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The Dark Knight
Posted: Jul 16, 2008 in Movies
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So, about all that buzz around "The Dark Knight."
Does Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker live up to the purple-suited hype?
You betcha.
And director Christopher Nolan improves on the vision he established in 2005's "Batman Begins" in every way, leaving a brilliant mediation on crime, society and obsession.
There's no silliness, no pointless cameo, no kid-safe irony here, just punishing action and merciless heartbreak. Every moment is tense, even scary.
As a crime drama, "Knight" stands with the best. It's "Heat," if Al Pacino had donned a cape before battling DeNiro, and it's likely the headiest superhero movie you'll ever see.
Batman (Christian Bale) has teamed up with the police and new district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) to rid Gotham City of corruption.
Batman is a controversial figure among Gothamites; a vigilante who spawns shotgun-wielding imitators, he has the support of Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman).
D.A. Dent is Gotham's "White Knight" to Batman's dark one, but fans of the comics know he's doomed to something more sinister. He wants to join Gordon and Batman in their crime-fighting quest, but they don't know if he can be trusted in a city where public officials are bought and sold and traded like stock.
Enter the Clown Prince of Crime, ready to make the streets safe for criminals again by killing Batman.
Ledger's villain redefines the term "maniacal," and instantly joins the ranks of such memorable movie bad guys as Hannibal Lecter, Darth Vader and Freddy Krueger.
His performance will likely go down as one of the greatest ever, and it's all the sadder that Ledger died just as his best work was about to debut.
The Joker feels dangerous every second he's on screen, and he's always a step ahead of the police.
But Bale continues to be a heavyweight in his own right, and it's still Batman's film.
And every moment between Bale and Ledger is a scintillating, don't-blink moment.
"The Dark Knight" is "The Godfather" of superhero flicks, elevating summer entertainment to art.
Movie Details
Rating: 5 stars (out of 5 stars)
In a word: Perfection.
Rated: PG-13.
Running time: 142 min.
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman.
Director: Christopher Nolan.
Oh man, did you see it in IMAX?
Oh man, did you see it in IMAX?
Hells yeah, I did!
Can't wait, thanks for the review.
While I want to -- and will -- see it on IMAX, I also have to see it on a normal screen just for the 'Watchmen' trailer that is attached.
I have a "mature for 9 years old" son who is obsessed with seeing 'The Dark Knight'. I usually allow him to see PG-13 films if the bloody violence, language and sexual content is acceptable. I am very leary about taking him after hearing about the darkness and intensity of the film. What is your take on children seeing the film?
I have a "mature for 9 years old" son who is obsessed with seeing 'The ...
I've been accused by some of being a bit liberal in my attitudes toward that sort of thing with children, but I'd say it's okay for a 9-year-old who is familiar with scary movies and the like. I have a 3-year-old that I'm certainly not taking to see it, but I'd take my 10-year-old nephew if he was into Batman.
There are some scary moments, but much of the violence is standard comic book fare, with the exception of one particular series of scenes involving a certain character.
For your decision-making needs I'll post this spoiler image from the film. If your child can handle a few scenes seeing this, I'd say go for it.
How large a part does Oldman have in this film. Talk about an underrated actor! I hope he gets more than just a bit part. Anyway, sounds like i'm off to see it in IMAX asap! (R.I.P.-H.L)
How large a part does Oldman have in this film. Talk about an underrated actor! ...
I don't think you'll be disappointed. I'd say his role is a bit bigger than it was in the first film, and he's certainly a key player, as he was the first time around. He certainly does more than Pat Hingle did in the Burton/Schumacher films.
I'd definitely recommend seeing it in IMAX if possible. A few of the scenes were shot with IMAX cameras.
I have a "mature for 9 years old" son who is obsessed with seeing 'The ...
THELORDYOURGOD SAW IMAX PREVIEW LAST NIGHT. THE CUTOFF AGE FOR KIDS "DIGGING IT" VS. "PALE AND MORE THAN A LITTLE FREAKED OUT" SHALL BE 9*. SO SAYETH THELORDYOURGOD.
*your mileage may vary
this movie does in fact live up to the hype and is a complete nerdgasm. i enjoyed the whole thing start to finish. the IMAX filmed scenes are beautiful and Heath Ledger steals every minute he's in the movie. Gary Oldman deserves just as much credit as he is the emotion thread of the movie. fantastic film
wow ... that movie was just incredible. definitely worth all of the hype! And Heath Ledger's performance was just amazingly insane. Everyone needs to see this movie, even if they aren't into the whole Batman thing ... it is too good to miss!
I have to admit that the hype has worked. I might actually have to see this in a theater. I've only read one negative review and that was in the New Yorker. I disagree with the New Yorker critics roughly 100% of the time.
It is a good movie IMAX. You need to go see it at Showplace 16 & Imax in IMAX. It was crowded when I went at 9:00 this morning. It is the best one of the six movies so far. I give it two thumbs up. It is oscar worthy. Go and see it in Imax because it is the best.
Yeah, you have to see this movie in IMAX, it was awesome. Man, I can't recommend it enough. There were a lot of story lines going on, but I don't really care it was frickin awesome.
Yeah, you have to see this movie in IMAX, it was awesome. Man, I can't ...
Yeah, the IMAX made this movie amazing. So many great scenes...my only complaint was Batman's voice. Why did he talk to Morgan Freeman in the Batman voice, when he already knew who he was?!
I can't remember many Batman scenes...every scene that sticks in my head was provided by the Joker. Ledger stole every scene he was in and played an amazing role...I would hardly even call it a supporting actor, I think he got as much screen time as Bale did...and for good reason.
Yeah, the IMAX made this movie amazing. So many great scenes...my only complaint was Batman's ...
The rumor/explanation I heard from the first film is that there is something in the suit that masks his voice electronically, so that whomever he's talking to will hear the "Batman" voice as opposed to Bruce Wayne's voice. So it's not something he does using his own vocal cords, and not something he can control.
Never understood why Batman's mouth (or any superhero's) is left uncovered. Seems like an invitation for a stray fist, or for someone to recognize a chipped tooth and figure out your identity.
That's one of the reasons I always liked Spidey as a kid -- his whole head was covered.
Of course, nothing beats the laughable old Superman/Clark Kent routine. Try putting on glasses (or taking them off if you wear them) and comb your hair a little different and go into work, and see if anybody fails to recognize you.
Never understood why Batman's mouth (or any superhero's) is left uncovered. Seems like an invitation ...
True, but I often think Spider-Man and those of his fully-covered ilk would have problems breathing while exerting themselves (I get claustrophobic wearing a ski mask for more than a few minutes.
You'd think something like a football-style face mask would be more practical.
Did you guys ever see the SNL skit about Superman and how his co-workers all knew he was Superman, and Superman was the dumb one for thinking he was fooling somone? The Rock played Clark Kent (he was the host), and everyone was snickering behind his back and making fun of him.
True, but I often think Spider-Man and those of his fully-covered ilk would have problems ...
or when Conan was on SNL and was playing the Molecular Man and every time anyone would say The Molecular Man, he would feel compelled to Shout out "THE MOLECULAR MAN!!!!"
It may not be English but you can get the idea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFMqpUH1624&feature=related
or when Conan was on SNL and was playing the Molecular Man and every time ...
"El Hombre de Los Moleculos!"
Great movie. Saw it Sunday at IMAX and had to sit in the front row. So glad Katie holmes was out. Movie was very well cast. Ledger was great. Jack should be ashamed he was a part of the earlier movies, actually everyone involved should be. This is what Batman was meant to be. A few minor plot problems but nothing that really detracts from the movie. Lotsa action. I was occasionally confused about what was going on during the action scenes.