The Dark Knight The new and improved Mr. Reese thread

[KonkeyDong]

So I take it the Mr Reese/Mysteries thing is just a giant coincidence?

Maybe I just have too much fun looking into this sorta thing. Isnt that really what its all about? Even the scene when he gets the new suit and Lucious says "...maybe a cat." I thought that was a nice foreshadowing for Catwoman.

Call me crazy, but just because Josh Harto isnt Ed Norton or some other fanboy choice, doesnt automatically rule it out for me. I always prefer relativly unknowns.

 

[bkey]

Yea I have no clue why that Engel character had so much secrecy around it. Engel was pretty much a background character that really held no importance in the film (apart for the aforementioned Reese part by the above poster). I really dont get why they got AMH for a role for that had only about 5 minutes of screen time...

Because AMH is a washed up actor, and doesn't deserve more than 5 minutes of screentime.

 

[samsnee]

I thought this plot point could have been better written or dropped. I know it tied into Joker blowing up the hospital, but after Wayne saves him we're just to assume that Reese no longer wants to spill the beans? Or that no one else will try to kidnap him?

 

[nimrodson]

LuLucius talking down Reese is BY FAR one of my favorite scenes, along with the finisher at the crash scene. It's actually kind of chilling. I love how they made Batman this terrifyingly competent guy who "has no limits". Spying, rendition, throwing people from buildings.....bring on the Goddamn Batman in movie three.

One thing I noted and wanted to share to hype people who haven't seen it is the QUALITY and distinctiveness off all the extras and bit roles across the board. They're all real people. None of them are cheesy. The guys on the ferry, the fat bearded guy in particular. Deebo(!) playing it surprisingly cool. The cop Berg, he was perfect. The Chechen! the way acted at the drug deal and and how he quickly realized Joker was deserving of his respect.

but above all, Detective Ramirez! What a pleasant surprise she was. I liked all the little pauses on her and I really hope she's back for movie three.

Ramirez was great. The scene with Harvey, she seemed like she didn't want to be a part of it, but was. Seemed genuine somehow. Dunno. I think it's really important that the supporting cast plays a big role too, even with the bearded fellow and civilian with the detonator on the other boat. They were much better than the Wayne Towers water main guys...

 

[bgates87]

They've got to do something with his character in the next movie. He figured out that Bruce Wayne is Batman and he's still alive, and I don't buy that just because Bruce saved his life he's going to decide not to tell anyone. I could see how they could turn him in to the Riddler, but I don't think it's going to happen. Still, there is this idea I had that I know a lot of people wouldn't like, but it would be interesting to see an entirely new take on the Riddler, having Mike Engle and Reese working together under one alias (The Riddler) to get Batman to expose his true identity. Anyways that's just an idea, like I said I don't expect to see the Riddler in the next movie, if there even is a next movie from Nolan (which I hope there will be).

 

[namtaB]

They've got to do something with his character in the next movie with him, he figured out that Bruce Wayne is Batman and he's still alive, and I don't buy that just because Bruce saved his life he's going to decide not to tell anyone. I could see how they could turn him in to the Riddler, but I don't think it's going to happen. I know a lot of people wouldn't like this but it would be interesting to see an entirely new take on the Riddler, having Mike Engle and Reese working together under one alias (The Riddler) to get Batman to expose his true identity.

Agreed. The Reese issue is left very open ended in the film and looks like a seed for something bigger in the Third.

 

[SuperBatman]

God I thought Reese was so annoying. Everytime he shown up on screen he got on my nerves. I wanted somebody to actually kill him when the Joker gave them 60 minutes to do so. But then we may of not gotten Nurse Joker pissed off that the Hospital wasn't blowing up. LOL

 

[LarBrd33]

I already posted this stuff on the Sequels forum, but I guess I'll just stick it here since this thread is all about Mr. Reese.

My thoughts:

Well after watching the second one... I think it's very possible that Reese turns out to be the Riddler. The guy has a motive (money), intelligence (was clever enough to solve the "Who is Batman" riddle by delving deeply into the money pit and finding pictures of the tumbler. Clearly a "riddle" solved), morally sketchy (tried to blackmail Wayne out of several million dollars), embarrassment (his attempt to blackmail was dismissed by Fox... plus his career is probably tarnished a bit from going on television and trying to expose Batman.... society hates him (people were ready to kill him and probably place some of the blame of the hospital bombing on him... even if not his fault).

He's the only person who claims to know Batman's identity and the movie ended with the public hunting Batman. How does he NOT play a part in the 3rd? Seriously... and I don't think NOlan would create a character with that much significance and power for the heck of it. I'm not sure how the 3rd one will play out, but if it involves the Riddler, I'm pretty much expecting that to be Reese. And honestly it would make sense for the Riddler to be an unknown character threatening Gotham for the greater part of the movie. If the film is done as a detective thriller then the ultimate reveal of Mr. Reese as the "mysterious" Riddler might not even happen until the climax.
Anyways... I don't know crap about the actor so decided to check out youtube to see if I could find any more of his work. Check this out:

WARNING: This is a trailer for what I presume is a really crappy indie film. Kinda racy. Lots of vulgar language. But it's a different look at the actor who plays "Mr Reese", Joshua Harto (look for the crazy redhead who talks about a well endowed horse. That's your new Riddler, folks. (shows up around the :50 mark... also check out 1:25, 2:00 and 2:50):

**DO NOT LINK TO VIDEOS WITH THAT KIND OF LANGUAGE**

So clips in there have him seeming a wee bit "off"... firing a gun like a maniac, ranting about insane crap, looking rather demented. Not to say that's how Nolan will have him portray The Riddler, but it's interesting nontheless.

 

[samsnee]

I'll accept that he MIGHT be in third, but no one he will be the Riddler. He lost any kind of menacing quality needed to pose a threat to Batman in just one scene with Fox. So the audience will have a hard time believing he can threaten the Batman.

 

[LarBrd33]

God I thought Reese was so annoying. Everytime he shown up on screen he got on my nerves. I wanted somebody to actually kill him when the Joker gave them 60 minutes to do so. But then we may of not gotten Nurse Joker pissed off that the Hospital wasn't blowing up. LOL

Then they did the job well... this punk will be annoying with all his little "riddle me this" bull.

 

[bgates87]

Well you (LarBrd33) build a pretty good case for him being The Riddler but I just have this feeling that it's not going to happen, sorry. I really hope I'm wrong because I'd love to see what Nolan would do with the character.

 

[LarBrd33]

I'll accept that he MIGHT be in third, but no one he will be the Riddler. He lost any kind of menacing quality needed to pose a threat to Batman in just one scene with Fox. So the audience will have a hard time believing he can threaten the Batman.

But couldn't that be the point? The guy doesn't have any menacing quality. He's been made a joke. Lucious Fox laughed at him. Joker tried to have the public kill him. The guy is a nobody now. Talk about a bad day... nobody is taking him seriously. An annoying little twit, right? Isn't that enough inspiration for a character to SNAP?

He solved the Batman riddle. He was laughed at regardless. He tried to expose him to the public... he was threatened with death. We'll see what this little punk has in store for Gotham in the next one. I got a feeling they'll regret not taking him seriously. And so will the fanboys.

 

[Drizzle]

Reese won't become The Riddler. He was just a minor character and a plot device. Nothing more.

 

[LarBrd33]

Well you (LarBrd33) build a pretty good case for him being The Riddler but I just have this feeling that it's not going to happen, sorry. I really I'm wrong because I'd love to see what Nolan would do with the character.

Well one thing I've gathered from a lot of fans is that they feel the "Detective" aspect of Batman hasn't really been fully explored in any of the films yet. Finishing off the trilogy focusing on this aspect of Batman makes a little sense. Some unknown character is holding the city hostage in some way... leaving clues... a trap? Some unknown character is tormenting Batman with endless riddles and puzzles. Perhaps we don't even get to see who this character is until midway through the movie. And at that point, an unsuspecting Mr. Reese is just as likely as anyone. And the motive makes sense.

Sure the way I describe it sounds like an episode of Scooby Doo, but I think I have a little faith in Nolan's ability to turn Batman 3 into a murder mystery. And that realistic interpretation of the Riddler makes sense. I wouldn't expect him to be menacing powerful character. I'd expect him to be a physically weak, intellectual character whose using his mind to cause problems.

I don't get the whole "he was just a plot device" thing. Why introduce a character who tries to blackmail Wayne, tries to expose Wayne... and knows the biggest secret in Gotham... only to have him disappear. Sounds like denial... Don't fear an actor just because he's an unknown.

 

[samsnee]

I just don't see it happening. Not that they need a big star for a villain role, but they wouldn't go with a complete unknown. And yes, even though he was in TDK, this actor would still be an unknown to most people.

 

[SuperBatman]

I just don't see it happening. Not that they need a big star for a villain role, but they wouldn't go with a complete unknown. And yes, even though he was in TDK, this actor would still be an unknown to most people.

Well they went with a unknown with the Scarecrow. I mean Cillian Murphy wasn't really that known when Batman Begins came out.

 

[LarBrd33]

I just don't see it happening. Not that they need a big star for a villain role, but they wouldn't go with a complete unknown. And yes, even though he was in TDK, this actor would still be an unknown to most people.

Depends on how large of a role he has and what other villains they are introducing to supplement the whole thing.

And it depends on how the approach the role. If it's supposed to be a mystery I don't think casting a star actor makes a ton of sense. In reality when these kind of characters show up in society... they don't show up on a jumbotron wearing a big green outfit while flashing a toothy smile at the world. Think of serial murderers who sent notes to the local papers made of cut out magazine text... the unseen "Riddler" is probably scarier than one who makes his presence known. An unknown actor might make the most sense if this is the direction they decide to go.

If he's not "mysterious" about his identity maybe they just track the guy down and lock him up. The consensus is that people don't want a carboncopy ripoff of the Joker. So the guy prancing around showing his face everywhere might not be the best way to go about it.

It seems to me that they introduced a major problem in the 3rd one. The city is currently hunting down Batman as a vigilante. One man has already claimed to know Batman's identity. Someone has some leverage. That guy already asked for several million dollars. I can't see them tossing Reese aside, regardless. They've made his agenda pretty darn clear. It's just a matter of how far he'll be pushed and how the events of TDK will effect his psyche.

 

[Nivek]

I heard alot of complaints about this character arc, but I thought it wrapped up several questions that the general public and fans have pointed out (the Tumbler Blueprint in Wayne files).

 

[ross2287]

God I thought Reese was so annoying. Everytime he shown up on screen he got on my nerves. I wanted somebody to actually kill him when the Joker gave them 60 minutes to do so.

I agree with every word you said. Coleman Reese was an annoying fetus-shaped man-child whose testes hadn't dropped yet. Hell, I'd have shot him just to get his crap-eating face off the screen. Never before has a character brought such feelings of hatred. And I hope his dowdy ass is never brought back up again in further Batfilms.

 

[LarBrd33]

I honestly don't know a ton about the Riddler from the comics... but isn't he one of the villains who discovers Batman's identity? Quick check on Wiki: "When the Riddler threatens to expose Batman's secret identity, however, the Caped Crusader mockingly labels it an empty threat, pointing out that if Riddler revealed the answer to the riddle "who is Batman?", it would become worthless, something Riddler wouldn't be able to stand." ... during the Hush storyline, apparently.

So there you go. Reese knows Batman's identity. He'll be the riddler.

Ross... that's a pretty passionate response to a bit character. Speaks volumes of how annoying he is. Watching that little punk torment Batman with endless word puzzles is going to make his eventual comeuppance all the more satisfying... no? This series hasn't had a villain yet who the viewer could truly despise. Sad, but true. All the enemies have been so damn adorable. It's time they had some sniveling punk who makes you grind your teeth. I'll give you a solid example... think of Percy in "The Green Mile"

Have you ever wanted a punk character to die more than that guy?

That's going to be Reese/Riddler in Batman 3. Book it!!

 

[ross2287]

I honestly don't know a ton about the Riddler from the comics... but isn't he one of the villains who discovers Batman's identity? Quick check on Wiki: "When the Riddler threatens to expose Batman's secret identity, however, the Caped Crusader mockingly labels it an empty threat, pointing out that if Riddler revealed the answer to the riddle "who is Batman?", it would become worthless, something Riddler wouldn't be able to stand." ... during the Hush storyline, apparently.

So there you go. Reese knows Batman's identity. He'll be the riddler.

Yeah...something like a riddle that everyone knows the answer to is worthless.

 

[NoBozos]

Why do they always have to have 1 person who discovers Batman's identiity in every movie?

They had the wreck and then that was it? He didn't go back on the show the next night and tell the world what he knew?

that was one of the only things about the movie that bothered me

 

[Heretic]

Wait, so people hated the character of reese. Arent you supposed to hate villians????

Im actually currently siding in the middle...meaning that I think there will be a mystery about who the Riddler is and that reese will be a red herring for the audience.

 

[LarBrd33]

Why do they always have to have 1 person who discovers Batman's identiity in every movie?

They had the wreck and then that was it? He didn't go back on the show the next night and tell the world what he knew?

that was one of the only things about the movie that bothered me

Because Joker put a hit on his head from the entire city. And now I imagine the city partially blames Reese for he bombing of the hospital. I mean the Joker said "kill reese or i blow up the hospital". That's gotta piss a city off, right? I imagine Reese went into hiding at this point fearing for his life.

He'll have plenty of time to lose his wits, get pushed over the edge by his "one bad day" and come back with a scheme to get what he wants... as "The Riddler"...

 

[AgentGraves!]

ah...after the powerhouse of a masterpiece I would be very very angry and may have to preform the Pencil trick if the next film involves the riddler and have this guy play him.

To me the Riddler is a boar. sorry, he works well in the books but there is nothing exciting about the man..ooo, a guy who gives up then his incriminating riddle is solved.

Sorry but to have that as an ending to this trilogy, is a weak and water logged idea.

This film was epic beyond the definition - to follow it up with "Oh remember that guy, who was named after a candy company? Well he's still pist about being thwarted in his attempt to black mail Bruce Wayne out of Ten Million Dollars a year for life has become the Riddler, and plans to...um...to um...er...oh hold the city for ransom or else he'll tell everyone that Bruce Wayne is batman. only to have bruce wayne once again thwart the guy at the end by showing the city that he's not the batman by means of some super cleaver way..."

PFFFFTTTT

Look, This Reese guy...I think he has come to understand what bruce is all about when bruce could have killed the guy (in theroy) instead he saved the guy. from being killed. a hit that the joker set up. I think that the guy has gotten wise to what Bruce is about.

Nuff said...