An underrated moment inThe Dark Knighthelped set up part of the ending ofThe Dark Knight Rises.The Dark Knightincludes the single appearance of Christopher Nolan’s version ofThe Joker – played posthumously by Heath Ledger– whose clashes with Batman are often as ideological as they are personal. TheBatmancomic mythos are among the most malleable in the superhero genre, lending themselves well to reimaginings. While some iterations of The Joker portray theDCvillain as a simple murderer or criminal prankster, many make him a nihilist whose crimes are aimed at validating his views.
The villains ofThe Dark Knight Rises– Talia al Ghul and Bane – are more concerned with exacting revenge on Batman for causing the death of Ra’s al Ghul and damaging the League of Shadows inBatman Begins. As such, they plot to not only destroy Gotham City with a nuclear bomb in thelive-action Batman movie, but also to punish Batman by imprisoning him in the Pit to helplessly watch the carnage. Batman manages to escape and thwart their plot, but not without the assistance of Gotham’s citizenry and police force, something foreshadowed inThe Dark Knight.
The Dark Knight’s Ending Set Up The People Of Gotham Standing Up To Bane In The Dark Knight Rises' Ending 4 Years Earlier
In the setup forThe Dark Knight’s ending, The Joker rigs two ferries with explosives – one filled with citizens and the other with criminals – and gives each boat the detonator to the other, threatening to blow up both ferries if one does not destroy the other by midnight. Ultimately, neither boat destroys the other, with one criminal tossing his boat’s detonator overboard and no citizen willing to become a killer. The sequence proved thatGotham’s citizens were willing to stand together against people like The Jokerand refuse to play his game.
The Joker’s whereabouts during the events ofThe Dark Knight Risesare unknown, though the film’s novelization implies that he might have been the sole inmate in Arkham Asylum.
Gotham’s citizens would rise to the occasion once again inThe Dark Knight Rises. While Batman battled Bane and Gotham’s recently-freed police fought the League, James Gordon anda group of citizens rallied and ambushed the League’s vehicles, hoping to find and deactivate Bane’s nuclear bomb. Both instances prove that the people of Gotham would stand and fight when faced with certain death by a major villain like The Joker or Bane.
Why The Dark Knight’s Story About Gotham’s Civilians Is So Important
The ferry sequence inThe Dark Knightis essential to Batman’s victory over The Joker. Although Batman manages to overpower The Joker and prevent him from detonating both boats,the refusal of the citizens and criminals to kill each other disproves Joker’s belief that anybody will become monstrous under the right circumstances. Batman himself highlights this, mocking The Joker with the line “What were you trying to prove? That deep down, everyone’s as ugly as you?” Joker’s role in corrupting Harvey Dent forces Batman to take responsibility for Two-Face’s murders, arguably granting The Joker a different victory.
By protecting the image of Harvey Dent, Batman seemingly preserves Gotham City’s faith in heroism and law with a lie, yet Bane reveals the truth inRises. After taking over Gotham City, Bane assaults Blackgate Prison and announces to the public the truth about Harvey Dent and that Batman falsely took the blame for his crimes before freeing every criminal imprisoned under the Dent Act.While Bane – perhaps understandably – assumed that this would break Gotham’s spirit, its citizens still fought his forces, demonstrating that they remained resolute in their principleseven with their image of Harvey Dent shattered.
The Dark Knight Rises' Batman Ending Only Works Because Of Its Gotham Storyline
The Dark Knight Risesends with the supposed death of Batman. In truth, Bruce Wayne faked his demise and retired, living happily with Selina Kyle (who similarly left her old life behind for a fresh start).John Blake, whose legal name is revealed to be Robin, inherits the Batcave and is poised to become the next hero to protect Gotham City.
While Blake is the ideal successor to Batman on his own merits, this too is set up byThe Dark Knight’sending. Gotham’s citizens are repeatedly shown to stand up for each other when the city is threatened. Even with Harvey Dent revealed to have been corrupt and with Batman seemingly dead,this makes the eventuality of a successor to Batman fittingfor Gotham City.
The Dark Knight
Cast
The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is the second installment in the Batman trilogy starring Christian Bale as Batman. Released in 2008, the film follows Batman’s alliance with Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent as they combat the organized crime that threatens Gotham, facing the menacing Joker.
The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises follows Batman as he returns to Gotham City eight years after the death of Harvey Dent. Now pursued by law enforcement, he faces new challenges from Selina Kyle and Bane, a formidable terrorist leader who threatens the city’s safety, compelling Batman to defend a city that sees him as a foe.
