The Dark Knight Rises - No Spoilers

[Dragonfire]

The Dark Knight Rises



I've been wanting to see another Nolan Batman movie since the credits started on The Dark Knight the first time I saw that one.  I was very happy when I read that Nolan decided to make a third movie even though he also said it would be the last one.  

I'm going to be very careful not to share any spoilers here.

Nolan has done what has seemed impossible for a long time.  He made a third movie about a superhero that didn't turn into a mess in some way.  Yes I have still managed to enjoy most of them overall - like Spider-Man 3 and X-Men: The Last Stand - they had major story problems with cramming too many storylines and characters in.  That does not happen with this movie.  It is every bit as good as the previous movies, and better in some ways.  I saw it Friday morning - start time of 11:40 am - and I'm still in awe of how good..and well freaking awesome this movie is.  For me, the movie more than lived up to the hype and I wasn't disappointed with it at all.  

The story is handled very well.  There is a new deadly threat to Gotham, but Bruce also have a few ....I'll call them lingering issues to figure out as well.  The story is complicated without being so complicated that it is hard to figure out what is going on.  The different story elements work together wonderfully without any of them feeling like they were short changed.  There is a proper resolution and I think it works really well.  I know some people don't care for one aspect of the ending, but I don't feel the same way.  The ending is great, not just for this movie, but for the trilogy.  I have seen that some people are debating the ending already.

Bane is a great villain...not as complex as Joker, but that's ok.  I like that Bane isn't that much like Joker - other than wanting to cause destruction in Gotham that is.  This is not the mindless thug being controlled by Poison Ivy from Batman & Robin.  This guy is fully intimidating and a worthy opponent for Batman.  The fight between the two of them is handled very well.  From what I have read over the years, this version of Bane is more like he was in the comic books.  

I really like Selina.  She has ...questionable motives more often than not, but she isn't all bad.  I like Anne Hathaway in the part too.

The visuals are wonderful again.  At one point a somewhat different bat signal is seen.  The way it is shown, and the build up of the score make that a very powerful moment.  And it was cool.    There is a new vehicle that is just as awesome as the car and bike.  The action scenes are wonderful, and yes, there are things that are just freaking cool - like the flipping truck from TDK or the hallway fight from Inception.  The movie is still dark..which makes sense given the tone of the first two, but hope also plays a part in the movie.  There are emotional moments as well...the strongest in a few scenes with Alfred.  

There are a few things that happened or were shared that I didn't see coming.  I'm still wondering why I didn't suspect something with regards to one of them.  Well...I briefly thought of something and then quickly dismissed it. 

I absolutely loved this movie.  I'll definitely get it on Blu and I will probably see it in the theater again.  I also feel like having a Nolan movie marathon..and possibly a Batman movie marathon, ending with the first 2 Nolan Batman movies.

[mr]5[/mr]

I did get a review posted at Epinions.  It did take me longer because I just couldn't stop thinking about a few things.  

The Dark Knight Rises

[Achim]

Well done on keeping the review spoiler free

Just came back from watching it myself. Two Three minor and one less minor quibble:

• Unless there were projection issues in my IMAX it seems he used an actual IMAX camera again in several scenes. However, if I am right, I could not figure out th motivation for th use of the larger framing and worse it seemed rather random.
• typical timer problem. [spoiler]the timer seemed to jump from 10 to 5 minutes within 2, but then need another 10 to reach 0 [/spoiler]
• EDIT: I wonder if Catwoman will run away as she said or turn around... Oh, what a surprise... 
• Considering it is supposed to be a Batman movie, there could have been more of the caped crusader for my taste.

But I totally agree otherwise. Great, great movie, more of the level of a police drama than an action movie though. The scene with Alfred is incredibly awesome and shows just how brilliant Michael Caine is; note ow emotional it is despite the lack of music!

Acting is very good across the board, from Gary Oldman over Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Michael Caine. Many bit parts were cast with fairly famous actors as well (who was that cop on the bridge...?). Tom Hardy did really well despite half his face covered by his mask (and he was much better understandable than the trailer made us think).

And then of course the ending, rounding off this trilogy very well.

I prefer The Dark Knight over this one, but this is still high class cinema and a must-see.

[spoiler=The End! Do Not Open until after seeing the movie!]Unless there is plans I felt introducing Robin at the end was a bit of a waste.
Comic book readers supposedly could see a twist coming, knowing that Raz Al'Ghul's child is a girl?
Having the Scarecrow have another cameo was a cool idea.
I was stupid enough to think The Batman may have sacrificed himself, feeling all sad or a minute or two. I felt stupid when the reveal was bing prepared   (auto-pilot had been fixed)[/spoiler]

[dfmorgan]

Apparently there is talk of DC rebooting Batman and there is this link that someone sent me.

[Tom]

Apparently there is talk of DC rebooting Batman and there is this link that someone sent me.

Or today's strip.

[Dragonfire]

Well done on keeping the review spoiler free

Thank you.  I was very careful about that.

Just came back from watching it myself. Two Three minor and one less minor quibble:

• Unless there were projection issues in my IMAX it seems he used an actual IMAX camera again in several scenes. However, if I am right, I could not figure out th motivation for th use of the larger framing and worse it seemed rather random.
• typical timer problem. [spoiler]the timer seemed to jump from 10 to 5 minutes within 2, but then need another 10 to reach 0 [/spoiler]
• EDIT: I wonder if Catwoman will run away as she said or turn around... Oh, what a surprise... 
• Considering it is supposed to be a Batman movie, there could have been more of the caped crusader for my taste.

I remember reading about the last one that he used IMAX cameras at times for some scenes.  Guess he did again.  I didn't really notice a difference, but I didn't see an IMAX version.
Yes there could have been more actual Batman, but given the story and what was going on, it makes sense it works out this way.

But I totally agree otherwise. Great, great movie, more of the level of a police drama than an action movie though. The scene with Alfred is incredibly awesome and shows just how brilliant Michael Caine is; note ow emotional it is despite the lack of music!

It is great.  The police stuff works well, including the conflict between John and the one guy..crap..can't remember his name.  [spoiler]Possibly because I just thought of him as the Coward until he showed up in full uniform at the end[/spoiler]
Do you mean the last scene with Alfred?  That one was incredibly emotional - it had me start to tear up.  His earlier scenes are good too..with how he is confronting Bruce about him not moving on..and that one conversation that goes back to events in the last movie.  Man that was rough. 

Acting is very good across the board, from Gary Oldman over Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Michael Caine. Many bit parts were cast with fairly famous actors as well (who was that cop on the bridge...?). Tom Hardy did really well despite half his face covered by his mask (and he was much better understandable than the trailer made us think).

Yes it is.  It has been for all the movies.  The casting has been great all along.  I can't think of who the cop on the bridge was. 

And then of course the ending, rounding off this trilogy very well.

I loved the ending.  I didn't expect how everything worked out, but I think it worked so well.  I'm very happy.

I prefer The Dark Knight over this one, but this is still high class cinema and a must-see.

I don't know which one I prefer honestly.  There are parts of each that I think are better - No one is out doing Ledger's Joker.  It just isn't going to happen.  I do feel like all the story elements got enough attention this time..in the last movie I thought things with Harvey were a little rushed.  At the time, I had thought it would have been better to just show Harvey getting injured..starting down the road to Two-Face, with the full...transformation so to speak in another movie.  Well....  I shouldn't have doubted Nolan.  The man knows what he is doing.

[spoiler=The End! Do Not Open until after seeing the movie!]Unless there is plans I felt introducing Robin at the end was a bit of a waste.
Comic book readers supposedly could see a twist coming, knowing that Raz Al'Ghul's child is a girl?
Having the Scarecrow have another cameo was a cool idea.
I was stupid enough to think The Batman may have sacrificed himself, feeling all sad or a minute or two. I felt stupid when the reveal was bing prepared   (auto-pilot had been fixed)[/spoiler]

Do not click on the spoiler until after seeing the movie.  You've been warned.
[spoiler]I haven't heard of any plans for another movie tied to this one.  I like that it is set up like John will take over..and his real name is Robin.  I never suspected anything like that, but I liked it.  I would like to see a movie with him taking over as Batman.  That would be very interesting.  I know Nolan has said that he won't direct another Batman..that doesn't necessarily mean he wouldn't produce.  Not that I've heard anything.  Just speculating here.  lol  Bale has said that he'll have to see someone else play Batman..probably before long.  So maybe there were talks of maybe following up with what was started.  Or maybe not.

Comic book readers may have seen that coming.  I haven't read them, but I knew that Raz Al Ghul - I have no idea how to spell his name - has a daughter named Talia.  I even know that she and Bruce have had a ..umm..somewhat complicated relationship in some of the comics as well.  When a child of Raz Al Ghul was mentioned, I did briefly think of Talia, but I quickly forgot about her since it was going along like Bane was the child..even though I hadn't heard of that connection in the comics..and I don't know that Raz Al Ghul had a son.  I guess I didn't expect for Talia to pretend to be someone else.  I can't remember what I've read about Talia in the comics, so I don't know if she did anything like that in the comics.  I was thinking that Bruce knew who Talia was all the time in the comics, though I could be wrong about that. 

No reason to feel stupid for that.  I thought he did too.  I'm glad he didn't, but I could have seen him going off to die that way too.  Him dying would have sucked.  I got more convinced when they had the little funeral and Alfred did his talk about failing Bruce's parents..Then the other things were shown and I started getting happier.  I like the ending with Bruce being happy.  He finally full dealt with everything - going all the way back to his parent's murders - and could move on.  I've seen that some people have been debating about the ending, with some claiming it was a dream.  This was not Inception..and Nolan has never done a dream in place of reality in the first two Batman movies...I doubt he would have started with this one.   [/spoiler]

[Achim]

Apparently there is talk of DC rebooting Batman and there is this link that someone sent me.

Or today's strip.

Well, one of the strips says Bane's mask is not explained. I'd have to disagree, I thought that was sufficiently covered (not in all glorious detail, but that isn't needed).

Do you mean the last scene with Alfred?  That one was incredibly emotional - it had me start to tear up.  His earlier scenes are good too..with how he is confronting Bruce about him not moving on..and that one conversation that goes back to events in the last movie.  Man that was rough.

[spoiler]No, the first one from the corridor, when he is leaving. I thought it was quite heart breaking to see how he realized he lost with all his attempts to save Bruce and therefore failed to keep his promise to Bruce's parents.[/spoiler]

I don't know which one I prefer honestly.

I was mainly going by the fact that the previous one had more high octane action... I guess in overall he was simply taking a slightly different approach, rather than just repeating what he had done before. All three parts have stylistic differences...

[spoiler]I've seen that some people have been debating about the ending, with some claiming it was a dream.  This was not Inception..and [spoiler]Nolan has never done a dream in place of reality in the first two Batman movies...I doubt he would have started with this one.   [/spoiler]

I agree that it was unliekely to have been a dream; I guess those people refer to the part with Alfred in the coffee shop. I thought it was interesting that we see Bruce's face full on, in most films it would only be hinted at or seen from the side maybe. But I guess he was clearly presenting himself to Alfred.[/spoiler]

[Dragonfire]

Well, one of the strips says Bane's mask is not explained. I'd have to disagree, I thought that was sufficiently covered (not in all glorious detail, but that isn't needed).

I disagree about the mask too.  There is enough of an explanation for it.


[quote ][spoiler]No, the first one from the corridor, when he is leaving. I thought it was quite heart breaking to see how he realized he lost with all his attempts to save Bruce and therefore failed to keep his promise to Bruce's parents.[/spoiler][/spoiler]

[spoiler]That was hearkbreaking.  He tried so hard to get through to Bruce.  And since he had waited so long, and destroyed that infernal letter before, Bruce wouldn't believe the truth about Rachel.  He'd spent years building up what could have been with her.  I didn't like her that much in the second movie, and I especially hated how she dealt with choosing between Bruce and Harvey.  She didn't even have the decency to tell Bruce herself..she wrote a letter and left it to Alfred to deliver.  Oh I how hated that..and that Alfred was put in that position.[/spoiler]

I was mainly going by the fact that the previous one had more high octane action... I guess in overall he was simply taking a slightly different approach, rather than just repeating what he had done before. All three parts have stylistic differences...

Yes they do..and I think that is part of what makes them all so good.  They are all wonderful movies in their own rights..but put them together and they make a hell of a good trilogy.  One of the best ever...I'd say right up there with Lord of the Rings.  Yes I just went there.

[spoiler]I've seen that some people have been debating about the ending, with some claiming it was a dream.  This was not Inception..and [spoiler]Nolan has never done a dream in place of reality in the first two Batman movies...I doubt he would have started with this one.   [/spoiler]

[spoiler]I agree that it was unliekely to have been a dream; I guess those people refer to the part with Alfred in the coffee shop. I thought it was interesting that we see Bruce's face full on, in most films it would only be hinted at or seen from the side maybe. But I guess he was clearly presenting himself to Alfred.[/spoiler]
[/quote]

[spoiler]Yes people were saying that last bit with Alfred in that coffee shop or cafe was a dream.  The people that claim that say that we saw the explosion, so he's dead.  Batman wouldn't do so much for Gotham and then leave..stuff like that.  They seem to be forgetting that Bruce never said he intended to be Batman forever.  In the second movie, he was talking about stopping, thinking that Harvey could be the symbol against crime for the city.  Then Joker struck and screwed that up.  Bruce even says in this movie how he and Rachel were going to go away together in that argument with Alfred.  It has been said that Batman is a symbol and the man in the costume doesn't matter..that is said a few times in this movie.  Bruce even talks about it being a symbol in the first movie.  He has seen something in John that makes him believe that John can step up if Batman is needed again.  You are right..we do see his face full on.  I think that is to make it clear that he's alive and he paid attention to what Alfred said earlier.  When Alfred talked about the time when Bruce was gone before, he said how he went to that place on his vacation and hoped to see Bruce there with someone..proof that he'd found happiness.  That's why Bruce was there at the end.  He remembered what Alfred said and that was his way of letting him know, even after their...falling out.  Also, Selina is there.  If it was a dream, I don't think we'd see her.  Alfred only knew her as the hired help who stole Bruce's mother's pearls and was a burglar.  He didn't know there was any further connection between Bruce and Selina, so why would he imagine Bruce with her?[/spoiler]

Oh, I forgot to mention something last night...
[spoiler]I loved that Scarecrow turned up again.  He seemed to be having so much fun presiding over that...court.  lol[/spoiler]

I just watched Batman Begins again...first time I've seen it in several years and I had forgotten some things.  I also picked up on a few little things that come back around in this movie.

[spoiler]Bruce is in that prison in the first movie..he ends up in another one in this movie. 
When he is still acting as Ducard, Raz Al Ghul talks about having had a wife and that she was taken from him..no mention of a child or daughter. 
His father shows Bruce the pearls for his mother...before they go to the opera.  She is wearing them when they are shot.  The same pearls that Selina decides she likes and steals.  I'm sure there are more little things like that in all three movies.  [/spoiler]

I think that's it for now.

[Achim]

Yes they do..and I think that is part of what makes them all so good.  They are all wonderful movies in their own rights..but put them together and they make a hell of a good trilogy.  One of the best ever...I'd say right up there with Lord of the Rings.  Yes I just went there.

I am right there with you! LOTR or Toy Story...

[spoiler]It has been said that Batman is a symbol and the man in the costume doesn't matter..that is said a few times in this movie.  Bruce even talks about it being a symbol in the first movie.  He has seen something in John that makes him believe that John can step up if Batman is needed again.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Yes, Batman merely being a symbol is very much a theme. Just to be sure he repeats it one more time at the end t Gordon, just before he basically reveals himself to him and flys off. We even do see this acted upon at the end! John gets the key to the batcave and we can assume that he will continue to give Gotham the Batman they need. Or a Robin or Nightwing or someone... So, Bruce Wayne may have left Gtoham, but he made sure the symbol would remain.[/spoiler]

[Dragonfire]

I am right there with you! LOTR or Toy Story...

Yes...Toy Story..I knew there was another awesome trilogy I couldn't think of last night - the extreme heat has melted some brain cells I think.  lol 
But yes, Toy Story is right up there with LOTR..and now The Dark Knight Trilogy.

[spoiler]Yes, Batman merely being a symbol is very much a theme. Just to be sure he repeats it one more time at the end t Gordon, just before he basically reveals himself to him and flys off. We even do see this acted upon at the end! John gets the key to the batcave and we can assume that he will continue to give Gotham the Batman they need. Or a Robin or Nightwing or someone... So, Bruce Wayne may have left Gtoham, but he made sure the symbol would remain.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Oh yes I got that part with Gordon.  He made a reference to how Gordon was kind to him after his parents were killed...even showed the footage from the first movie when Gordon comforted Bruce a little bit, put the coat around his shoulders - that was his dad's coat.
Remember earlier in the movie, after Gordon is shot, John goes to see Bruce and shares that he figured out that Bruce was Batman a long time ago...  saw the same look on Bruce's face that he had to use to get past the death of his parents..something like that.  I can't remember the exact dialogue now.  But John was the first to mention seeing something similar in Bruce that is in himself.  Which probably started to plant the seed in Bruce.  Then later, he saw what John had been doing to try to help in Gotham while Bane was in control.  That's why he left John the coordinates to get to the Batcave.  I wouldn't be surprised if he consults Lucius at some point either.  There could have been a note in what Bruce left John..or something in the Batcave itself.  And Bruce was careful to let those few key people know that he was still alive and he hadn't left Gotham without Batman.  Lucius finds out that the auto pilot had been fixed and Gordon goes up on that roof and sees that the Bat signal has been repaired. 
I saw some people going on about how Bruce wouldn't have gone to the lengths he did to protect Gotham - fighing Raz Al Ghul, Joker, and Bane - and then abandon the city.  He didn't abandon the city.  He has it all set up for John to be able to set up and take over, so Gotham still will have Batman if he is needed.  [/spoiler]

Oh..I remembered one of the other little details I was going to mention last night.
[spoiler]In Batman Begins, after he test drives the car for the first time, Bruce asks if it comes in black.  In this movie, after showing Bruce the new plane thing, Lucius just says that yes it comes in black.  It ties right back into that..just another little detail that makes all the movies stronger.  I have to read the article in my Entertainment Weekly about Nolan and making this movie again.  Basically, he wanted separate movies that were also connected.  He explained it better.  lol  So many little things go back to the first movie...bringing things full circle.  Very few directors focus on that level of detail.  Or even attempt to pull it off.[/spoiler]

[Achim]

[spoiler]Lucius finds out that the auto pilot had been fixed and Gordon goes up on that roof and sees that the Bat signal has been repaired.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]That was one hint I missed, and mauve it's the most obvious one I saw Gordon earlier at the broken bat signal and I saw him at the fixed one, but it idn't really click at the time that it "must have been repaired" [/spoiler]

So many little things go back to the first movie...bringing things full circle.[/spoiler]

I think I need to see the first one again soon...

[Dragonfire]

[spoiler]That was one hint I missed, and mauve it's the most obvious one I saw Gordon earlier at the broken bat signal and I saw him at the fixed one, but it idn't really click at the time that it "must have been repaired" [/spoiler]

[spoiler]It is easy to over look things at times.  I can't remember now if that is shown before or after Lucius is told about the auto pilot being fixed with how those last things are shared all  intermingled.  If I remember right, Gordon puts his hand on the bat part of the signal and sort of smiles.  I think he may have been shown standing there first..looking in the direction of the signal..then he was standing at it touching it.  I think.  I need to go see it again.  [/spoiler]

So many little things go back to the first movie...bringing things full circle.
I think I need to see the first one again soon...

Yup...you should.  I picked up on several things when I watched it again last night.  I'm thinking there will be some little things in the second one too...which I still need to watch again.  And go see this one again.  lol

Something else...we see that Bruce gets injured in the first movie..Alfred even comments on it at one point.  Then in the new movie, we see the more long term results of the injuries. 

[northbloke]

I got to see this at the weekend, and thought it was an excellent film. Not as good as The Dark Knight, but still excellent.
However I've got a couple of niggles about the ending and wanted to share them in case I missed something:

[spoiler]When he goes to drag the bomb over the bay, he says to Gordon and Catwoman that the auto-pilot doesn't work (I don't remember anyone else there). But he later fixes the bat signal, letting Gordon know he's alive and Catwoman is sitting with him in Florence. So why would he lie and let them think (temporarily) he was dead?

Slightly later, he's still in the plane when you see him pull it up and shoot the building to get over it. At that point the children on the bus watch the plane all the way out to sea, until it explodes. At what point do you think he bailed out?

Lastly, Alfred is devastated at the funeral, but in Florence reacts as if he was expecting to see him at the table. Did he know he was alive at the funeral? Is he really that good an actor (Alfred, not Michael Caine)?[/spoiler]

What do you guys think? These are very minor niggles and I did love the film.

[spoiler]I certainly never expected Talia, despite knowing fine well Ra's had a daughter in the comics, Nolan certainly deftly misdirected me on that note.[/spoiler]

[DJ Doena]

Can't wait to have it watched by tomorrow night and discussing with you.

[Tom]

Can't wait to have it watched by tomorrow night and discussing with you.

Me as well. I am curious about the content of all the spoiler tags in this thread 

[Dragonfire]

I got to see this at the weekend, and thought it was an excellent film. Not as good as The Dark Knight, but still excellent.
However I've got a couple of niggles about the ending and wanted to share them in case I missed something:

[spoiler]When he goes to drag the bomb over the bay, he says to Gordon and Catwoman that the auto-pilot doesn't work (I don't remember anyone else there). But he later fixes the bat signal, letting Gordon know he's alive and Catwoman is sitting with him in Florence. So why would he lie and let them think (temporarily) he was dead?

Slightly later, he's still in the plane when you see him pull it up and shoot the building to get over it. At that point the children on the bus watch the plane all the way out to sea, until it explodes. At what point do you think he bailed out?

Lastly, Alfred is devastated at the funeral, but in Florence reacts as if he was expecting to see him at the table. Did he know he was alive at the funeral? Is he really that good an actor (Alfred, not Michael Caine)?[/spoiler]

What do you guys think? These are very minor niggles and I did love the film.

[spoiler]I honestly can't remember if anyone else was there or not at that point or not.  Hmmm....Something to try to pay attention to when I see it again - hopefully in the theater.
I'm thinking he let them think he was dead to make it more believable.  Have everyone think he really is gone until he is established in his new life.  Maybe he thought if he let them know at that point what he was going to do, that they would let something slip and then the story of him dying to save the city wouldn't work. Like maybe one of them would have accidentally let it slip that Batman was still alive.  Then people would have been looking for him before the city truly needed him again.  It had to be completely believable to work.  Maybe...at least that's my theory at the moment.

I read something right after I saw the movie - when I found that people were debating if he did survive or if it was some sort of dream.  Anyway, what I read pointed out how low the plane was flying through part of the city..and there were times when it was blocked by buildings.  Who wrote that little article thinks he bailed out when the plane was low inside the city..that way his jumping would be blocked by the buildings.

I think Alfred was just really hoping to see Bruce there...or maybe he just went there out of habit from when he took his vacations there previously.  Back earlier in the movie he talked about how he went on vacations during the 7 or 8 years when Bruce was missing..and how he hoped he'd see Bruce there, happy with someone.  So that conversation planted the seed with Bruce.  When he faked his death, I'm thinking Alfred didn't know then and at the funeral he truly thought that Bruce was gone and that he had failed his parents.  That bit really got to me by the way.  I'm thinking it goes back to Bruce wanting to make absolutely sure that everyone believed he was dead so that he could have his fresh start.  He wanted Bruce behind him as well.  I'm guessing he thought that if Alfred knew ahead of time, he wouldn't have reacted to the news of Bruce's death believably.  Once he was settled into his new life and happy, Bruce wanted to let Alfred know - Alfred mentioned earlier how much he hoped that Bruce would find happiness.  Bruce knew where to go because of the earlier conversation.  Bruce may have even known that Alfred was on vacation at that point.  Despite the argument before Alfred left, Bruce still cared about him..so he wanted him to have the peace of mind of knowing he had moved on and was finally happy.  Again, that is just my thinking on it.   [/spoiler]

[spoiler]I certainly never expected Talia, despite knowing fine well Ra's had a daughter in the comics, Nolan certainly deftly misdirected me on that note.[/spoiler]

I thought of something else last night, but forgot to come back and add it to the post.

[spoiler]Bruce had that clean slate program thing that Selina was after.  I got the impression he'd had it for a while.  He said he got it to keep it out of the wrong hands, but I started wondering if he really got it to use for himself if he was ever able to leave Batman, Bruce, and Gotham behind.  He was ready to leave Batman and Gotham behind by late in TDK when he thought Rachel was going to leave with him...  I'm thinking that maybe once that didn't happen, he started considering the possibility of not being Bruce Wayne anymore too.  He'd already done that before Batman Begins..when Ducard/Ra's first talks to him in the prison, Bruce is surprised that he knows his real name..he'd been using a different name then.  Maybe he started thinking that if he had the chance to leave Gotham, he'd do it in a more permanent way.  Anyway...I think he really got a hold of the clean slate thing to use for himself.[/spoiler]

Ok..I think I'm done again...for now.



[spoiler]Yes he did.  It wasn't completely out of left field, but I still didn't see that coming.  A surprise that fits in perfectly with the source material.  That isn't accomplished often.[/spoiler]