REMAKE VS. REBOOT: BATMAN VS.THE DARK KNIGHT

A really interesting and well-written article, Sebastian. I hadn't realized the number of similarities or parallel constructions in the two films (I did catch the obvious shout out in BEGINS when Bats says, "I'm Batman"). I also agree that it's nostalgia (and the weird contrarian nature you encounter on the Internet) that has people defending the 1989 film. It simply has not aged well, and while it deserves a lot of credit for its influence and impact, it's simply not a good film.

One minor nitpick: in TDK, Batman crashes the Batpod not because of the Joker's gunfire, but to avoid running him over. The scene clearly depicts the Joker clearing other car traffic out of the way with the machine gun, but stands still and urges Batman to hit him. It's yet another example of the Joker trying to push Batman to break his one rule in his quest to bring chaos and darkness to Gotham.

The opening of Batman (1989) is probably the most comic book accurate of the entire series. In what other movie do we see Batman out patrolling and taking out common thugs? 

I don't know if I agree that Nolan was intentionally homaging the earlier movie; maybe there are certain inevitable roads these two characters are destined to walk down together. The Batman movies, all six of them, have already tread the same ground a few times: Bruce's identity has been figured out by a villain, the mansion has been attacked, he's been framed for murder and chased by the cops (Returns, Mask of the Phantasm, and Dark Knight). 

Still, quite enjoyed your analysis. As for the link to that other article, Batman doesn't just kill one thug and the Joker; he blows up an entire factory with dozens of Joker thugs inside. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelM 

One minor nitpick: in TDK, Batman crashes the Batpod not because of the Joker's gunfire, but to avoid running him over.

OR "What happens when an unstoppable force meets and immovable object?"...