The Dark Knight (spoilers)

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

I have not seen this latest Batman. But vehemently I disagree that comic book characters and popular entertainment are incapable of raising serious moral issues. That's manifestly not true. Philip K. Dick's not especially well-written sci fi pulp engrosses today because of the moral issues he raised. Similar could be said about Kurt Vonnegut's and George Orwell's work.

The greatest works of mythology including the Bible are fairly common and down to earth stories that endure because of their moral resonance. The Book of Mormon is pretty crude as literature, but the resonance to many of the moral issues it raises causes it to endure.

I might add, that the deeper, moral dimension of artistic works often takes time to be appreciated. This is why films such as Scarface and Apocalypse Now were not particlularly well thought of or popular successes when released but became cult classics.

Darkman is good entertainment but it's not that deep.

There are comic books or shows about comic book type characters where moral dilemmas are more skillfully displayed.

If we judge Darkman based upon the sophistication and delivery of its moral plot, then I'd rate it about a C. For entertainment, it's a B+ which is good enough to go see.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Archaea

There are comic books or shows about comic book type characters where moral dilemmas are more skillfully displayed.

Name one.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Name one.

The one I hated but Seattle loved, the extra violent one. It involved Bruce Willis. (Name escapes me).

Many of the Japanese adult comics more skillfully delve into mature topics.

[DrumNFeather]

Originally Posted by Archaea

The one I hated but Seattle loved, the extra violent one. It involved Bruce Willis. (Name escapes me).

Many of the Japanese adult comics more skillfully delve into mature topics.

Sin City?

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by DrumNFeather

Sin City?

That's it.

In some ways, it has grown on me, and was more skillful being very crass.

[MikeWaters]

Sin City is about the moral dilemmas between the evil and slightly less evil, as I recently read on the net.

I found The Dark Knight to be much more interesting.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Sin City is about the moral dilemmas between the evil and slightly less evil, as I recently read on the net.

I found The Dark Knight to be much more interesting.

The recent version of Beowulf, a myth told in the medium of computer animation, was more skillful.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by Archaea

That's it.

In some ways, it has grown on me, and was more skillful being very crass.

The first part of Sin City was good. I thought it lost steam. 300 was better.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Archaea

The recent version of Beowulf, a myth told in the medium of computer animation, was more skillful.

I cannot agree with that at all. Beowulf had cool 3D, and a pretty nice almost-nude Angelina Jolie, but was otherwise forgettable.

[Sleeping in EQ]

I haven't seen the Dark Knight, but agree that serious investigation can be made of popular--and even comic book-based--texts.

The power and limitations in Western comics are often in their reliance on archetypal characters and narratives.