Christopher Nolan is my favorite director precisely because there's so much substance layered into his films. I can't say Dark Knight Rises was my favorite film of the trilogy (I think that honor still goes to Batman Begins, actually), but I find the ending powerful. I've seen the film multiple times and the closing sequence still gives me goosebumps.
As to whether Bruce/Batman survived... I think "Batman" did, of course--that's the significance of the final shot, as Blake takes up the mantle--but I much, much prefer to think Bruce Wayne died at the end of the film. It seems to me to negate one of the messages of the movie (that we all must eventually confront the truth) if Bruce deceives everyone and goes on to lead a perfectly normal and happy life elsewhere. But Lucius Fox's discovery that the autopilot on the Bat has been functioning all along implies Bruce survived, which seems like a disappointing cop-out--like the filmmakers weren't quite brave enough to kill off the character. Does that make sense?
I, too, liked Batman Begins the best of the three, and I also adored the closing sequence, precisely because St. Paul jumped into my head as I was watching it. And I think the discovery that Bruce Wayne really was alive would make the ending a copout in one way. On the other hand, it would make the comparison with A Tale of Two Cities more perfect. Batman dies so that Bruce may live! I kind of like that, actually.
Glad you liked the post. I was truly surprised at how much I liked these movies. They have a very catholic and literary sensibility. (Catholic with a small "c" because I don't think it's your faith and I'm not into leaving anyone out. And also I think because the messages in these films - about faith, duty, forgiveness, etc. - are truly universal.)
I have to admit I hadn't thought of it quite like that (Batman dying so Bruce could live) and the more I think about it, the more I do like that idea. So thanks for pointing that out! (Also, now seems the appropriate time to confess I've never actually read A Tale of Two Cities. I've got a childish aversion to Dickens I haven't yet been able to root out.)
I'm so glad you liked the movies, and I agree about the "catholic and literary sensibility"--in my opinion they do have a universality and a depth that many other comic book movies don't seem to share. (And I know it's a minor, minor thing, but I found it refreshing that the Church was portrayed as one of the steadfast institutions in crumbling Gotham.)
Thanks, Anne! I hope you won't be disappointed if you do. I also hope I don't have too many spoilers in these posts. As I said in my previous post, I was expecting to dislike the movies, because I am SO not in the mood for darkness and violence these days. And the sheer craftsmanship of the first movie caught me. Further, all three films tell a coherent story, focused on character and not bloodshed and explosions. I still don't think they'd be my favorite movies of all time, but I do think them worth seeing and am glad I saw them. Parts of them, I would like to see again. Other parts (mostly involving the Joker, who's been compared to the Devil), I never want to see again, or even think about.
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As to whether Bruce/Batman survived... I think "Batman" did, of course--that's the significance of the final shot, as Blake takes up the mantle--but I much, much prefer to think Bruce Wayne died at the end of the film. It seems to me to negate one of the messages of the movie (that we all must eventually confront the truth) if Bruce deceives everyone and goes on to lead a perfectly normal and happy life elsewhere. But Lucius Fox's discovery that the autopilot on the Bat has been functioning all along implies Bruce survived, which seems like a disappointing cop-out--like the filmmakers weren't quite brave enough to kill off the character. Does that make sense?
Anyway, great post!
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Glad you liked the post. I was truly surprised at how much I liked these movies. They have a very catholic and literary sensibility. (Catholic with a small "c" because I don't think it's your faith and I'm not into leaving anyone out. And also I think because the messages in these films - about faith, duty, forgiveness, etc. - are truly universal.)
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I'm so glad you liked the movies, and I agree about the "catholic and literary sensibility"--in my opinion they do have a universality and a depth that many other comic book movies don't seem to share. (And I know it's a minor, minor thing, but I found it refreshing that the Church was portrayed as one of the steadfast institutions in crumbling Gotham.)
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