The Dark Knight Rises Ramblings

With The Dark Knight Rises bearing down on us so quickly I've decided to fill a small space (editorial page) with the theories and observations that tangoed around my head after watching Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.

I'm considering that IF Bane becomes the main focus of The Dark Knight Rises he would be mirroring Bruce's origin in batman Begins...give or take certain aspects. A child who has come through a life changing event to become what he is. A person taken under the wing of The League Of Shadows but just happened to, unlike Bruce, follow their rule. Could he be the person who could behead the criminal in his final stage of initiation? Maybe, give or take the mysterious breathing aid/venom distributor, Bane is the person Bruce would have become had he not had his principles.

In Batman Begins, The League Of Shadows wanted to "burn" Gotham and start over like they had done with "the Roman Empire" etc. So is the attack on Batman just a villainous act? I believe Batman is now protecting this city and he has become, like the police force, the enforcer of good. They are the barrier that will stop The League Of Shadows completing their task and coming full circle with Ras Al Ghul's plan from the first movie.

As far as breaking the bat I think I agree with the majority that he will be physically broken. He's finally up against somebody physically superior to himself. But I think the 'breaking' is two-fold. When watching The Dark Knight two lines from the Joker stuck out for me:

Batman "This city just showed that it's full of people ready to believe in good"

Joker "Until their spirit breaks completely. Until they get a good look at the real Harvey Dent..."

Seeing a image of Bane holding up a photo of Harvey Dent made me think that they were left to believe he died a hero, a white knight. This gives the people of Gotham, in the 8 years since The Dark Knight Rises, the courage to fight against the injustices, with Batman being the fall guy. But when it's revealed that he too was "corruptable" it forces the people of Gotham to follow the dictatorship of Bane (and whoever he is in league with).

But ruling with an iron fist leaves Gotham living in fear rather in a safe haven. This si where, I feel, the 'breaking' comes in to play. I think that the police and Batman's rising against this regime will inspire the people of Gotham to take back their city. Prior to becoming Batman in Batman Begins (on the plane flight home)Bruce said to Alfred he wanted to be a "symbol" of hope. A symbol for Gotham to know not to be afraid. This is why I think that the "Rises" is actually the people of Gotham. Batman is an ideal. A beacon for hope. He is more than a person.

It could also be to do with my second thought. An interseting character has been introduced. John Blake. In The Dark Knight, Bruce was hopeful that Harvey Dent was a person to follow through all that is good in Gotham. Although Bruce ceasing to be Batman initially had more to do with he and Rachel being together I still think he hopes for the day where he doesn't have to be Batman anymore. In The Dark Knight Rises Harvey WAS that person. Maybe John Blake is just such a character this time around. But MAYBE instead of filling Gordon's shoes MAYBE he could be the one to take over the mantle from Bruce. Maybe some of you may get your 'Robin' in a roundabout way...just not Robin. A successor. It's a brainfart but this is very plausible.

Where Catwoman stands in here I have little thought. There's the possibility that she fills in for a physically beaten Batman. Or Selina could be the reason Bruce chooses the relinquish his Batman persona (as he would he done with Rachel). 8 years is plenty enough time for Bruce to find love again. It doesn't have to be sandwiched into the movie. At the opening of The Dark Knight Rises Harvey and Rachel were already in a long term relationship.

I think that the second major villain to be featured (despite speculation over the newly released viral campaign) will be Talia. I don't think Ras Al Ghul will reappear (apart from in flashbacks to accompany Bane's origin, as was seen with Bruce in Batman Begins...hence the mirroring) as I'm not expecting Nolan to produce a magic plot twist where Ras Al Ghul survives a train crash. His position will be taken up but carried through by Talia as the the head of The League Of Shadows. It seems hideously cliched and obvious but at present it's a character and part of the story Nolan hasn't officially confirmed. Having Miranda Tate control Wayne Enterprises from the inside could lead to Bane's obtaining of the Tumbler army. An lead to infiltration from behind Gotham's own frontline.

The ending. It may end with the physical death of Batman. It may continue on as it always has been, with Bruce keeping Gotham safe. The mantle could be passed on after Bruce's death or 'retirement'. If the movie ends with the death of Bane (which is usually a big possibility) then it only serves to highlight what Bruce's fate would have been had he chosen another path.

But this installment isn't just a franchise filler. It's about finishing off, not neccessarily Batmans, but Bruce's story. It could be the symbolic 'death' of Batman where "there will (has) come a day where Gotham no longer needs Batman". Where Bruce can live on and have the closure his character needs. This is the ending I think will complete all that has proceeded it. Technically avenging the destruction of all his father stood for. Coming full circle for his reasoning for starting this journey in the first place.

Just remember from Batman Begins when Bruce returns to Gotham:

"People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy and I can't do that as Bruce Wayne, as a man I'm flesh and blood I can be ignored I can be destroyed but as a symbol, as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting."

Poingent and a real foundation for the beginning and ending of this story.

As far as the marketing campaign. I'm sure it all builds toward the main focus, had Bruce's life had he have taken a different route, Bane. No other villain. Just building towards that origin. So everybody is familiar with a, generally, unfamiliar character. As for the prologue, well, I think we'll get a murky introduction to the nature of this character and just what his methods are...like The Joker in The Dark Knight's opening.

I'm sure most of this has already be said and speculated over. But I'd love to hear what you guys think about my thoughts and what thoughts you have of your own. If you took the time to read...thank you.

Your Craptain salutes you!