The last few months have been good for Jeffrey Wright. The actor received plaudits for his great performance as James Bond’s CIA ally, Felix Leiter, in No Time To Die, and recently as Batman’s GCPD ally, Jim Gordon, in The Batman. But is he the best Gordon? It’s a tight race between him and Gary Oldman.
Oldman appears as the DC character in The Dark Knight trilogy, though his version is a bit more experienced in the Gotham law enforcement scene. In the Nolan movies, Gordon is not only appealing because he is played by a great character, but also because he is a principled man. He has some really good quotes too.
When He Sees The Batmobile For The First Time
“I’ve Gotta Get Me One Of Those.”
After Gordon and Batman save Rachel from the Arkham Asylum, the law enforcement officer suggests they should get a car so that they can rush her to the hospital. However, Batman has a better idea: the Batmobile.
The ride owned by Bale’s Batman is one of the best Batmobiles for a variety of reasons. It is not only a great car, functionality-wise, but it’s also a sight to behold. Just as Bruce was impressed the first time Lucius Fox showed it to him, Gordon is awed too. His words are a joke because gadgets and military-like vehicles aren’t things that normally impress him.
When He Defends The Dent Act
“The Rules Aren’t Weapons Anymore, They’re Shackles Letting The Bad Guy Get Ahead.”
Officer Blake is disgusted when he learns about the Dent Act, which prohibits parole for prisoners. Blake argues it’s a bad law but Gordon insists that it’s necessary for a city infested with so many criminals who never reform.
Since Blake is still young, he doesn’t understand just how bad things are in Gotham. He figures Gotham’s criminals can be dealt with by adhering to the normal justice system. Gordon, on the other hand, has been around long enough to know that Gotham’s baddies don’t play fair. For that reason, there should be tougher laws than those in other jurisdictions.
When He Explains To Gordon Jr. Why Batman Is Fleeing
“Because We Have To Chase Him. Because He’s The Hero Gotham Deserves, But Not The One It Needs Right Now.”
After defeating the Joker, Batman goes on the run once again, something that surprises Gordon Jr. He asks his father why the Dark Knight is running yet he is a hero and the lawman explains.
Even after saving the city, the fact remains that Batman is a vigilante. He can’t walk around freely because taking over the police’s work isn’t exactly legal. But in Gordon, he has someone who truly understands him. While other officers are happy to chase him around, Gordon is happy knowing that he’ll never get caught.
When He Sees Harvey Dent On TV
“Our Boy Looks Good On The Tube.”
Gordon is impressed when he sees Harvey Dent on TV talking about his reforms to the prison system. He exclaims to those around him that the man sure does look good in front of cameras.
Before Harvey Dent turns into one of the scariest villains in The Dark Knight trilogy, he is shown to be a very competent DA. Thanks to his informative pieces of legislation, he becomes one of Gordon’s favorite lawmen. Unfortunately, Harvey doesn’t get to look good for long as he soon turns into Two-Face.
When He Promises Flass To Not Tell Anyone About The Bribe He Accepted
“In A Town This Bent, Who’s There To Rat To Anyway?”
After accepting a bribe, Flass, the corrupt GCPD officer, tells Gordon that other officers (including him) are worried he might report them. Gordon reminds Flass that there’s no one to report them to because everyone is corrupt.
In all Batman media, Gotham is shown to have the most corrupt police system in the world. Luckily, in every wasteland, there is always a gem and in this case, it’s Jim Gordon. He has no problem having partners who aren’t clean. What he truly cares about is that he gets to make a difference by always doing what is right.
When Bruce Asks Him If He Should Go To The Hospital After Saving Reese
“You Don’t Watch A Whole Lot Of News, Do You, Mr. Wayne?”
Gordon is impressed when Bruce saves Reece by blocking an incoming truck with his car. Bruce asks him if he should seek treatment but Gordon is surprised because he expected the billionaire to have seen the news about the Joker blowing up the hospital.
A billionaire like Bruce Wayne is expected to keep up with the headlines because he might be the one in them. However, living a double life denies him time to keep up with everything that’s going on in the city. Blowing up a hospital counts as one of the worst things the Joker has done and In this instance, Bruce doesn’t even have an idea of what has transpired.
When He Blames Batman For The Mayhem
“We Were In This Together, And Then You Were Gone.”
Gordon doesn’t have kind words for Batman when the Caped Crusader visits him at the hospital after Bane’s attacks. He claims they were working together but then Batman just decided to disappear without notice.
By choosing to retire after defeating the Joker, Bruce Wayne puts the city in jeopardy. Stronger villains like Bane emerge and things get too chaotic that even Gordon ends up in hospital. Gordon is also right about him and Batman being a formidable duo before the Caped Crusader chose to go his own way. With each other’s help, they had defeated Ra’s al Ghul and the Joker.
When His Daughter Asks If Batman Saved Him
“Actually, This Time I Saved Him.”
After dealing with the Joker, Gordon backs home where he is seen putting his daughter to sleep. She asks him if Batman saved him but he corrects her, saying it’s him that saved Batman this time.
Gordon gets to paint himself as a cool daddy by telling his daughter that he helped Batman, But he isn’t just bragging. He genuinely cares about the hero’s wellbeing and would do anything in his power to make sure no one stops him and no harm comes to him. For that reason, he has come to be seen as Batman’s unofficial sidekick.
When He Acknowledges Batman’s Efforts In Helping Stop Ra’s al Ghul, Scarecrow, And Falcone
“I Never Said Thanked You.”
Gordon is more than grateful when 3 of Gotham’s most notorious baddies are defeated. He thanks Batman at the end of the movie but the Dark Knight has an even better response: “You’ll never have to.”
Gordon feels he needs to thank Batman because he isn’t a police officer yet he chooses to help stop the city’s criminals. No one is paying him either, so like any other citizen, he could simply turn a blind eye to whatever is going on. However, Batman doesn’t consider his actions a favor. He feels that saving Gotham is something that needs to be done.
When He Urges Batman To Unmask Himself
“Shouldn’t The People Know The Hero Who Saved Them?”
Right before Batman flies the bomb out of the city using the Batwing, Gordon suggests that the people should at least know the hero that saved them. Batman argues that a hero can be anyone, before going on to unmask himself.
Batman isn’t interested in getting the plaudits but since he what worked with Gordon for such a long time, he figures it’s time he knew who he truly is. It’s the perfect gesture for a friend. And judging from Gordon’s reaction, Bruce Wayne is the last person he ever expected to be jumping on top of the city’s skyscrapers.
NEXT: Alfred’s 10 Best Quotes In The Dark Knight Trilogy
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About The Author
Philip Etemesi (1171 Articles Published)
Philip Etemesi is an author, journalist, screenwriter and film critic based in Nairobi. Kenya. As a child, he preferred watching movies like The Goodfellas instead of Home Alone. His girlfriend constantly has to pull him from the front of the TV but he just keeps returning. Stubborn dude! An animal lover, Philip also has a pet giraffe called Refu.
