The Dark Knight

Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Morgan Freeman.

Written by: Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan, and David S. Goyer

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Review by Jedi Daniel

Wednesday was the premiere of The Dark Knight here in Australia. I booked tickets a week in advance knowing it would be packed. There hasn’t been a movie like this since Star Wars Episode 3 Revenge of the Sith with news crew outside the cinema interviewing awaiting fans.

Batman Begins was one of, if not the best comic book movie I had seen. It’s very rare when a sequel delivers more than the original and thought it may not be topped. However after Wednesdays screening, I was eating my own words. The movie can now be added to a rare list which includes Star Wars Episode 5 The Empire Strikes Back, X-Men 2, Terminator 2: Judgement Day and Aliens.

The Dark Knight not only improved on Batman Begins, but could be the movie of the year.

Right from the opening bank heist scene, the audience knows this will be a darker and tenser movie. Ledgers introduction and performance as the Joker was nothing short of genius. This was the way the character is supposed to be, maniacal; creepy; dark and psycho with nothing to lose.

Harvey Dent, the white knight played by Aaron Eckhart is also fitting in the role as he spirals out of control and becomes Two Face, showing us that even the best are corruptible (He’s basically Batman’s version of Anakin/Darth Vader). Extremely well done makeup here too and I like how each side of his personality was shot.

I think both of these performances were so good that they drowned out Christian Bale’s return as Batman/Bruce Wayne but he was still in fine form. Gary Oldman was fleshed out and had a large role this time around once again showing he’s perfect as Jim Gordon. The same goes with Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman, both playing their characters very well once again. Maggie Gyllenhaal had her moments as Rachel Dawes but then again so did Katie Holmes in Batman Begins. She’s still the weakest main character in the new movies.

The storyline was more complex than Batman Begins. With multiple story threads weaving in and out, it can be difficult to keep up with. Its more character driven this time and not just an action comic book movie like say Iron Man was even though there are some impressive action and chase scenes, explosions and stunts.

The soundtrack by Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard was equally impressive, using parts from the previous score to create new themes. I especially loved the Jokers theme titled ‘Why So Serious?’.

The Dark Knight does have two flaws I think, these being slow in getting going and a tad too long at 152 minutes but besides that, it was perfect. I applaud Christopher Nolan in continuing the realistic approach, using innovative filming techniques (a few scenes were filmed in IMAX) and pushing the limits. Bring on the next Batman movie.

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SecondView by Paul Talon

Wow. It’s rare that I come out of a movie speechless, but it took me a bit to gather myself before I could even speak to my wife and sister who saw the flick with me. If I had to write this review at that moment it would have been just that one word. Wow.

Luckily for my loyal readers I had a little time.

As I stated in my recent review, I had watched Batman Begins yesterday as a sort of preparation for this one and in doing so rediscovered how much I loved it.

This one blew it away.

It helps that there is no origin story to work through this time around…actually I take it back, from another angle, the whole film *IS* an origin story at least for Harvey “Two Face” Dent.

But the action is superb, bordering on the ridiculous, but staying so damn cool you just don’t care. The score by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, expands on the subtle score of the first film giving it a real cohesiveness.

The acting is also extremely well crafted. Cameos from William Fichtner, Anthony Michael Hall, and Cillian Murphy in a very cool reprisal of the Scarecrow sprinkled throughout do a good job of supporting the

larger supporting roles. Michael Caine’s subtle yet charismatic Alfred nearly steals the scenes he is in, Morgan Freeman does a steady job with Lucius Fox, and Eric Roberts is great as smarmy mob boss Sal Marone.

Beyond that to the leading roles. Gary Oldman is as solid as ever playing the everyday good cop turned commissioner in Jim Gordon. He brings a real human level to the story about the larger than life gods who do battle for good and evil. He is our viewpoint in and we cheer him on.

Aaron Eckhart is strong as Gotham’s White Knight who falls into darkness at the end due to the madness created by the Joker. His fall is probably the weakest link of the film, given how it has to take place rather quickly, but it’s not as quickly as some reviews have made it out to be. It seems to me that a snap like that should happen quickly. But he’s powerful and forceful, but believable as an icon.

Christian Bale does get a little bit of the shaft as is usually the case in Batman sequels. We learn more about newer characters than we do out of Bats, BUT it isn’t nearly as bad as other sequels. We still get some great quality time getting inside Bruce’s head as he makes tough decisions and tries to save everyone at the expense of losing himself.

Maggie Gyllenhaal is solid as Rachel Dawes. I can’t get into more detail with her because I do believe the character who is the weakest link of both films. She does serve her role in both films, but I do believe her fate best for the series. And this is not a slight on Gyllenhaal at all. The role itself is just…out of place. She did a good job with the character she was given.

Of course I save the most anticipated for last. Heath Ledger.

I was worried. I went in with all the hype so there was no way he could live up to it.

I was wrong. He surpassed my expectations by far. While Jack Nicholson’s Joker was outlandish and stole all his scenes, his Joker was very cartoony…it fit Burton’s Batman well. Ledger fits this Batman even better. The dark psychosis of the character was explored here better than in any other source, even the comics…save maybe the Arkham Asylum graphic novel. It was twisted, zany, unpredictable and just plain beautiful in a horrifying way. His Joker will for years be remembered as iconic as the great villains of film. Darth Vader. Hannibal Lecter, Freddy Krueger, The Joker. I remember when Heath was cast, I was unsure to say the least. I always had liked Ledger, and had faith in director Christopher Nolan, but it was hard to picture how it was going to be.

Wow.

The film itself is a 2 1/2 hour rollercoaster that twists and turns in so many directions that you don’t know which way you are going, but in the end you’re glad you went there. In so many ways evil did a number on good, although Batman and Gordon refuse to allow it to win. Batman sacrificing his reputation and support, in order to do the right thing, makes the possibility of a third Batman even greater.

A truly phenomenal film on all levels, I think it even surpasses Spiderman and Iron Man for the best comic movie of all time. I can’t wait to see this one again.

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