1269 replies to this topic

[Harmsway]

Lol.... all joking to the side. With the socal, political, and economic mindfield we are living in these days. I see a great storm coming with this one. Many debates.

Maybe so. In the same way that THE DARK KNIGHT was informed by the War on Terror, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES seems to be informed by contemporary cultural shifts.

To return to the topic of the prologue, the kindest thing I can say about it is that it's a decent homage to Bond teaser sequences. (Nolan just can't get away from his love of Bond, can he?) But it lacks the energy and intrigue of the Joker heist from THE DARK KNIGHT, in part because the Joker heist had a better hook, and because the Joker is a more immediately compelling character than Bane is.

[coco1997]

But it lacks the energy and intrigue of the Joker heist from THE DARK KNIGHT, in part because the Joker heist had a better hook, and because the Joker is a more immediately compelling character than Bane is.

We don't know for sure what Nolan has done with Bane in this film, though. There's nothing to say that Nolan's Bane can't be just as if not more of a compelling character than the Joker.

[Harmsway]

There's nothing to say that Nolan's Bane can't be just as if not more of a compelling character than the Joker.

Sure. But nothing in that prologue would suggest that he's going to be anywhere near as striking a presence, even excluding the fact that the Joker is a pretty hammy character and therefore a bit more attention-getting than Bane. That prologue just doesn't give Bane much to do.

As far as the characters of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES go, I'm much more interested in

Spoiler

Catwoman and Talia.

[coco1997]

As far as the characters of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES go, I'm much more interested in

Spoiler

Catwoman and Talia.

The trailer makes it seem like Selina Kyle is going to have a very interesting role in this film. And that one shot of Marion Cotillard got me extremely excited, mostly because she's so strikingly beautiful. I really hope the film balances Wayne's relationship with both women equally.

[Captain Tightpants]

We don't know for sure what Nolan has done with Bane in this film, though. There's nothing to say that Nolan's Bane can't be just as if not more of a compelling character than the Joker.

Well, based on some of Nolan's comments, I think we can expect the Joker and Bane to be at opposite ends of the spectrum. The Joker never really sought out Batman - he preferred to operate through others, or torture the characters with insane moral quandries. They encountered one another, but the Joker never consciously went for Batman. And when they did come together, the Joker made sure he had something up his sleeve for Batman to deal with and allow him to slip away. It appears that Bane, on the other hand, will actively target Batman. He won't be afraid of physical confrontation. In fact, his entire plan will likely hinge on meeting Batman at some point, so it will be something he has to do. His endgame appears to be the destruction of Gotham (why he feels this way will be interesting, since Gotham has made progress since Batman's first appearance), and with this in mind, he probably knows that he needs to destroy Batman. I find the choice of dialogue lifted from BEGINS to be very telling on this count - Ra's tells Bruce that if he can be something more than a man, he cannot be destroyed. I think Bane's plans will call for him demonstrating to Gotham that Batman is only human. By breaking Bruce Wayne's spirit, he will break Gotham's, thus making it easier to obliterate the city from existence.

[Matt_13]

Just saw the actual trailer. Much more impressive, though still a little silly. Hathaway looks great.

[Captain Tightpants]

I saw the prologue. I now understand why the critics liken it to a Bond film - it pretty much is a Bond film. It's basically the pre-title sequence from LICENCE TO KILL, but with more steroids and less exposition.

[DamnCoffee]

Wasn't blown away by the trailer. Far from it actually. If i'm being honest, It looks awful.

[tdalton]

Wasn't blown away by the trailer. Far from it actually. If i'm being honest, It looks awful.

I had the exact opposite reaction to the trailer. I thought it was phenomenal.

I don't think it's much of a secret that I wasn't particularly enamored with TDK, and I'm not a fan of most of Nolan's work, but the trailer has me really pumped to see this film. I would say that, behind Harvey Dent/Two-Face, Bane is probably my second favorite Batman villain (or at least the concept of him is, anyway, as we've yet to see him properly adapted to the big screen), and that plays a large part in my excitement for the film.

I particularly liked the political angle they seem to be bringing to the story, with the shades of Occupy Wall Street sentiment and class warfare as detailed in Hathaway's brief monologue. I also like the idea of it being set some distance in the future, with an apparently aging Bruce Wayne and Alfred, the whole notion of a peace-time Gotham about to be sent back into the depths of hell by Bane and his legion of followers.

I also thought that the film itself actually looks quite good. I liked the visual of Batman and Bane fighting it out on the steps of whatever government building that is supposed to be, especially with the snow adding a nice visual flair to it. The shot of Wayne walking into the gala event with rose petals (that's what it looked like to me, although perhaps it's some kind of confetti) falling from the ceiling was great as well.

For once, I'm actually looking forward to a Nolan-directed film, which is amazing in and of itself, and perhaps I'll end up disappointed by it, but for right now, it looks like they're doing everything that I would want from a Batman film.

Edited by tdalton, 22 December 2011 - 07:21 PM.

[Matt_13]

I thought the trailer was outstanding as well (the two shots you mentioned, TDalton, stood out to me too). Really pumped for this, it looks really cool.

[Roebuck]

Am I the only one that isn't that excited? Nothing has given me a good reason to be really elated for this film yet. Unfortunately, that seven minute section didn't help.

Wasn't terribly impressed myself, but then again the quality is bad. We shall see, I trust Nolan.

I got the impression Nolan was deliberately not making much of this as an action scene. Instead he wants to focus on Hardy, playing it low key almost like this is the kind of stunt Bane pulls every day. He really doesn’t need to break a sweat over it.

[Shaun Forever]

Is anyone else a bit gutted this is the last one?

I mean, in the long run it's probably a good thing, we might have a perfect trilogy, and more
sequels might ruin things. However I just feel I'd like to see what Nolan could have done with other
villains, like The Riddler and Penguin.

Do you reckon it's completely against the odds he will do a fourth?

[Captain Tightpants]

Do you reckon it's completely against the odds he will do a fourth?

Yes. Nolan has repeatedly said that RISES will be his last film, and that the ending will be written in such a way that it ends the story.

[thecasinoroyale]

So how are we all taking the news that actress Joey King has let slip she is playing a young Talia al'Ghul...

Taken from Metro.co.uk

The 13-year-old star told My Entertainment World that she would be playing Ra's al Ghul's daughter.
She said: 'I play young Talia al Ghul. I can’t give too much away because I promised Mr. Nolan I wouldn’t say anything. There are too many secrets about the character and the movie.'

King also revealed that she has filmed scenes for the third Batman adventure in London and India.

Ra's al Ghul was Bruce Wayne's former mentor turned nemesis, who was played by Liam Neeson in Batman Begins.

Rumours have been swirling ever since she was cast that French actress Marion Cotillard would be starring as an older version of Talia al Ghul.

Her character was later confirmed as Miranda Tate, a board member of Wayne Enterprises, but many Batman fans believe this could be a cover for Talia al Ghul.

[SecretAgentFan]

Do you reckon it's completely against the odds he will do a fourth?

Yes. Nolan has repeatedly said that RISES will be his last film, and that the ending will be written in such a way that it ends the story.

I´m wondering who will take over the franchise. WB will definitely not allow to let it rest.

[Monkeyfoahead]

Do you reckon it's completely against the odds he will do a fourth?

Yes. Nolan has repeatedly said that RISES will be his last film, and that the ending will be written in such a way that it ends the story.

I´m wondering who will take over the franchise. WB will definitely not allow to let it rest.

If they don't produce more films with a "reimagined" plot/story, they'll most likely sell off the rights - assuming that it's the best fiscal choice they can make.

[SecretAgentFan]

By "they" you don´t mean WB, right? Because they will NEVER sell the rights to BATMAN. They will want to get another high profile director after Nolan and go on with it.

[007jamesbond]

TDKR 2 hours and 40 minutes
http://wegotthiscove...ose-hours-long/

[SecretAgentFan]

Epic.

Though... maybe overlong.

I must say that lots of films in the last ten years tended to be longer than they should, trying to overpower also through their massive running time ("look, guys, more film for your bucks!")

A good director knows when to stop. And a good editor knows how to keep things tight. And a good producer knows how to listen to these two.

But Nolan´s films did not feel too long to me yet - so... 2 hours and 40 minutes could be exactly what this story needs.

[thecasinoroyale]

If this is the final film of the 'trilogy', there is a lot of story and arcs to close while making the movie brilliant as it's own peice, so I think that time is perfect, TDK never felt over-long so I have faith!

And I reckon that 'The Avengers' will have a say how BatMan is carried forward. If 'The Avengers' do well (duh!) then WB may look to making a 'Justice League' movie with their heroes, including maybe Henry Cavill's Superman and a new BatMan, maybe?

I think that's their next goal, to launch BatMan for the 'Justice League' era.

[S K Y F A L L]

I've also heard the next step for Batman is the Justice League, with Nolan and his wife staying on as producers.
Ra's al Ghul has a daughter? That couldn't possibly be a young Cat-Woman could it?
I'm not all that familiar with the Batman story line I've only seen the films.

[thecasinoroyale]

I don't think Talia al Ghul would be a young Catwoman...I think it's always been an older woman, Selina Kyle. I know during Catwomans time she took on a partner, but she was just a street urchin sort of girl.

There's so much out there in the comic/cartoon world for BatMan, but I too only go from the films and what I learn from the video game universe and such.


Who knows really. But there is so much potential out there to expand for 'Justice League'.

[Monkeyfoahead]

By "they" you don´t mean WB, right? Because they will NEVER sell the rights to BATMAN. They will want to get another high profile director after Nolan and go on with it.

If they're in a bad enough way financially, they will. MGM almost lost the bond rights because of their bankruptcy a couple years back... (distribution, not production)

Edited by Monkeyfoahead, 24 April 2012 - 04:03 PM.

[SecretAgentFan]

I don't think Talia al Ghul would be a young Catwoman...

Wasn´t Marion Cotilliard the rumored daughter...

[Matt_13]

2:40? Not much longer than TDK, right? Fine by me, I'm always down for 2.5 hours of Nolan's work.

[thecasinoroyale]

I don't think Talia al Ghul would be a young Catwoman...

Wasn´t Marion Cotilliard the rumored daughter...

That's right...though not sure if she's going to try bring down Wayne Enterprises from the inside in revenge for her father, or if she actually helps Batman at some point against Bane and/or Catwoman.

[hcmv007]

For those not familiar with Batman Comic lore: Talia Head (pronounced 'heed') is the daughter of Ras Al Ghul-it is unclear if she will be in DKR this summer, we'll have to wait to find out. In the comics, Selina Kyle has been Catwoman & did breifly have a companion named Holly, who Selina took care of. The writers have given her a few others over the years. Talia has gone by her father's last name, but not lately.

As for a Justice League movie-the Avengers will give us an idea of what will/won't work IMO.

[coco1997]

2:40? Not much longer than TDK, right? Fine by me, I'm always down for 2.5 hours of Nolan's work.

I think it's about twenty minutes longer than TDK, which I would consider somewhat substantial.

[Monkeyfoahead]

2:40? Not much longer than TDK, right? Fine by me, I'm always down for 2.5 hours of Nolan's work.

I think it's about twenty minutes longer than TDK, which I would consider somewhat substantial.

Sweet Jesus, that's a long time.

[SecretAgentFan]

Would you care to elaborate what this new trailer shows?