Why Batman Fans Hate The Dark Knight Rises's Ending

[seriousfic]

Spoilers!

The article.

I just find it weird how TDKR is deconstructing the entire idea of Batman going out in a blaze of glory because the only way his war on crime can end is with his death, and yet instead of praising this reversal of expectations and broadening view of the character, a lot of fans are attacking it. And this after people attacked The Dark Knight for having a small (but significant) character arc for Bruce.

What exactly would Bruce's arc be if the movie were to end in his death? That he has to be willing to sacrifice his life for the greater good? Doesn't Bruce already know that? Does anyone believe he wouldn't have given his life to stop Ra's al Ghul in the first movie? That if it weren't for two and a half hours of character-building in TDKR, he'd run like a craven coward instead of dying?

"Batman, the only way to save the city is for you to defuse the nuke. You'll be exposed to lethal radiation, but millions of lives will be saved." "Fuck that, I'm outta here!"

Comments

[starwolf-oakley.livejournal.com]

Whoever does a reboot should borrow a page from "Bruce Wayne: Murderer" and have Batman state "There is no Bruce Wayne" and decide he just won't be Bruce Wayne anymore.

[jlbarnett.livejournal.com]

I think most Batman fans figure he'd be most happy being Batman and having a life outside of Batman.