The Dark Knight: Review
"You've changed things. Forever. There's no going back." The Joker eerily expresses these words in one of the many pivotal and psychologically-charged scenes of The Dark Knight. It couldn't be a better way to describe the movie itself. For me, at least, movies will never be the same again. The bar has been raised to unprecedented, and frankly, unfair heights. I like to consider myself a movie connoisseur of sorts and with that comes a certain belief that I always have something to say about every movie. But as I left the theater at 2:48 am Friday morning, words eluded me. To simply say, "That movie was awesome," would be disgracing it altogether. But what truly disappoints me are the endless number of people who want to call The Dark Knight, "The best comic-book movie ever." I understand why they feel the need to throw "comic-book" in there, but try to think of it another way. This film is one of the highest achievements in cinematic history. The Dark Knight is a complete and multi-layered masterpiece. A movie you can watch several times (I've now seen it 4 times in the first 27 hours) and follow a different path with each viewing. As great as the movie is, the secret lies in the understanding that it is actually three brilliant stories intertwined. The duality and intensity of each major character makes for an unforgettably compelling magnum opus.
You can choose to experience Harvey Dent's rise and follow his tragic fall to a darker place than almost any movie has gone before as he becomes Two-Face. As powerful as the subject matter is, it is the Harvey Dent story arc that clearly drives the film's intensity. On multiple occasions I found myself genuinely frightened by Dent's brutality. One moment he is calm and collected, albeit clearly traumatized, when suddenly and ferociously he becomes livid as his rage seeps through the wounds of his disfigured soul. Aaron Eckhart's performance takes an unfortunate backseat to Heath Ledger's Joker. I believe for a long time we will be calling his portrayal of Harvey Dent as one of the most underrated efforts of all time. Moving. Powerful. Passionate. Frightening. The slip into madness of this character is The Dark Knight's true main plot and ultimately makes the movie rise above the rest of its kind.
We joined Bruce Wayne as he became Batman in Batman Begins and learned of his desire to help clean up Gotham. The key to his mission, though, exists in his purpose. Rather than be Gotham's protector, like most "superheroes," his goal is to inspire the city to become stronger than the criminal world that engulfs it. Once this is achieved, his many aspirations, including living a life with Rachel Dawes, can be fulfilled and the symbol of Batman can be replaced. In The Dark Knight, we witness his inner battle between doubt and duty. As always, his desire to help Gotham, but to do so with inspiration through intimidation play a major part in his mental struggle. With our introduction of Harvey Dent, Wayne has hope that Gotham may be able to move on without Batman and so can he. It makes for a moody take on how far is too far.
The most powerful and moving aspect of The Dark Knight is undoubtedly The Joker. Heath Ledger's performance has been the most talked about matter in the film industry for months. Finally, Christopher Nolan and Co. have unleashed this supernatural portrayal upon us all. And it...is...perfect. His combination of comedy and ruthlessness is awe-inspiring. I'm not going to even approach the subject of his death. As tragic as it is, this performance will go down in history no matter his condition. It's that amazing. Witnessing The Joker's incomprehensible insanity growing with every murder and every passing minute of the movie is something to truly honor and cherish for all time. I never imagined being so mesmerized by a character, fictional or not, sitting in a dark theater. The most haunting character in cinematic history. Remember Colonel Walter E. Kurtz from Apocalypse Now? Second fiddle. How about Hannibal Lecter of Silence Of The Lambs? We finally have someone to knock Hopkins off the shelf. Well, push him to the side, maybe. Darth Vader of Star Wars does not even compare to the sadistic and horrifying nature of Ledger's Joker. As a standalone performance, this is the greatest rendition of fictional beings ever put on film. Hell, if Javier Bardem's supporting role in No Country For Old Men got him a golden statue, there should be no argument here. If the man doesn't receive a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor I want to see the damn performance that beats him. I want to see that film!
So many amazing aspects of The Dark Knight will go overlooked due to the mind-blowing performances of Eckhart and Ledger. Lost in the fuss are the "smaller" characters who all finally get the purpose they deserve. It's not just Batman and Joker and Two-Face with a bunch of side shows to pass the time. Instead, Alfred (Michael Caine), Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhall), and Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) go beyond their roles to become as important as anyone to the plot. And it's about time Jim Gordon gets the right recognition as a main character in his own right. There are a handful of moments where Gary Oldman gets his opportunity to prove why he is one of Hollywood's hidden secrets, most notably the final minutes. Some scenes in The Dark Knight give his character the chance to be just as insightful and impacting as any other.
So what gives this film the ability to surpass simply being "that cool movie back in 2008" to actually one of the most brilliant of all time? Brains. Sure, it's got the explosions and the cool fight scenes, and the music is perfect at every moment, but it rises to the top via its dialogue. It's no surprise to me. Christopher Nolan proved to me a long time ago with Memento that his ability to write a profound script is in his nature. Follow that up with The Prestige, then Batman Begins and you can really see how genius this man is. But never did I expect to be so blown away mentally by this film. It has stayed with me, lingering in my brain behind every thought. I've now seen the movie four times in 27 hours and with every single viewing it gets better and better. Not a single stone is unturned in this masterpiece. Everything you see for 152 minutes matters. When the man behind the camera treats his viewers with the respect Nolan continues to provide, it makes the experience that much more rewarding. The movie has brains without being preachy. So many these days want to send messages about modern day issues hidden in their dialogue (see Wall-E). Even when they got close to doing so in the "spying on Gotham" scene, they found a way to make it realistically within the realm of Gotham, rather than a low blow to the Patriot Act. But mostly, being a fan of Shakespeare, especially his monologues, made The Dark Knight that much more special. There are so many "speeches" that make you think and truly understand each character. Every dusty corner that could have let this movie fall apart was swiftly wiped by an impeccable script.
So what's next? Do we need another? Everybody will be calling for heads if a third installment doesn't eventually show, but I think that's missing the big picture. Who says great movies have to come in threes? Who!? There is no rule. Trilogies are just a mainstream public expectation. Like standing on an escalator. Who says you can't sit down? And we all know Christopher Nolan, along with Christian Bale, are anything but mainstream. Yet, I got to thinking after my 4th sitting of The Dark Knight as to where it can go from here. While many want to see villains such as Catwoman or The Riddler, being that these two are the most realistic in the world Nolan has created, I see a different path. A better one.
Anybody who is even the slightest of informed in the comic world that Batman exists and is derived from for these recent takes knows of the epic Superman-Batman showdown. Hear me out now! I can't say too much without giving away the ending of The Dark Knight, so I won't say anything at all. Just know that the right direction to go is Superman-Batman. For a better understanding, read Frank Miller's graphic novel Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. It plays perfectly into the way The Dark Knight ended. But how can Bryan Singer's fluffy latest version of Superman realistically cooperate in Nolan's dark and gritty Gotham? Give Superman to Nolan! Be a man and give him up, Singer. It's the right thing to do. And if you paid attention while watching I Am Legend, while Will Smith is walking down Times Square hunting a deer, a billboard is clear in the background showing the Batman/Superman logo from the comics. I Am Legend is owned by Warner Bros., as are the Batman and Superman labels. The film takes place in 2012 and just feels like a straight-up claim that it will be coming. Sounds like the right fit to me. This gives Superman a chance to go a bit darker in its own sequel. I will be hoping sincerely this is the route the franchise takes. But no matter the result, with Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale, and the rest involved, I have an endless array of faith. As for The Dark Knight, I've always said no movie could ever be perfect. I will adjust that statement. No movie can ever be perfect, but The Dark Knight stretches that idea to its limits.
of 5 trophies
You can choose to experience Harvey Dent's rise and follow his tragic fall to a darker place than almost any movie has gone before as he becomes Two-Face. As powerful as the subject matter is, it is the Harvey Dent story arc that clearly drives the film's intensity. On multiple occasions I found myself genuinely frightened by Dent's brutality. One moment he is calm and collected, albeit clearly traumatized, when suddenly and ferociously he becomes livid as his rage seeps through the wounds of his disfigured soul. Aaron Eckhart's performance takes an unfortunate backseat to Heath Ledger's Joker. I believe for a long time we will be calling his portrayal of Harvey Dent as one of the most underrated efforts of all time. Moving. Powerful. Passionate. Frightening. The slip into madness of this character is The Dark Knight's true main plot and ultimately makes the movie rise above the rest of its kind.
We joined Bruce Wayne as he became Batman in Batman Begins and learned of his desire to help clean up Gotham. The key to his mission, though, exists in his purpose. Rather than be Gotham's protector, like most "superheroes," his goal is to inspire the city to become stronger than the criminal world that engulfs it. Once this is achieved, his many aspirations, including living a life with Rachel Dawes, can be fulfilled and the symbol of Batman can be replaced. In The Dark Knight, we witness his inner battle between doubt and duty. As always, his desire to help Gotham, but to do so with inspiration through intimidation play a major part in his mental struggle. With our introduction of Harvey Dent, Wayne has hope that Gotham may be able to move on without Batman and so can he. It makes for a moody take on how far is too far.
The most powerful and moving aspect of The Dark Knight is undoubtedly The Joker. Heath Ledger's performance has been the most talked about matter in the film industry for months. Finally, Christopher Nolan and Co. have unleashed this supernatural portrayal upon us all. And it...is...perfect. His combination of comedy and ruthlessness is awe-inspiring. I'm not going to even approach the subject of his death. As tragic as it is, this performance will go down in history no matter his condition. It's that amazing. Witnessing The Joker's incomprehensible insanity growing with every murder and every passing minute of the movie is something to truly honor and cherish for all time. I never imagined being so mesmerized by a character, fictional or not, sitting in a dark theater. The most haunting character in cinematic history. Remember Colonel Walter E. Kurtz from Apocalypse Now? Second fiddle. How about Hannibal Lecter of Silence Of The Lambs? We finally have someone to knock Hopkins off the shelf. Well, push him to the side, maybe. Darth Vader of Star Wars does not even compare to the sadistic and horrifying nature of Ledger's Joker. As a standalone performance, this is the greatest rendition of fictional beings ever put on film. Hell, if Javier Bardem's supporting role in No Country For Old Men got him a golden statue, there should be no argument here. If the man doesn't receive a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor I want to see the damn performance that beats him. I want to see that film!
So many amazing aspects of The Dark Knight will go overlooked due to the mind-blowing performances of Eckhart and Ledger. Lost in the fuss are the "smaller" characters who all finally get the purpose they deserve. It's not just Batman and Joker and Two-Face with a bunch of side shows to pass the time. Instead, Alfred (Michael Caine), Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhall), and Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) go beyond their roles to become as important as anyone to the plot. And it's about time Jim Gordon gets the right recognition as a main character in his own right. There are a handful of moments where Gary Oldman gets his opportunity to prove why he is one of Hollywood's hidden secrets, most notably the final minutes. Some scenes in The Dark Knight give his character the chance to be just as insightful and impacting as any other.
So what gives this film the ability to surpass simply being "that cool movie back in 2008" to actually one of the most brilliant of all time? Brains. Sure, it's got the explosions and the cool fight scenes, and the music is perfect at every moment, but it rises to the top via its dialogue. It's no surprise to me. Christopher Nolan proved to me a long time ago with Memento that his ability to write a profound script is in his nature. Follow that up with The Prestige, then Batman Begins and you can really see how genius this man is. But never did I expect to be so blown away mentally by this film. It has stayed with me, lingering in my brain behind every thought. I've now seen the movie four times in 27 hours and with every single viewing it gets better and better. Not a single stone is unturned in this masterpiece. Everything you see for 152 minutes matters. When the man behind the camera treats his viewers with the respect Nolan continues to provide, it makes the experience that much more rewarding. The movie has brains without being preachy. So many these days want to send messages about modern day issues hidden in their dialogue (see Wall-E). Even when they got close to doing so in the "spying on Gotham" scene, they found a way to make it realistically within the realm of Gotham, rather than a low blow to the Patriot Act. But mostly, being a fan of Shakespeare, especially his monologues, made The Dark Knight that much more special. There are so many "speeches" that make you think and truly understand each character. Every dusty corner that could have let this movie fall apart was swiftly wiped by an impeccable script.
So what's next? Do we need another? Everybody will be calling for heads if a third installment doesn't eventually show, but I think that's missing the big picture. Who says great movies have to come in threes? Who!? There is no rule. Trilogies are just a mainstream public expectation. Like standing on an escalator. Who says you can't sit down? And we all know Christopher Nolan, along with Christian Bale, are anything but mainstream. Yet, I got to thinking after my 4th sitting of The Dark Knight as to where it can go from here. While many want to see villains such as Catwoman or The Riddler, being that these two are the most realistic in the world Nolan has created, I see a different path. A better one.
Anybody who is even the slightest of informed in the comic world that Batman exists and is derived from for these recent takes knows of the epic Superman-Batman showdown. Hear me out now! I can't say too much without giving away the ending of The Dark Knight, so I won't say anything at all. Just know that the right direction to go is Superman-Batman. For a better understanding, read Frank Miller's graphic novel Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. It plays perfectly into the way The Dark Knight ended. But how can Bryan Singer's fluffy latest version of Superman realistically cooperate in Nolan's dark and gritty Gotham? Give Superman to Nolan! Be a man and give him up, Singer. It's the right thing to do. And if you paid attention while watching I Am Legend, while Will Smith is walking down Times Square hunting a deer, a billboard is clear in the background showing the Batman/Superman logo from the comics. I Am Legend is owned by Warner Bros., as are the Batman and Superman labels. The film takes place in 2012 and just feels like a straight-up claim that it will be coming. Sounds like the right fit to me. This gives Superman a chance to go a bit darker in its own sequel. I will be hoping sincerely this is the route the franchise takes. But no matter the result, with Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale, and the rest involved, I have an endless array of faith. As for The Dark Knight, I've always said no movie could ever be perfect. I will adjust that statement. No movie can ever be perfect, but The Dark Knight stretches that idea to its limits.
of 5 trophies
Comments