There haven’t been many ‘The Ending to The Dark Knight Rises Sucked/Was Great/Made No Sense/Was Bullshit/Was Cool/All The ‘My Take/ Ones as of late, and that’s exactly why I’m posting this now. In my own personal opinion, I loved The Dark Knight Rises.
Except for the first act.
And Bruce’s hallucination explaining a major plot point that was kept a secret from Bruce.
But it was, honestly, a good movie, and Nolan delivered to the fans of comics, movies, and everyone in between. I’m saying this up and front, that I do NOT think that the ending to The Dark Knight Rises sucked. In no way. Well... in some ways. I’m not here to bash, or bad mouth Nolan. This isn’t a troll article meant to get people mad. So, with that out of the way, let’s begin.
The Dark Knight Rises had a... special end(s). The kind of end(s) that just didn’t belong. It was a good end, it’s in the film, and no one can change that, but it didn’t seem right for Nolan’s Batman. Now, I must analyze it.
Ending #1:
Batman flies out over Gotham’s bay, making the ultimate sacrifice as the nuclear bomb goes off, killing him, and saving Gotham.
This has to be my favorite ending in The Dark Knight Rises. Oh, I can hear your booing, you can stop now. Yes, this movie has multiple endings, no it does not suffer from it, like... some movies...
But each one works. On its own. As a whole... ehhh not so much. This ending shows the core of Batman. He’ll stop at nothing to stop the pain and suffering of his city, even if it means his own demise. It’s not a happy ending, but it’s the best damn ending there is.
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Ending #2:
A statue of Batman is unveiled in a courtroom/city hall/some big official place.
This is poetry. Batman worked outside the law to bring justice, but is ultimately remembered in, what else, a place of law (probably). It’s honorable and beautiful, but not as good as the first. Second place.
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Ending #3:
Wayne Manor becomes an orphanage.
Oh how precious. The orphans who we barely know and have, like, seven lines accumulated, get their own ending. How... happy? I don’t know, was this really necessary? Was the orphanage even necessary? Way to pound our hearts Nolan. I’m... I don’t know. Let’s care about the cool badass vigilante and say our hearts broke.
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Ending #4:
Alfred gets what’s left of the property.
That’s great, enjoy your... few months left living the big life. Oh shut up, you all know he’s going to die, you all know it!
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Ending #5:
Gordon fixes the Bat-Signal, new and improved.
Okay... this was epic. I’m not gonna lie, I loved this ending. You can’t blame me for anything though, after it’s destruction, it’s good to see the lights back on.
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Ending #6:
Lucius Fox and some engineers look over the Bat and... gasp ... the autopilot was fixed!
Oh no... Bruce didn’t live did he? That surprised, hopeful, and remorseful look on Fox’s face doesn’t mean...
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Ending #7:
In Florence, Alfred sees Bruce and Selena together at a cafe-
“Nolan’s Journal July 20, 2012
This city loves me...I have seen it’s true face. The streets are extended treasuries and the gutters are full of change and when the drains finally fill up, all the vermin will scramble for it back. The accumulated wealth of all their cash and coins will foam up about their waists and all the fanboys and nerds will look up and shout ‘Tell us if Bruce lived!’... and I'll look down and whisper ‘No.’”
That sums up my reaction to this ending(s). I think it speaks for itself.
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So I hope you enjoyed. I’m thinking of diving into comedy. Should I?
Until next time,
Comiccow6