The Dark Knight
"Y'see, madness, as you know, is like gravity. All it takes is a little...push."
*****
What a movie. I will say that there were a couple of times in the first 30 minutes where I thought all the talk and all the hype had taken its toll…I was enjoying myself, but I was being ‘critical’ too…finding mistakes or ‘ho-hum’ spots…but after I managed to shake it off…and as the film REALLY got going…I actually caught myself wide eyed and literally sitting on the edge of my seat (twice)…I was so into the movie. I must have looked like a 5 year old. It was awesome!
As for Heath Ledger’s Joker…amazing. Anyone who knows anything about comics or superheroes knows that The Joker (not Venom…not Magneto…not some big space tyrant or monster) is THE ultimate villain…and the twisted ying to Batman’s tortured yang. And Heath Ledger totally nailed it. I had my doubts when I heard he was going to play him...and that's after watching Batman Begins and being totally blown away by how good that was. Between the comic books, Jack Nicholson and the Animated Series (which is very good...and still stands up) The Joker has been 'nailed' a few times. But Ledger made him darker, and scarier and smarter than he’s ever been…and that’s the Joker. He’s a madman who’s ‘playing’ with the world…because he can…and because its fun.
Its all a big, sick, fucking joke to him. Who can’t relate to that?
And that's where Batman, and a guy like Gordon (superbly played by Gary Oldman) come in to play. There is a line…and it has to be enforced. The scene with the passenger ferries…that was a classic ‘comic book style’ villainous scheme…but it also turned into a pretty amazing morality play and just added to the complexity and depth of the story. Just great stuff from top to bottom…and I really thought the Harvey Dent story arch was really well done and didn't feel like simply tacking on another story element for the sake of it. No were punches were pulled in this movie, yet the movie’s violence was filmed in such a way that it was jolting but never felt like overkill.
I mean, wasn't that a great fucking trick!?
I’ve also heard some ‘slight’ complaints about the camera work during the fight sequences being too ‘crazy’ or ‘fast’…and that’s a valid point…but I think it really worked in this film because Batman’s world is the night…the shadows…and at night, it would be just a blur, or at least, that’s probably how it would seem to some lackey with an AK 47 standing guard during a bank heist in Gotham.
Was The Dark Knight a perfect movie? Almost...but as far as I’m concerned, it came close enough. I personally want to thank director/writer Christopher Nolan for not only saving Batman (on the screen)…but for giving us such a kick ass movie as well. And to Christian Bale for letting Ledger steal what really is his movie. As for Heath Ledger…as terrible as his loss was…if you’re going to go out…man, what an exit. My buddy J mentioned Brandon Lee and his performance in The Crow as a very close example of a role taking on another meaning after an actors death…but in this case, Ledger's talent, the performance and the end result are simply on another level.
Its Awesome Awesome Awesome…go see it now!!
Like right now.
*****
What a movie. I will say that there were a couple of times in the first 30 minutes where I thought all the talk and all the hype had taken its toll…I was enjoying myself, but I was being ‘critical’ too…finding mistakes or ‘ho-hum’ spots…but after I managed to shake it off…and as the film REALLY got going…I actually caught myself wide eyed and literally sitting on the edge of my seat (twice)…I was so into the movie. I must have looked like a 5 year old. It was awesome!
As for Heath Ledger’s Joker…amazing. Anyone who knows anything about comics or superheroes knows that The Joker (not Venom…not Magneto…not some big space tyrant or monster) is THE ultimate villain…and the twisted ying to Batman’s tortured yang. And Heath Ledger totally nailed it. I had my doubts when I heard he was going to play him...and that's after watching Batman Begins and being totally blown away by how good that was. Between the comic books, Jack Nicholson and the Animated Series (which is very good...and still stands up) The Joker has been 'nailed' a few times. But Ledger made him darker, and scarier and smarter than he’s ever been…and that’s the Joker. He’s a madman who’s ‘playing’ with the world…because he can…and because its fun.
Its all a big, sick, fucking joke to him. Who can’t relate to that?
And that's where Batman, and a guy like Gordon (superbly played by Gary Oldman) come in to play. There is a line…and it has to be enforced. The scene with the passenger ferries…that was a classic ‘comic book style’ villainous scheme…but it also turned into a pretty amazing morality play and just added to the complexity and depth of the story. Just great stuff from top to bottom…and I really thought the Harvey Dent story arch was really well done and didn't feel like simply tacking on another story element for the sake of it. No were punches were pulled in this movie, yet the movie’s violence was filmed in such a way that it was jolting but never felt like overkill.
I mean, wasn't that a great fucking trick!?
I’ve also heard some ‘slight’ complaints about the camera work during the fight sequences being too ‘crazy’ or ‘fast’…and that’s a valid point…but I think it really worked in this film because Batman’s world is the night…the shadows…and at night, it would be just a blur, or at least, that’s probably how it would seem to some lackey with an AK 47 standing guard during a bank heist in Gotham.
Was The Dark Knight a perfect movie? Almost...but as far as I’m concerned, it came close enough. I personally want to thank director/writer Christopher Nolan for not only saving Batman (on the screen)…but for giving us such a kick ass movie as well. And to Christian Bale for letting Ledger steal what really is his movie. As for Heath Ledger…as terrible as his loss was…if you’re going to go out…man, what an exit. My buddy J mentioned Brandon Lee and his performance in The Crow as a very close example of a role taking on another meaning after an actors death…but in this case, Ledger's talent, the performance and the end result are simply on another level.
Its Awesome Awesome Awesome…go see it now!!
Like right now.
posted by neil at 9:30 PM
4 Comments:
I've been waiting for you to review this...and thank you for doing it some justice. as a person who has seen his fair share of movies, it takes a lot to name which is the best. and this is, by far, the best all around movie I have ever seen...for so many different reasons, on so many different levels.
Totally agree with you matt...and thank you, I really appreciate that! I honestly can't think of another movie that I liked for so many reasons...it's really is one of the best movies I've ever seen...even with all the hype. You're right...it works on so many different levels...
And the thing that really impressed me was how 'smart' and 'deep' it was for a summer blockbuster superhero movie...but then again, Batman is no ordinary superhero...
so good!
Glad a fellow film buff saw this one. You're at your best when writing reviews dude. Great writing.
Thanks man. I'm not passionate about much these days...but I do love a good movie.
I still haven't met one person who thought the film was anything short of amazing...I can't even think of anyone who's said a bad word about it.
Probably going to see it again on Sunday...
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