Batman fan hopes new film retains darker side

By Jessica Kerman

July 16, 2008 06:15 pm

— ANDERSON — Batman.
The comic-book hero has been known as the Caped Crusader, but on Friday, the superhero with no super powers will be best known by his other nickname: “The Dark Knight,” also the title of the newest film featuring DC Comics’ longest-running character.
To some, the movie is a memorial to the late Heath Ledger, who died of an accidental drug overdose in January after completing his role as the villainous Joker. For others, the movie represents one of the first major movies to shoot key sequences in IMAX, providing a bigger and brighter version of film.
And yet, for others such as Alexandria resident Trent Fuller, the opening of “The Dark Knight” is the continuation of the thriller tale of Batman that was revived in 1989 by director Tim Burton and continues as interpreted by director Christopher Nolan.
“I think it’s great,” Fuller said. “After Tim Burton quit making them, they got kind of weird.”
For example, Fuller did not appreciate the addition of Batman’s sidekick Robin. “(Batman’s) supposed to be a loner,” he said.
In 1989, Fuller’s mother, Lisa Gross, and his father took their son to see the first Batman movie in a theater.
“And then he just went nuts,” Gross said. “I thought he would quit (collecting Batman items) eventually, but he didn’t.”
The first Batman movie is still Fuller’s favorite.
“It showed what happened, it gave the basis for the rest of the movies,” Fuller said.
In the 18-year-old’s room, a Batman blanket sits on his futon. Batman figures stand on top of the desk hutch, carefully positioned for display.
“I had a stack of comic books, but I think (my little brother) has them now,” Fuller said.
While some of his friends tease him about his self-confessed obsession of Batman, others debate with him regarding how super the superhero really is.
“Batman’s the only true super hero,” Fuller said. “He’s human. Superman, he’s a pansy.”
Other friends test Fuller’s knowledge of the Batman legacy, but he’s never been stumped, the Frankton High School graduate said.
As many Batman fans have expressed on forums and Web sites online, Fuller is excited to see the Dark Knight movie.
“It’s taking the story back to how it was supposed to be, making the whole picture dark, raunchy,” Fuller said. “That’s what Batman is.”
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“The Dark Knight”
Opens Friday
Mounds Mall 10, located inside Mounds Mall: 12:01 a.m., 11:40 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:55 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:25 p.m., 10:10 p.m.
Goodrich Hamilton 16, located at I-69, Exit 10: 12:01 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:40 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:40 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:40 p.m., 10 p.m., 11:30 p.m.
Also at Goodrich Hamilton 16: Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience: 12:01 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 12:15 a.m. (Saturday)

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