The Dark Knight Rises The TDKR General Discussion Thread - - - - - - - Part 156

[BatLobster]

I still don't get how anybody could have gone into TDKR thinking it would eclipse TDK. I mean, usually with films like TDK, you don't go any higher than that. I was expecting a great final installment, and that's what I got. and honestly, it's still by far the best 3rd film in a superhero trilogy (sorry civil war). That in and of itself is a big accomplishment. Return of the Jedi didn't top Empire, Godfather part 3 didn't top part 2, terminator 3....well, that shouldn't even be mentioned tbh.

I think there was a combo of things coming together that created TDKR's backlash. You had the following TDK element. You also had the following The Avengers element, which had just come out and kind of planted its flag for what would become the dominant style of superhero film moving forward. You also had Nolan coming off two massive successes with TDK and Inception, and when that happens sometimes people are kind of waiting for a moment to pounce. Admittedly there was also probably a backlash against some of Nolan's more extreme fans too somewhere in there.

That said, it still got great reviews, made the AFI top 10 list of the year, ultimately was made the most money globally out of the trilogy too, and it does have many many fans who love it to this day. So, not too bad for a "disappointment".

 

[Drizzle]

I mean...I knew people who were casual fans and went into Rises only having seen TDK. They never even saw Begins, despite me urging them to countless times haha. That's how much huger a pop culture presence TDK had over Begins. Yet Rises goes all-in on picking up threads from that story. Some people may feel that it's weak and derivative, but personally, I absolutely love that and the way it bookends the trilogy. It gives a new resonance to a lot of moments in Begins and allows the three films to finally start to gel into a bigger overarching narrative.

To me, The Dark Knight can be easily followed without having first seen Batman Begins. Of course it helps since it establishes the world but so many elements from Begins are dropped in TDK that aren't picked up again until TDKR (Ra's Al Ghul and the League of Shadows) or not at all (the Narrows, Arkham). Begins also feels different from TDK and TDKR and a big part of that has to do with Gotham itself. The city felt like it had more of its own identity in Begins compared to TDK where you were very aware that it was shot in Chicago or in TDKR where they didn't even try to avoid famous landmarks in NYC and Pittsburgh.

 

[Kane52630]

 

[Rick190293]

I agree with ya all about TDK being an experience. Maybe that's why it's so important for some of us, that we make a blind eye for its problems. And there are problems. No film is perfect (but this one is almost lol ).
For me, it was the pinnacle of the 'Batmania'. Having not experienced 89's (born in 93), and just rediscovering my taste for the bat after Begins, the excitement for this was on the roof. And it payed off every minute. The cast, the action scenes, the music, the Bat gadgets, Two-Face (even briefly)... and of course, Ledger, who blows you away every second with just a lip lick. And that ending, Batman's sacrifice...
Loved TDKR too, I see it as a very different movie, a much more epic, Dark Knight Returnsque-tale, that perfectly concludes an almost flawless saga.

 

[Gothamsknight]

I agree with ya all about TDK being an experience. Maybe that's why it's so important for some of us, that we make a blind eye for its problems. And there are problems. No film is perfect (but this one is almost lol ).
For me, it was the pinnacle of the 'Batmania'. Having not experienced 89's (born in 93), and just rediscovering my taste for the bat after Begins, the excitement for this was on the roof. And it payed off every minute. The cast, the action scenes, the music, the Bat gadgets, Two-Face (even briefly)... and of course, Ledger, who blows you away every second with just a lip lick. And that ending, Batman's sacrifice...
Loved TDKR too, I see it as a very different movie, a much more epic, Dark Knight Returnsque-tale, that perfectly concludes an almost flawless saga.

Exactly! I was born in '93 as well, so Batman Begins was my rediscovery of Batman after I had seen TAS and saw the Burton movies and Schumacher movies on VHS. I still remember how we Batman Begins felt, and I remember loving it so much. I was so hyped for what Nolan would do for a sequel but I had no idea how incredible and groundbreaking that sequel was gonna end up being.

Also, @Kane52630 bringing all the great gifs to fit the mood like always

 

[Filmfreak]

What is interesting to me is that most entries in a trilogy that are considered the weakest (more usually than not, the third one) are nowhere near the level of the other two. It's impressive how consistent this trilogy is. TDK is certainly my favourite but I can easily see how someone can lean towards any of the other two, because they are all high quality films and the trilogy as a whole is a unique experience.

 

[Rick190293]

Exactly! I was born in '93 as well, so Batman Begins was my rediscovery of Batman after I had seen TAS and saw the Burton movies and Schumacher movies on VHS. I still remember how we Batman Begins felt, and I remember loving it so much. I was so hyped for what Nolan would do for a sequel but I had no idea how incredible and groundbreaking that sequel was gonna end up being.

Also, @Kane52630 bringing all the great gifs to fit the mood like always

The same here, bro. I loved Schumacher's movies as a kid (shame on me), but my interest in Batman faded away as I was growing up. Begins and 2004's The Batman not only reawakened it, but made me appreciate what I missed like 89 (only seen Returns), the amazing Animated Universe and, of course, the comics as well.
TDK came out and... the rest is history.

 

[Rick190293]

What is interesting to me is that most entries in a trilogy that are considered the weakest (more usually than not, the third one) are nowhere near the level of the other two. It's impressive how consistent this trilogy is. TDK is certainly my favourite but I can easily see how someone can lean towards any of the other two, because they are all high quality films and the trilogy as a whole is a unique experience.

Yes! All 3 are great films in their own, that in the end, complement each other.

 

[Herofan]

TDKR is more relevant today than it was in 2012, and it certainly has more layers than people give it credit for.

I don't see much relevance or depth to saying that populists can be dishonest, manipulative, destructive.

 

[BatLobster]

I don't see much relevance or depth to saying that populists can be dishonest, manipulative, destructive.

I think it was illustrating how populists can co-opt a social movement with some genuine grievances and then twist and corrupt it. Cue 2016 and everything that's followed. It's a timeless theme that echoes throughout history but it was delivered in a very timely way. And the imagery in the film definitely hits a bit different now that we've witnessed some real escalated social unrest on American soil.

Also, happy 9th birthday to Rises.

 

[Gothamsknight]

Hard to believe Its been 9 years.

 

[Rick190293]

Premiere was july 27 here (Brazil). But this day, 9 years ago, I was buying my tickets and counting every minute for it

 

[Gothamsknight]

2012 was a crazy year for me, particularly that spring and summer, so whenever I think of TDKR's release, I think of an intense year. some of that year was not so good, but TDKR was a major highlight for me that summer! And it actually hit me harder than The Avengers, which I still loved.

 

[Rick190293]

There's lot of iconic moments in the trilogy, for sure, but this is the peak for me... 9 years later and still my favorite comic book movie moment ever. (endgame's "assemble" coming close).

 

[The Joker]

9 years. I remember the biggest reaction from people here after seeing that movie was the ending. Bruce faking his death, the whole Robin thing etc. There was some fierce debates over that.

 

[Gothamsknight]

My audience gasped and applauded when they heard the name Robin. Was such a cool experience!

Also the first teaser featuring banes theme had me so amped. I was like "another incredible score from Zimmer already"

 

[BatLobster]

There's lot of iconic moments in the trilogy, for sure, but this is the peak for me... 9 years later and still my favorite comic book movie moment ever. (endgame's "assemble" coming close).

When the Dark Knight finally rises:

Chills every time.

I think sometimes this is the thing that's missing in a lot of today's superhero movies that are really wrapped up in their own funky complex continuities and world-building (which is a lot of fun, don't get me wrong). Simplicity. It's just a guy climbing out of a hole. And it's one of the most memorable and striking moments you'll ever see in a superhero film. Visual storytelling, score, sound design just coming together to create this insane crescendo of emotion. That's filmmaking baybay.

Damn I love that movie.

 

[Gothamsknight]

When the Dark Knight finally rises:

Chills every time.

I think sometimes this is the thing that's missing in a lot of today's superhero movies that are really wrapped up in their own funky complex continuities and world-building (which is a lot of fun, don't get me wrong). Simplicity. It's just a guy climbing out of a hole. And it's one of the most memorable and striking moments you'll ever see in a superhero film. Visual storytelling, score, sound design just coming together to create this insane crescendo of emotion. That's filmmaking baybay.

Damn I love that movie.

Yes, and it's perfect symbolism that brings the main characters journey full circle. It's poetic and beautiful, and while the complex continuities and all that can be fun, this is pure storytelling with a beautiful arc. You can never beat that, imo.

 

[Rick190293]

Things come literally full circle in this moment. Yes, is the perfect symbolism of the 'rise' theme from the entire movie. Althrough there are few Batman moments in TDKR (more would be nice), there are moments like this that really defines what the character is.

 

[Rick190293]

My audience gasped and applauded when they heard the name Robin. Was such a cool experience!

Also the first teaser featuring banes theme had me so amped. I was like "another incredible score from Zimmer already"

Bane's theme is severely underrated IMO. Catwoman's too, you can't hear both and not remember each character. Zimmer nailed it.

 

[Brother Jack]

Yes, and it's perfect symbolism that brings the main characters journey full circle. It's poetic and beautiful, and while the complex continuities and all that can be fun, this is pure storytelling with a beautiful arc. You can never beat that, imo.

Moreso even than the murder of his parents, Nolan placed the emphasis on Bruce falling into the cave as the defining moment of his life. He both literally and metaphorically fell into a hole as a kid and, because his parents died, never came out again. And so of course to complete the knot on his arc and bring him towards redemption and transcendence, he had to climb up out of another hole. This time without the help of his father or anything else; not Alfred or his money or even Batman. Just a renewed will to live, and to live beyond the myths of Batman and Bruce Wayne, Eccentric Billionaire that he created and had ultimately fallen victim to.

 

[Dede]

Happy anniversary to this masterpiece as well one of the greatest trilogys ever. Now all I hope is the Batman is amazing and we get a second great trilogy of films

 

[Awest66]

Happy Birthday, TDKR. You were in an unenviable position of having to be a sequel to a genre defining classic without one of the things that made it so but you did an admirable job of it all things considered.

Really irritates me when people say it "tarnished" the trilogy.

 

[shauner111]

Happy anniversary!

 

[BatLobster]

Lmao. Somewhere in the multiverse...that happened.