Ask AJ: She Has All the Answers

**** UPDATED ****

You asked and I'm answering! Here's a Batman-centric edition of Ask AJ:

I was wondering, what are your thoughts on the Dark Knight Rises? I am a huge fan of Batman, specifically Batman: The Animated Series, and I was wondering if you like Nolan's series and your thoughts on the last installment? I am beyond excited because I like Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon Levitt, and Christian Bale. As for Anne Hathaway—I would have preferred Rachel McAdams. What are your thoughts? – Anony Moose

First, I have to say that this is one of my favorite questions that I have ever been asked. I grew up desperately wanting to be Batgirl. Well, not necessarily Batgirl, but I wanted to be Batman's sidekick. I was pretty obsessed. And I still am. But Batman: The Animated Series is and always will be one of my personal favorite cartoons, as well as—in my objective opinion as a critic and fan of television—one of the most brilliant animated shows ever created. What I loved most about it is the way it didn't cave in and make a childish cartoon that was a censored look at Batman through rainbow sunglasses. It was true to the spirit of Batman as a troubled, mysterious caped crusader who could be viewed as a hero or a vigilante running amok.

And Christopher Nolan's take on the franchise has been, for me, a wonderful experience because it takes Batman: TAS to the next level. His films are delightfully dark in just the right ways. And (somewhat obviously because it is not animated), Nolan adds a new layer of realism to such an extreme plot. Gotham is a comic book world, but in Nolan’s take you don’t have to suspend your disbelief as much as had to for the previous Batman film series. He doesn’t trouble himself with comic book styling and the fact that he is adapting comic stories doesn’t impede his storytelling the way, for example (again, my opinion), it did for movies like Sin City. Through the first two films, I've felt Nolan’s series has been everything it should be in a reboot of a franchise. The original film adaptations that turned out to be the four-film Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher series were campy and surreal. They are enjoyable in their own ways (who doesn’t still say, “Saved by kitty litter!” on occasion?). And Nolan took that, clearly appreciated it, and went in a completely different direction. And I applaud and thank him for that.

As for the upcoming third and final installment of Nolan’s Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, I couldn’t be more excited. I must confess that I saw the full-length theatrical trailer for the first time in theaters recently when I went to see Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows* and it honestly gave me chills. And it was so intense that it actually made my chest tight. I was even shielding my eyes and plugging my ears through most of it because I try to avoid watching trailers for movies I already know I want to see* and that was still my reaction! It breaks my heart that we have to wait until July to see it, but I know it is going to be completely worth it.

With regard to the casting choices—I am so grateful that Inception happened, that it was such a phenomenon, and that Marion Cotillard, Tom Hardy, and JGL were in it because now they are in TDKR. I love all three of them and I know they are going to be wonderful, but I am particularly pleased with the casting of Tom Hardy. Whenever I think of Tom Hardy in the role of Bane, I think of Mickey Rourke in Iron Man 2. His part was greatly underused in that film (one of its many problems, enjoyable as it may be), but the forethought that he put into it and the intensity that he brought to it—for some reason, I know in my heart of hearts that is how Tom Hardy is going to deliver Bane. At that level or higher.

As for Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, I am actually quite pleased with her casting. From watching previous films, I know Anne can be charming and witty, but I also know she can be really, really dark and have this menacing edge—like having a razor blade smile. And that is the exact combination of traits I see in Selina Kyle. And I have faith that Anne would find a way to put her own spin on Catwoman, as amazing as Michelle Pfeiffer was in Batman Returns. I know there were lots and lots of names bandied about for this role, but I trust that they picked Anne Hathaway for a reason and that she is going to blow our minds with how wicked and wonderful she is as Catwoman.

Apparently, I can talk about Batman all day long. The moral of the story is that I am SUPER excited about The Dark Knight Rises and I think Christopher Nolan and his cast and crew for this trilogy have done a terrific job.

It’s probably too early to start a countdown, right? Blerg…

The Dark Knight Rises opens July 20th!


*Note: It is REALLY hard not to say “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Thrones” when trying to recite the full title.

*Note: This is because I have an insane memory so if I see even a tiny detail, I end up spoiling things for myself during the movie. If that didn’t make any sense, let’s just chalk it up to the fact that I am a weirdo.

UPDATED 2:04pm:

Yes, I take "Batman Forever" to a whole new level. Tim Burton's Batman (1989) was, I believe, the very first movie I ever saw in theaters. (I'm dating myself, but since I was a few months shy of four at the time, if there were movies I saw in theaters before Batman, then I was too young to remember.) So, I've basically been a fan my whole life!

And I COMPLETELY. CONCUR. that Christopher Nolan is a genius and that Memento is a genius film that genius-ly illustrates his genius. I had a serious obsession with that movie for years. Oh, man, this blog would be so embarrassing if I had started it back then...

Finally, I promise to do better with the posting. I have lots o' ideas for posts and things I want and need to say/write about. It's just a matter of finding the energy, focus, and time. But it SERIOUSLY helps to know that there are actually people who read it! That makes me super happy.

Thanks for commenting and asking questions and keeping the pop culture dialog going, Anony Moose!