A Non-Spoiler Review
It is perhaps an understatement to write that the second film in Chris Nolan’s reboot of the Batman franchise, The Dark Knight, has been the most anticipated film of the summer. Partially because of the fact that it is Batman, but no doubt mostly due to Joker actor Heath Ledger’s death, The Dark Knight has been a movie that many have been looking forward to seeing. This weekend’s record setting box office receipts certainly supports that assumption.
With all the hype leading up to this past Friday’s release, the biggest question was whether or not The Dark Knight would be a worthy movie-going experience or another in a long line of summer blockbuster’s that just don’t quite measure up.
I’ll tell you this: the Nolan brothers sure do crank out the hits.
The Dark Knight lives up to its moniker…it is one dark film, both in its look and in its subject matter. This is not a comic book movie for the kiddies. Criminal psychosis takes center stage via a performance by Heath Ledger that will leave you saying, “Jack who?”. It is no wonder, if he actually lived in this role prior to and during shooting, that he had some trouble re-acclimating to normal life. The Joker is a pure villain and played as such gives a really refreshing performance to a role that I personally was not looking forward to seeing waaaay back when it was initially announced that this most well-known of Batman’s nemeses would be featured in the second film. I was hoping some of the lesser shown but equally entertaining Batman villains would be featured. Once I saw the first trailer, however, those qualms went out the door. Health Ledger delivered the goods. It is unfortunate that so dark a role will be the one that marks his good-bye, and yet you cannot leave the theatre without an immense appreciation for all that he brought his performance.
The story itself was quite interesting and built very nicely on the previous film. It was a two and a half hour film that, for me, moved right along and kept me engaged from start to finish. Batman is a character that has certainly been done far too many times and in far too many ways. The Nolan brothers won me over with Batman Begins and delivered another intriguing film this time around. As silly as it may sound they do an admirable job of bringing believability to an unbelievable comic book world. There is depth and grit and determination in this film that helps establish it as more than just a summer popcorn movie.
Christian Bale once again shows that he is an actor who can carry a film. He is one of a handful of male actors who I look at as adding something special to each film they make. As I mentioned earlier, Heath Ledger was incredible. It is not without sadness that you sit and realize that he is no longer with us. Morgan Freeman…didn’t we just talk about him in Wanted?…is Morgan Freeman. What more need be said? It was great seeing Maggie Gyllenhaal replacing Katie Holmes in the Rachael Dawes role. Not that I don’t like Katie Holmes…I actually do, except for her choice of a psychotic husband…but Gyllenhaal has become a real favorite and I liked her in this. Michael Caine is of course fantastic in a role that he was born to play and without a doubt one of my favorite characters from these last two films is Gary Oldman as James Gordon. He was a fantastic choice. I also enjoyed Eckhart as Harvey Dent, though I have to admit that he is one of my least favorite characters in the Batman universe.
The Dark Knight is an excellent film. It is not something that I can see myself watching over and over again…it just isn’t that type of film. But for the type of film it is meant to be I would have to say that it is top notch. I don’t want to say more as I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone. There are plenty of plot twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat and when all is said and done the movie is a satisfying, if a bit gut wrenching, experience. This one needs to be seen on the big screen.
I look forward to seeing what the rest of you thought of it.
I cannot wait to see this one. Firstly because Batman is one of my absolute favourite characters, the universe is one of my favourites, and the Batman films are among my favourites. Secondly because Heath Ledger was amazing.
I’m glad this one wasn’t a disappointment, and I will definitely be seeing it on the big screen.
Begging my husband to take me to see it, but he always likes to wait until the hype dies down as South Florida movie-going can be a real bummer on opening weekends. My son saw the midnight show Thursday and was blown away. He says Ledger deserves an Oscar (and not as a sympathy vote!).
Have you seen the campy Dr. Horrible by Josh Whedon? It’s only free until midnight tonight and seems like something you might appreciate (think Rocky Horror Picture Show redux). http://www.dr.horrible.com
OOPS!!! Sorry wrong url. Here’s the right one: http://www.drhorrible.com/
Thanks Tasses, I think we are going to try to catch Dr. Horrible sometime tonight.
Yeah….all that!!
I thought the movie was fantastic. LOVED it!! I was actually surprised by Eckhart. He was really good….and he didn’t get any credit or hype at all…mostly due to Ledger. I have always loved Heath Ledger, and it was hard to watch him in this role. I do see why he would have some serious nightmares doing a role like the Joker, with the intensity that he had.
I pretty much said the same thing myself!
I’m a doofus today… Joss, not Josh. The teacher in me just can’t leave that misprint unchecked!
Will I get kicked off the planet Earth if I admit that the only Batman movie I’ve ever seen is the 1966 one?
In case I do, let me first say I loved your description of Katie Holmes husband!
Debi!!!! Your confession amuses me, so I suppose we’ll let you say. I have seen that one as well, though I have seen the others too. And believe me, the 1966 version is better than some of the other ones out there.
So glad to hear it lives up to the hype. I must be one of the 2 people that didn’t see it this weekend but I will make it to the theatre in the next week or so to see it in IMAX I hope as well. I hate to say Batman had never been one of my favorite characters but I love what Nolan did with Batman Begins so I do want to catch this one on the big screen. I just can’t see it being better than Hellboy 2 for me this summer but I’m sure I’ll love it for what it is.
Carl, we are going to see Hellboy tomorrow night. Should we see this one instead?
I am SO excited about this one it’s unbelieveable, and I’m going to see it next Sunday at IMAX in London, tickets are already tucked in a safe place…..
This was an amazing movie going experience. The time flew by but I didn’t know when it would end. It kept going and going. I feel I really got my money’s worth seeing it for the matinee price.
The only thing I could possibly say negative, which you liked, is Maggie G. She is just butt-ugly to me. I’m sorry to say that about someone but with this high caliber of movie, someone else a little more asthetically pleasing would have been a better choice. I can’t really see the billionaire and the hot-shot D.A. really falling for her. Having said that, I don’t think Katie H. was good either. You need a girl who is pretty but doesn’t think she is. A lot like Gwyneth P. was in Iron Man. Pretty but not distracting. Maggie’s looks was a distraction for me.
Sooo…what is going to happen now to the Joker? Drop him? Replace him? He never does die in the comics and that is what I think the Nolan’s were trying to do here. Create a character with an actor who could take it for years. Ledger almost did too good a job, meaning you can’t really re-invent the character-the bar is set too high. You can only imitate Ledger imitating the Joker. Interesting paradox.
I went to the matinee Friday, came out, went to the bathroom, bought another ticket and went right back in again! The Dark Knight is an AMAZING movie. It catches your interest from the first frame and takes you on a mad, wild ride straight thru to the closing credits.
All the actors were amazing, but Heath Ledger outshines them all. I was never that much of a fan of Nicholson’s Joker. I thought it was too over the top and campy, sorta like an updated Cesear Romero. Heath’s Joker is a truly psychotic force of nature and the perfect foil for Bale’s repressed anger as Batman. The man truly delivered an Oscar worthy performance, it’s a pity that he’s not around to bask in the acclaim. It is justified and deserved. Jack Who?
Watching the people around me leaving the theatre and talking with others that have seen the film, (some multiple times already) the general consensus is WOW, just WOW. This is the best Batman movie EVER!!!!
It will be interesting to see further down the line just what actor has the cajones to take on the role of the joker and if he will be as creative and daring with the role as Heath was. His portrayal is just as iconic as the one in the graphic novel “The Killing Joke” drawn by Brian Bolland. It’s a wonderful legacy.
Tom: Can’t agree with you on Maggie. I have always found her very attractive, most especially in the film Stranger Than Fiction. I love her voice and her look. She is certainly not your conventional beauty, but I find her very attractive.
I agree with you, the time did fly by and it was well worth the $5 I spent on my ticket.
SG, Tom: I am probably in the minority among Batman fans, but I hope that this is the last we see of the Joker on the silver screen. Both Nicholson and Ledger have created iconic performances and I just don’t want to see the role done again. There are so many other Batman villains that I would love to see done in films if the films are to continue.
Bride: I bet it will be great on the IMAX!
James: It really depends on what kind of movie you are in the mood for. Both are very well done. Batman is a better movie if you step away and are just judging them on overall film-making, but both are such different films that it isn’t fair to judge. Either would be a movie I would love to see again in the theater. I can’t imagine Dark Knight being a film that I would want to watch over and over again like I would Hellboy II as it just isn’t that kind of film. But I do certainly want to see both again. They are both worth spending money to see on the big screen.
Jeff: I think you’ll be very pleased with this film, it is very, very good.
I agree that Batman has a whole stable of other fine villans to choose from, and i don’t think that the Joker will turn up again in a Nolan Batman film, unless it would be a passing reference about Arkham, (maybe a passby shot of a cell).
But, i figure once the series is rebooted, hopefully many, many years down the line. He’ll turn up again.
Jack Nicholson, Tommy Lee Jones, Michelle Pfiefer, Jim Carrey and even Danny Devito’s ugh inducing Penguin; all did fine turns in Burton’s Batman mythos, but it was a more “comic” comic book take than Nolan’s films. Batman Begins and The Dark Knight suspend disbelief and draw you into a world that you could actually imagine being ours. Burton’s films while highly enjoyable, didn’t have that level of realism or believability. They were more loving works of symbolic art direction. Very gothic noir, or just very Burton ^_^.
Christian Bale, Gary Oldman (whom i feel is one of our more diverse and talented actors), the grand old master Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and now Heath Ledger have all turned in performances that one feels are REAL, not campy, played for the laughs theatrics.
Since Nolan’s is commited to another Batman Begins movie and wonder which villan will be next? What would your favorite be? I really hope it’s not the Riddler or Poison Ivy, maybe Bane. It would be interesting to see what he’d do with Bane.
Carl & Tom – I agree with you both. First I agree with Carl. I think Maggie G. is gorgeous in an old fashioned Katherine Hepburn way too me. Which leads me to agreeing with Tom. While I obviously don’t find her butt ugly 🙂 I don’t think she’s the type of girl that ” Bruce Wayne ” would be dateing. I see the more of the blonde bombshell hanging on Bruce’s arm not Maggie G. or Katie Cruise. Someone supermodel type like Heidi Klum or one of the Girls Next Door. 🙂
Carl, I’d love to hear your review, spoilers and all! Please? And…what happened to Robin?
Janet…my review of??? I’m confused. And yes, that is normal, I know.
Jeff: I don’t think I can go with you guys on this one. The whole idea is that the two characters grew up together, back before Bruce Wayne was “Bruce Wayne”. And the whole idea is that he finds this girl, played by Holmes and then Gyllenhaal, to be an intellectual equal, a strong person with strong values and ideals that he can admire. I think the only way he would end up with the girls you are describing is when he is acting shallow and “millionaire-ish”. I think the fact that they chose more conventional looking, but still in my opinion beautiful, women to play this part in these two films is because she represented something more, something deeper, and the potential for a much deeper relationship than he would get with the typical beauty. And not that a typical beauty couldn’t be a strong, formidable woman but remember that movies are a visual medium and a part of the story they are telling isn’t just the script but also the look, and both Katie and especially Maggie look the part of an up and coming legal powerhouse than Heidi Klum would.
Question for those who have seen or will see Dark Knight:
At one point in the film Harvey Dent is looking like he is about to start putting the beat down on an average joe who is one of the Joker’s henchmen. Batman steps in and mentions the guy’s name and encourages Harvey to rethink his approach. I didn’t pay attention to the guy’s name but afterwards thought it must be significant that they wrote a line where Batman mentions the guys first and last name. I would love to know who it is to check and see if it is a reference to a Batman villain. If anyone knows, please help.
the movie…wow…there are barely words for me to describe it, it’s like a tragic ballet of violence and hope, intermingling together against the stark backdrop of a city haunted by itself.
does that make sense??
it is Shakespearean in epic and scope, it is both terrifying and thrilling and honest to god probably one of the best films I have ever seen, it goes above and beyond a “comic book movie” and becomes a classic, I forgot at times that it was Batman I was watching and felt more like a movie comparable to
The Departed or to Shakespeare or a Greek tragedy.
>
Heath Ledger…um, he was terrifying and so beautiful just lost in a performance. As someone who loves acting and dissects every performance I have ever seen, there are very few that are flawless, and this is one of them. He beats out Hannibal Lector as the most captivating screen villain I could imagine. He is both musical and halting, there were
gasps in the theater over his performance.
>
I felt like I had lock jaw the morning after because for 2.5 hours I had my mouth open, in awe that something could be so good.
>
yes, I am going on and on, but in reality, I am not even coming close to doing it justice.
I will say this, it is a dark movie, very dark but what made it so beautiful was the faint shining string of hope that ties it all together.
>
I am a huge Batman fan, it’s my thing, my father’s name was Jim Gordon and I grew up with a strong connection that that world, I would read the comics and to me that was like a surrogate dad. Gary Oldman is flawless as Gordon, just breathtaking in his empathy and as you said in your review Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine….really what more can you say.
I loved Aaron Eckhart as Harvey, truthfully Two-Face is my favorite villain as I
have always been very fascinated with Multiple personality disorder, a trait he
has in the comics but not in the movie, that being said I though he was
amazing…the build up of him as a White Knight was wonderful and not over done
at all.
I think the whole movie was brilliant, it’s the Godfather II of comic book movies and I think this combined with Iron Man have brought the genre up to a new and very serious level.
I could go on and on
It’s very good to hear that this one lives up to the hype. I’ve always enjoyed Batman movies, but this seems to take it to a whole other level. I’m really looking forward to seeing it.
I love Maggie Gyllenhaal too. And lol at what you said about Katie Holmes’ husband 😀
I got to thinking about the “butt-ugly” on M.G. and I think I was a little too harsh. How about “basset-hound” ugly mixed with an insulting endearment to Betty Boop.
Okay maybe that was over the top, heh-heh-heh.
Never saw all of Stranger Than Fiction but it’s Karen’s favorite movie. I got bored and figured it out way too early.
I do understand how you can see a person in one movie and really like them and it can taint the next movie you see them in. Like Meryl Streep or Uma Thurman to me.
I was trying to think who would be better as Rachel and the only girl I could think of who could pull it off would be Bryce Dallas Howard. I’d have to see her in dark hair first. She made a great red-head and blonde. (Karen just told me another friend of ours thought the same thing about M.G.. She thinks she looks like an old woman in a young woman’s body.)
Yeah, I agree lock Joker up at Arkum and get new villains.
My tickets are booked for the first showing on Thursday, the UK release date. Squee!
also regarding M.G, as a woman I think she is beautiful and I think anyone who watches the movie Secretary would have to admit she is a sexy woman, even if in a quirky way.
if she is ugly then I guess the rest of us “real” looking women must be monsters, lol.
As far as the next villain I would like to see Hush, or The Riddler (who is Nolan;s favorite)
Tom: Can’t believe you didn’t watch all of Stranger Than Fiction. It isn’t a mystery, so what is to figure out? The whole point of the film is cherishing the little things that make life worth living…and there is a whole sub plot involving the importance of story and fiction in our lives. It is so good! Kudos to Karen for liking it so much.
Stormfilled: I’m very excited for you, you’ll have a great time.
Jennifer: Quirky is a good description as she is quirky, but I stand by my conviction that she is an unconventional beauty but a beauty nonetheless. It is the whole package with her, I love her voice as much as her look. I just wish she did more movies. I’d like to see her in more films like Stranger Than Fiction.
Not sure who I would want to see as the next Batman villain. Certainly not the usual cast of characters though. I’d rather see one of the more obscure villains. I also wouldn’t mind seeing a non-psychotic version of Catwoman and a new Bruce Wayne/Batman love interest come in that avenue.
I have a confession, Carl. I rarely go to the theater…. I wait until the movie comes out on DVD (except for LOTR). I also have to admit it really bothers me when the actor for the main man changes from one movie to the next (give me Sean Connery). But, I think I will have to go see this Batman at the theater, soon. You have convinced me. Thanks!
Now,now, we’re talking the fantasy world of movies not real life.;) I’m sure she’d turn all our heads if we saw her walking down the street:)
T: Could be, could be….but then again with the ‘magic of Hollywood’ it is possible that many of the actors and actresses that we think are attractive would be much less so in real life.
Speaking of which, movies aren’t real life?!?! Say it isn’t so….my whole world view is on the brink!!!
Q: for me actor changes are annoying unless they wind up being for the better. Christian Bale is by far, for me, the best Batman. And although I didn’t hold out high hopes when Daniel Craig was first announced as Bond, after seeing it he became Bond for me. It would be nice if Hollywood was not so sequel crazy that films would ever be put in a position to worry about changing lead actors/actresses, but this unfortunately isn’t the case and probably never will be. It is not that there is a shortage of original material, but there sure is a shortage of studios willing to risk money on new material vs. going with what they feel will be a sure thing. I guess that is what we have to expect when business and art mix.
Jennifer: As I mentioned in my email response to you, I think
“it’s like a tragic ballet of violence and hope, intermingling together against the stark backdrop of a city haunted by itself.”
Is a perfect one-line description of the film. Very astute observation as it perfectly describes the overall mood, look, etc. of the film.
I am planning on seeing it again next week with James and it will be interesting to gauge my thoughts on it after a second viewing. I saw Hellboy 2 for a second time this week and I found it even more fun than the first time.
Carl, I was having the “Maggie” conversation at work and no one knew who she was so I googled her pic. Yeah, do that at home not at work. I was like “Whoa-ho there, babe…”
I’m surprised the filters didn’t catch it.
Maybe I need to re-think my prior opinion…heh-heh
Tom: Certainly is never a safe idea to google celebs at work! Ha! The first thing to pop up is always something NSFW…because you know that those things get the most hits!
Glad you are doing your part to educate the masses about pop culture.
Ooooh so exciting! I’m going to see this on sunday. I’m so glad about Maggie Gyllenhaal being in this film, definitely one of my favourite actresses.
i enjoyed it quite a lot. can’t really give my full verdict because i watched in not the best of circumstances – we got to the movies late and there weren’t any seats left. i managed to find one for charlotte but then we were separated and i had to sit down on the floor in the front. it was one of those concave screens so i had a very wonky view of it all…
i really want to see it again ’cause i couldn’t fully experience it as i would want to. but i enjoyed it quite a lot. it was fun! more so in the beginning than as the film wore on but i don’t know if thats to do with how tired i got staring up at a skew angle…
Man, that sucks JP. That is one of the reasons I am religious in my devotion to getting to movies a good 45 minutes or more before they start. I know exactly what seat I want and for the price I want to make sure I get exactly the experience I want to get. Hope you get a chance to see it again soon in better circumstances.
Mariel: Mine too, hope you enjoy it. Please come back over and share your thoughts.
oh carl, i get criticised all the time for being extremely anal about leaving early and wanting to rather get to the film early than late. and then its always, “oh, nothing will happen! we’ll get there on time…! we have loads of time!” etc, etc.
and then… and then cock ups like thursday happen. and its not some ordinary film either…! its batman, you know. i’d been looking forwad to it for so long! and i haven’t even seen a film for 2 years!
I loved this movie. i think i forgot to breathe in places. I have to go see it again, because I know I missed things. And the saddest of all was knowing (on top of his passing away in the first place, which is a a loss for his family most of all), that for the rest of us, we can never see Heath play the Joker again. the writing was top notch, as you say, the acting was so good, the setting. Unlike you, though, Carl, I will watch this one over and over and over!!!
PS totally agree with you on why he loves the Katie/Maggie characters. She and Michael Caine, as well as Lieutenant Gordon, are the only links back to his childhood, to the real Bruce behind the millionaire mask and the batman force. She is the only female he lets in because she knows him as he is and what has made him who he is, even if she doesn’t want to see him go down that dark path…..and I love the restaurant scene where we finally see Bruce Wayne outdoing Harvey Dent, and the intelligence (rather than controlled anger) in his eyes as he smoothly gets what he wants, even as the dialogue went back and forth as they took their measure in front of her…..i kept waiting for one of them to explode. Ok, I’ll stop now! I love this movie!
JP: I generally won’t even agree to go to a film unless it is guaranteed that we will get there really early. I love to sit in the middle and in roughly the same row all the time and for me it is worth getting there to make my experience, and those with me, the best it can possibly be. Movies are too expensive to be stuck in bad seats.
Susan: I’m glad you enjoyed it. Breathtaking it was! I actually saw it a second time last week and was surprised at how much fun it was, perhaps more fun, seeing it a second time. I have no doubt I’ll buy the film now when it comes out although I still don’t see myself watching it as often as I rewatch films like Pride and Prejudice, etc.
Great thoughts on the Rachael Dawes character. That scene in the restaurant was great!
Batmans voice….a little too much on the ” I ate hot peppers side”
Straying from the original way that harvey Dent got his face burnt a little…but pulling it off in a good way.
THEY ARE FUCKING TEASING US… THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE FRANK MILLERS THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS…
NOW THAT!! WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRAYYYZAY MOVIE!
still, it sucks that joker wont be around for the rest.