The Dark Knight Rises The Christopher Nolan Thread

[ZOMBIE]

No, it isn't. At all.

I would strongly argue that Keaton's Bruce Wayne and Batman are much more accurate to the characterization of Bruce Wayne in the comics, as well as better acted by Keaton; who took the psychotic nature of Bruce Wayne from Frank Miller's work and actually added a humanity and depth that even most comic writers have failed to recapture.

Bale can do psychotic, but fair points you make.

 

[Brother Jack]

In what what do you think it was influenced by SW?

Not that I disagree, I'm just curious as to what ways.

I can see some shades of Joseph Campbell's philosophy of the monomyth in Batman, which greatly influenced the Star Wars movies. There's also the sheer size and spectacle of it.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

LOS = Death Star, driving the stories for parts 1 and 3 in both franchises.

 

[CConn]

Bale can do psychotic, but fair points you make.

Oh, I'm not saying Bale can't do it.

It's just the actual writing wasn't tailored to that kind of characterization for Bruce Wayne, and Bale acted the role accordingly. It was a different interpretation of the character, and Bale did well with it. Particularly in TDKR.

 

[CConn]

I can see some shades of Joseph Campbell's philosophy of the monomyth in Batman, which greatly influenced the Star Wars movies. There's also the sheer size and spectacle of it.

I think Nolan may have actually borrowed the spectacle aspect from Michael Bay.

Apparently, he's a bit of a fan.

 

[Hunter Rider]

In what what do you think it was influenced by SW?

Not that I disagree, I'm just curious as to what ways.

It wasn't so much themes as certain moments and sequences.

Spoiler

The way Bane entered locations was framed like Vader.

I'd also say the way even those that worked for/with him were casually but brutally disposed of when they failed him was like Vader

The fight between Batman and Bane where the door slammed shut behind Batman, and the subsequent fight where he's outmatched and Bane turns the darkness on him was like Luke vs Vader on Bespin.

Bane holding Batman up by his throat was like Vader choking out Antilles.

The ghost of Ra's appearing to Bruce as he's in pain, like a force ghost Kenobi appearing to Luke as he lies injured on Hoth.

Bane slumped, defeated with a broken breathing mask with Talia and Batman knelt down over him was like Vader at the end of ROTJ, and the whole ticking time bomb ending with Batman flying his ship around Gotham was Nolan's deathstar run...Or I could be seeing what only I see lol

 

[CConn]

No, you're definitely onto something.

 

[pixiesvision]

I remember liking the Burton Bat films when I was younger, but now they're just silly. Batman 89' with the Prince musical sequence, some of the acting is cringe worthy and over the top, the action sequences, and Keaton does not look good in the Bat suit at all-his facial expressions made me laugh too many times. I don't even want to get started with Batman Returns.

Sure Nolan's films have their silly moments, but it doesn't make me sit there and cringe for long periods of time while trying to take a movie seriously.

 

[CConn]

Not even when they cut to an old guy saying "THAT MAIN'S GONNA BLOW!" about 12 times for no reason during an otherwise okay action sequence?

 

[Kane52630]

Not even when they cut to an old guy saying "THAT MAIN'S GONNA BLOW!" about 12 times for no reason during an otherwise okay action sequence?

I loved that part, you know why? because people still quote that and it's hilarious.

 

[pixiesvision]

Not even when they cut to an old guy saying "THAT MAIN'S GONNA BLOW!" about 12 times for no reason during an otherwise okay action sequence?

Actually, no. I might be one of the few. But when I'm too busy still cringing at a scene that happens before another (in Batman 89) I know it's not my cup of tea.

Keaton's derp face in the mask don't help either.

 

[Greens]

Right after Batman's WHERE IS THE TRIGGER freak-out, Bane drops to the floor and he makes a sound. I can't really explain it but that sound was 100% Vader.

 

[Greens]

I remember liking the Burton Bat films when I was younger, but now they're just silly. Batman 89' with the Prince musical sequence,

WHAT? Are you saying you don't like the museum and parade scenes?

 

[pixiesvision]

WHAT? Are you saying you don't like the museum and parade scenes?

I know right...

 

[Greens]

I'm not the biggest Keaton-Batman fan but every scene with Jack is gold.

 

[pixiesvision]

I'm not the biggest Keaton-Batman fan but every scene with Jack is gold.

Well Jack was the highlight of the movie in every way. I just don't get the Keaton as Bruce/Bats love sometimes. Don't get me wrong, Keaton's a great actor, but Bale is better in this role, IMO.

 

[Greens]

I feel the opposite, over the years I feel Keaton's performance (specifically B89) is subtle, and very well layered for a character they purposely wanted to potray as awkward, eccentric, distant, mysterious and ultimately 2 Dimensional. You can tell Keaton brought his A game a) to match Jack Nicholson and b) to prove all the naysayers wrong about him being miscast.

I do appreciate his performance. I guess Burton's villains were so outlandish that Keaton got lost in the mix for me, at least in Batman 89.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I still love the whole 'Partyman!' sequence.

 

[CapedCrusader14]

I'll take Bale over Keaton any day of the week without a second's hesitation.

 

[CConn]

I do appreciate his performance. I guess Burton's villains were so outlandish that Keaton got lost in the mix for me, at least in Batman 89.

That's the thing, to really appreciate the best aspects of B89, you kind of have to just kinda ignore Jack and all of his grandiosity and really look at the extremely subtle and nuanced subplots and character arcs that run throughout the movie. Bruce's emotionally progression due to finding the murderer of his parents, Alfred's quiet but stressed pleas to Bruce to lead a normal life, the critique on the commercialism and greed of the 1980s...there's A LOT of depth to B89 that most people miss purely because they see Jack and nothing but Jack.

 

[CapedCrusader14]

Out of all those things, I'd say I only saw Alfred trying to get Bruce to lead a normal life (I re-watched the majority of the film the other night).

 

[VM1138]

His Batman is like a parody compared to Bale.

I watched most of Batman '89 last night and Keaton was spot on in his portrayal of Batman. Yeah, the suit looks uncomfortable, but nobody is going to look 100% cool (facially) when wearing the cowl. They will always either look too small or too chubby. But his performance was amazing.

He's is to Batman what Sean Connery is to Bond. He defined it, and though I feel Bale is the better all around Wayne/Batman, it's not really a slight against Keaton. Sort of like those who think Craig has become the best Bond, but still love Connery's portrayal. I'd say those two are the only ones who have ever done the character real justice.

 

[craigdbfan]

Keaton was pretty awesome. I enjoyed both his Batman and Wayne portrayal immensely.

 

[Brain Damage]

It wasn't so much themes as certain moments and sequences.

Spoiler

The way Bane entered locations was framed like Vader.

I'd also say the way even those that worked for/with him were casually but brutally disposed of when they failed him was like Vader

The fight between Batman and Bane where the door slammed shut behind Batman, and the subsequent fight where he's outmatched and Bane turns the darkness on him was like Luke vs Vader on Bespin.

Bane holding Batman up by his throat was like Vader choking out Antilles.

The ghost of Ra's appearing to Bruce as he's in pain, like a force ghost Kenobi appearing to Luke as he lies injured on Hoth.

Bane slumped, defeated with a broken breathing mask with Talia and Batman knelt down over him was like Vader at the end of ROTJ, and the whole ticking time bomb ending with Batman flying his ship around Gotham was Nolan's deathstar run...Or I could be seeing what only I see lol

Don't forget how Selina has her Han Solo moment during the final battle.

 

[Dr.]

Not even when they cut to an old guy saying "THAT MAIN'S GONNA BLOW!" about 12 times for no reason during an otherwise okay action sequence?

Actually, it was 2 (not 12). Arguably, the 2nd utterance wasn’t required. So Nolan is guilty of one count of unnecessary exposition (not 11).