TDK as Greek Tragedy and Possible Rogue for Batman 3
The hype over The Dark Knight reached preposterous planes before the midnight release, and I won’t lie: I scoffed at the Oscar buzz. The Academy would never dismount their high horse and reward a “Batman” or a “comic book” film.
I’ve spent the seven and a half hours of the past forty-two watching The Dark Knight, and now I believe. I believe in Harvey Dent, and I believe Nolan created a tour de force worthy of Best Picture. Because, quite frankly, if the film had been directed by Scorsese, it would be in a sure in (or maybe not, you know, took him only twenty years to get the damn thing). Nolan created a modern Greek Tragedy.
Before my f-list rolls their eyes and mutters “you see Greek in everything” let me just justify my opinion. The essence of tragedy is the downfall of a great man caused by either the Gods or by hamarita (a tragic mistake). Harvey Dent was a great man, the “White Knight” to Batman’s “Dark” - and The Joker, a self-described agent of chaos, swoops into Gotham like an angry messenger from the Gods.
I’ve seen the film three times. Its elegance only grows on me, right down to Aaron Eckhart’s cleft chin. Not only is Aaron just as good as Heath - if not better - the casting director selected a man whose face visually splits in half, even before the transformation.
(HOWEVER, WE ALL THE TRUE STAR OF THE FILM IS GARY FUCKING OLDMAN AS JIM GORDON, WHO BRINGS ALL THE SENTIMENT WITHOUT SENTIMENTISM, AND ALL THE FRAGILITY WITHOUT WEAKNESS, AND ALL THE HUMANITY WITHOUT MELODRAMA TO JIM GORDON. THIS IS MY JIM GORDON, AND WILL ALWAYS BE MY JIM GORDON. I FUCKING LOVE YOU GARY.)
Did you feel the fear and pity? I did. And I felt it for every character - most of all, I felt disturbed. Watching the Batman beat The Joker in the holding cell is probably the most haunting scene in the film. I almost cannot watch it; I covered my eyes the third time.
God. I mean.
How does Nolan top this? It’s a legit question. If The Dark Knight is Nolan’s Oedipus Rex, then “Batman Three” should be his Medea. How to say this without sounding like a complete feminazi and killjoy, hmm… Oh, hell. I’m still pissed that Jim Jr. was Gordon’s kid instead of Babs. I’m still not thrilled that Rachel Dawes died, and the female cop was a traitor.
I want the goddess of Bat’s rogue gallery. And if Lucius Fox’s comment about how new Batsuit “might” protect Bruce from “cats” means anything, then I’ll get my way.
Selina would make an excellent choice as a next villain. Bruce is just vulnerable enough to get pulled into the love-who knows?, mismatched, deceitful relationship Bruce has with Selina (before they reveal their true identities). I’ll be all for it - just as long as they don’t cast Jessica fucking Alba. Hmm… would *would* be a good Catwoman.