How important was Batman in the Dark Knight Trilogy?

How important was Batman in the Dark Knight Trilogy?

The Dark Knight Trilogy has been regarded as one of the best trilogies in movie history. Not just in terms of comic books films, but in movies in general. Christopher Nolan took a well-known character, breathed new life into him. He also saved a franchise that was almost ruined by the prior two movies (Batman Forever and Batman and Robin). It also produced one of the greatest antagonists ever in Heath Ledger’s rendition of the Joker. It’s been five years since the franchise ended and something dawned on me. The Dark Knight Trilogies would still succeed with less Batman.

The Dark Knight Trilogy was never really about the Dark Knight himself. It was about Bruce Wayne, the rise of Jim Gordon within the police force, and the people of Gotham City. Of course the movie requires cameos from Batman. Its only purpose was to keep the title and further the plot. But how much was Batman needed in any of the three movies?

Batman Begins

Be honest with yourself for a couple of seconds. How much of Christian Bale in his bat-suit do you remember? Before you answer, it can’t be the, “SWEAR TO ME!” scene. That’s because Batman’s scenes in this movie were forgettable. Als, the movie wasn’t about Batman. Batman Begins was about a plethora of things. Bruce Wayne was coming to terms with who he is and where he fits in the world, still dealing with his parent’s death, conflicts with Alfred on the type of person he felt Bruce has become, and the issues with his longtime friend Rachel Dawes. These are the main focuses and none of them involve Batman.

Despite Batman being the reason people paid money to go see the movie, he was a bit of a side character throughout this film. We may have needed him in those final moments during the last scenes when Scarecrow and Ra’s Al Gul were defeated, but that was maybe 20 minutes of airtime in a two hour and 20-minute movie.

Dark Knight

There was more Batman in this Dark Knight than the other two movies. The funny thing is the Caped Crusader spent more time fighting everyone except the main antagonist The Joker. All of Joker’s most iconic scenes didn’t involve Batman at all. The two “Why so serious” scenes, the disappearing pencil trick, and the hospital scene were all with other characters. There were only a few scenes other than the finale where Batman was needed. In the beginning to stop Scarecrow, Joker’s interrogation, and in the end when he saved Commissioner Gordon and his son.

If Commissioner Gordon caught Joker in the car chase scene instead of Batman, it would have made the interrogation scene a tad more special. Seeing Batman pop up behind Joker after not seeing him for a while would have had the audience going crazy! Not knowing when you’re going to see Batman would have built up a bigger emotional response from viewers when they did get an opportunity to see him. It’s like not knowing when your school or your job is going to have pizza. If it’s every Friday, you’re excited for that day to come. But when it comes out of nowhere? You’re ecstatic because it was unexpected.

Dark Knight Rises

Dark Knight Rises should have been called Gotham Rises.  The rises part of the movie was a reference to Bruce getting out of the pit after being defeated by Bane. In the end, how much did we see Batman at all? Dark Knight Rises is more about the citizens of Gotham City rising up against evil, Commissioner Gordon being victorious against all odds, and Bruce Wayne realizing that he is more than just the Batman costume.

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There was also a lot of self-reflection this movie as well. Each of the main characters had a moment of clarity that changed their lives. Catwoman realized her life of crime was frivolous, Gordon ended up having more faith in the people of Gotham, and Bruce left the Batman persona behind and Bruce Wayne behind and started a new life of his own with Catwoman. All of which didn’t involve Batman.

At the end of the day, the Dark Knight Trilogy was amazing. Without the success of Christopher Nolan’s Batman, the DC Cinematic Universe may not have produced any movies as soon as they did. Dark Knight also made it cool to have more realistic comic book movies and shows without a ton of CGI. But after looking back at all three movies, Batman was more of the side character while Bruce Wayne, Commissioner Gordon, and the rest of the cast were the glue that held this amazing franchise together.

Next: 50 greatest super heroes in comic book history

How important was one of DC’s most famous heroes to the Dark Knight Trilogy? Let us know below.