# The Dark Knight: unqualified masterpiece **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 17, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857 "2008-07-17T18:34:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/241 "2008-07-24T16:13:36Z")
[QUOTE=Trunk] And, my point was that the elaborate nature of it contradicted what Joker was supposed to represent. [/quote] Well, yes and no. It does contradict the Joker as a guy who doesn’t plan–but that, frankly, was another one of the Joker’s lies, like the ones about his scar origins. He LOVES to plan. He’s constantly planning, and he’s better at it than just about anyone else. It amuses him to tell people that he doesn’t like to plan. It’s just his plans are designed to sow chaos and confusion. But I don’t tink there was a single evil thing he did, from disappearing a pencil to blowing up the police station, that wasn’t planned out in advance. > [@](#): > > Then, doesn’t that make the whole bullet investigation thing meaningless? Hmm…maybe. Batman discovered the cops, and if he’d discovered them thirty seconds earlier, he might have been able to warn the mayor and prevent the shooting. But yeah, given his timing, I’m not sure he gained anything out of it. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/242 "2008-07-24T16:32:59Z")
[QUOTE=Left Hand of Dorkness] Well, yes and no. It does contradict the Joker as a guy who doesn’t plan–but that, frankly, was another one of the Joker’s lies, like the ones about his scar origins. He LOVES to plan. He’s constantly planning, and he’s better at it than just about anyone else. It amuses him to tell people that he doesn’t like to plan. It’s just his plans are designed to sow chaos and confusion. But I don’t tink there was a single evil thing he did, from disappearing a pencil to blowing up the police station, that wasn’t planned out in advance. Daniel [/QUOTE] Now, that gets us somewhere. Chaos out of Order. Hmmmm. . .that provides a more logical counterpoint to Batman and his intentions, while remaining consistent with the Joker’s echo of al qaeda-style attacks. ---
**Author:** ![HubZilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ccd318/32.png) [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/243 "2008-07-24T20:23:36Z")
Dumb question since 1987 Has it ever been addressed why movie Batman always has a black costume? Why was it never grey with the blue cowl, cape, and boots? ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/244 "2008-07-24T21:27:41Z")
[QUOTE=HubZilla] Dumb question since 1987 Has it ever been addressed why movie Batman always has a black costume? Why was it never grey with the blue cowl, cape, and boots? [/QUOTE] It just works better on film. In comics, it’s easier to believe he’d just wear spandex and have the agility to dodge bullets and such. It’s not quite as easy to believe in live action. I imagine it’s very much the same reason the X-men didn’t have costumes resembling their comic book incarnations either. OTOH, heroes like Superman and Spider-man depend much more on the design of their costumes, which is why they’re much closer to the comies. For Batman, the costume is important, but mostly the belt, cape, and pointy ears; the difference between black and gray has significantly less impact than changing the colors that Superman wears. Besides, doesn’t a black costume make more sense? If you were Batman, lurking in the shadows and such, what color would you choose? Doesn’t a costume that offers some protection make sense for a Billionaire? It’d be much harder to buy a billionaire out there, with no super powers, risking his life in spandex. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/245 "2008-07-24T21:52:53Z")
And. if it hasn’t been mentioned, the other side of his “hospital bomb” threat was to get some average joe to kill the blackmailer, thus underlining his idea of the “people are animals” speech. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/246 "2008-07-25T02:26:49Z")
[QUOTE=HubZilla] Dumb question since 1987 Has it ever been addressed why movie Batman always has a black costume? Why was it never grey with the blue cowl, cape, and boots? [/QUOTE] Because black looks really cool? 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/247 "2008-07-25T03:50:02Z")
There’s one thing about the movie I still don’t understand. Near the end, when Batman is talking to Fox in the Apple Store/Batcave about the sonar phones, why the hell is Batman using his gruff voice? Fox already knows he’s Bruce Wayne, so it makes the scene look utterly ridiculous when you realize this. Is he trying to impress him or something? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/248 "2008-07-25T04:02:57Z")
Maybe he was in a hurry and forgot to turn it off. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/249 "2008-07-25T04:10:54Z")
Maybe the new flexible neck connector is too tight. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/250 "2008-07-25T04:37:01Z")
[QUOTE=Siam Sam] Maybe he was in a hurry and forgot to turn it off. [/QUOTE] But he wasn’t using a voice modulator or anything, right? It’s just him, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/251 "2008-07-25T04:47:24Z")
[QUOTE=EJsGirl] Because black looks really cool? 🆒 [/QUOTE] The same reason the _silver_ slippers in _The Wonderful Wizard of Oz_ (the book) were transformed into _ruby_ slippers in _The Wizard of Oz_ (the movie). ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/252 "2008-07-25T04:52:56Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] But he wasn’t using a voice modulator or anything, right? It’s just him, isn’t it? [/QUOTE] I thought it sounded like a modulator and assumed that was it. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/253 "2008-07-25T04:59:52Z")
[QUOTE=Siam Sam] I thought it sounded like a modulator and assumed that was it. [/QUOTE] But there’s no sign of a microphone or speaker anywhere. Plus I would think they would have addressed or made mention of this in the first film, like they did with almost everything else Batman has. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/254 "2008-07-25T05:04:23Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] But there’s no sign of a microphone or speaker anywhere. Plus I would think they would have addressed or made mention of this in the first film, like they did with almost everything else Batman has. [/QUOTE] I simply assumed it was some sort of synthesizer integrated into the suit, probably in the neck area. Still do. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/255 "2008-07-25T05:11:17Z")
[QUOTE=Siam Sam] I simply assumed it was some sort of synthesizer integrated into the suit, probably in the neck area. Still do. [/QUOTE] I dunno, I think it’s teetering a bit close to fanwanking. But maybe so ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/256 "2008-07-25T06:12:24Z")
I could’ve sworn I heard him drop into his batroom voice at the party, after knocking Dent out and shoving him in the broom closet. Like he was using it as a way to quickly communicate to Rachel that the party was over and that his actions were for Dent’s safety. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/257 "2008-07-25T09:09:26Z")
[QUOTE=ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies] I’ve got $10 that says it is not eye-liner or any other kind of makeup. 😃 Surely this can be settled by a reporter with their finger on the pulse of popular curiosity while doing an interview or something… [/QUOTE] Those watching Lost have made similar comments. It would seem to be the way he always looks. I don’t know if it’s natural or if makeup people just like giving him eyeliner, but it seems like it’s not limited to his Batman role. [QUOTE=well he’s back] On another part of the interweb, I saw Angelina Jolie suggested to play Catwoman. What do you guys think of that idea? [/QUOTE] I loves me some Angelina Jolie but I’m not sure I would cast her in this role. I’m thinking someone with her dynamic attitude but with a look more along the lines of Shannyn Sossamon. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/258 "2008-07-25T09:20:54Z")
While we are discussing the holes in superhero characters, can I just ask if Clark Kent’s glasses incorporate some sort of device which prevents people recognising him as Superman? ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/259 "2008-07-25T10:55:59Z")
[QUOTE=jackdavinci] I loves me some Angelina Jolie but I’m not sure I would cast her in this role. I’m thinking someone with her dynamic attitude but with a look more along the lines of Shannyn Sossamon. [/QUOTE] Gina Gershon did pretty well as Catwoman in the _The Batman_ cartoon, I thought. Casting would have to be _perfect_, though, to completely overpower any memories of the _other_ Catwoman. An awful performance is just as big a ghost to live down as a fantastic one. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857/260 "2008-07-25T13:11:00Z")
[QUOTE=jackdavinci] I loves me some Angelina Jolie but I’m not sure I would cast her in this role. I’m thinking someone with her dynamic attitude but with a look more along the lines of Shannyn Sossamon. [/QUOTE] Holy crap! I really dislike Shannyn Sossamon, but she could definitely pull off the slinky, sexy, acrobatic feel of Catwoman. Plus, her voice has just enough of an edge to make it believable that she’s not quite all there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-knight-unqualified-masterpiece/456857.md?page=14)