For many people, Batman comes at the top of the superhero list. But can Nolan’s trilogy of films, and specifically ‘The Dark Knight’, really be categorised as superhero films? Let the genre debate begin…
Posted by: pauladowney | September 13, 2012
Is ‘The Dark Knight’ a superhero film?
Posted in MS4 - Text and Industry
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Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight’ can be categorised within the field of many genres, including crime, superhero, action, love, thriller and fantasy. Most evident in this vast array of genres in the narrative are crime and superhero. In order to categorise ‘The Dark Knight’ is must be considered both as an independent text and as part of the ‘Batman’ trilogy.
As an independent film ‘The Dark Knight’ is arguably dominated by the conventions of the crime genre. In the opening sequence we witness the bank robbery, establishing the crime genre and anchoring the key narrative event which will develop throughout. Todrov’s equilibrium theory is subverted here with disequilibrium featuring heavily in the opening sequence, in the form of the bank robbery, a convention of the crime genre. This mise-en-scene, a cityscape and a bank, are also generic conventions. The narrative is constructed around the operations of organised crime and drug gangs, eventually leading to the climax where terrorism and corruption engulf Gotham with The Joker at the helm. The opening sequence also introduces The Joker as the antagonist. Alike Batman he does not possess any superpowers or mutations which are strong generic conventions of superhero films such as ‘X-Men: First Class’ and ‘The Incredibles’. Jim Gordon and Gotham’s Police force work collaboratively with Batman throughout sharing intelligence. This is also unconventional as most superheroes work independently of law enforcement with the exception of ‘The Incredible Hulk’ (at end of movie). ‘The Dark Knight’ subverts many of the superhero conventions in the forms of Batman’s costume codes, narrative structure and characterisation in the scene where Batman attacks The Joker in Police custody.
The ‘Batman’ trilogy as a whole can be considered differently. In ‘Batman Begins’ the audience see Batman’s origins and development, are a common narrative of most superhero films. It is also important to consider the balance of strength in the binary opposition. If Batman is fighting ‘super-villains’ does that make him a ‘superhero’? Batman is tasked with opposing multiple villains including The Scarecrow and The Joker; therefore it is arguable that as an individual he possesses ‘super’ abilities in his ability to successfully defeat multiple villains. As a complete trilogy Todorov’s equilibrium theory can be applied in relative order with a state of equilibrium existing in the opening sequence similarly to ‘Spiderman’. Personally I think the trilogy is a crime-superhero hybrid, with the superhero genre predominant. However, as an independent text ‘The Dark Knight’ is dominated by the crime genre.
By: Kristian Williams on September 16, 2012
at 4:51 pm
Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight’ could be arguably categorised into several genres, most commonly argued to fit the superhero genre.
‘The Dark Knight’ does follow many conventions of the Superhero genre, including an urban location, masked ‘hero’, technology, a crime narrative, also a ‘female prize’ in Proppian theory. The narrative structure of the trilogy appears to follow Todorov’s Equilibrium Theory which complies with superhero convention, but the individual films do not comply with Todorov’s Equilibrium Theory. Batman is arguably a superhero but Nolan’s interpretation does challenge this. In our cultural frame of reference all superheroes tend to represent good and fairness, Nolan’s representation of Batman represents him to be all about revenge on a personal level, not with a priority of protecting civilians. Batman’s costume codes stereotypically defy conventional costumes codes of a superhero. In our cultural frame of reference superheroes costume codes are bright, having positive connotations. Early representations of Batman consisted of the dark costume code, but Nolan has taken this representation to a different level, creating an all together more intimidating and threatening character. Batman is antagonised in ‘The Dark Knight’ movie which could suggest he is not a superhero, but when compared to the X Men movies, the X Men are also antagonised but can be argued to play a superhero role.
Applying a specific genre to Nolan’s ‘Dark Knight’ movie proves controversial and difficult, as there are so many influential factors that can support or reject genres. The possibility of the movie being a hybrid is a strong possibility, but even then it can prove difficult to specify two specific genres.
In my opinion ‘The Dark Knight’ definitely challenges superhero convention, but due to its compliance of many of the superhero genre conventions and Batman’s representation as an iconic superhero in our cultural frame of reference, I would argue the movie if a Superhero/crime hybrid.
By: David Williams on September 17, 2012
at 6:31 pm
Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight’ contains conventions of various genres. Some people may argue that the film is part of the superhero genre. Though, opposing statements can be formed against this due to emphasised dismissal of common stereotypes. Throughout the film, convention codes of the superhero genre are found and repeated within the use of costume codes. For example, Batman, the main protagonist wears a full body suit/disguise when he becomes the Dark Knight himself. This insinuates Batman’s role as a ‘hero’ to Gotham, similarly to other superheroes including ‘Superman’. Though, the colour codes of his costume are black, in which is perceived as a colour to portray evil or wrongdoing, usually worn by the villain.
Furthermore diverting superhero conventions, unlike superheroes such as ‘Spiderman’, Batman does not work independently to tackle the troubles facing Gotham, as he works parallel with Jim Gordon and Gotham’s police force.
The narrative of the police force and Batman working collaboratively connotes conventions of the crime genre. Furthermore, the initial crime within the opening scene of ‘The Dark Knight’ uses establishing shots of a bank, as we see a bank robbery unroll. This is also a convention of the crime genre, reinforced by mid shots of a gang. Whereas, The Joker, the antagonist within the movie, is portrayed as a somewhat stereotypical super villain in the opening scene through his menacing gesture codes and props of weaponry to connote chaos and violence. Furthermore, the mise-en-scene of the broad urban city delineates both conventions of the superhero and crime genre, as it portrays that there is an excessive amount of people potentially in danger.
As Nolan introduces Bruce Wayne, the man behind the mask, the superhero genre is also questioned as unlike many classic superheroes including ‘The Incredible Hulk’ and ‘The Flash’, Batman does not have any inherited or mutated ‘super powers’. Overall, I would not dismiss ‘The Dark Knight’ as being within the superhero genre entirely, though I would personally label it as part of a superhero-crime hybrid.
By: sashacoupe on September 18, 2012
at 3:45 pm