The Dark Knight Rises: The Story So Far

 The Dark Knight Rises: The Story So Far

Since the original comics were published in 1939, the tale of Batman has been told in a variety of ways. From the overly camp (and yet somehow hugely enjoyable) 1960s TV show starring Family Guy's Adam West, to the hilariously awful 1997 movie Batman and Robin starring George Clooney, the Caped Crusader has seen various interpretations on film.

Christopher Nolan revived Batman

2005's Batman Begins saw a return to darker form for the character, with director Christopher Nolan opting to create a more grounded character with a deeper origin story. Following the film's success, The Dark Knight was released in 2008 to phenomenal critical acclaim worldwide. Now, with the July release of The Dark Knight Rises almost upon us, it's time to look back and remind ourselves why Nolan's vision of Gotham is the ultimate portrayal of Bruce Wayne's crime-fighting alter ego.

Batman Begins

Release Date: June 15th 2005

Box Office Total: $372,710,015

Batman Begins was Christopher Nolan's first venture into the Batman franchise. Believing he could create a more grounded, realistic and sympathetic version of Bruce Wayne than had been seen previously, Nolan opted to find an actor who could portray a seriously scarred yet determined version of the Batman. Christian Bale, who was well known for his performance in psychological drama The Machinist, expressed interest in the role and was officially cast in 2003. An A-List ensemble soon followed: Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman were all given major characters to portray in the film.  

Plot Summary (with spoilers!)

Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is an orphan - at the age of eight, he watched as his parents were mugged and killed in front of him. His phobia of bats, brought on by a horrific encounter in a cave, has long plagued him and is the focus point of something he needs to fight and conquer: his fear. He is raised by Alfred (Michael Caine), the wealthy family's butler.

"Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up."

Years later, Bruce travels the world and becomes a master of martial arts combat under the intense training of Ra's Al Ghul (Liam Neeson), leader of the "League of Shadows". As he completes his training, he discovers a plan to destroy his home city of Gotham so after burning down their temple, Bruce defeats the League and returns to Gotham with the intention of fighting crime. Taking an interest in Wayne Enterprises, the company his father built, Bruce meets Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), who introduces him to several of Wayne's new experimental technologies. Deciding to take a more 'hands-on' approach to his new mission, Bruce conquers his fear by 'becoming fear itself' and creating an alter ego known as 'Batman.' Complete with costume and new gadgetry provided by Lucius Fox, Batman intercepts a drug shipment and forms an alliance with the Gotham police force, led by Sgt Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman). Vowing to fight crime and keep Gotham safe, Batman has only one rule: never to kill.

"Your quarrel is with me."

At his birthday celebrations in Wayne Manor, Bruce is encountered by Ra's Al Ghul once again, who announces his plans to create mass hysteria and panic within Gotham, making the citizens turn on each other. As the League of Shadows begins unleashing the fear-inducing toxin around Gotham, Batman defeats Ra's Al Ghul and leaves him for dead inside a crashing train. "I won't kill you," he says. "But I don't have to save you." We have our loophole, folks!

The film concludes with Batman and newly promoted Lieutenant Gordon vowing to work together in their cause for good in Gotham. Gordon presents Batman with his next target: a costumed criminal who leaves 'Joker' cards at his crime scenes. Fanboys wept with joy.

Batman Begins was an absolutely fantastic opening to what promised to be an exciting new direction for Bruce Wayne's story. Featuring an all star cast and a superbly engaging, realistic story, Christopher Nolan's first Gotham movie gave fans around the world a new hope following the car crash Batman and Robin movie that had preceeded it.

The Dark Knight

Release Date: July 18th 2008

Box Office Total: $1,001,921,825

The Dark Knight marked Nolan's second venture into the Batman franchise. The film recieved eight academy awards and currently stands as the eleventh highest grossing movie of all time. The Joker was confirmed as the main villain, however Nolan promised a much darker, sadistic and complex nemesis for Batman than fans had seen in cartoons and comics. The movie was given weight somewhat by the death of Heath Ledger, who portrayed The Joker; Ledger died shortly after the completion of his shoot, and Nolan has publicly dedicated the film to his memory.

"If you're good at something, never do it for free."

Quite rightly so, too. The Dark Knight is the Joker's movie. It is about the relationship between Batman and his enemy - the idea that while Batman vows to clean up Gotham's streets, his presence is often percieved by criminals as a challenge for them to defeat. The Joker embodies the chaos of the world, the idea that, as he says, 'chance' is the only fair thing to believe in. When Bruce questions his motives, Alfred sums up The Joker's role in a simple sentence: "Some men just want to watch the world burn."

The cast from Batman Begins all reprise their role for the sequel, with the additions of Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhall and of course Heath Ledger.

Plot Summary (with spoilers!)

The film opens with The Joker (Heath Ledger) robbing a downtown Gotham bank with ease. Famous billionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is dedicating his nights to taking down the crime lords of the city as Batman, whilst trying to retain his secret identity and run his company by day. Deciding that Gotham needs a hero they can rely on rather than a masked vigilante, Batman and Gordon (Gary Oldman) decide to allow district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) in on their plans to take down the mob, branding him the 'White Knight'. Meanwhile, The Joker is getting the mob on his side by showing them his psychotic disregard for the rules and announcing to the city that for every day Batman does not reveal his true identity, people will die.

"They're all going to come after you now, Harvey."

At a fundraising event, Harvey tells conflicted lawyer Rachel (Maggie Gyllenhall) that he loves her and intends to marry her, despite her affections for Bruce. The Joker crashes the party with the intention of finding and killing Harvey, before being intercepted by Batman. The next day at a parade, The Joker targets the mayor of Gotham, however Gordon takes the bullet and seemingly dies. Deciding enough people have died for him, Bruce intends to reveal his identity as Batman to the press, however Harvey untruthfully declares that he is the Batman and is taken into custody. The Joker, now under the impression that Dent is Batman, attempts to assassinate him, but doesn't count on the real Batman intervening. Gordon, who faked his own death to protect his family's safety, takes the Joker into custody.

"You have all these rules and you think they'll save you."

However, both Rachel and Harvey disappear. In one of the greatest scenes not only in a comic book film but in cinematic history, Batman interrogates The Joker and discovers that both of his friends are in danger. Batman confronts the Joker and learns each are in separate buildings filled with explosives. Batman finds Harvey moments before the buildings explode, killing Rachel and scarring half of Harvey's face. The Joker then uses a bomb to escape from the police department.

The Joker visits Harvey in hospital, convincing him to get revenge on the people seemingly responsible for Rachel's death. Harvey leaves the hospital as 'Two-Face', exacting punishment on the gang members who set up the bombs and the police officers who failed to save his bride to be. Meanwhile, The Joker ignites fear in Gotham by promising to blow up the city. As civilians and prisoners are evacuated to the mainland via ferry, it is revealed that two boats have bombs on them. The Joker gives the two boats the choice to blow up the other to save themselves. If neither have done this by midnight, they will both be destroyed. Batman locates The Joker and after a struggle, it transpires that neither boat wants to destroy the other. Batman tells The Joker that he is alone and no one is as cruel and pathetic as him, and that his plan to throw Gotham into turmoil has failed. However, The Joker reveals what he has done to Harvey Dent, and Batman quickly departs to find Harvey, leaving The Joker cackling whilst being arrested.

"It's not about what I want, it's about what's fair!"

Gordon recieves a call from his wife informing him Harvey has taken her family and is holding them hostage. Overpowering Gordon, Harvey holds him accountable for everything that has happened to him. Holding a gun to Gordon's son's head, Harvey flips a coin, stating that it is only fair to leave his fate up to chance. Batman tackles Harvey, indirectly killing him, however he now knows that word could spread of Harvey's descent from Gotham's 'White Knight' to a criminal himself. Batman convinces Gordon to hold him publicly responsible for the deaths of all of Harvey's victims, so that Harvey may remain a symbol of hope for Gotham. A manhunt for Batman ensues, with Gordon declaring that he is 'A watchful protector. A Dark Knight.'

The Dark Knight is not only one of the greatest comic book movies ever made, but a legendary piece of film which will go down in history. It is a complex plot: I've left out many points in my summary, however pay close attention and you will be rewarded. Nolan proved that trillion dollar special effects are not required to make an audience appreciate a superhero movie - a mixture of Oscar-worthy acting, fantastic writing and a grounded, realistic, gritty tone gives Batman the story it deserves, at a time when the franchise really needed it.

The Dark Knight Rises

Release Date: 20th July 2012

 

So this is it. 'The Legend Ends', as the trailers and posters drill into us. Christopher Nolan's interpretation of Batman's world is coming to an explosive conclusion, and it looks like it could be the end for the masked vigilante. At first, Nolan showed concerns about returning to the franchise, as The Dark Knight ended on rather a solemn yet satisfactorily inspiring note. However, he decided that his foray into Gotham had kept him so emotionally invested thus far that he wanted to take the helm for its conclusion. What he has made clear is that Batman can end. Unlike the comics, which can go on forever, Nolan sees his story as a trilogy with a beginning, middle and clear finale.

All actors will be reprising their roles once again, with the additions of Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anne Hathaway.

"The fire rises."

Plot Summary (what we know so far):

Batman (Christian Bale) has assumed responsibility for Harvey Dent's crimes in order to keep faith in Gotham. Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, Gotham finds itself under attack once again by the ruthless terrorist Bane (Tom Hardy), a man with unparalleled brute strength and an equally strong mind. Aided by the mysterious Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Anne Hathaway), Bane intends to destroy the city of Gotham and prove to the people once and for all that Batman can be broken. Bruce Wayne must return as Batman or risk losing everything.

Working once again with Commissioner James Gordon (Gary Oldman) and newly assigned city cop John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), an unwelcome Batman returns and challenges Bane, an act which could cost him his life.

The Dark Knight must rise again.

By Dean Johnstone

Tweet me: @DJJohnstone
Email me: dean.james.johnstone@hotmail.com