superhero-size quandary

The new Batman movie has been out for a little over a week now, and there is no question: people are excited. The only possible hesitation upon stepping up to the ticket booth is whether or not to buy the small, medium or large popcorn. Batman Begins got moviegoers excited about comic books in a whole, new way with the slightly dark and philosophical take on Bruce Wayne’s transformation. However, The Dark Knight has taken “dark and philosophical” to new heights, and it is hard to know exactly what to think.

While I am no student of Marvel’s superheroes, I am interested in how movies reflect the society in which they are made and played. Contrary to popular opinion, there is no such thing as completely mindless entertainment. Of course, many movies succeed in coming close, but, regardless, every film has a message whether it is an overall or underlying theme. Gone are the days of blissful, black-and-white morality on the big screen. Filmmakers love to play in the gray area nowadays. The American public has viewed numerous ethical quandaries in recent years with the emersion of films such as Million Dollar Baby that prefer to toy with audience emotion.

Batman is no different. Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker is above and beyond expectations. He deftly managed the role’s intricacies, leading to a truly jolting picture of evil. The Joker is a villain on the lookout for power, and, for him, violence is a necessary means to that end. But he is not the only bad guy in the story. As the movie goes on, we watch in horror as Harvey Dent, Gotham City’s golden boy, becomes embittered by revenge. Even Batman must reconcile his ulterior motives with what is best for the city.

One does not leave the theater feeling warm and fuzzy by any means. Instead, the movie provides a surprising amount of food for thought. From “good guys” making bad decisions to “bad guys” making right ones, this Batman leaves room for the shattering of stereotypes and just a little redemption. Of course, since this film is in the midst of its Christian Bale run, it cannot be expected to look too fulfilling or conclusive quite yet.

However, I firmly believe that we will once again see the ultimate prevalence of good over evil. My hope is that people forget the fantastical element for a moment and realize the reality of moral conundrums. While producers and directors are out to mold society’s way of thinking, we must mold right back. There is no question that people face decisions regarding ethical issues everyday, but most of the time, we do not have two hours to come to a dramatic finish followed by credits and soulful music. We can debate the existence of superheroes later. The battle between good and evil begins with the individual, and the decisions made there make all the difference. See? You only thought going to the theater meant you wouldn’t have to think.

July 29, 2008
(article for The Review, Laurel, MS, newspaper)