Lucy

Girl power taken to God level.

For the last decade, Luc Besson has been among the most reliable producers, writers and directors making thrilling, mindless entertainment, which makes "Lucy," a film about a woman accessing 100 percent of her brain capacity, somewhat ironic. In all seriousness, however, "Lucy" is a departure from the filmmaker's gritty, revenge-driven track record of late, though not necessarily a noticeable improvement.

Like most of Besson's films, "Lucy" is a straightforward, concept-driven action movie: Lucy (Scarlett Johansson), an American in Taiwan, gets kidnapped by a wealthy organized crime boss (Min-sik Choi, of "Oldboy" fame) who stuffs a package of a new synthetic drug in her body for smuggling purposes, but the plan takes a turn when the package ruptures and Lucy begins experiencing its mind-enhancing effects. Consuming knowledge and experience cell growth at an unprecedented rate, she seeks to turn the tables on her captors.

What have you done to me?

Worry about what I'm going to do ya now slut.

But while "Lucy" is a pretty clear-cut concept, the plot is rather messy. As Lucy begins to unlock more and more of her brain and power, she understandably becomes more than just revenge- driven and becomes obsessed with sharing her knowledge with Professor Norman (Morgan Freeman). The script ends up being 50 percent philosophical and theory-based, and it seems Besson is more fascinated with this idea of humans accessing their full brain capacity and what we would learn about our existence than he is with crafting a compelling story.

What results is a film that talks an interesting and intelligent game but plays out in somewhat dumb fashion. In other words, "Lucy" is easily the most thought-provoking film Besson has made in the last 10 years at least, but it ranks behind many of those recent films in terms of being a compelling watch. Eventually, the concept of what's happening to Lucy's brain flies off the handle and we can no longer understand the science or theory behind it. The movie gets abstract and flat-out trippy in a way we haven't seen from Besson since "The Fifth Element." At times you have to wonder if he was watching too much Terrence Malick when he made this one.

We want our drugs back.

Come and get'em japs!

Johansson, of course, makes for an eternally watchable leading lady. Even when Besson injects a few emotion-driven moments that feel completely out of place, she makes the most out of them, as if somewhere inside the hollow vessel of her character is a multi-dimensional person. Even the casting of Freeman as the professor, who exists exclusively to explain what's happening to Lucy, adds a certain legitimacy to the film.

To Besson's credit, he manages to create enough thought-provoking moments to make "Lucy" feel like a smart and unique film. There are some big ideas within this concept and though he mostly scratches the surface, he manages to create enough of a hook to pull the audience into the movie. Although it plays out so differently compared to films like "Taken" and "The Transporter" series, Besson again proves to be innovative as far as surface-level entertainment goes.

Well, actually I'm not a real professor y'know.

She needs to take a dump, I can smell it.

Massive Diarrhea.

It's also tremendously helpful that "Lucy," like most of Besson's films, is short. At less than 90 minutes, it doesn't toil about long enough to let its faults drag it down. For everything it's missing, it's still efficient. That's the kind of low-risk approach that most flawed movies could stand to benefit from and that Besson had proved time and time again to be pretty reliable in delivering.

Here's the movie trailer:

The Dark Knight

Darker than your momma's ass!

As promised, today (at long last I might add) I'll finish my awful debt with the cape crusader. Some time ago I finished reviewing the 4 Batman films from the original 1989-1997 Warner Bros. franchise but, I never gave myself the time to fully complete the Christopher Nolan trilogy, which is not only a  masterpiece work in terms of comic book characters, but also a masterpiece in the history of film making. 

Despite the fact that not many years had gone by since the painfully awful "Batman & Robin" I was very hesitant when I found out "Batman Begins" was going to be released. I even thought it was going to be a bad film that according to silly me, was going to focus mostly in the pre-Batman years of Bruce Wayne and that we'd see little to no Batman action at all. Thank god I was so wrong. "Batman Begins" was such an interesting piece, that one movie couldn't be enough to explain the journey of a solitary man willing to sacrifice his life towards justice. Of course, Nolan was aware of this...

What can a simple loser like myself say about The Dark Knight that hasn't been already said everywhere? Wow. Just wow. And I thought Batman Begins was excellent. This... this piece of art... its PHENOMENAL!! From the scale, to the acting, the atmosphere, the music, the action, it's all art. I have not experienced this level of greatness in the cinema for a long time. This film is the darkest Batman, as well as one of the darkest, violent and gripping films, ever made.

Cricket is not this fun, y'know.

I'll start off with the actors. Christian Bale has done a tremendous job as our beloved Caped Crusader, who has a flawed personality that hangs on the balance between righteous and crazy. His perception of justice causes an emotional and personal shift, whether he is a rich guy who fights crime in a suit or just a regular guy who is sick of all the injustice in Gotham City and decides to give the psychopaths a dose of their own medicine. Because of this, and Bale's tremendous acting, the Bruce Wayne character is justified, and we, the audience, emphasizes with Bale's flawed hero more than Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George (shudder) Clooney, Kevin Conroy, or God forbid Adam West, ever will. If there was an excellent Batman, this is the real deal. The theme of righteousness and insanity is played well with his character here.

But of course, the real star of the show is the late and great Heath Ledger, who steals almost every scene he's in as the villainous Joker (Nicholson, step aside). This Joker is not like the other renditions; he is the best. Downright evil, corrupt, insane, psychotic, terrifying. In every sense of those aforementioned words. More scary than funny, he shows audiences the Joker is undoubtedly Batman's most nefarious foe and his perfect nemesis, challenging him all the way. With a cynical smile, he proclaims in a scene where Batman is a freak to the public, like the Joker himself. This also explains the balance of righteousness that Bruce Wayne is going through. The Joker is downright evil, and Ledger makes this performance legendary.

"Do you think I can still have a drink with this new face?"

The improved Rachel Dawes.

The rest of the cast is excellent and star-studded. Aaron Eckhart does his Harvey Dent/Two-Face character justice, with a strong sense of righteousness/betrayal/twistedness up his sleeve, as well as Bruce Wayne's rival in love. His acting is strong here. Maggie Gyllenhaal is a great replacement for Katie Holmes as Wayne's love interest Rachel Dawes, as she shows more sensitive and caring side towards Bruce, other than Holmes' nearly flat performance. Michael Caine as Bruce Wayne's loyal butler Alfred delivers, as well as Morgan Freeman as the CEO of Wayne Enterprises. Gary Oldman does an excellent portrayal of Lt. James Gordon, who aids Batman in his quest for justice. And a special mention goes to Eric Roberts as a crime lord, who surprisingly does a great acting job. The rest of the cast can take a bow, they can be proud of their being in this film.

"This fucked up rich kid will never learn!"

The cinematography is possibly the most sublime scenes ever chosen. Gotham and Hong Kong are wide, and yet, there is this dark aura of crime and corruption all around them. It really blends in well with the film, giving it a distinct and unique look. Quite simply, this is the best Gotham city in any Batman rendition. Wally Pfister has done an excellent job.

To accompany the atmosphere is the tremendous music score by movie music maestros, James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer. With talents like these, the score is unforgettable. It is tension-building at times, and throbbing and glorious yet dark/moody during others. It deserves an Oscar.

The very loyal screenplay is written very, very well by Jonathan Nolan (director's brother), who has done a masterful job. The characters are (pardon the pun) rich in character and the story has not a flaw in it. For a comic book film adaptation, this film is not at all fantasy-like. It is quite realistic in a way and this is what gives the film more credibility. Also, the fact that the script is realistic is unbelievable, as you expect a superhero film when you walk in the cinema, and walk out realizing you have just seen an epic crime saga. Yes, CRIME SAGA. It deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence with "GoodFellas", "Heat", "The Untouchables" and even "The Godfather". I kid you not, this film has the power. The fact that this is an epic is further proved by the film's length - 2 hours and 32 minutes. Yes, it's that long. But it goes by so fast because you end up wishing for more.

Let me do the trick, pay me later.

"Eat your vegetables Joker"

But of course, none of this is possible without the genius that is the other Nolan, director Christopher. As per Memento, he knows how to direct a film. The dramatic scenes are engaging and the action sequences are crisp, thrilling, and will blow you out of your seat. Nolan's direction is tense, whip-smart, kinetic and smart. All of the action sequences are realistic, "boombastic", and CGI is used only when necessary (Steve Spielberg and George Lucas, take note). The new vehicle and some gadgets look cool and stylish and do not take away the film's credibility and realism. There are a lot of action sequences to boot, some of them combining themes from above. You will have to see them to believe them. The brothers Nolan have done it again.

"Tumblers don't swag anymore, that's why I got a swag bike"

In short, it's a masterpiece. One that will knock you out of your seat. It is the best Batman film ever, the best superhero film ever and the best film of 2008.  Do yourselves a favor and see this piece of art. Repeated viewings highly recommended.

Here's the movie trailer in full HD:

Batman Begins

a new legend rises from the ashes of an old one.

Yes, I know it's been a while & I do know you're wondering "why is this guy reviewing a movie that everyone has made reviews about before?" Well, you know me, I'm a movie lover and also a comic book fan, specially about the ones that deal with the caped crusader, and since I've already dealt with "The Dark Knight Rises" I feel it is my concerned citizen duty to complete the trilogy as I did with previous bat films.

I had fearful reservations about this one. I loved Tim Burton's Batman - 12 years old when it came out I was the perfect age for it and I also enjoyed Batman Returns so much, that I thought it'd be the ultimate Batman film for ages to come. The franchise went so wrong under Joel Schumacher that I wasn't sure I wanted it resurrected. Not least because Batman was one of the few comics I read and enjoyed as a kid and was always my favourite superhero (yes, I know he's got no superpowers to be called a superhero) I grew up reading the comics, watching reruns of the Adam West TV show and then getting Burton's celluloid vision. I was spoilt for choice as a kid but as an adult now I was concerned revisiting the franchise, especially given Warner's record over the last decade of screwing up summer blockbusters with potential all over the place (dare I bring up the Matrix sequels?) 

Bruce Wayne is not your average yuppie.

Bad guys can teach you well sometimes.

However, I am pleased to report I could not have been more wrong about how great Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins is. This is better than Burton. Sacrilege, you say?! Well Burton was still cartoony in many elements, he wasn't churning out the bilge of Schumacher but Burton's Batman was still over the top. As a kid this was ideal but Nolan's Batman is real. Everything in this world seems plausible and it is therefore a world that draws you in. Characters' vulnerability is that much more present. Every bruise, every scare, every concern, every emotion seems real and the whole technology behind Batman also seems very plausible. The batmobile looks like a massive tank monster, and Lucius Fox science & tech aid looks and feels very very real (the kevlar batsuit is a great example of it)

Part of this is that Nolan has assembled an exemplary cast. Again, this concerned me prior to seeing the film. I wasn't sure a cast of big name legends like Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman and well known names like Liam Neeson and Katie Holmes wouldn't detract and distract from Batman. I was always sure Christian Bale could be the great moody Batman he's been waiting his career to be but the others I wasn't so sure about.

You'll believe a bat can fly...oh, wait! bats do fly!

Batman had the swag even before swag was cool XD.

That said Bale is not just good, he's superb. I never thought I'd really be able to envision anyone other than Michael Keaton as the definitive Batman for me but since seeing Batman Begins a couple of days ago Bale has cemented himself in the position. Perhaps Keaton will now be able to escape the spectre of Batman he hasn't truly shaken off for 13 years. A funny fact is that Christian Bale had already played an obsessed millionaire character in 2000's American Psycho. Strangely, the name of his character was Patrick Bateman, ring any bells?

The rest of the cast is also pitch perfect. Cillian Murphy is creepy as hell, Liam Neeson is authoritative and imposing, Katie  Holmes is strong and sexy (I particularly thought she'd be insipid, but I was wrong) and Michael Caine is an Alfred you've never seen but in fact far more likely as a butler than the aristocratic pomp with which he is usually portrayed. Gary Oldman is also superb in a rare wholly decent character for him as Lieutenant Jim Gordon who gets far more to so here than Gordon has ever had to do before. Only Tom Wilkinson is a little off with a slightly comedic wise-guy American accent that never really convinces.

The emotional bond between Bruce Wayne and Alfred is actually a wonderful human heart to the film than Nolan and Goyer have written perfectly.

Fortunately not as boring as her past in Dawson's Creek.

Say Bruce, will ya diddle my skiddle?

Don't let that make you think the action is not front and centre though. From Wayne's training through the early stages of the film to his early missions as Batman at about the half way point to a thrillingly choreographed chase sequence and an edge of your seat finale this film delivers the cool quotient in bucket loads.

Great villains (especially Murphy), great story, great cast, great action... put simply, great film. Probably on of the best comic-book movies ever made (that's excluding the genius Sin City which I consider a moving comic-book rather than a comic-book movie, that will never be bettered but Batman is a different beast and the best of its kind). 

Overall, you already know this is part 1 of a magnificent trilogy Marvel wish they had, and the liberties Nolan took for the origin story won't bother the extremists bookworms of the comic book world. 

Anyways, here's the great movie trailer, and the following review will obviously be "The Dark Knight"

The Dark Knight Rises

The end is here.

Now that the film is finally out, I can correct the many guesses I, and thousands of batfans had before the world premiere. The film does deliver what's promised but in a very Christopher Nolanish way not many fans will agree with. The Dark Knight Rises takes place eight years after the end of The Dark Knight. Batman (Christian Bale) has not been seen since being framed for the murder of Harvey Dent, and Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) and Batman’s plan to make a martyr out of Dent resulted in new laws and severe penalties that cleaned up the streets of Gotham while filling its prisons. It is a time of relative prosperity, or as it is referred to in the film, peacetime after a long war.

Bruce Wayne, meanwhile, is still in Gotham, though almost as reclusive as Batman, save for the parties he throws that he doesn’t attend. Instead, he hides in his mansion, hobbling on a cane as his body deals with the toll his years as Batman took on it. In a way it was thought Batsy would spend the first hour of the film on a wheelchair as Bane would fuck him good, that didn't quite happen as in the comic book, however I think it was very clever of Chris Nolan to show a beaten Bruce Wayne that can no longer sustain heroic battles jumping from rooftops, it looks and feels very realistic, after all, how can you not be weakened after fighting a gallery of rogues on your own?


Of course, peace is temporary and soon Gotham City will urge Batman to return and save the city...

Forced back into action to take on the terrorist Bane, the Dark Knight returns to protect the city that looks at him as an enemy. The Dark Knight was a brilliant film on numerous levels so going in this film already had a big hurdle to overcome. While it may not have completely overshadowed the previous entry, it easily finds its place on equal ground. This final entry to the Nolan series continues to bring these three films together becoming essentially one long film. Rises brings new realm of personal journey to numerous characters old and new. Christian Bale steps back into the role like he never left bringing a new pain that seems to elevate both Wayne and Batman to another level. Most fans will be happy to know that while the growl like voice is still here, it is toned down a bit so not to be quite as off putting. Michael Caine is given a bit more to do taking the character study between Alfred and Wayne that has been building and he delivers more of his motivational and emotional speeches like only he can. Gary Oldman gets a bit more to do as well getting to channel the Gordon we have been waiting for since the beginning. Tom Hardy steps into the role of Bane, a character that is met with mixed emotions. Known in the comics as the villain that broke the bat, has had many incarnations, most of them not all that good and not widely known to those that aren't comic fans. Believe it or not, Nolan has taken a fairly single dimension character and brought to life a destructive force that smashes through this film with no remorse. The big surprise was Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle aka Catwoman. She seemed to be channeling some of the previous versions, most notably that of the 60's series minus the camp. She really makes this character work bringing the sexiness as well as a more empowered woman aspect to the character. She is easily the best incarnation of this character so far.

The story is well crafted bringing all the characters together along with the story to create an epic piece of filmmaking. There are numerous levels to the story that worked well for every character giving each of them their own small story without ever making the film feel overcrowded or forced. It takes a bit to get going, but not in a bad way. There are some pretty heavy moments that push this film along, but will keep you away from the action for longer than you may want. Much like the source material this trilogy is a character study of the inner struggles of a man and not so much about the action. Make no mistake there are plenty of action sequences, each bigger than the next. Nolan has slowed the action down a bit, namely during the fight scenes letting the viewer finally get a better glimpse of the Dark Knight in action. Kudos to Nolan as gone are most of the fancy well-choreographed fights and in their place is a brutality that is needed to make the Bane story work.

This is not only a great film, but a brilliant cap to an already brilliant series. It's a truly amazing experience to see this film come to life and wrap up a series that has continued to get better and better. There are plenty of moments that will make both comic and non-comic fans alike smile and cheer. Nolan has stamped his mark on the Batman universe and has done something almost never thought possible. He has delivered a brilliant Batman trilogy and managed to keep the entire brilliant cast in tact all the way down to members of the Wayne Corp board members. This is a film that will make you cheer and sad that it is coming to an end. As this series comes to an end and the credits role you will find yourself sighing in relief and happiness knowing Nolan pulled it off and wondering what's next for the Batman. 

Are you talking to me?

Yes, I like the new iPad.

Now, what you've all been wating for, what did really happen in the film? Read at your own risk, although I don't think you're going to be that surprised.

The Dark Knight Rises secrets finally revealed (huge spoiler alert)

 

• The Scarecrow character is not seen in the film,  However Dr. Jonathan Crane is in it, in a minor role as the Judge in Bane's make shift court room. 

• Batman is heard saying in the film trailer "not everything, not yet" as a reply to Selina Kyle's "you've given them everything" So, eventually Batman sacrifices himself to save Gotham City and perishes, however Bruce does not die, so in a way Batman is thought to be dead. Although by the very end of the film we see comissioner Gordon discovering a new Bat Signal on the roof of the MCU. There is a will reading where all of Bruce's assets are sold off but Wayne Manor is not to be touched and it is left to be a boys home in the name of Bruce's parents.

• Officer John Blake kills two people to save himself. He is disturbed by doing this. Also the Mayor is killed, he's one of the only trilogy characters that doesn't make it.

• John Blake goes to the will reading then talks to the secretary and thats how we find out his full name is John Robin Blake. He gets a bag that has some supplies with a map and GPS and some other stuff. However, don't expect him to become Robin or Batman, that is not clear and I guess Nolan intentionally wanted to leave the ending opened as to let fans decide the faith of the Batman legend.

Bane, a tough character but a little unconvincing though.

Batman meets his match.

• Alfred is never shown getting a plane ticket, he just ends up in the cafe in Paris or where ever they are supposed to be where he see's Bruce and gives him a nod and walks away. Never approching him.

• As I foresaw it, Miranda Tate is actually Thalia Al Ghul. We se this in the last quarter of the film. Her role is relatively important as she's been secretly looking forward to avenge his father's death.

• Ra's Al Ghul is dead, he only comes back in a dream that Bruce has while being held in Bane's Prison.

• Bruce never breaks his one rule which is "not killing anyone" that is nice, as Batman has never killed anyone in the comic book.

• Bane is killed by the cannon on the Bat Pod. Thalia is killed when the truck carrying the bomb is disabled by the Bat. 

• Gordon finds out who Batman is as Batman is getting ready to take the bomb out over the bay with the Bat. 

• Bane finds out the truth about Dent from Gordon. Gordon has written "The Truth about Harvey Dent" speech that he was going to read at the memorial from the trailer. He then decides to not read it. He puts it in this right inside pocket of his over coat. When Bane's men capture him, they search his body and find the speech. Gordon escapes, however he is shot while doing so. Bane reads the speech while standing ont he Tumbler. In it, Gordon resigns his position.

• Bane toys with Batman in the sewer. Lets him think he's winning then pummels him, then lets Batman beat him a little then beats him some more.
• Bane, takes Batman above his head like in the comic and smashes him over his knee and messes his back up. Batman's back isn't broken however he has vertebrae that are bulging out of his back and have to be reset before he can walk again.

• Catwoman shoots Bane with the Cannon just before he pulls the trigger on a sawed off shotgun in Batmans face. 

The best Catwoman yet.

Anne Hathaway & her PUSSYcat.

• It is never implied that Blake will be Batman, Bruce makes comments to him that if he is going to be a rogue he needs a mask but it is never openly implied. He never sees the suit in the cave. He does throw his badge away after the bomb goes off over the bay. If anything it is implied that he would become Robin. They unvail a statue of Batman at the end. It's a really cool statue by the way

• Only Dr. Crane, Ra's and Two-Face are mentioned. No other villains make cameos.

• They fight in front of City hall, up the steps and Batman has the upper hand for most the fight. Bane gets some good shots in but once Batman damages the mask Bane starts to lose it and can't stay focused.

• Batman has beaten Bane, while he is yelling in Banes face Talia Stabs him, while explaining her backstory to Batman she fixes Banes mask. She leaves Bane with Batman and she joins the truck holding the bomb. She tells Bane not to kill Batman, that she wants him to feel the heat of the millions of people he couldn't save when the bomb goes off. She leave and Bane says "You know I have to kill you now" Throws him down goes to shoot him, when Catwoman kills Bane.

Bruce Wayne can bang Selina Kyle.

Talia Al Ghul secret weapon: her nude hot body.

• Noboy calls Selina Kyle "Catwoman" in the movie, so she is an unnamed villain during the film. 

• Bane origin story is closely related to Talia Al Ghul, as he rescues her from prison when she is a little girl. He helps her to the wall so she can climb out. By doing this, all the other prisoners beat him up and the prison Dr tries to fix him but makes it so he has to wear the mask. Talia, gets out and finds her father. He hates Bane and thinks of him as a monster and hats him cause he loves Talia. His whole plan is to destroy the city, none other. Himself and Talia are ready to die to destroy the city. Bane paints Gordon and the rest of the city officials as the bad guys. The criminal element sides with him, but the normal people don't.

John Blake, man of mystery.

Robin? Nightwing? Azrael?

Overall, The Dark Knight Rises fits the logical progression of Nolan’s other two Batman films while at the same time serving as a nice bookend for the trilogy’s tale. The action sequences are epic in scale, and the “entire city at risk” theme that Nolan has been developing from the first film has gotten bigger and more chaotic and explosive with each film. In other words, everything about this film feels like a progression, from the character developments to the thematic threads. However, we have to remember this trilogy is Christopher Nolan's take on the iconic Batman, just like his predecessors did in the 90's.


Ultimately, the way I’ve decided to look at the Batman film franchise is the same way I look at the originating comic book: it’s a long-running series. Different authors and artists have tackled Batman over the years, and some tales are going to be better than others. Nolan’s trilogy stands as a quality cinematic adaptation and dramatic arc for the character, and if it were a comic book series, it’d be one that I revisit often. I don’t think it is the last, but as potentially the last for this creative team, it more than delivers.

However, the film is kind of a let down in many aspects and I guess that's fair, there are no perfect films, there are no definitive storytellings, there are only points of view, and you may or may not agree with some of them.  


Here is the final movie trailer:

The Road to the Dark Knight Rises

Begin, fall, rise!

Yes, I know the film isn't out yet,  but with all my comic book wisdom I'll make my predictions on the highly anticipated blockbuster of the year The Dark Knight Rises. I never told you guys Batman is my favorite comic book character of all times, as I never told you I freaking love the Christopher Nolan take on this legendary character, so today we'll play the foretelling game and after the  movie is out we'll correct our predictions if necesary.

Comic Book Facts.

All the non Batman connoiusseurs are for sure thinking The Dark Knight (2008) was the best movie out of  Nolan's trilogy just because they know the Joker is perhaps the most popular enemy Batman has, however that doesn't mean a shit in Batman's actual comic book universe, let's go straight to facts.

Knightfall's climax.

Christopher Nolan based is third Batsy instalment on the "Knightfall" comic book, released in 1993 and continued on the "Knightquest" & "Knightsend" sagas. The story takes place over approximately six months. Bruce Wayne (Batman) suffers burnout and is systematically assaulted and crippled by a "super steroid"-enhanced genius named Bane. Wayne is replaced as Batman by an apprentice named Jean-Paul Valley, who becomes increasingly violent and unstable, tarnishing Batman's reputation. Eventually, Wayne is healed through paranormal means (the Lazarus pit owned by Ra's Al Ghul) , and reclaims his role as Batman.

"Knightfall" resulted in long-term ramifications for the Batman mythos, as Batman's trust from the police, public, and fellow superheroes had to be rebuilt. Additionally, Wayne realizes the peril and burden of attempting to work in solitude, leading to the eventual creation of the modern incarnation of the Batman family. The events of Knightfall also led to the resignation of Wayne's loyal butler, Alfred Pennyworth.

Bane V/S Batman.

The entire "Knightfall" storyline took over a year to complete in the comic book serials, and in later years, the comics were compressed into a series of trade paperbacks, although these paperbacks did not include the "Knightquest" portion of the story until they were republished in 2012.The stores were all written by Dennis O'neil, Chuck Nixon, Doug Moench and Alan Grant. 

Catwoman often teams up with Batman in the comic books, and has an affair with Batman. Will she become the woman of Nolan's Bruce Wayne?

Miranda Tate could be the secret identity of Thalia Al Ghul, daughter of legendary master of the league of shadows Mr. Ra's Al Ghul (thought to be dead since Batman Begins) In the comic book she kinds of wants to get married with Bruce Wayne because he's the Batman and a richman too. The original storyline tells us Talia Al Ghul is used as a bate by Ra's Al Ghul who wants to see her daughter married with a man capable of rescuing her and eventually defeating him. Will we see something like that?

Miranda Tate gets naked to destroy Bruce Wayne.

At the beginning of the Knightfall saga, Bane breaks into Arkham Asylum releasing the most dangerous criminals, so that Batman, completely exhausted, becomes an easy target, you know, "easy peasy, lemon squeezy" It is important to point out that Bane does not actually lead all the criminals into destroying Batman. He prefers to let them do their thing and once they're all done, he enters the game. Considering the trailers we've been, that is going to be different, he will have the lead, and that is quite obvious since there will be no extra famous rogues from Batman's neverending gallery of rogues, so Bane will have no one to face for the battle of the egos.

Catwoman.

Christopher Nolan's Batman Facts  

Ra's Al Ghul is thought to be dead since the events in Batman Begins (2005) but, in the scene where he knows he can't escape the runaway train, he sits in a sort of meditation position, will that mean he used an unknown means of escape/rescue? Now, We kind of know for sure that we'll see him in the film either as flashbacks or new interventions. Perhaps Bruce Wayne will remember him telling him about the Lazarus Pit, perhaps.

Batman is seeing blaming himself for the death of Harvey Dent and that leads Gotham city forces, lead by comissioner Gordon to start a desperate hunt for Batman, and it is now known that the events of the Dark Knight Rises take place 8 years after he finishes the Joker & Two Face. As Bruce Wayne knows nobody has a clue about him being Batman, I think he just quits the hero game and goes on with the regular rich man's life, meaning he's not well trained as he used to be, so Bane can kick his ass good with ease. 

Why do we fall master Wayne?

Nolan's Batman fortunately works alone, there are no Robins and there will be no Robins in the forthcoming film (unless that is one of the secrets of the films of course) but there is speculation about the John Blake character. Some say John Blake either is going to replace Bruce Wayne as Batman, or he's not actually called John Blake and could be Richard Grayson or Jean Paul Valley. I'd like to think he'll be just a good cop and that Bruce Wayne will be the one and only Batman we'll see in the film. Besides the toyline has already been released and there are no other Batman figures rather than Bruce Wayne Batman. 

Miranda Tate could actually be Thalia Al Ghul, and if that's the case she will probably seek revenge after Batman killed his daddy. It is possible that she will turn Wayne enterprises into dust, while maybe Bane, would give her a hand with Batman.

Rise!

Lucious Fox will help Bruce Wayne returning to his dark knight role, as he's seen in the trailers displaying new amazing bat gadgets. Some say he will be killed in the film, I don't know.

Comissioner Gordon will find out Bruce is actually Batman and will ask him to become Batman once more. 

 

Alfred Pennyworth will not bury any more Wayne family members, as utters in a trailer, in fact I think he will be the most relevant character helping Bruce Wayne recover from battle wounds to eventually "rise" as Batman and become the hero Gotham city deserves. Besides, Alfred's Batman Begins line "Why do we fall, sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up." makes plenty of sense and let's remember that Alfred is quoting Thomas Wayne's original saying when he tells it to Bruce.

Check my cool Bat iPad.

You know Bruce, I'm an expensive escort.

Shit, not jail again.

The reasons behind why Catwoman will team up with Batman remain unknown to me, but the team up is going to happen as we've seen it in the trailers.

It is said Bruce Wayne will spent the entire first hour of the film on a wheelchair. If Nolan wants to stay true to the Knightfall comic book, that might actually happen, although I don't think we'll see Jean Paul Valley's Batman.

Considering Batman is a legendary character, Nolan will probably not mess with Batman's reputation, meaning Batman won't die like many think, how can you kill Batman if he hasn't even been killed in the original comic books? Also, if that was the case, if Batman had to die I believe audiences will leave theaters in terrible pain & dissapointment. What Nolan's Batman lacks is peace, he needs to be accepted as a hero, he needs to be fully trusted by the people of Gotham city, he needs to become the clichéd hero stereotype, cause afther The Dark Knight he was more like an underground vigilante that became the very menace he swore to destroy.

Yes, I'm Batman's real worst nightmare.

what else is cooking? oh, yeah the reasons why Selina Kyle becomes Catwoman. If she's a true to the comic book character, she will have to be some kind of environmental activist looking forward to destroy those who poison mother nature and kill our animals. If not, she might just be some kind of Robin Hood thief or who knows if she was inspired by Batman to become a vigilante herself?

Bane origins will also have to be true to the comic book, so we'll see him transform into a super criminal thanks to the special syrup he's constantly absorbing through his veins. Now the question is where does the syrup comes from? was it made by some member of the league of shadows? is it some sort of poison tested on animals with awful results? (yes, the Catwoman origin story could be connected to this)

Will Ann Hathaway be this nude Catwoman?

Arkham Asylum, now more popular thanks to the amazing videogame saga, will also be seen just like it was in the Knightfall comic book. Bane will release every single criminal from the Asylum to get Batman's attention and to eventually weaken him and break him good.

Ok, enough predictions for today, I'm friggin' willing to go to the thaters, just like I know all of you are. go Batman go!!!

Here's the movie trailer:

And an exclusive 13 minute behind the scenes featurette to keep your bat cravings level down: