So, people who saw it (obviously) -- did you believe Batman was going to blow himself up to save Gotham? Or did you think, well, no, he's Batman; therefore he MUST have a plan?

Because I *totally* believed he was willingly blowing himself up, and here's why: (1a) Last movie in the trilogy. Why not kill him? (1b) Even before the very end with Blake in the cave, I was already envisioning Blake taking over the cape and cowl -- if Bruce is dead, there's still a Batman (actually, I started envisioning it way early in the movie -- when Blake gives Bruce a ride home and Bruce says, "Anyone can be the Batman"). (2) Bruce and Alfred talked WAY too much about the potential of Bruce dying (plus Batman telling Catwoman he hadn't yet sacrificed everything for Gotham). (3) When Gordon said "Bruce Wayne?", that's just the kind of thing that happens in stories, isn't it? The big reveal just prior to the big sacrifice. (4) He's the goddamn Batman. That's what he DOES.

WEEPING, I tell you.

(Part of me has trouble believing that Bruce would give it up. I don't think that's what he does, no matter how much Alfred guilt-trips him. No matter whether there's John Blake around or not, Bruce Wayne doesn't walk away from being Batman. I don't think he would run off to Florence to drink Fernet with Selina Kyle. I'm basically okay with it as part of *this* specific story that this specific movie told, but overall I don't think it's consistent with his character.)

If I see it, I'll wait till the dollar movie. I wasn't than enthralled with the second movie either.

Steph, I pretty much agree with your whole post. In fact, I'm confused by Batman saying to Selina that the autopilot doesn't work--he tells her that--either right before or after THE MASSIVE TIMEWASTING KISS AS THE TIMER TICKS DOWN (that got an eyeroll from me both times, and muttering from the audience). Why would he say that? I get why we're supposed to hear that, but her? Then?

And I realise I can't work out if Blake is coming back as Nightwing or Batman--I'm assuming we're supposed to skip the Robin in shortpants phase.

I'm still replaying Hardy's movements in my head--especially from the fight where all the stills come from, including the hug between scenes. I could watch him fight forever, clearly, between this and Warrior. And cry and cry and cry.

Steph-in IO9's Batfashion post, they did mention getting a coat like Bane's. Here's a thread from superherohype.com: [link] (which is pretty useless) and then Ermenegil Zegna [link] (which is ridiculously expensive). Which means the answer is wait until the cosplay companies catch up, or Halloween.

Oh! Another weird/inconsistent thing I noticed--Bane and his boys crash the stock exchange during the day, but by the time the chase is on (it really doesn't seem like they spend a lot of time there--I think it's daylight when they exit, actually) it's night time. Is Batman that badass that he scares the sun away?

Is Batman that badass that he scares the sun away?

I think we've established that. He's the goddamn Batman.

And I realise I can't work out if Blake is

I don't know if Gotham needs a Batman, specifically, or just a hero. Because he could totally be Nightwing. I'd be really really really okay with that.

Are there any after-credits scenes?

So, in answer to Steph's question: I was ready to roll with it. I thought he could be dead, but I figured that since this was the end of a trilogy, there had to be some hope at the end. So I am okay with Batman's death as long as there is long-term hope for Gotham.

I watch too many movies and too much tv, so I think I really would have been FLOORED if the death stuck. I didn't think about the whys and wherefores, because I was just caught up in the narrative. For once I wasn't overthinking it.

dcp, no.

but seeing as how I didn't have previews either, perhaps someone else needs to weigh in.

No, dcp. Nothing extra. Just...time to exhale, and make sure your mascara is okay.

Okay, the really clever people who are up in arms about Superman having a beard in the trailer--have you been assuming Kryptonian hair just stops growing like that, right into a cute hairstyle with a curl?

The ones up in arms about a kid running around with a cape--I guess it could be true that this is a kid growing up in a world where there have never been capes. That can totally happen, right? Maybe no heroes, and no other reasons for capes either. Also, this kid is definitely Clark Kent.

The only whine I get is the contrails (although wikipedia does say they can be generated without exhaust, I don't know if Supes has the right surface physics). The others just seem like looking for issues in 90s of footage.

Steph, I pretty much agree with your whole post.

Seconded. I totally believed it too for all the reasons you mentioned. Also, ita !, SERIOUSLY THAT KISS FOR FUCK'S SAKE EVERY SECOND COUNTS HERE SELINA.