"The Dark Knight Rises" Review and Discussion Thread (spoilers) - Page 68

Greg Cox · December 13 2012, 09:35 PM

Magus on a Star Trek wrote:

I guess that’s authoritative. How do you answer the three bullet points?

Batman plays his cards close to his chest.

Captrek · December 13 2012, 09:38 PM

What’s going on in that final shot where it looks like he’s piloting the Bat?

Gaith · December 13 2012, 10:14 PM

Magus on a Star Trek wrote:

He allows everyone to believe that he’s dead, including Alfred, which is devastating. Why not let Alfred know he’s still alive? Hiding the truth while Alfred mourns him seems cruel.

It's sort of like when you want to propose to your girlfriend on your anniversary as a couple. You make plans to hang out, but then act as though there's nothing special about the day, and even play a bit distant. Then, when she's about to burst into tears, pop the ring. Or, for even greater effect, pop the ring right after she bursts into tears. Her charming moment of relief will make it all worthwhile!

... Yes, Nolan's Bruce Wayne totally sucks as a human being. Hell, he spends years holed up in his house and doesn't even get a dog. It's no coincidence that TDK, by far the best of the trilogy, has by far the least focus on him.

Magus on a Star Trek wrote:

Just before leaving, he tells Selina that the Bat has no autopilot. If he reunites with her, what’s the point of lying to her?

It isn't the lie she needs that defines her... it's what she does that serves as an incorruptible symbol of fear. Bat-fear.

... There's no point to the lie, other than for Nolan to fake us out, and make us think he actually will do something original.

Magus on a Star Trek wrote:

Just before detonation, there’s a shot of Bruce and he appears to be piloting the Bat. If he isn’t, what is he doing?

This shot either comes from his imagination, or it occurred, and he did make that resigned face/sigh, but this shot is presented out of chronology, as part of Nolan's fake-out.

There are legitimate reasons for filmmakers to "lie" to or otherwise mess with the audience (Atonement presents several wonderful examples, as does Adaptation), but they should be in service of a theme. The kindest reason for Nolan to do this that I can think of offhand is he's representing Batman's final moment of sacrifice as subsequently imagined by the citizens of Gotham.

But the more honest answer is that he's just screwing with us for the sake of cheap emotional manipulation. TDKR is really pretty crap, IMO.

Captaindemotion · December 13 2012, 10:24 PM

Sci wrote:

Flying Spaghetti Monster wrote:

In Batman Begins, if I remember correctly, Bruce's parents were buried in a graveyard with a lot of other graves.

In The Dark Knight Rises, their graves appear to be in a different location.

And dead bodies cannot be moved after being buried.

It's somewhat unusual to move them over 20 years after their deaths, you have to admit.

Harvey · December 13 2012, 10:33 PM

That assumes they weren't moved earlier. We didn't see the graves after they were buried in the first film, did we?

Marc · December 13 2012, 10:54 PM

Gaith wrote:

l.

Magus on a Star Trek wrote:

Just before detonation, there’s a shot of Bruce and he appears to be piloting the Bat. If he isn’t, what is he doing?

This shot either comes from his imagination, or it occurred, and he did make that resigned face/sigh, but this shot is presented out of chronology, as part of Nolan's fake-out.

Didn't seem to be that there an last shots of Batman flying in the Bat after he takes off.

My thinking was when we see The Bat blow the top off a building before heading out the sea was the point at which Batman baled out (no pun intended) using the blast for cover.

Immolatus · December 14 2012, 07:12 AM

what was the point of the bat-signal at the end? if Bruce was done with being batman then why have it?

Set Harth · December 14 2012, 09:03 AM

It could be for Blake.

What I want to know is, what is Gordon supposed to think when he discovers the signal? As part of an apparent triptych of scenes featuring discoveries on the part of Batman's confidants ( Fox: autopilot, Alfred: cafe, Gordon: batsignal ), is it intended to hint at Wayne's survival?

The Mirrorball Man · December 14 2012, 09:08 AM

Immolatus wrote:

what was the point of the bat-signal at the end? if Bruce was done with being batman then why have it?

If I were a criminal living in Gotham City, the Bat-signal would be more than enough to frighten me.

Set Harth · December 14 2012, 09:10 AM

Marc wrote:

My thinking was when we see The Bat blow the top off a building before heading out the sea was the point at which Batman baled out (no pun intended) using the blast for cover.

Don't we see him in the cockpit after that?

Flying Spaghetti Monster · December 14 2012, 10:58 AM

yes, at 0:06 seconds

Immolatus · December 14 2012, 11:30 AM

Set Harth wrote:

It could be for Blake.

if it was, that was dumb. Blake wasn't ready to be batman, he is a young cop with heart, but that's not enough. what if the league of shadows comes back?

Immolatus · December 14 2012, 11:32 AM

The Mirrorball Man wrote:

Immolatus wrote:

what was the point of the bat-signal at the end? if Bruce was done with being batman then why have it?

If I were a criminal living in Gotham City, the Bat-signal would be more than enough to frighten me.

but over time they would (criminals that is) realize there is no batman.

The Mirrorball Man · December 14 2012, 11:42 AM

Immolatus wrote:

but over time they would (criminals that is) realize there is no batman.

I don't know, criminals are a superstitious cowardly lot.

Trekker4747 · December 14 2012, 12:15 PM

Immolatus wrote:

what was the point of the bat-signal at the end? if Bruce was done with being batman then why have it?

....?! You did watch ALL of the movie, right? All the way to the end credits?

View Poll Results: How do you rate "The Dark Knight Rises"?
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Good	61	24.21%
Fair	26	10.32%
Poor	12	4.76%
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December 13 2012, 09:38 PM	#1007
Captrek Rear Admiral Location: Second star to the right and 'round back to last night	Re: "The Dark Knight Rises" Review and Discussion Thread (spoilers) What’s going on in that final shot where it looks like he’s piloting the Bat? __________________ Khan, I'm laughing at the superior dental occlusion.

December 13 2012, 10:33 PM	#1010
Harvey Admiral	Re: "The Dark Knight Rises" Review and Discussion Thread (spoilers) That assumes they weren't moved earlier. We didn't see the graves after they were buried in the first film, did we? __________________ "What do you hear, Starbuck?" "Nothing but the rain, sir." "Then grab your gun and bring in the cat."

December 14 2012, 07:12 AM	#1012
Immolatus Captain	Re: "The Dark Knight Rises" Review and Discussion Thread (spoilers) what was the point of the bat-signal at the end? if Bruce was done with being batman then why have it? __________________ Beware the beast man for he is the Devils pawn. Alone among Gods primates, he kills for sport or lust or greed. Let him not breed in great numbers for he will make a desert of his home & yours. Shun him, for he is the harbinger of death.

December 14 2012, 09:03 AM	#1013
Set Harth Commodore Location: Ekkaia	Re: "The Dark Knight Rises" Review and Discussion Thread (spoilers) It could be for Blake. What I want to know is, what is Gordon supposed to think when he discovers the signal? As part of an apparent triptych of scenes featuring discoveries on the part of Batman's confidants ( Fox: autopilot, Alfred: cafe, Gordon: batsignal ), is it intended to hint at Wayne's survival? __________________ Are you casting aspersions on my asparagus?

STAR TREK

CSI

ABOUT US

December 14 2012, 10:58 AM	#1016
Flying Spaghetti Monster Vice Admiral Location: Flying Spaghetti Western	Re: "The Dark Knight Rises" Review and Discussion Thread (spoilers) yes, at 0:06 seconds __________________ Life of Pi is the most pleasant film I've ever not cared at all for.