So here I reveal an important theme of the forthcoming Batman movie. Not that I have any inside information—it's just a hunch. Read on.
But first go back to the previous film The Dark Knight. This was a really good movie. One thing that makes it stand out from the typical run of comic book movies are the extra layers to the story. Er, I suppose that's two things. You get Bruce Wayne's personal sacrifice and his struggle to find the right path. (This is what makes a real hero.) And you get the social commentary. Batman's fight is against terrorism in the person of the Joker. And it is a highly nontrivial issue just how far one is justified in going to fight terrorism. This is clearly an important issue in the movie; various characters spend no little time discussing it amongst themselves. I think it is no coincidence that this theme appeared in The Dark Knight just at the time it was being discussed in society at large. Or, to be more exact, at a time when it should have been discussed but was generally ignored.
Which brings me back to the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises. I just saw the new trailer—the one that opens with the boy singing the Star Spangled Banner. And these words, spoken by Selina Kyle, were of particular interest.
You think this can last. There's a storm coming, Mr. Wayne. You and your friends better batten down the hatches 'cause when it hits you're all gonna wonder how you ever thought you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us.
Doesn't this resonate with another issue that's been in the news lately—that of rising income inequality? I bet you this will be a theme of the new movie. Remember, you heard it here first.
And it also points up the big messaging issue the Democrats have. I imagine they would get much more traction on the issues if they got Anne Hathaway to whisper their message into John Boehner's ear.
Post-release update: I consider my prediction verified.
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