reminds me too much of Spider-Man.

 

[regwec]

Batman always narrates in Detective Comics. Or used to.

 

[CJ]

Batman narrated during the end of The Dark Knight and it was one of the best moments of the film.

I don't think i'd like him narrating everything, ala Sin City though.

 

[The Joker]

Batman always narrates in Detective Comics. Or used to.

Most superheros usually do. I meant in the movies, when Peter Parker is always narrating to himself about his life, his love for MJ etc.

Batman narrated during the end of The Dark Knight and it was one of the best moments of the film.

Not really. He was talking to Jim Gordon, they just showed different scenarios which applied to what he was saying.

 

[Brother Jack]

I think if done correctly (i.e. not overused) Batman giving voice over narration could be awesome, especially if the film takes a noir/detective route.

 

[IBRAH08]

I thought just the same thing when I saw the most recent "Sherlock Holmes". Holmes' pre-fight predictive ability is even more applicable to Batman. Furthermore, narration as provided by Batman himself would allow more complex crime-scene investigations and detective dramas to be pursued, without endless exposition to the audience in other scenes. It would serve just the same purpose as in the comics.

Yeah when I saw it the first thing I thought was "Batman".

 

[IBRAH08]

I think if done correctly (i.e. not overused) Batman giving voice over narration could be awesome, especially if the film takes a noir/detective route.

Yeah and I think that elusive detective element could exist in the movies if narration were employed. THey would have to have Bats explain himself to death and they wouldn't have to just like have him be there doing something with the audience being like "WTF is he doing now??"

 

[returntovoid]

The answer to the thread is simple, the Nolanverse should continue if only Nolan wants to continue directing more Bat-films.

Otherwise, another director can bring his vision but no reboot/origin story.

As for The Dark Knight Returns adaptation, I got say no because Zack Snyder is interested in directing and he would make it so f***ing fake with overuse of CGI/Slow-Motion and throw in repulsivly gory violence/unnecessary sex scenes.

If they get a way better director, then they should go ahead with adapting it.

Reminds me too much of Spider-Man.

The narration's of Spider-Man are much more whiny/complaining about problems of life. The thought bubbles of Batman in the comics have been more like figuring out a way to defeat his opponents and detective work.

I mean besides, he's The World's Greatest Detective plus has psychological issues and is one of the most intelligent characters DC comics has like Professor Xavier is one of the most intelligent characters Marvel comics has.

A intellect/disturbed mind like Batman can sure as hell provide amazing narrations.

 

[IBRAH08]

The narration's of Spider-Man are much more whiny/complaining about problems of life. The thought bubbles of Batman in the comics have been more like figuring out a way to defeat his opponents and detective work.

I mean besides, he's "The World's Greatest Detective" plus has psychological issues and is one of the most intelligent characters DC comics has like Professor Xavier is one of the most intelligent characters Marvel comics has. A intellect/disturbed mind like Batman can sure as hell provide amazing narrations.

Yeah the more I think about it, the more I really like the idea of it. I'm picturing it in my head and it's a super new level of awesome

 

[Ace of Knaves]

What about All Star Batman and Robin style narration/inner monologue?

 

[The Joker]

The narration's of Spider-Man are much more whiny/complaining about problems of life.

So what? Narration is narration. Doesn't matter what they're talking about, they're still narrating to themselves. Spider-Man is also a talker. He's always yakkin'. That's why I affiliate it more with him. Batman doesn't talk as much.

Alfred or Robin are usually used for him to talk to when using his detective skills.

 

[jmc]

Not a big fan of narration myself unless it for a character who's inner thoughts are essential to the plot and therefore must be heard.

 

[Travesty]

So what? Narration is narration. Doesn't matter what they're talking about, they're still narrating to themselves. Spider-Man is also a talker. He's always yakkin'. That's why I affiliate it more with him. Batman doesn't talk as much.

I have to agree with Returntovoid. Narration isn't just narration all the time, as it can bring a new dimension to the table. It sounds cheesy when comparing it to SM, but if you think about it in more of a serious sense, like in Dexter, it works great, and sounds amazing. Hell, I would say Micheal C Hall narrates about 85-90% of his dialogue in Dexter, and it's not cheesy in the slightest. Batman does narrate to himself in the comics, and you're right, he's not much of a talker, but he is always thinking...which, is what character narration is in movies/shows.

 

[The Joker]

Not a big fan of narration myself unless it for a character who's inner thoughts are essential to the plot and therefore must be heard.

Exactly.

BTAS Batman hardly, if ever narrated.

I have to agree with Returntovoid. Narration isn't just narration all the time, as it can bring a new dimension to the table. It sounds cheesy when comparing it to SM, but if you think about it in more of a serious sense, like in Dexter, it works great, and sounds amazing. Hell, I would say Micheal C Hall narrates about 85-90% of his dialogue in Dexter, and it's not cheesy in the slightest. Batman does narrate to himself in the comics, and you're right, he's not much of a talker, but he is always thinking...which, is what character narration is in movies/shows.

I don't watch Dexter, but isn't he like a serial killer or something, who is always covering his tracks?

As mentioned above, practically EVERY hero has narration boxes and thought balloons in the comics. It doesn't come across as different because it's just words on a page, same as actual dialogue.

Very different if we heard Batman gabbin' to himself on screen. Just wouldn't sound right, IMO. Batman's not a talker. The likes of Spidey, Sherlock Holmes, and I'm assuming this Dexter guy are.

 

[Travesty]

I don't watch Dexter, but isn't he like a serial killer or something, who is always covering his tracks?

Not necessarily. I mean, sometimes, but Dexter is a vigilante serial killer, who only kills badguys. He's a guy who works for a police force, and does his own detective work, by gaining leads, spying, breaking into places...basically everything Batman does, apart from the killings. And you should check out Dexter, it's a GREAT show. If you have Netflix, you can stream the first two seasons.

Very different if we heard Batman gabbin' to himself on screen. Just wouldn't sound right, IMO. Batman's not a talker. The likes of Spidey, Sherlock Holmes, and I'm assuming this Dexter guy are.

No, Dexter isn't a "talker", which is why I used him as an example.

 

[The Joker]

Not necessarily. I mean, sometimes, but Dexter is a vigilante serial killer. He's a guy who works for a police force, and he does his own detective work, by gaining leads, spying, breaking into places...basically everything Batman does, besides the killing part. And you should check out Dexter, it's a GREAT show. If you have Netflix, you can stream the first two seasons.

So since he is a vigilante serial killer, I'm assuming he works alone? He doesn't have an Alfred, or Robin, or Jim Gordon etc type characters to talk to or confide in about his work since he's breaking the law, right?

No, Dexter isn't a "talker", which is why I used him as an example.

So he's as grim and moody as Batman is?

 

[Travesty]

So since he is a vigilante serial killer, I'm assuming he works alone? He doesn't have an Alfred, or Robin, or Jim Gordon etc type characters to talk to or confide in about his work since he's breaking the law, right?

Look, I see what you're trying to do, but I'm just giving an example. I can't tell you everything, as I think you should watch the show. Yes, he works with other people, and has, even in his vigilante/serial killer mode. No, not all the time, and very similar to Batman, how he works alone most of the time.

So he's as grim and moody as Batman is?

The entire character of Dexter is similar to Batman. He works at night, does his own detective work, he's dualistic, and has a "good side" like Bruce Wayne, and then at night he has a darker side, like Batman. During the day, he'll act all cheerful, but it's all an act. Again, if you haven't watched the show, you should check it out. If I get into it to much, I'll spoil some things, and since the show is a great recommendation, I don't want to do that.

 

[The Joker]

Look, I see what you're trying to do, but I'm just giving an example.

I'm not trying to do anything. I think you're comparing apples and oranges. Being a detective, or vigilante, or working at night, or not being a "talker" is an umbrella heading for lots of different characters.

Batman is dark, grim, moody. You don't hear him speak a lot. Can you picture Bale's Batman, or Keaton's Batman, or Conroy's Batman narrating to themselves all the time? I sure can't.

Heck, even in the recent Arkham Asylum game, they had to put Oracle into the game for Batman to talk to whenever he wanted for some major plot point came up that needed some kind of explaining or discussion, because he had not got Robin, Gordon, or Alfred around when ever needed.

 

[Travesty]

I'm not trying to do anything. I think you're comparing apples and oranges.

How would you know if it's apples and oranges, if you haven't even seen the show?

I can see the narration working in a Batman movie. I've seen it in the comics a ton of times, and I think it works in other movies/shows like Dexter, or Rorschach in Watchmen. I get it, you don't like it, and that's all good, but I just can't imagine how you're trying to tell me that my Dexter example is wrong, if you don't even know about the show/character. Cause you might be surprised by how well it works. But what do I know, I only watch the show?

 

[The Joker]

How would you know if it's apples and oranges, if you haven't even seen the show?

Based on everything you've told me. The character sounds completely different to Batman as a persona.

I can see the narration working in a Batman movie. I've seen it in the comics a ton of times

Two different mediums. It's still words on a page. Actually hearing Batman speak all of that would sound off, IMO.

and I think it works in other movies/shows like Dexter, or Rorschach in Watchmen.

Rorschach was a talker, even witty at times.

I get it, you don't like it, and that's all good

I do like narration, depending on which character is doing it. I just can't imagine Batman narrating because it just wouldn't sound right. There's a reason why every on screen medium of Batman has not done it.

but I just can't imagine how you're trying to tell me that my Dexter example is wrong, if you don't even know about the show/character. Cause you might be surprised by how well it works. But what do I know, I only watch the show?

I'm not saying your example is wrong. I'm sure it does work for the Dexter character. I'm saying as a comparison to Batman, it doesn't sound right because from what you've told me, they're two different characters.

Dexter doesn't adopt a whole new persona in a costume, right? He doesn't become a different person with a different name, right? He's not nearly as grim and dark and moody as Batman is, right?

That's one of many reasons why people are champing for Robin, because he provides a counter balance to Batman's grim darkness. He's a talker, a lighter personality, someone for Batman to connect with and bring him back from the edge etc.

Batman thinking to himself on a comic book page, and hearing him speak to himself on screen are just two different things altogether.