tardis_stowaway (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tardis_stowaway) wrote2012-07-26 12:17 am
tardis_stowaway) wrote2012-07-26 12:17 am
The Dark Knight Rises
First, there are still plenty of unguessed songs over on the lyrics meme! Artists include Ani DiFranco, the Indigo Girls, Johnny Cash, Lifehouse, Marian Call, Roseanne Cash, Shawn Colvin, Shawn Mullins, Sheryl Crow, and others.
I just saw the Dark Knight Rises, and I have Thoughts!
-I really want to see crossover fic where this Catwoman and BBC!Irene Adler are BFFs or possibly lovers. They can leap out of windows together, discuss how to effectively disappear from surveillance by both the law and criminal organizations, and share clothes. It would be fabulous.
-Overall, I enjoyed it. I do think Nolan's Batman 'verse stands with the original Star Wars trilogy on the list of the few trilogies that peak in the middle. Despite its flaws, overall TDKR was a piece of entertaining and thought-provoking filmmaking with a strong cast.
-Speaking of the cast, UNEXPECTED BURN GORMAN! I had no idea he was in this. When he first showed up, I think my jaw dropped about a foot in surprise at seeing Owen from Torchwood in a major Hollywood movie, speaking with an American accent even. Weird! I also very much enjoyed the cameos by Liam Neeson and Cillian Murphy.
-I thought the movie could have used a firmer hand in the editing room. I think you could have shaved some time off and still had a coherent and strong story. Then again, my feelings on the matter were influenced by the fact that I spent the latter half of the movie needing to pee but unwilling to get up.
-I found the supporting cast much more interesting than Batman/Bruce Wayne himself. Like, I don't care if the trilogy is properly over and Bruce is done with the crime fighting for good. I want a film with these versions of Selina Kyle, John Blake, and Alfred being BAMFs in their own ways. They were the heart of the movie to me; I could care less about Bruce's manpain.
-I really wanted the key to climbing out of the prison to be some trick that would require brains and perhaps faith, not just really powerful muscles and desperation. No luck.
-One of my biggest problems with the film was the political implications. The film seemed to be saying that populist rhetoric of commoners rising up against the rich is just a tool used by jackbooted thugs who really just want to cause chaos. In this film, any leader claiming to speak for the people is just a villain who will steal all the rich folks' money, reinstate public executions, and eventually tear down civilization. We should just leave things to the rich white dudes who control weapons development, because clearly they have our best interests at heart. Meanwhile, the cops are unambiguously good guys, even that one who seemed like he might be a mole but turned out to be just scared for his family and not super competent. I've seen elsewhere on the Internet that this film was written and largely filmed before the Occupy movement, but it sure feels like someone is trying to demonize those of the 99% who want to change the socioeconomic structure.
-OK, back on the topic of things I like. I liked the beginning with the introduction of Catwoman/Selina. (Really, I liked everything with her. The movie sparkled more whenever she was onscreen.) I appreciated the way Commissioner Gordon's chickening out on telling the truth about Harvey Dent ended up costing him later.
-The ending hit me right in the Reichenbach Feels, especially Alfred at the graveside. (My thoughts kept repeating "one more miracle, for me".) Michael Caine is a hell of an actor. Knowing that this was the end of the trilogy left me with some genuine doubt about whether Bruce survived. The ending made me really happy. It felt like it wrapped things up but reassured us that the stories continued. (Surprise Robin reveal!)
-I am continuing to hold in the light those affected by the Aurora shootings. I wish them healing and peace.
I just saw the Dark Knight Rises, and I have Thoughts!
-I really want to see crossover fic where this Catwoman and BBC!Irene Adler are BFFs or possibly lovers. They can leap out of windows together, discuss how to effectively disappear from surveillance by both the law and criminal organizations, and share clothes. It would be fabulous.
-Overall, I enjoyed it. I do think Nolan's Batman 'verse stands with the original Star Wars trilogy on the list of the few trilogies that peak in the middle. Despite its flaws, overall TDKR was a piece of entertaining and thought-provoking filmmaking with a strong cast.
-Speaking of the cast, UNEXPECTED BURN GORMAN! I had no idea he was in this. When he first showed up, I think my jaw dropped about a foot in surprise at seeing Owen from Torchwood in a major Hollywood movie, speaking with an American accent even. Weird! I also very much enjoyed the cameos by Liam Neeson and Cillian Murphy.
-I thought the movie could have used a firmer hand in the editing room. I think you could have shaved some time off and still had a coherent and strong story. Then again, my feelings on the matter were influenced by the fact that I spent the latter half of the movie needing to pee but unwilling to get up.
-I found the supporting cast much more interesting than Batman/Bruce Wayne himself. Like, I don't care if the trilogy is properly over and Bruce is done with the crime fighting for good. I want a film with these versions of Selina Kyle, John Blake, and Alfred being BAMFs in their own ways. They were the heart of the movie to me; I could care less about Bruce's manpain.
-I really wanted the key to climbing out of the prison to be some trick that would require brains and perhaps faith, not just really powerful muscles and desperation. No luck.
-One of my biggest problems with the film was the political implications. The film seemed to be saying that populist rhetoric of commoners rising up against the rich is just a tool used by jackbooted thugs who really just want to cause chaos. In this film, any leader claiming to speak for the people is just a villain who will steal all the rich folks' money, reinstate public executions, and eventually tear down civilization. We should just leave things to the rich white dudes who control weapons development, because clearly they have our best interests at heart. Meanwhile, the cops are unambiguously good guys, even that one who seemed like he might be a mole but turned out to be just scared for his family and not super competent. I've seen elsewhere on the Internet that this film was written and largely filmed before the Occupy movement, but it sure feels like someone is trying to demonize those of the 99% who want to change the socioeconomic structure.
-OK, back on the topic of things I like. I liked the beginning with the introduction of Catwoman/Selina. (Really, I liked everything with her. The movie sparkled more whenever she was onscreen.) I appreciated the way Commissioner Gordon's chickening out on telling the truth about Harvey Dent ended up costing him later.
-The ending hit me right in the Reichenbach Feels, especially Alfred at the graveside. (My thoughts kept repeating "one more miracle, for me".) Michael Caine is a hell of an actor. Knowing that this was the end of the trilogy left me with some genuine doubt about whether Bruce survived. The ending made me really happy. It felt like it wrapped things up but reassured us that the stories continued. (Surprise Robin reveal!)
-I am continuing to hold in the light those affected by the Aurora shootings. I wish them healing and peace.
no subject
I read it as Bruce needed to learn to want to live again. There were all those parallels of him falling down the well as a child, and in a way, he's been down in that well ever since, stuck as a traumatized boy whose world has ended violently. This was him finally coming out of the hole, finding a fear of death/a desire to live, and in a certain way, finally becoming an adult.
Michael Caine acted the hell out of that role, despite the fact that he didn't have a lot of screentime.
One of the things my bff and I discussed was the fact that Christian Bale tends to get overshadowed by most of the actors around him. We particularly noticed it in the first one with Liam Neeson, who doesn't even need to say a word to have presence and gravitas, and who can do things like exude crazy without a word.
no subject