Post by Jack Napier on Jul 24, 2008 1:55:47 GMT -5
Split from: TDK+Reactions+%28May+Contain+SPOILERS%29
I'm afraid the ending baffled me a bit in the theater and, in thinking about it over the past few days, I can't find a way to justify it.
I thought it was a unique premise to end on that note and I certainly bought that Harvey's transformation into Two-Face made it more important for Batman to continue the war.
But Batman taking the blame, as presented in this film, bothers me. I'm not convinced that the truth about Harvey would have torn the city.
I think lying about this makes things worse rather than makes them better.
A friend pointed out to me that Batman is beyond human to all Gothamites and it's easier for them to identify with Harvey Dent, a normal human who rose to the occasion, as their hero.
I understood that, but what are they going to think when they find out that this superhuman creature killed "5 people, including 2 cops" and is out on the loose? (btw, I did the math and I have no idea how Gordon got those numbers. Dent killed 3 people, including 1 cop. And even if you count Dent himself, it still doesn't add up)
No matter what, Harvey Dent- Gotham's White Knight, the next Thomas Wayne- is gone forever. Isn't shifting the blame on Batman going to make everyone- innocents and criminals alike- more afraid, than hopeful?
A smaller thing is what the cover story is for Harvey's death. Ironically, they'd be telling the truth in saying it was Batman, if they did say that.
If they did...then Gothamites will think they're in deep trouble because the murderer of their White Knight is still out there. Again, more fear than hope.
Then, there's the Joker (by this part, I mean strictly in the world of the story. I doubt they will recast).
There's no way he's gonna buy the story that Dent died a hero and Batman would break his one rule on those lowlife gangsters and corrupt cops, instead of a psycho killer like him.
The cover-up will more likely incite Joker into action - no way is he going to keep quiet on the truth about Dent. I know that Joker's a wild card who's gonna commit crimes no matter what, but this is serious bait for Mr. J.
Again, I really liked this movie, more than I expected to and the premise is creative, but I had trouble seeing the characters' logic in making this decision.
I think it's because I really liked this film that I got the more frustrated when I was thrown a loop with this ending.
I'm afraid the ending baffled me a bit in the theater and, in thinking about it over the past few days, I can't find a way to justify it.
I thought it was a unique premise to end on that note and I certainly bought that Harvey's transformation into Two-Face made it more important for Batman to continue the war.
But Batman taking the blame, as presented in this film, bothers me. I'm not convinced that the truth about Harvey would have torn the city.
I think lying about this makes things worse rather than makes them better.
A friend pointed out to me that Batman is beyond human to all Gothamites and it's easier for them to identify with Harvey Dent, a normal human who rose to the occasion, as their hero.
I understood that, but what are they going to think when they find out that this superhuman creature killed "5 people, including 2 cops" and is out on the loose? (btw, I did the math and I have no idea how Gordon got those numbers. Dent killed 3 people, including 1 cop. And even if you count Dent himself, it still doesn't add up)
No matter what, Harvey Dent- Gotham's White Knight, the next Thomas Wayne- is gone forever. Isn't shifting the blame on Batman going to make everyone- innocents and criminals alike- more afraid, than hopeful?
A smaller thing is what the cover story is for Harvey's death. Ironically, they'd be telling the truth in saying it was Batman, if they did say that.
If they did...then Gothamites will think they're in deep trouble because the murderer of their White Knight is still out there. Again, more fear than hope.
Then, there's the Joker (by this part, I mean strictly in the world of the story. I doubt they will recast).
There's no way he's gonna buy the story that Dent died a hero and Batman would break his one rule on those lowlife gangsters and corrupt cops, instead of a psycho killer like him.
The cover-up will more likely incite Joker into action - no way is he going to keep quiet on the truth about Dent. I know that Joker's a wild card who's gonna commit crimes no matter what, but this is serious bait for Mr. J.
Again, I really liked this movie, more than I expected to and the premise is creative, but I had trouble seeing the characters' logic in making this decision.
I think it's because I really liked this film that I got the more frustrated when I was thrown a loop with this ending.
At first, I was just as confused and frustrated as you described. However, I think I know why Batman chose to "do the right thing" and take the fall. Harvey Dent represented what some in Gotham might call the city's last legal line of defense against crime. He was a law-abiding, charismatic figure who could finally pull the city out from the darkness that was consuming it. More so than any of this, Harvey Dent was a symbol of hope to disgusted voters, young people and the people in Gotham who were ready to fight back against corruption. If the truth had been told, the people's belief in Harvey Dent, and quite possibly the legal system, may have collapsed. 