The Dark Knight Rises The TDKR General Discussion Thread - - - - Part 153

[Malicked]

I think Bale is severely underrated in TDK. The reason it may have seemed like he was going through the motions was because the story was far less focused on Bruce than it was in BB and Rises. Nolan himself said that Harvey Dent was the backbone of TDK. Plus Heath gave a performance that most people consider to be an all time great. Having said that, Bale was excellent also in that interrogation scene too I thought. He did a lot of his own stunts perfectly. Plus that scene towards the end with Two Face where it's one of the few times Bruce comes through the Batsuit when he says 'It wasn't', I thought that was brilliant acting.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

There are moments of brilliant nuance from Bale in TDK (A quality actor is a quality actor)... but the overall performance is lacking compared to Begins and TDKR.

Perhaps it was the script or Bale simply choose to tone things down a little bit. Almost like he knew he didn't have to anchor the movie like in Begins.

However, you could tell he was pumped and ready to go for TDKR. Only a few moments let him down, but outside of those, he gave one hell of a performance.

 

[The Shape]

I don't know. I think he was great and underrated in TDK. Well, not underrated, but un-praised.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

I don't know. I think he was great and underrated in TDK. Well, not underrated, but un-praised.

I think the trifecta of Ledger, Echart and Oldham took some of the attention away from him. But, your right, on repeated viewings, Bale begins to shine a little more.

 

[Malicked]

Bruce Wayne was the heart and soul of both Begins and Rises. Naturally he'll give his best performances in those 2 movies. But even then Bale was no slouch in TDK. He was electifying in the interrogation scene and bad-ass when he beat up Maroni's men. The penthouse scene with Alfred is heartbreaking as is the ending of the film.

People say 'well nobody was talking about Bale when they walked out of the theater' which is accurate. But why is that? Partly because this was the first time we'd seen The Joker since Jack Nicholson. But more importantly (and this is the elephhant in the corner), because Heath Ledger had died. The moment that happened, it was nothing but attention for all things surroung Ledger and The Joker. And then it turned out that Heath actually gave a fantastic performance that won him a posthumous Oscar.

In a way, it's kind of amusing yet cruel that the biggest movie in Bale's career was the one where he was completely overlooked.

 

[JackWhite]

I think Bale showed more intensity and angst while inside the suit than outside, for TDK. He was definitely more reserved as Bruce, but you could tell whenever it's just him and Alfred in the bat-bunker or him and Rachel, that there was a lot going in his head.

It works for the film, because at this point, Batman is really starting to become the true sense of self for Bruce. Especially in the third act of the film.

The way Bale looks at the computer with the Joker's face on it after Alfred tells him about the bandit; there is so much intensity there. I think he was marvelous in the film.

 

[BatLobster]

In a way, it's kind of amusing yet cruel that the biggest movie in Bale's career was the one where he was completely overlooked.

Damn, I never thought of it that way.

Oh well, at least Bale got his Oscar too.

 

[Malicked]

I think Bale showed more intensity and angst while inside the suit than outside, for TDK. He was definitely more reserved as Bruce, but you could tell whenever it's just him and Alfred in the bat-bunker or him and Rachel, that there was a lot going in his head.

It works for the film, because at this point, Batman is really starting to become the true sense of self for Bruce. Especially in the third act of the film.

The way Bale looks at the computer with the Joker's face on it after Alfred tells him about the bandit; there is so much intensity there. I think he was marvelous in the film.

Bruce had fully realized his Batman by the end of Begins so naturally there wasn't that same level of angst needed in TDK. But I'd agree with that, that Batman is more intense here than Wayne. Of course it's reversed once again in Rises when the focus is shifted back to Wayne where a good chunk of an hour is spent on bringing Bruce out of retirement.

 

[The Batman]

Because with most Batfilms, no one talks about Batman after they walk out of the theater. Most of the hype is about the villain.

 

[Malicked]

Damn, I never thought of it that way.

Oh well, at least Bale got his Oscar too.

Also look at this way, Tom Hardy was constantly being compared to Heath's Joker in so many of the reviews for TDKR. Even 4 years on, the spectre of Heath's Joker managed to slightly overshadow Rises.

It's an incredible achievement just to have to completely get into shape for 3 movies. From The Machinist to Batman Begins. From Rescue Dawn/3:10 To Yuma to The Dark Knight. From The Fighter to Rises. Some people accused Bale of being lazy and it's so far from the truth.

 

[Malicked]

Because with most Batfilms, no one talks about Batman after they walk out of the theater. Most of the hype is about the villain.

I don't know you can hype a villain you've already seen lol! But yeah, I know what you mean. Nonetheless though, The Dark Knight trilogy was primarily about Bruce Wayne's journey and his sould crusade to protect his city. Of course it's Batman and that means that the villains are as colourful as Bats himself if not moreso (unlike any other superhero). But the spectre of Heath Ledger in 2008 was out of this world and even managed to affect how some people viewed Rises.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

Damn, I never thought of it that way.

Oh well, at least Bale got his Oscar too.

Hopefully one of many... He needs his BEST ACTOR Oscar now.

 

[JackWhite]

Hopefully one of many... He needs his BEST ACTOR Oscar now.

Indeed!

Love the new Avvy.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

Indeed!

Love the new Avvy.

Thanks!

 

[Malicked]

It's funny, even amongst Baleheads Bale's work in TDK trilogy isn't that highly regarded (at least compared to The Fighter or American Psycho) which is a shame I think. Batman Begins was the first time I'd been introduced to both Nolan and Bale. There's a lot that went into Patrick Bateman, Trevor Reznik and Dicky Ecklund and those individuals 'performances' are even more impressive effort wise I suppose. But I still can't shake the fact that he played Batman, my favourite Batman. From the moment we found Baleman in the prison to the penultimate shot of Rises with Bruce acknowledging Alfred, I felt like we went on an actual journey with Bruce Wayne. Nolan's brilliant writing had a lot to do with the journey but that quiet intensity (often overlooked) and having to play 2 sides of BW and then the monster Batman was wonderful to watch. I rarely care that much for the hero in action movies but Bale did brilliantly for me to connect with his Wayne.

 

[Victarion]

Is it the fact that they are comic book movies? I enjoy his Bruce Wayne and all, but The Prestige is what I consider to be his strongest performance.

 

[shauner111]

It's funny, even amongst Baleheads Bale's work in TDK trilogy isn't that highly regarded (at least compared to The Fighter or American Psycho) which is a shame I think. Batman Begins was the first time I'd been introduced to both Nolan and Bale. There's a lot that went into Patrick Bateman, Trevor Reznik and Dicky Ecklund and those individuals 'performances' are even more impressive effort wise I suppose. But I still can't shake the fact that he played Batman, my favourite Batman. From the moment we found Baleman in the prison to the penultimate shot of Rises with Bruce acknowledging Alfred, I felt like we went on an actual journey with Bruce Wayne. Nolan's brilliant writing had a lot to do with the journey but that quiet intensity (often overlooked) and having to play 2 sides of BW and then the monster Batman was wonderful to watch. I rarely care that much for the hero in action movies but Bale did brilliantly for me to connect with his Wayne.

Good post.

The journey of Bruce Wayne in these movies was a wonderful thing to witness. It was like we were on a ride because it started at the beginning with this guy/character and it was the first time i had seen an entire movie with Christian in the lead. I saw a couple of scenes from American Psycho and a couple of movies where it wasn't very serious and he wasn't the main focus. I didn't recognize him in those two supporting roles until years after Batman Begins, probably because i was younger but still..

Bale knocked me off my ass since i had zero expectations of this "Batman" movie.

We saw him begin his journey, we saw him in his prime facing his ultimate arch-nemesis and we saw him end his journey. Every single devastating or important moment that ever happened to this guy was shown to us as if we were a fly on the wall to every horrible or inspirational thing he ever witnessed. From his fear of bats as a child, to seeing his parents murdered, to seeing the man who killed him on trial, to physically training to become the Batman after traveling the world on foot until he was imprisoned, to facing his fears as an adult, to donning the cape and cowl for the first time: striking fear into the hearts of criminals, to seeing the death of Rachel and watching his "successor" burned and corrupted, to killing that same person, to getting his back broken and imprisoned against his will, to finding his fear again as an adult in order to find the will to live, to saving Gotham and striking hope into the hearts of citizens...becoming a legend and throwing the cowl down for good...free to live the rest of his life with somebody who may love him back and understand him for who he really is. Passing the torch to his true successor.

That's a mouthful but damnit it was a journey. Think about that for a moment. We saw the same actor go through EVERY single traumatic or inspiring thing that has ever happened to him. In just three movies, so yes, it could have been more detailed, but we still saw it.

Affleck has this massive history that may be referenced or not. They may show a flashback or two as well when it comes to two pivotal moments in his growth. But what will those moments be? Finding Robin dead and seeing his parents shot in a alley? OK. There's a lot more though. Better than Bale or not, we saw everything that Nolan's Bruce went through and Bale nailed his performance each time he went through them.

I dont care if Ben knocks it out of the park. If he looks more like Bruce, if he looks cooler than Bale in a different suit. Bale was FANTASTIC.

 

[The Chris]

The love for Bale in these last few posts is putting a massive smile on my face. For me i always care more about the superhero if I care about the human part, and Christian Bale is the only actor who played Batman who made me care for Bruce, cheer for Bruce, root for Bruce. The many dimensions he layered into the role and the humanity that he brought into Batman through those eyes of his was nothing short of magnificent in my opinion. Even TDK, If Joker was the show stealer and Harvey was the backbone, then Batman/Bruce was the soul of it, and what those two characters do well in that is express the different sides and potential roads in Batman himself. Then to see him so broken physically and mentally in Rises, only for him to overcome all of it and once again be what Gotham needs. None of that works without Bale. He's awesome in the whole trilogy. The subtle but heartfilled approach he took for Bruce, the rage and the risks he took as Batman. I think that's why i love his voice, because i adore actors who go out there and take risks because they believe that is exactly what the character he or she is playing needs. I will forever love this Batman.

 

[Victarion]

Joker was a natural response to Batman: You can't go on a revolutionary crusade and not expect to deal with any fallout.

 

[Malicked]

Great replies Shauner111 and The Chris There's always been a hatred for Bale's Batman (even though he's a hugely respected Oscar winning actor otherwise) that's always kind of unsettled me. It's probably because of the infamous voice which to some people killed his Batman stone dead. Because of that, I have a love/hate relationship with it. Love it because I was 100% with it from the start. But hate it because everyone else judges Bale on that one element. And when the trilogy concluded in 2012, I was hoping he'd be able to get his dues but he didn't. A shame because he was terrific in Rises.

It's the main reason why I've joined this forum, out of frustration lol! I grew up with the Keaton/Burton films as a kid but TDK trilogy was the first time IMO that they got the balance right between Bruce Wayne and Batman. You look back at the audition tapes for BB and you almost forget how right it was to get Bale. Cillian Murphy is a brilliant actor and maybe he would've worked in a weird Frank Miller inspired film but he was too weedy and overly psychotic looking for Nolan's grounded approach. Likewise with Eion Bailley. He filled up the Batsuit perfectly but he looked pretty weak as Wayne. And according to David S Goyer, they were close to getting Jake Gyllenhaal (again, brilliant brilliant actor) but I don't know if his puppy eyed look was the right fit for Batman. Bale was the perfect fit for Wayne and Bats.

 

[Malicked]

Joker was a natural response to Batman: You can't go on a revolutionary crusade and not expect to deal with any fallout.

Yep, Batman created a huge vaccum when he decided to pummel the mob to the ground. It shows just how much of a grip the had on the power structure of Gotham that people panicked when Batman went after them to change the status quo. Unfortunately for the mob, they went to the wrong guy lol!

 

[BatLobster]

Long live the Baleman. He embodied the spirit of the character on screen and off.

 

[Ryan]

I had a lot of issues with TDKR, but the acting was not one of them. As said earlier, I thought Hardy did a great job of being able to convey emotions while the majority of his face was covered. I never cared for Bane in the comics, but he made me a convert.

 

[The Shape]

I will always be a fan of Christian Bale and I'll always cherish his work in TDK trilogy. Any time I see him in any other movie, giving an interview, or at an award show, the first thought that pops into my head is "That's Batman". The same has been true for Michael Keaton throughout my entire life, and I imagine it'll be the same for both Bale and Keaton throughout the rest of my life.

 

[redfirebird2008]

Plus that scene towards the end with Two Face where it's one of the few times Bruce comes through the Batsuit when he says 'It wasn't', I thought that was brilliant acting.

Oh that TDK ending ("it wasn't") is one of Bale's best acting moments of the entire trilogy, but for the most part I just didn't see the spark in his eyes through the rest of the movie. I know he was having a lot of stress at home during that time, so maybe it affected his performance a bit. With TDKR he seemed to be enjoying it a lot more and had that spark in the eyes again like in BB. I think with TDKR he realized it was his last chance to play Bruce/Bats and he wanted to give 110% for it.

In a way, it's kind of amusing yet cruel that the biggest movie in Bale's career was the one where he was completely overlooked.

But you know, it kind of seems appropriate too since he doesn't seem to be comfortable as a movie star. He likes acting and is good at it, but he doesn't like the celebrity part of the job.

Ledger was the same way (a shy person with a ton of acting talent), so his early death in a strange way saved him from having to deal with the surefire A list celebrity status he was about to have after The Joker performance.