I guess I’m the new guy here seeing as how I just signed up. This is also the very first thing I’m posting but I visit this site regularly so all you CBM veterans out there take it easy on me, Cheers!
Back to the article. Now first off let me say that I am in no way, shape or form a person that doesn’t like where Nolan has taken the character of Batman & CO. I think what he’s done for the character as well as DC is great for the genre and for his credentials as a film maker. But does that mean his ultra-realistic version of Batman should be the corner-stone on a new darker, grittier tone for all movies adapted from comic books?
First, let’s look at the tone of his series from a subjective point of view. Batman has always been grounded in reality. I believe the only ‘fantasy’ aspect of Batman is the Lazarus Pit. Besides that, it’s all grounded in reality. So while I hear everyone saying that Nolan’s take on a CBM is the best way to translate a comic book to the big screen, you forget to consider the source. His entire world is filled with criminals that all operate with the same M.O., respectively. No super powers whatsoever besides the typical super-strength you get within every organization he comes across. With that in mind, it would make the jump from the comic book pages to the silver screen easier than let’s say, if you had a green ring that make any construct at your will as long as you can remain focused. No I’m not taking any jabs at Green Lantern, I’m just comparing characters.
Second, the gadgets and toys the dark knight uses. No more bat mobile, bat wing or bat cycle for the caped crusader. Now we have the Tumbler, the Batpod and whatever Nolan’s going to call Batman’s new wheels (or wings) in The Dark Knight Rises. Now, I’m not saying that these were bad deviations from the comics BUT what was so bad with what he originally drove, rode or piloted? I understand that he’s going for a ‘in the real world’ approach but what is wrong with the concept that billionaire playboy and super-smart guy Bruce Wayne could assemble his own vehicles from ‘junkyard scrap’ and the endless amount of resources he has? Why would Nolan steer clear of the perfect detective and create a more of a ‘crime fighter’ that relies on other people to create gadgets for him? That’s what makes Batman who he is, because he is so smart that he’s able to outwit any of his opponents and create toys that could get him out of any jam.
Finally, the character of Batman himself. No longer do we have The World’s Greatest Detective, but are left with a shadow of his original self. As I said in the paragraph above, we now have a ‘hero that Gotham doesn’t need’ with absolutely no detective skills and a reliance on a science division from his company. I’m sorry Mr. Nolan but there was nothing wrong with a man that pushed himself to the physical limits of the human body WHILST being intelligent enough to create his trademark costume and different gadgets. No, now he must purchase parts of his costume from different countries rather than make them himself.
So does that mean his ultra-realistic version of Batman should be the corner-stone on a new darker, grittier tone for all movies adapted from comic books? The answer is no, I’m sorry ladies and gentlemen but the answer has to be no. All he’s done is take a reality based hero and grounded him in reality on film. Have his movies been stellar and worthy of sequels? Yes. Are they worthy of Oscars and become branded as the holy grail of comic book movies? No. Thank you all for taking the time to read this (those who have anyway) and I’m looking forward to talking with you all! :) <3