The Dark Knight Rises |OT| The Legend Ends (Warning: Unmarked Spoilers Within)
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SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
LOL 400 page script. I'm pretty sure the film was never going to be 6.5 hours long.
No, I know. The film really shouldn't have been any longer than it was..I just feel like instead of properly trimming down 400 pages worth of ideas (Nolan confirmed that's how long the script was originally), they just tried to condense it all. That's where my problems with the film's structure, pacing, and plot contrivances all come from.
I'd love to read the longer version of the script, even though I'm sure it feels more like a novel than a screenplay.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
They should have just cut out JGL and Catwoman. Keep the same runtime and devote those extra minutes to the characters who obviously needed it. Shit could have been much more focused and epic.
Agreed. Totally.
I really liked both of those characters..but they do contribute to the fact that this film has way too much going on. Nolan had some hard decisions to make in terms of material, and it seems like he opted to try and include every idea he had regardless of how well it fit together in less than three hours.
Wha? Both actors were two of the best things about the movie. Especially Catwoman. Anne Hathaway almost stole the entire movie. She was fantastic.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
They were both very fun, but ultimately hurt the movie.
I don't think I could enjoy the movie without her, flaws and all. So much of the appeal was seeing Batman actually partner up with another costumed person. Seeing them just walk alongside each other in costume planning their next move? The realization of seeing Batman really become the comic book Batman in the Nolan-verse.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
I feel the exact opposite. But won't go into details in this thread.
Arjen
Member
Caught it last night, theater was packed and i had pretty crappy seats, but i really enjoyed it.
I've always been a huge Bane fan, his origin story was pretty much one of my favourite comic book stories. And i think Nolan did the character justice although i would have done it differently. I need a rewatch to make my rankings final but as of now.
BB>TDKR>TDK
TDK is last for me, because i really hate the sonar parts of that movie
I've always been a huge Bane fan, his origin story was pretty much one of my favourite comic book stories. And i think Nolan did the character justice although i would have done it differently. I need a rewatch to make my rankings final but as of now.
BB>TDKR>TDK
TDK is last for me, because i really hate the sonar parts of that movie
I felt the opposite. The scenes with Batman and Catwoman fighting together felt too comic-booky, like something straight out of the 60's Batman television shows rather than Nolan's universe.
The best scenes with Catwoman were all the ones when she was NOT in costume.
Also, I know Christian Bale toned down his gravelly Batman voice compared to the other two, but it still annoyed the fuck out of me. Bale = best Bruce Wayne, worst Batman. I think in the past I kind of rationalized it in my head that Batman was changing the inflection in his voice to add to his disguise. But,
when he still uses it after both Catwoman and JGL's character figure out his identity, I just wanted one of them to say, "I know you're Bruce Wayne, you can stop with that retarded voice."
ShipTheCheese
Member
Bit too tired to give full on impressions, but I will say that I absolutely loved it.
Agree with most GAF'ers that the middle is a bit slow and bloated, but the last 45 minutes/hour more than makes up for that.
Loved JGL, really liked Catwoman. Maybe not totally necessary to the plot itself, but loved their inclusions nonetheless.
Won't give a ranking yet. Need to see this in the comfort of my own home, with subtitles, to assess that. Still didn't fully understand Bane sometimes, but leaps and bounds better than he was in the original prologue. Despite that, the way his voice was mixed was absolutely awful, didn't feel like it was part of any scene, more like a voiceover.
Anyway, on to the spoiler thread!
Agree with most GAF'ers that the middle is a bit slow and bloated, but the last 45 minutes/hour more than makes up for that.
Loved JGL, really liked Catwoman. Maybe not totally necessary to the plot itself, but loved their inclusions nonetheless.
Won't give a ranking yet. Need to see this in the comfort of my own home, with subtitles, to assess that. Still didn't fully understand Bane sometimes, but leaps and bounds better than he was in the original prologue. Despite that, the way his voice was mixed was absolutely awful, didn't feel like it was part of any scene, more like a voiceover.
Anyway, on to the spoiler thread!
I'm with you. Seeing them together gave the movie an extra layer for me that wasn't in the other movies. I like that TDKR is a different movie for it but still keeps all the traits that made Nolan's Batman incredible. The script is still smart and hopelessly dark.
I think Blake hurt it more than Selina. Catwoman felt more integral to the film overall just because of the dynamic between her and Batman imo.
Yeah I'm going to fight it, but the officer was an asshole. I had a giant detached fender in my backseat, with a person stuck squeezing behind it uncomfortably. Obviously I was just in a crash! You gonna make the day worse, officer, I'm almost home!
Here's the picture of my fender detached:
And the back view:
If you see the pink sweater in this pic, that's what we used to tie down the trunk because it can't shut anymore lol
I was gripping the wheel so hard that when we came to a thudding stop, I used my fingers to forcefully stop my foreward momentum and crushed two of them. I'm also sore this morning after I woke up. Definitely gonna stop by the hospital after the pickup truck comes back to bring my car to the garage.
That's how I went in. My expectations were grounded and I had a blast. Hope it's the same for you.
Ape Gone Insane
Member
I would actually love a film autobiography of sorts from Nolan, giving us insight into the creative process for all of his films and what plot threads were considered and thrown out.
Just got back, theatre was 1/4 full id say but people clapped at the end still. Not sure if anyone wants any more opinions of it but if you do i can write something up, from someone who loved BB, admired but loved less TDK and went into this with lowish expectations given some of the buzz.
smokeymicpot
Beat EviLore at pool.
I am on the third line.
smokeymicpot
Beat EviLore at pool.
The line is huge for this in Imax. Such a long wait too.
ViewtifulJC
Banned
Don't say that! Prestige is my favorite Nolan film and that makes me want to go see this more...
What an incredible film. I wasn't bored for one second. Tom Hardy's performance was pretty fucking sublime, given that he was the one character whose face you can't see. The ferocity, the presence, the ominous feel you get when he appears on screen. His eyes can bloody act. I literally felt tense when he would start fighting. Plus his lines will be quoted forever. Oh and he has the funniest line in the entire film during the football scene.
Seriously, Bane = Joker for me. Two very different characters but both are incredible in their own ways. Cannot pick a favourite though right now Bane would inch higher on the basis that I've seen him the most recent and am still picking my jaw off the floor.
Loved the other characters too. Anne Hathaway surprised me the most.
Now to wait for the inevitable trilogy boxset. Best movie trilogy I've seen.
Seriously, Bane = Joker for me. Two very different characters but both are incredible in their own ways. Cannot pick a favourite though right now Bane would inch higher on the basis that I've seen him the most recent and am still picking my jaw off the floor.
Loved the other characters too. Anne Hathaway surprised me the most.
Now to wait for the inevitable trilogy boxset. Best movie trilogy I've seen.
You should have seen Ridley Scott's Prometheus!
Better yet, you probably shouldn't
I saw it opening day and I loved it, despite it's weaknesses. TDKR started out pretty good, but it fell flat about a third of the way in and never recovered. I actually had trouble finishing it, and I consider Nolan as one of my favorite directors (The Prestige is outstanding!)
TheKaeptain
Banned
So I rewatched it. All the people I was with loved it.
I don't think the backlash will be as big because even the people who love it know it has flaws but don't care because what it does well is really awesome. I think this movie has more crowd pleasing scenes and moments than TDK, even though I think TDK was probably better put together.
Superimposer
This is getting weirder all the time
Just got back from second viewing. Fuck yeah. Several moments still gave me chills
legacyzero
Banned
Probably going tonight.
Who's going, La Crosse-GAF?
Who's going, La Crosse-GAF?
EdibleExplosives
Member
I agree with people saying the movie was over ambitious. It felt like the idea of the movie was better than the execution. I also wasn't in the greatest mood when I saw it though, and I really want to see it again before I make up my mind.
smokeymicpot
Beat EviLore at pool.
Getting no previews for the Imax showing.
clutch.as.it.gets.
Member
Robobandit
Member
For me, it would be this -
TDK>BB>TDKR
I enjoyed TDKR quite a bit, but due to the content of the film and the ending, I didn't leave the theater with the same feeling as I did with TDK.
Catwoman was one of the best parts of the movie, imo.
TDK>BB>TDKR
I enjoyed TDKR quite a bit, but due to the content of the film and the ending, I didn't leave the theater with the same feeling as I did with TDK.
Catwoman was one of the best parts of the movie, imo.
smokeymicpot
Beat EviLore at pool.
Yeah buddy. Shit is packed.
RustyNails
Member
Finally saw the movie yesterday night. Slept on it and gathered my thoughts this morning. Still can't believe the movie is finally out after 4 years of grueling wait. This is gonna be my spoiler-free review. I will post the spoilerific review in the other thread shortly.
One of the things I didn't understand from reading critic reviews is how some of them complained about TDKR being too complicated and bloated. I merely ask these folks WTF? Did you guys watch TDK? If anything, I found TDK to be more complicated than TDKR. TDK always had 10 different things going on at any one time. TDKR has an easier plot to follow through. Trust me on that. TDK also kept me wondering about the details which I didn't quite follow. That sort of distracted from the main plot. In that regard, TDKR has a more identifiable beginning, middle and end. Let's also get this out of the way first: TDKR is a more "complete" batman film. This is a totally satisfying conclusion to the Batman trilogy, an unimaginable feat to pull off after BB and TDK.
Now the meat of the movie: Bane. I never gave much thought to people who complained about Batman's growl voice and made fun of it. Always felt they weren't serious. But I was a little concerned when Bane's voice was first revealed in the trailers. It just felt jarring to have a rampaging physical Gorilla having a slightly high pitched, disarming voice. But...it works! Tom Hardy pulls it off. Bane is every bit as menacing as you thought he could be, with arguably some of the best lines in the trilogy. Bane is fearless in every sense of the word, and his fighting style accompanies his persona; a wild bastard child of Mike Tyson's heavy, power tonne fury but with reflexes and agility of Muhammad Ali. But there is only so much Hardy could do with the villain. (read my spoiler review for more info). Whenever Joker was on in TDK, there was electricity buzzing everywhere. Ledger's Joker will quite likely be unmatched forever, but that is not a put down on Hardy's Bane. Not at all. It's just a testament to Ledger's genius with the Joker. Overall, Bane is a fantastic addition to the Nolan Batman's rogues gallery, and he fits in perfectly.
My other concern was Anne Hathaway's Catwoman. Her costume looked too "comic booky" and we feared her role would devolve into that of a generic sexy vamp with unclear motives. How wrong could I be. Catwoman was arguably one of the best things in the movie. You wanted more of her! Anne's Selina is sexy and does kinda have unclear motives, but it's executed in such a way that you forget all the cliches. She is smart, funny and does not for a second look out of place. In fact, she looks awesome with the batpod, more than Batman perhaps. I see some folks complaining stuff like bubu goggles bubu leather outfit. It doesn't matter. All I can say is that I liked her more than I thought I would.
Batman. The biggest thing you will notice for TDKR's Batman is that he is no longer enigmatic when he's in the suit. You see Bruce Wayne in the suit, not a mysterious superhero Batman. In my opinion, that is a pretty heavy weight to lift in Nolan's trilogy. But he pulls it off. And spectacularly. When Batman first shows up, the music starts thundering, your heart will start pounding and your inner fanboi is screaming FUCK YEAH all over the place. You will get goosebumps and you are immediately reminded of why you were waiting 4 years to watch this. And more importantly, why you love Batman. Batman is every bit awesome as you are expecting him to be. Christian Bale is sooo good as Wayne/Batman, I only wish good luck to whoever that is going to reprise Batman/Wayne role in the future. One of the things missing in TDK was Bruce Wayne's tortured side. Wayne in TDK was enjoying life way too much as a billionaire playboy buying off russian dancers and pimping in his yachts. You will see a more serious side of Wayne here, much more closer to Batman Begins.
In conclusion, I really loved the movie. I liked everything I saw and was pleasantly surprised by others. I didn't even talk about other characters such as Robert Blake, Alfred and Fox. They all add greatly to this film. The music is amazing as well. The chants, tribal drums and the overall soundtrack gels nicely with the themes of the movie. I feel sorry for people who didn't enjoy the soundtrack as much as I did. But then, I remember folks hating on Batman Begins soundtrack, with one reviewer proudly proclaiming that Begins does not have a "superhero theme" like Raimi's Spider-Man. I hope he is crying right now.
Now, everyone should cry too, like we all did at the end of LOTR: Return of the King.
Nolan Batman Universe is complete.
One of the things I didn't understand from reading critic reviews is how some of them complained about TDKR being too complicated and bloated. I merely ask these folks WTF? Did you guys watch TDK? If anything, I found TDK to be more complicated than TDKR. TDK always had 10 different things going on at any one time. TDKR has an easier plot to follow through. Trust me on that. TDK also kept me wondering about the details which I didn't quite follow. That sort of distracted from the main plot. In that regard, TDKR has a more identifiable beginning, middle and end. Let's also get this out of the way first: TDKR is a more "complete" batman film. This is a totally satisfying conclusion to the Batman trilogy, an unimaginable feat to pull off after BB and TDK.
Now the meat of the movie: Bane. I never gave much thought to people who complained about Batman's growl voice and made fun of it. Always felt they weren't serious. But I was a little concerned when Bane's voice was first revealed in the trailers. It just felt jarring to have a rampaging physical Gorilla having a slightly high pitched, disarming voice. But...it works! Tom Hardy pulls it off. Bane is every bit as menacing as you thought he could be, with arguably some of the best lines in the trilogy. Bane is fearless in every sense of the word, and his fighting style accompanies his persona; a wild bastard child of Mike Tyson's heavy, power tonne fury but with reflexes and agility of Muhammad Ali. But there is only so much Hardy could do with the villain. (read my spoiler review for more info). Whenever Joker was on in TDK, there was electricity buzzing everywhere. Ledger's Joker will quite likely be unmatched forever, but that is not a put down on Hardy's Bane. Not at all. It's just a testament to Ledger's genius with the Joker. Overall, Bane is a fantastic addition to the Nolan Batman's rogues gallery, and he fits in perfectly.
My other concern was Anne Hathaway's Catwoman. Her costume looked too "comic booky" and we feared her role would devolve into that of a generic sexy vamp with unclear motives. How wrong could I be. Catwoman was arguably one of the best things in the movie. You wanted more of her! Anne's Selina is sexy and does kinda have unclear motives, but it's executed in such a way that you forget all the cliches. She is smart, funny and does not for a second look out of place. In fact, she looks awesome with the batpod, more than Batman perhaps. I see some folks complaining stuff like bubu goggles bubu leather outfit. It doesn't matter. All I can say is that I liked her more than I thought I would.
Batman. The biggest thing you will notice for TDKR's Batman is that he is no longer enigmatic when he's in the suit. You see Bruce Wayne in the suit, not a mysterious superhero Batman. In my opinion, that is a pretty heavy weight to lift in Nolan's trilogy. But he pulls it off. And spectacularly. When Batman first shows up, the music starts thundering, your heart will start pounding and your inner fanboi is screaming FUCK YEAH all over the place. You will get goosebumps and you are immediately reminded of why you were waiting 4 years to watch this. And more importantly, why you love Batman. Batman is every bit awesome as you are expecting him to be. Christian Bale is sooo good as Wayne/Batman, I only wish good luck to whoever that is going to reprise Batman/Wayne role in the future. One of the things missing in TDK was Bruce Wayne's tortured side. Wayne in TDK was enjoying life way too much as a billionaire playboy buying off russian dancers and pimping in his yachts. You will see a more serious side of Wayne here, much more closer to Batman Begins.
In conclusion, I really loved the movie. I liked everything I saw and was pleasantly surprised by others. I didn't even talk about other characters such as Robert Blake, Alfred and Fox. They all add greatly to this film. The music is amazing as well. The chants, tribal drums and the overall soundtrack gels nicely with the themes of the movie. I feel sorry for people who didn't enjoy the soundtrack as much as I did. But then, I remember folks hating on Batman Begins soundtrack, with one reviewer proudly proclaiming that Begins does not have a "superhero theme" like Raimi's Spider-Man. I hope he is crying right now.
Now, everyone should cry too, like we all did at the end of LOTR: Return of the King.
Nolan Batman Universe is complete.
It's a mess, but an absolutely glorious mess with its heart in the right place.
Seems like the main reason behind the mixed response is that it's very ambitious and tries to do a lot, and some ultimately felt that the execution mostly matched the ambition, while others didn't.
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