2. Its Standing in Comparison to Nolans Previous 2 Batman films & Wrapping Up The Trilogy.
Some may take offence to the use of the term Nolans Batman, though to do so is to misunderstand the point entirely. Yes Bob Kane created Batman and it would be incorrect to suggest otherwise, though just as there have been a number of different interpretations of Kanes creation, this is Nolans, he co-wrote the screenplay, hes co-producer, hes the director, this is his vision. But lets not get sidetracked. The Dark Knight Rises felt very much like a completion of what Batman Begins had begun and in some ways The Dark Knight was an episode in between. The most obvious connection here is The League of Shadows. With Liam Neesons Ras al Ghul being the lead antagonist of Batman Begins, the basic storyline largely concerns Batman serving as protector of Gotham, preventing Ras from destroying the city. Fast forward to The Dark Knight Rises and despite not being revealed until late on, the lead antagonist, the mastermind, is Talia, Ras daughter whos intent on completing her fathers work, with Batman again serving as protector. The similarities in the villains motives mark a similarity in the films. They are about Batman having to overcome personal demons to save his city. In The Dark Knight, Batman must stop a mad man; in Begins and Rises he must save Gotham. The Dark Knight is more concerned with Two Face and The Joker than it is Batman. Batmans problem in this film is not stopping them, but what he represents to the citizens of the city. Quite soon into TDKR, Batmans potential issue with the townspeople is resolved, he isnt in hiding for very long, meaning the trilogy can again focus on him, his inner turmoil, his fear, grief and motivation before again becoming Gothams hero. TDK didnt really wonder if the bat was up to the job, whereas the trilogys completion with TDKR, Batman, the supposed hero, quite rightly took centre stage again.