Why Batman Is Awesome
by
Joseph Pettine
The
lights dim and the people around me fade into the shadows. Only a
moment ago the audience was howling as a teenager in a purple suit
and clown make-up faced off against a joker dressed as Adam West's
Batman. For five straight minutes an entire row of seats had counted
down the moments until midnight, announcing each minutes passing with
a ridiculous vampire laugh. But now the theater grows as silent as
the grave. In the darkness I spare a look at my coworkers, my
friends, my loved ones. All of us joined together by our love,
anticipation, and Batman. Not even the forlorn loner loudly
complaining through a mouthful of popcorn can ruin this. Why? Because
Batman is Awesome!
For
those of you – who've been living in Pena Dura Prison – who don't
know who Batman is... As a little boy Bruce Wayne watched his parents
gunned down by a greedy mugger and his life changed forever. Unable
to move on from the tragedy, Wayne traveled the world mastering the
arts of combat and detection. He then returned to Gotham and,
understanding that criminals were a superstitious and cowardly lot,
donned the guise of Batman to strike fear into his enemies and bring
order to his beloved city. And so he prowls the streets at night,
bringing justice to a world of injustice, and reminding the most
humble of us that you don't have to dress like a Bat to stand against
the villains who just want to ruin it for everyone.
And
there always will be the villains. The Scarecrows and Jokers and
Banes who want to make everyone miserable. At midnight on July 20th
during a premiere of the Dark Knight Rises a masked gunman
opened fire inside the theater killing twelve innocent people and
wounding fifty eight more. The twenty-four year old assailant was
quickly apprehended and later identified himself to the police as the
Joker. Except he isn't the Joker. He isn't anyone special. Just an
asshole with a gun. The same kind of person Batman has been fighting
against his whole life. And the cast and crew of the Dark Knight
Rises responded to the tragedy in true Batman fashion. Sending
out heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families,
suspending further premieres of the movie out of respect, Christian
Bale even visited the surviving victims. Because we can't let the
gunmen ruin the movie theaters and happy places we live in.
And
there will be plenty of people trying to ruin the Dark Knight Rises
for you. Almost as many as the people who want you to enjoy it. I
liked it. And I figure I'd let you guys like it or dislike it to your
heart's content. If you want a review then go read the forty five
glowing appraisals of what many are calling the Godfather of
superhero films. I'm only going to give three simple reasons for
going to see the Dark Knight Rises.
1.
Catwoman. For comic book fans there has never been a more accurate
adaptation of character from comic book to film. For people who like
strong woman who don't take guff from masked men then Anne Hathaway
as Selina Kyle is a dark dream come true. For everyone else... How do
you not like Catwoman?
2.
Bane. Many of you may find yourselves disappointed by Bane not being
Heath Ledger's Joker. Get over it. Tom Hardy delivers a performance
in a mask better than some actors do in the nude. Bringing a range of
emotions to the screen with only his eyes and massively muscular
body. Tom Hardy as Bane is the James Earl Jones as Darth Vader of our
generation.
3.
Michael Caine. Do I need to explain this? Since 2005's Batman
Begins Michael Caine has been a
staple of Christopher Nolan's films. Whether it be about magicians or
dream thieves or Batman, Michael Caine has always brought a wealth of
emotion and acting talent to his roles. This is in no way a slight to
the impressive cast featuring Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Joseph
Gordon Levitt, and Cillian Murphy. But if Michael Caine doesn't have
you crying by the end of the film then your heart is colder than Mr.
Freeze's.
I
went to see The Dark Knight Rises
with my friends and loved ones and coworkers. We loved the film and
we had a great time. What more can you ask for. So go see the dang
movie. And enjoy it.
