The End of the most exciting movie decade

Rating: 10/10 (10 August 2012)

This post is essentially a-sort-of-eulogy to Nolan's Batman movies. You can skip it if you can't be bothered of such trivial things in life ;) Now that the trilogy is wrapped and done, I can free my mind of thoughts that has almost haunted me for the past few years. What an amazing ride it has been!! I never cared much about comic books. The only ones that was easily accessible to me as a kid was phantom. No spider-man, no super-man for me. When the movies came out, I watched them only as movies. Not a comic book fan. I still watch them only as a movie fan.
So when this misplaced 'Batman begins' was released and its 'making' was repeatedly aired, I dint bother. Who was batman? Some nut who suited up, he even has two side-kicks. Now how can that qualify for a sane movie-watching experience? How wrong I was!. It took a spout of serious boredom and complete lack of possibilities of productive usage of time that coaxed me into watching Batman begins some many years ago. I should say my love for movies has never been the same again.
The first one was a sort of establishing story with the back story for Bruce Wayne, his early days, motivation, beliefs, and the arrival of Batman. Everything was told in a very grounded manner, the first for a comic book movie. All characters are written as close to real life as possible. The fact that batman has no super powers also helps a great deal. The most important part of the movie is Bruce's Ninja days. The conept of facing one's fear and making it an ally to defeat your enemies seemed very unique and very proper for the storyline. The part that moved me the most is young Bruce's loss and misery and the subsequent anger. The sequence for Batman's arrival is a thing to relish for years.
The Dark Knight Rises: Needless to say that this was one of the most awaited movies of all time. I was afraid of it being a let down due to the very high standard set by its predecessor. Luckily this move is not at all comparable to The Dark Knight. It is a story that has the responsibility of tieing up every loose end. It needs to complete the evolution of Bruce's character and in a way end batman. These are huge asks and The Dark Knight did not have this burden. The villain Bane is not the joker. He is in fact the other end of the curve. Cold, calculating, gargantuan in physical intimidation and exhibits a wanton interest for left wing order.
I was most happy about how all things were tied up neatly and a very acceptable and satisfying end for the batman was presented. I think most fans would agree that this was the most emotional of the lot. We fall and then rise with Bruce and Batman. We gripe and cringe for him. His pain is ours, inclusive of the broken vertebrae . Every re-entry of batman was a celebration in the theatre. The suggestive direction of the franchise at the end is so very refreshing and made me really happy. I will not forget the image of John Blake standing in the bat cave for quite sometime to come :) There are a lot of things to nitpick, especially in the third edition. But now is not the time for it. For now, I am more than content to take in the beauty of this marvellous piece of film making and of course reminiscing every bit of excitement this trilogy has given me.
P.S: This post was first read by my husband. And at his very persistent insistence, I need to make a mention of the bat mobile or bat pod. They have done a tire-roll stunt with it, which makes your jaw drop every time, no matter how many times you watch it. To think that the piece is actually a fully working motor bike is really something!