Christopher Nolan's Batman: Closing Thoughts
Due to the series’ recent conclusion (finished in summer of 2012), there has not been a tremendous amount of literature studying Batman within the Dark Knight trilogy. I believe as time goes on, more and more research will be devoted to the study of his character. The Christian symbolism, questionable morality, musical representation, and noteworthy acting that are present throughout the trilogy are likely to draw attention from many different areas of study.
Bruce changes drastically throughout the films, from a fearful, hurt teenager bent on revenge, to an active crime-fighter, to a broken man, and finally to a soul at peace. To see such change in one character is a special thing. The audience experiences such a connection with Bruce because they have followed him throughout his long journey and felt his love, his pain, his fears, and his triumphs.
I feel Bruce/Batman’s journey is complete and needs nothing further, and so does Christopher Nolan and the rest of those involved in the making of the films. Nolan thought of the films as a trilogy and nothing more, having a defined beginning, middle, and end; this is a sentiment echoed by The Dark Knight Rises actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt:
I know we’re all used to the sort of Marvel movies, which are just kind of endless series. They don’t really have a beginning, middle, and end. But I think Nolan very much thought of that movie as a conclusion, and there’s a theme that runs through all three of those movies that begins in the first movie, runs through the second movie and it concludes in that moment where he says that Batman is more than a man, Batman is a symbol. And so to have another man other than Bruce Wayne kind of becoming Batman at the end of that trilogy, I think that’s the perfect ending to that story. (Cinema Blend)
The definitive ending to these films is the final aspect of making them memorable. Audiences can always question decisions and debate what would happen next, but the story is finished. The symbol of Batman has become everlasting, just as Bruce had hoped for when he first became the caped crusader.
The Dark Knight trilogy is the gold standard in superhero filmmaking, one that filmmakers are still striving to match today. In fact, when DC Comics began to build its superhero universe with the Superman film Man of Steel, they attached Christopher Nolan’s name to every possible advertisement, comparing it to the same quality filmmaking that was ever-present in his own Batman series. The character of Batman is a fascinating character – notable for his super-heroic endeavors, but relatable for his emotional human nature. Abel Parker believes that audiences watch the Dark Knight films “to be awed at the incomparable power of the Batman” (ebook). The Dark Knight trilogy’s themes, dialogue, character interaction, and music all contribute to perfectly portraying the incredible complexity and gritty heroism that make up – the Batman.
Works Cited
Eisenberg, E. (2016). Why The Dark Knight Rises Delivers The Perfect Ending To Nolan’s Batman Trilogy, According To Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Online: Cinema Blend. Retrieved from: http://www.cinemablend.com/news/1550609/why-the-dark-knight-rises-delivers-the-perfect-ending-to-nolans-batman-trilogy-according-to-joseph-gordon-levitt
Gilmer, J. (2013). The Masked Menace: Ideology, “Unbecoming,” and the Emergence of the Id Monster in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy. Online: University of Colorado, Boulder.
Jesser, J.D. (2012). The Art and Making of the Dark Knight Trilogy. New York: Harry N. Abrams. Print.
N.A. (2016). Bruce Wayne (Nolanverse). Online: DC Database. Retrived from: http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Bruce_Wayne_(Nolanverse)
Nolan, C. (2012). The Journey of Bruce Wayne. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT84UXdAR5A
Parker, Abel. The Gospel in Gotham: Parables of Christ’s Glory from The Dark Knight Trilogy. (2016). Online: Amazon Digital Services.
Thomas, E. (Producer), & Nolan, C. (Director). (2005). Batman Begins [Motion picture]. USA: Legendary Pictures.
Thomas, E. (Producer), & Nolan, C. (Director). (2008). The Dark Knight [Motion picture]. USA: Legendary Pictures.
Thomas, E. (Producer), & Nolan, C. (Director). (2012). The Dark Knight Rises [Motion picture]. USA: Legendary Pictures.