The Dark Knight Trilogy by Christopher Nolan - Movie Review Example

?A Christopher Nolan masterpiece brings in a well-deserved fresh air into a Batman franchise that had been all but destroyed by its predecessors. Aska Batman fan how he felt about “Batman: Forever” and “Batman and Robin” and the expressions on their face is all you’ll need, to work out that the word “Hate” is an understatement. Joel Schumacher who directed both these movies steered the whole franchise in a direction that ended up burying it for seven long years, no Batman movie was ever considered after the catastrophic flop of “Batman and Robin”. But finally in 2005 “Batman: Begins” came along and as they say the rest was history. It provided many great aspects that its predecessors lacked, It told a story which had kept growing as the trilogy went on, and with each movie kept pulling the audience in with its many twists and turns. It Showed character evolution, as through the three movies we were able to see how Batman/Bruce Wayne not only grow into his role but we were also able to see how the role of Batman was starting to take over Bruce Wayne, and the evolutions of Jim Gordon starting out as lieutenant and eventually becoming police commissioner as the movies wore on. The evolution of Alfred Pennyworth, were unlike many people around him, he was the only character within the movies who was able to see Batman slowly taking over of Bruce Wayne. It also had some exciting and an intriguing way of how they approached the costume and make-up to the many aspects which some people may be deceived to how important they are to the movie, such as, the Bat-Suit and also Joker and Banes costumes and make-up. However, perhaps most importantly of all, the new franchise integrated a much darker understanding and representation of the character of Batman. Whereas previous movies had stylistically exaggerated the character to the point of it being borderline comical, the new trilogy brought it back to the grit that the series originally represented. Although aspects such as costume makeup are often overlooked, the fact of the matter is that with action or superhero films, attention to such details can provide a profound effect not only upon the level to which the film is visually appealing but also with regards to integrating the story with the broader plot devices that are to be will employed. Far more than merely being a suit to which Batman wears, the costume in the progression that is exhibited itself is something of a subplot and corresponding and analogous to the main storyline is taking place. In addition to the progression of the costumes will that Batman wore within the trilogy, the viewer instantly comes to the extermination that a more flexible and freer style is exhibited in each progressive film. Naturally, it can and should be noted that this more free and flexible style also means that the representation of the suit becomes more fluid and less like a patchwork or mash of armor. It would therefore not be a stretch to compare the way in which the suit is exhibited within these films as an indication for the overall level of completeness, self identification, and personal development that Bruce Wayne brings to this created character. In such a way, the costume itself serves as a type of micro theme in which the viewer is made aware of the fact that Batman, through the representation of the suit, is continually evolving and ultimately becoming more and more comfortable with the character he defines. Similarly, with regards the improvements that were made over previous Batman films, the current trilogy exhibits expertise in both makeup and costume design that ancillary characters and villains represent. No more can this be seen as with regards to the character of “the Joker”. Whereas in movies of the past, the Joker has been portrayed in unbelievably comical ways, the deep scars along with the faded clown makeup that the Joker exhibited only served to reinforce the level of understanding the audience had with regards to his villainy. In such a way, costume and makeup were able to perform the function that they were ultimately intended; engage the audience to a greater extent with regards to personal dynamics of the characters. A further element that gives the trilogy strength is with regards to character development that takes place within the secondary characters of Alfred Pennyworth and Jim Gordon. Whereas in the beginning of the trilogy Alfred Pennyworth acts as an unquestionable pillar of support for Bruce Wayne, as he begins to see the increasing psychological and emotional toll that the character of Batman is having upon Bruce, Alfred’s overall level of support beings to diminish. This is of course most distinctly noted within the third film as Alfred finally actively attempts to restrain Bruce Wayne from returning to his role due to the incalculable effect that it is having upon him. In something of an Opposite Way, Jim Gordon, at first highly skeptical of the character of Batman, eventually comes around to realize that such a character plays an important role within the society of Gotham. Although Jim Gordon cannot be considered as a villain, the fact of the matter is that he nonetheless exhibits less than desirable traits with regards to the manner in which he attempts to utilize Batman to his own ends. Regardless of such a selfish motive, Jim Gordon ultimately agrees to further a lie as a means of keeping Batman’s secret safe. Perhaps most importantly of all, with regards to character deterioration, Bruce Wayne undergoes the most romantic and prolonged transformation of any of the characters within the film series. Whereas the first film portrays the character that dabbles with his alter ego in the form of Batman, this dynamic is cemented within each subsequent film to the point that Bruce Wayne nearly ceases to exist by the time “The Dark Knight” concludes. This is of course a result of many factors, not the least of which is the extent to which Bruce Wayne’s memory of the loss of his family, the reality of the death of Rachel, and the continual inconstant drain that he faces with regards to fighting villainy in crime takes upon his true personality. Regardless of the plot dynamics, complexity of the costumes, or the evolution of the characters, one of the most important ways in which the film series seeks to integrate with the most diehard Batman fans is with regards to the level in which the films reference the comic books. Although it cannot be said for each and every scene, the fact of the matter is that a great many of the scenes in Batman begins were lifted directly from the comic books of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s. For instance the scene involving Bruce Wayne falling into the bat cave as a child was lifted directly from one of the 1980s comic books entitled “Year Zero” (GUTIERREZ 68). By paying such a close attention to detail and integrating with the storylines of comic books, the film trilogy was able to garner a degree of legitimacy that the other Batman films could only hope for. As a further means of integrating with the audience, the film expertly betrays the manner in which Bruce Wayne transforms and evolves; to such a great and effective extent that the audience is left with little choice but to begin to identify with and ultimately love the character of Bruce Wayne to a greater degree than when they were first introduced to him in “Batman Begins”. By working each of these psychological and historical elements of the Batman franchise, the filmmakers were able to present a nuanced and well researched, as well as incredibly funded, film series that is set the bar for any future expansions and/or reinterpretations of the Batman franchise. Naturally, although the preceding analysis has concluded that the film trilogy can only be described in rather glowing terms, there are some lingering doubts with regards to many viewers, as well as critics, with regards to the overall level of perfection that was exhibited within the final and third installment of the trilogy. This was mostly with regards to the fact that minor details were left out, the plot was long and laborious, and far too much dialogue seem to be occurring in places. Naturally, no film series, or film itself for that matter, can be perfect. However, it is the understanding of this viewer that the critics of the third and final installment of the Batman trilogy were ultimately right with regards to their distaste for the film. It is the further understanding of this author that this is mostly due to the fact that too much information was attempted to be crammed in to the third and final installment by virtue of it being the last of the series. Finally, as a result of the preceding analysis which is taking place within this brief paper, the reader can and should come to the understanding that no single aspect serves to make the Batman trilogy superior in and of itself. Rather, a combination of factors to include exceptional costume and makeup design, nuanced and interpretive character evolution and development, and the integration and understanding of historical compliments to the Batman legacy all contributed strongly with regards to why the trilogy became such a defining symbol of success. Accordingly, it is the judgment of this author that each of these factors and their own way have helped to create an action trilogy that will likely be the standard bearer for the Batman franchise well into the future. With regards to a sequel, this is likely due to the fact that the film series has been so incredibly profitable. However, from a personal standpoint, is the belief of this author that a sequel at this point would be both futile and unnecessary. Work Cited GUTIERREZ, PETER. "The Dark Knight Trilogy." Screen Education 68 (2013): 66-71. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 2 May 2013. Read More