Batman - 99% vs. 1% Themes (Possible Spoilers)

I thoroughly enjoyed The Dark Knight Rises but I couldn't help but feel like there were heavy underlying 99% vs. 1% themes. What I'm not sure is whether the movie favored the 99% or was more neutral. Even though the resulting chaos in the movie from lack of order made it seem to shift towards a neutral view, I couldn't help feel like it was still biased, especially after hearing some pretty scathing comments by the Anne Hathaway character. It was a bit of a bummer in the movie.

Thoughts?

And some YouTube for your entertainment:


 

The 99% vs 1% theme has been there throughout the entire series. In the first movie, Bruce Wayne's parents were talking to him on the subway, and Bruce's dad said something like "there are people who aren't as fortunate as us" (something like that). And then there was that scene where Katie Holmes drives Bruce underground to show how poor some people are. After that, Falcone (the mob boss) said to Bruce "you never tasted desperate".

In terms of neutral/bias, I actually think its biased against 99%. The movie essentially shows the downside of class warfare. As Scarecrow says to Gordon, "death...by exile".

Yes, I'm a huge movie nerd.

 
Best Response
Beretta:
The 99% vs 1% theme has been there throughout the entire series. In the first movie, Bruce Wayne's parents were talking to him on the subway, and Bruce's dad said something like "there are people who aren't as fortunate as us" (something like that). And then there was that scene where Katie Holmes drives Bruce underground to show how poor some people are. After that, Falcone (the mob boss) said to Bruce "you never tasted desperate".

In terms of neutral/bias, I actually think its biased against 99%. The movie essentially shows the downside of class warfare. As Scarecrow says to Gordon, "death...by exile".

Yes, I'm a huge movie nerd.

Haha that's actually a very good point; I'll have to watch the other ones again sometime too. The entire theater cracked up when we saw Scarecrow.

 
Beretta:
The 99% vs 1% theme has been there throughout the entire series. In the first movie, Bruce Wayne's parents were talking to him on the subway, and Bruce's dad said something like "there are people who aren't as fortunate as us" (something like that). And then there was that scene where Katie Holmes drives Bruce underground to show how poor some people are. After that, Falcone (the mob boss) said to Bruce "you never tasted desperate".

In terms of neutral/bias, I actually think its biased against 99%. The movie essentially shows the downside of class warfare. As Scarecrow says to Gordon, "death...by exile".

Yes, I'm a huge movie nerd.

Definitely did not think about it that way when I saw it. I was with OP in assuming that it was biased towards the 1%, but it's interesting to hear this interpretation. Too bad most people probably won't land on the same conclusion.

 

Thing about Batman was it was a free choice for the 1% to help the 99%. It wasn't a decision some people made and then enforced through the tax code.

It is pretty funny how everything turned to mob rule and utter shit the second the "99%" took over things.

On a side note, Bane is probably my favorite Batman villain.

 
TNA:
Thing about Batman was it was a free choice for the 1% to help the 99%. It wasn't a decision some people made and then enforced through the tax code.

It is pretty funny how everything turned to mob rule and utter shit the second the "99%" took over things.

On a side note, Bane is probably my favorite Batman villain.

Agreed.

And yeah, Bane was my favorite too. His sarcasm was absolutely suberb.

 
Nabooru:
Agreed.

And yeah, Bane was my favorite too. His sarcasm was absolutely suberb.

His entire speech at Blackgate was so convincing and seemed so convincing, but once you realized what he was doing, you knew what he truly was.

TNA:
"Do you feel in charge?"

The scene was bad ass. Lay's his hand on the dudes shoulder haha.

And Bane caresses Daggett's cheek almost adoringly, lol.

 

[quote=Nabooru]I thoroughly enjoyed The Dark Knight Rises but I couldn't help but feel like there were heavy underlying 99% vs. 1% themes. What I'm not sure is whether the movie favored the 99% or was more neutral. Even though the resulting chaos in the movie from lack of order made it seem to shift towards a neutral view, I couldn't help feel like it was still biased, especially after hearing some pretty scathing comments by the Anne Hathaway character. It was a bit of a bummer in the movie.

Thoughts?

And some YouTube for your entertainment:

]

That message was about as subtle as a Michael Moore documentary

 

Yeah, Bane was the perfect character for this movie. I really felt like Batman kept getting better with each sequel. I plan on seeing the movie again in the theater and will buy the Blueray as soon as it comes out.

Dare to say, I almost like Bane better than the Joker.

 
TNA:
Yeah, Bane was the perfect character for this movie. I really felt like Batman kept getting better with each sequel. I plan on seeing the movie again in the theater and will buy the Blueray as soon as it comes out.

Dare to say, I almost like Bane better than the Joker.

I liked Bane, although his voice was terrible, really took away from his character (along with a few other things), but in now way was he better then Joker.

 

I haven't seen the newest one yet, but I really want to see the movie eventually. Just felt the need to point out that the whole Batman line is about a really fking rich guy who gives his life to helping others. Don't think it's a 99% vs 1% thing, more of a "you have the resources to do something, so do it" thing.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 
D M:
I haven't seen the newest one yet, but I really want to see the movie eventually. Just felt the need to point out that the whole Batman line is about a really fking rich guy who gives his life to helping others. Don't think it's a 99% vs 1% thing, more of a "you have the resources to do something, so do it" thing.

What about Iron Man?

 

Bruce Wayne IS the 1%, trying to help the 99%. Various elements of the 99% (the common criminals) and the 1% (Falcone) are good and evil. Honestly, it's just a movie, if you're looking for Batman to come on to Bill O'Really's show and defend why Bane is a fictional tool of the DNI or not...uhm, you might want to get out more.

Get busy living
 
UFOinsider:
Bruce Wayne IS the 1%, trying to help the 99%. Various elements of the 99% (the common criminals) and the 1% (Falcone) are good and evil. Honestly, it's just a movie, if you're looking for Batman to come on to Bill O'Really's show and defend why Bane is a fictional tool of the DNI or not...uhm, you might want to get out more.

It's interesting to discuss and is supposed to be a lighthearted discussion, UFO.

 
Nabooru:
UFOinsider:
Bruce Wayne IS the 1%, trying to help the 99%. Various elements of the 99% (the common criminals) and the 1% (Falcone) are good and evil. Honestly, it's just a movie, if you're looking for Batman to come on to Bill O'Really's show and defend why Bane is a fictional tool of the DNI or not...uhm, you might want to get out more.

It's interesting to discuss and is supposed to be a lighthearted discussion, UFO.

Uhhhhh oops. I'm just grouchy that I haven't had a chance to see it yet. Viva la joker?
Get busy living
 

It is literally impossible to have a lighthearted conversation about the 99% or 1% when either or both parties are involved.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 
D M:
It is literally impossible...

:)

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

I thought Batman (the movie) took a pretty reasoned stance. It showed how either side can get out of control (the 1% having lavish balls and parties while the world burns) and the mob rule that can occur if the "underclass" gets total control. It would seem that Batman's whole point was to fix the system and make it work for everyone.

That said, Bane is easily my favorite Batman character. Dude needs to be real and show up the next time Bernanke gives testimony to congress.

 
TheKing:
I thought Batman (the movie) took a pretty reasoned stance. It showed how either side can get out of control (the 1% having lavish balls and parties while the world burns) and the mob rule that can occur if the "underclass" gets total control. It would seem that Batman's whole point was to fix the system and make it work for everyone.

That said, Bane is easily my favorite Batman character. Dude needs to be real and show up the next time Bernanke gives testimony to congress.

Completely agree. I think he illustrated the pitfalls of both sides well however I do feel some of the better moments came at the expense of the 1% (stock exchange scene - in particular when the suit tells Bane there's nothing to steal here and he remarks what are you doing here?) but it all evens out in the end.

Surprised Bane is getting so much love. He definitely had some flaws but perhaps I'm clutching at straws. Great movie but no Dark Knight.

 

definitely some shots in the movie that strongly suggested a 99% vs 1% mentality (literally shooting up the stock market).

Nolan made sure to not take sides or over politicize it, I think he just wanted to show the dangers of class-warfare (literally and figuratively).

That final clash reminded me of the beginning of Gangs of New York for some reason.

 

Quo totam in ab quo est iure. Sit aspernatur ullam molestias sed perferendis. Alias necessitatibus maxime quo et quidem enim placeat. Qui odit mollitia id aspernatur omnis sit. Et distinctio quaerat voluptatem corporis eos ipsum. Eius velit dignissimos dolorem ut rerum.

Ut id quas itaque. Consequatur non labore laudantium voluptatem impedit. Aliquid at sit ea laborum minus distinctio.

Qui et consequuntur doloribus provident laudantium ut. Voluptatibus in est nesciunt reprehenderit. Rerum exercitationem saepe distinctio et non et. Quae molestias odio doloremque laborum facere. Rerum voluptas aliquam est quo at ut dolorem. Similique impedit nihil eveniet nisi culpa earum.

Dolor velit nihil et quos eligendi perferendis. Quod aliquid non est alias similique. Facere ut natus aut velit necessitatibus praesentium. Qui libero necessitatibus rerum aliquid. Praesentium veritatis eum fugit earum hic quo quos et.

 

Ut ut accusamus quisquam est officia. Deserunt tempora nulla corporis qui est vel. Alias dolores non cum.

Aut veritatis perferendis cupiditate beatae. Quaerat inventore esse voluptas non et. Facilis nam hic maiores et nisi delectus laboriosam. Corporis quo porro doloribus vitae vero eaque accusantium. Earum eligendi ut amet. Aliquam ut ab est.

Rerum ut similique tempora consequuntur qui magni. Architecto dolorem sed magni laboriosam tenetur sed tempora. Magni qui a quaerat doloremque harum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”