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

[BatLobster]

I'm glad someone else finally sees why thee change to chicago (as well as LA and Pitttsburgh) was a good thing. I think being confined to small areas just doesn't feel as good to me when it comes to Batman stories. Not only is it nice to see cities that resemble our own, but I also think it just makes Batman feel so large as well. Take this shot for example. It just feels so real and alive in every sense.

Nolan was definitely going for what Donner did with Superman and I think it worked fantastically.

I grew up in NYC so I'm biased, but I do think it's cool that Donner shot NYC for Metropolis, Nolan took inspiration from him with the trilogy and eventually shot some NYC for his final film. It's just fun that both these cinematic versions of Batman and Superman share that.

Also, while we're at it, worth mentioning that this is the Queensboro bridge in that shot...same bridge the climax of Raimi's Spider-Man takes place at. Another series that I think heavily borrows from Donner's Superman.

 

[Gothamsknight]

I grew up in NYC so I'm biased, but I do think it's cool that Donner shot NYC for Metropolis, Nolan took inspiration from him with the trilogy and eventually shot some NYC for his final film. It's just fun that both these cinematic versions of Batman and Superman share that.

Also, while we're at it, worth mentioning that this is the Queensboro bridge in that shot...same bridge the climax of Raimi's Spider-Man takes place at. Another series that I think heavily borrows from Donner's Superman.

Nolan, Raimi, and Donner are the only directors that have made their worlds/cities a character in the movies. You can watch any one of those, and each shot is just filled with life everywhere. I feel like a lot of people often overlook that these days. There's even part of Multiverse of Madness that harkons back to what Raimi did with NYC in the Spider-Man trilogy.

 

[AntonGobbs89]

Nolan, Raimi, and Donner are the only directors that have made their worlds/cities a character in the movies. You can watch any one of those, and each shot is just filled with life everywhere. I feel like a lot of people often overlook that these days. There's even part of Multiverse of Madness that harkons back to what Raimi did with NYC in the Spider-Man trilogy.

I’d add Tim Burton to that list as well. He was the first filmmaker to create a wholly original city for a comic book movie. To me Gotham City doesn’t look like a set in the 89 film and that’s mostly due to how big it was and that they shot outside. It doesn’t feel like a claustrophobic space to me. Add on top of that the little details like the trash on the street, the constant overcast, and the steam rising from the ground. All of that adds character to the city. Even though the Narrows in Begins were shot on a sound stage, it doesn’t look like it to me while I’m watching the film.

It’s a give and take with shooting in a real city for these types of films. On the one hand you get this epic scope that you couldn’t get on a sound stage, especially with those IMAX shots. However, there are moments that could break the immersion of being in Metropolis or Gotham. I love Superman The Movie, but it’s hard for me to buy that as Metropolis when they’re blatantly showing the Statue of Liberty.

 

[OnLeatherWings]

Burton is largely why Gotham is depicted in all media as it is today.

 

[Gothamsknight]

I’d add Tim Burton to that list as well. He was the first filmmaker to create a wholly original city for a comic book movie. To me Gotham City doesn’t look like a set in the 89 film and that’s mostly due to how big it was and that they shot outside. It doesn’t feel like a claustrophobic space to me. Add on top of that the little details like the trash on the street, the constant overcast, and the steam rising from the ground. All of that adds character to the city. Even though the Narrows in Begins were shot on a sound stage, it doesn’t look like it to me while I’m watching the film.

It’s a give and take with shooting in a real city for these types of films. On the one hand you get this epic scope that you couldn’t get on a sound stage, especially with those IMAX shots. However, there are moments that could break the immersion of being in Metropolis or Gotham. I love Superman The Movie, but it’s hard for me to buy that as Metropolis when they’re blatantly showing the Statue of Liberty.

Yeah, I agree, I'd throw Burton in there as wellIt's still impressive how real it all looks today. I think it's a testament to how much work went into soundstages back in then, honestly. Today, The Volume is used for a lot of big projects and I think sometimes it looks beautiful, while others not that good at all. it still has it's limitations, and can make things feel limited or low budget in some cases. I thought it looked good in The Batman, but Gotham felt confined to me in that movie a bit as well.

 

[OnLeatherWings]

I find Gotham feeling confined to be one of the best ways to portray Gotham.

Cramped, wet, grime-y, claustrophobic. That's my favourite Gotham.

 

[HydraSith12]

Honestly Burton/Keaton Batman has aged a bit poorly and is very Cartoonish Nolan/Bale Batman tries to be more serious and realistic although it still has some fantastic elements like the Toxic of Scarecrow but had some realistic elements too like Ledger Joker never fall into Chemical Acids and use Makeup instead Ra's al Ghul is not someone immortal who has the Lazarus Pit i think Bale/Nolan Batman is even more realistic than Reeves /Pattinson Batman will be

 

[AntonGobbs89]

Honestly Burton/Keaton Batman has aged a bit poorly and is very Cartoonish Nolan/Bale Batman tries to be more serious and realistic although it still has some fantastic elements like the Toxic of Scarecrow but had some realistic elements too like Ledger Joker never fall into Chemical Acids and use Makeup instead Ra's al Ghul is not someone immortal who has the Lazarus Pit i think Bale/Nolan Batman is even more realistic than Reeves /Pattinson Batman will be

Well I guess that’s just a matter of preference. I prefer Batman and his world to be fantastical so the 89 Batman is up my alley. Also, the 89 film is the only Batman film to get my preferred tone of not being too dark and not being too campy. It’s a nice middle ground.

One thing I do disagree with Nolan fans about is that it’s realistic. I think Nolan’s approach is grounded, but that still allowed him the freedom to do fantastical elements like Batman having a flying vehicle or doing huge elaborate action sequences. To me the design of Two-Face alone is a big indication that it’s not meant to be the real world.

 

[HydraSith12]

Well I guess that’s just a matter of preference. I prefer Batman and his world to be fantastical so the 89 Batman is up my alley. Also, the 89 film is the only Batman film to get my preferred tone of not being too dark and not being too campy. It’s a nice middle ground.

Onr thing I do disagree with Nolan fans about is that it’s realistic. I think Nolan’s approach is grounded, but that still allowed him the freedom to do fantastical elements like Batman having a flying vehicle or doing huge elaborate action sequences. To me the design of Two-Face alone is a big indication that it’s not meant to be the real world.

Yes thats why i say that Nolan Batman Movies have both fantastic and realistic elements but the Movies still have a serious tone

 

[Brother Jack]

One thing I do disagree with Nolan fans about is that it’s realistic. I think Nolan’s approach is grounded, but that still allowed him the freedom to do fantastical elements like Batman having a flying vehicle or doing huge elaborate action sequences. To me the design of Two-Face alone is a big indication that it’s not meant to be the real world.

Correct. The realism thing has always been overblown and misunderstood.

 

[OnLeatherWings]

Nolan's designs of Batman and his villains look like borderline over the top cartoons compared to the realism Reeves has embraced.

It's not a knock on Reeves, as jury is still out for me.

But it's amazing how damn faithful Nolan's designs look by comparison.

 

[OnLeatherWings]

I think what I love about this series is that each film stands on its own.

What turns me off from modern comic book films is that they're so dependent on previous films and especially for emotional/plot beats to pay off in the sequel.

The MCU is an easy target on this.

But with The Batman - I keep being told that Bruce in the sequel will address questions raised in the first film like how he's been not doing much as Wayne. That he'll become more of the Bruce Wayne we all know and love and thus it'll all make sense in the end.

Yeah, cool...but this isn't a TV show. That part wasn't resolved in the film I just watched. I don't want to have to wait 2-3 years for a character thread to be cashed in on.

A film shouldn't be dependent on its sequel for its legwork.

I think the anthologization (that's not a word) of film is something I'd love to see talked about more. I don't a film series to feel episodic.

I think this is why I was such a big advocate for this new Batman to just be a show.
Batman would do so well on TV storywise.

 

[OnLeatherWings]

After revisiting the series this week for the first time since last February (and prior to that it'd maybe been 7 or more years), maybe I'm overstating the difference of Gotham in the sequels.

For instance, GCPD interior, the interrogation room, Gambol's pool hall, the alleys where Batman interrogates Maroni, the warehouse building where Harvey is kept, Crane's courtroom, the bridge scene, the sewers, etc.

They all feel like they could be sets from Begins.

 

[OnLeatherWings]

These are Italian versions of Begins/Rises.

Love this artwork!

 

[BatLobster]

I know that Begins artwork is a Mondo piece:

Batman Begins

I always liked it too. Pretty rad it ended up on an official release. Pretty sure Rises is Mondo as well.

 

[squeekness]

I know that Begins artwork is a Mondo piece:

Batman Begins

I always liked it too. Pretty rad it ended up on an official release. Pretty sure Rises is Mondo as well.

Nice.

 

[OnLeatherWings]

Batman '89 arrived, and it's glorious. (Pic in the '89 thread in the Burton/Schumacher forum).

Now, I've got my Top 5 Batman films in the best format and packaging possible. A good physical format of anything - I'm a sucker for.

I am stoked to own this set! Highly recommend all of these, friends.

I plan on getting the same format of Forever/Batman & Robin, but I'd really love Pattinson's film in this format, too. It's my #6 Batman film, so I still dig it.

Also, I know this was a verrrrry redundant purchase - but I loved this set too much to pass it up, still sealed...for $7. Found it at a comic shop.

The lenticular cover is amazing, and I usually hate lenticulars. Wish it was a set they did for Blu-Ray/4K, not just for DVD because the existing sets for 4K/Blu-Ray for the Trilogy is pretty underwhelming. This set is way cooler.

 

[BatLobster]

Ugh those 4ks look so delicious. I'll get them eventually, no way around it.

I just splurged on the McFarlane TDKT toys and this book (which just arrived today).

Spoiler

Was easier for me to justify new stuff vs. re-purchasing movies I own, but I'll get there. Haven't checked out the book yet but I'll let you guys know what I think once I've had a chance.

 

[OnLeatherWings]

Ugh those 4ks look so delicious. I'll get them eventually, no way around it.

Was easier for me to justify new stuff vs. re-purchasing movies I own.

They're stunning and you'll love them, for sure.

I think it was easier for me to splurge on them because I have owned zero copies of the Burton films in any format, and I didn't have the 4K copies of the Dark Knight Trilogy.

At one point I kinda stopped getting physical media when it came to film, but I'm starting to catch up because I realize it's way better to own than rely on streaming companies.

I just splurged on the McFarlane TDKT toys and this book (which just arrived today).

The McFarlane figures look awesome. They release so many figures, it's insane. I was tempted by the Year 2 graveyard Batman figure, recently.

I think if I didn't already own the stunning Beast Kingdom Dark Knight Trilogy Batman, I'd have sprung for the new McFarlane. It's a nice looking figure.

The villains look great, and it makes me wish we had more Scarecrow in that outfit.

That book is amazing - I got to leaf through it at Barnes and Noble and it's killer. I'd love to get a copy someday. I think they just updated it.

 

[BatLobster]

They're stunning and you'll love them, for sure.

I think it was easier for me to splurge on them because I have owned zero copies of the Burton films in any format, and I didn't have the 4K copies of the Dark Knight Trilogy.

At one point I kinda stopped getting physical media when it came to film, but I'm starting to catch up because I realize it's way better to own than rely on streaming companies.



The McFarlane figures look awesome. They release so many figures, it's insane. I was tempted by the Year 2 graveyard Batman figure, recently.

I think if I didn't already own the stunning Beast Kingdom Dark Knight Trilogy Batman, I'd have sprung for the new McFarlane. It's a nice looking figure.

The villains look great, and it makes me wish we had more Scarecrow in that outfit.

That book is amazing - I got to leaf through it at Barnes and Noble and it's killer. I'd love to get a copy someday. I think they just updated it.

Makes sense. I got pretty big into 4k collecting a few years ago, and obviously the trilogy and Burton's films were among the first movies I picked up. Big proponent of physical media here.

BTW, enjoy the films in 4k too! They all look amazing in the format.

 

[Filmfreak]

Ugh those 4ks look so delicious. I'll get them eventually, no way around it.

The thing with these collector editions is that they unfortunately don't stay forever. I remember I really wanted a similar release for the first Hellboy movie and now I can't find it anywhere outside overpriced Ebay listings. The Dark Knight is already starting to become unavailable in most places and thus more expensive on the places you can actually find it. Maybe they'll make more copies, but there is a big possibility you won't be able to find them later on. I'm exactly like you, I already have the movies and didn't want to spend money on a re-purchase now, but I fast tracked the buy for fear of them being gone soon.

 

[titansupes]

I know that Begins artwork is a Mondo piece:

Batman Begins

I always liked it too. Pretty rad it ended up on an official release. Pretty sure Rises is Mondo as well.

It is a Mondo work, by comic book artist Jock.

 

[OnLeatherWings]

1.) I do not remember this trailer like...at all. Does anyone else?
2.) Is the shot at 1:37 of Batman fighting Bane's follower in the film?

 

[OnLeatherWings]

It is a Mondo work, by comic book artist Jock.

Thanks for sharing this! It's a great piece of art to represent the entire trilogy.

 

[Filmfreak]

1.) I do not remember this trailer like...at all. Does anyone else?

It's the Nokia trailer. The movie had great trailers but this was probably my favourite back then. I've seen it a million times.

2.) Is the shot at 1:37 of Batman fighting Bane's follower in the film?

Yes.