Based on the weekend box office results, most of you have already seen this film by now, but for those who have not I wanted to add my voice to the thunderous clamoring of love for this film. I saw it this weekend, unfortunately not in Imax as it is sold out through next week, so I can’t speak to what difference that makes. I can say that I was fascinated and entertained by the movie as a whole, and frankly in awe of Heath Ledger’s Joker.
There should be no question in anyone’s mind that this film is an achievement that takes comic book hero films to a new level in quality and respectability. Ledger, Eckhart, Bale and Oldman each turn in top level performances. Heath Ledger’s turn as the Joker has praised as a tour de force, and rightly so, but I think that it is the rest of the performances that have to shine even more in order not to be totally overshadowed by the dominating presence of the Joker. Eckhart in particular should be mentioned in his brilliant portrayal of Harvey Dent the hero and his tragic transformation into the villain Two-Face.
It is a testament to the depth of this film that Christian Bale’s Batman is in many ways a supporting character in a tale of Gotham Cities Struggle with it’s own identity. Even Michael Cain’s Alfred shines in every scene as he fulfils his role as Bruce Wayne’s conscience and confidant.
The effects and cinematography are far improved over the first of the Christopher Nolan Batman films. Gotham city, this time filmed in real world Chicago, feels alive and real in contrast to the somewhat fantastical and mythological version of the city used in the first film. I think that is a good example of how everything in this film was done as you consistently feel this is a story that takes place in our world as opposed to the larger than life world of mythology that all the previous Batman incarnations inhabited.
If you can forgive the hyperbole, this film is simply a masterpiece. It is the pinnacle of the development of the transition of the comic book hero from child’s diversion, to adult plaything to what it is now, legitimate cinematic triumph of the highest order.
As always I have included snippets and links from two major critical reviews. One that agrees with me, and one that does not.
The Dark Knight: Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
Mahnola Dargis of the New York Times says:
Pitched at the divide between art and industry, poetry and entertainment, The Dark Knight goes darker and deeper than any Hollywood movie of its comic-book kind. FULL REVIEW
David Denby of The New Yorker says:
This movie is grim and jammed together. The narrative isn’t shaped coherently to bring out contrasts and build toward a satisfying climax. The Dark Knight is constant climax; it’s always in a frenzy, and it goes on forever. FULL REVIEW
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Filed under: Movies | Tagged: batman, heath ledger, movie reviews, the dark knight
I agree, this movie is absolutely amazing. It didn’t feel like a traditional superhero movie. It’s so much more.
Thank you for a very interesting post!
Always be happy to read your blog!
Good luck!