So, this is probably one of the topics Ramsu and I have sort of over-discussed. Let me start off here on a note that I know both the movies are simply amazing and really really huge in terms of their reach, creativity and importance to the brand "Batman" as such. What I really wanna discuss here touch upon the greatness of each movie as an absolute and go on to compare the two in terms of their importance to the brand. So, if you haven't seen the movies, just stop reading right here, sorry! But as Mr. Wolf says in Pulp Fiction ( \m/ ) "pretty please with sugar on top, please go and " watch the damned movies!!
Nolan
Chris Nolan and his brother Johnathan have started off a revolutionary trail for other directors to follow, no doubt. But to address my topic here, I think I have to consider what a mindset they would have been in and have to consider history too. "Nolan" is a big name for the "Batman" franchisee and I guess it will be a sin to leave them out of the discussion. They wrote The Dark Knight's screenplay together and along with David Goyer, they've made both the movies what they are.
So, dwelling on the topic of history, I'd like to take you through the previous Batman movies
(Batman Forever, Batman Returns, Batman - links to IMDb pages) where we saw lots of childishness and immaturity. Now, that made people consider even a live action film to be a film for children. So, making the adults see believable stuff in the movie was task number one. After this was shooed away, the creators took the second step, keeping everyone at heel. You see, it was very easy to make people like Batman because he's the "Good Guy". But then, to make Gotham have varied opinions about the Batman, that's awesome! This is just one of the million things that they've strung together to create two master-pieces. Now, I think we should get right into the discussion.
The greatness of The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight on IMDb
This is something I don't need to actually tell anybody at all. The movie speaks volumes for itself, ranked #10 in the IMDb list of 250 top movies of all time is the be all and end all, I guess.
The character depth in Dark Knight is just mind blowing, you see Harvey Dent, The Joker and all previously existing characters grow as the movie goes on. You really see the multifaceted nature in Harvey and you see the madness in Joker and you see the utter presence of The Batman and you also see the sensibility in Alfred. The characters have been beautifully etched. And the plot is just amazing too because it keeps you on the edge of the seat right from the moment the "Men in masks" carry out the armed robbery mentioned at the end of Batman Begins. The Dark Knight should have been a very difficult tale to conceptualize because it brings together two of the most prominent villains in the history of Batman and even explains the creation and impact of one of them. This is no easy task given an absorbing character like Joker has to be dealt with. And to have brought the mob in the middle of all this was utter brilliance! The Dark Knight shone as brightly as any knight's armor and will always be an epic movie we cannot forget for more than one reason (tributes to the talented Heath Ledger :( :( )
The importance of Batman Begins
Batman Begins on IMDb
This movie is also there on the IMDb list, at #110. Now, being there in the list by itself speaks volumes about any movie. But in my humble opinion this is a majorly underrated movie! Begins is a complete movie. Begins was bestowed upon with the responsibility to initialize and make-believe the characters used in The Dark Knight.
The creation of Batman has always had a wonderful story. We all know the theatre visit, the shooting at the side alley etc. But I think the movie's greatness lies in the "the philosophy of fear" that Al Ghul teaches Bruce. It was pure genius and made perfect sense. It was made sure that if you were Bruce Wayne, you'd have the ability to be Batman too. So, by the end of Batman Begins, it is made sure that the "Batman fan" in us also begins if not already there.
To link characters such as Ra's Al Ghul the immortal and Professor "Scarecrow " Craine into one huge movie is a humongous task. And in my opinion, to have addressed every issue from "Al Ghul's immortality" to Scarecrow's methodologies and intentions was a work that few can come up with and be so brilliant in executing.
The parasite and the host
When you see Gordon and Batsy have that conversation at the end of the Dark Knight, I'm sure you had goosebumps all over you and a feeling of greatness running through you. But that would have been ten times more only if you knew why Batsy and Gordon talk the way they do. It would have been ten times more only if you knew the way Batman introduced himself to the police officer and why they trust each other. The Dark Knight could only make complete sense if you see Begins and appreciate its greatness.
So, you see, according me, there is no Dark Knight without Begins! I see Dark Knight to be the appealing parasite that sucks off the characters paved in Batman Begins. No doubt both movies are epic. No doubt Dark Knight is a 100 ranks better than Begins in the list. But still, a fan would say, "hang on! What was the movie that made me look up and threw new light on the characters for me?" So, I see a symbiotic relationship between the movies and the bottom-line being a tough one to draw, but still, here it comes...
In terms of importance to the brand Batman, I'd call it a 60%-40% in favor of Batman Begins even though I'm sure all the box-offices do not agree with me.
And I'd like to steal a quote from my Ramsu's blog to enhance my "symbiotic relationship" argument :
But I'd like to remind everyone, if not for the Wayne Manor, I'm sorry people, there's no Bruce Wayne or the Batman or the Batcave!!If "Batman Begins" were Wayne Manor, then "The Dark Knight" is the cave. It's where the darkness lies, where the elemental parts of the human spirit strike out without warning."
I'd like to sincerely thank the makers for inspiring me so much and making me think about Batman so much.
Deepak Valagam
comments, views and discussion boards welcome! Have fun! :)
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