Finally.
Somebody up there must like me! Just when I was starting to get down about all the mediocre movies coming out this year (minus a couple, like Iron Man, for instance), I suddenly see a string of films that put a smile on my face!
In theaters, I saw Wanted and Wall-E. Remember that moment in Pulp Fiction when Uma Thurman's chest gets pumped full of adrenaline? I'd like to imagine that Wanted, an exciting, non-stop thrill ride of a movie, is what flashed before her eyes. And while I loved Wall-E - I mean, how can you not? - I don't think it's quite as excellent as the reviews and strong word-of-mouth would have you believe. (The beginning and middle sections are so fascinating, so full of ideas, that there's nothing left to ponder by the end. The final scenes, in my opinion, lacked a sense of wonder. And vision. I wish the filmmakers had been courageous enough to go a little further - a little darker, a little deeper - and not just give it a "Disney" ending.) But I digress!
I also rented a couple movies I missed in theaters: Definitely, Maybe (a surprisingly smart and fresh romantic-comedy), Penelope (a fun and breezy modern fairy tale that deserved more attention and acclaim) and Stop-Loss (which I didn't necessarily enjoy, but it was a powerful story with honest performances nonetheless.)
So, while all that is well and good, I couldn't help but wonder: Am I going to have to wait until December to see something I truly love?
Thankfully, the answer is no.
I saw The Dark Knight this weekend and all I have to say is: Finally! Finally, a 2008 film I’ve actually been anxiously awaiting and, hey, it's actually good!
Strike that - it's spectacular. And to be perfectly honest? All the early buzz, followed by Heath Ledger's sudden and tragic death and, finally, the rave reviews... it’s all made me wary more than anything else. Could The Dark Knight really be THAT good?
I still kinda prefer Tim Burton's perspective on Gotham City - Batman Returns, with its gloomy atmosphere and clever script (penned by Daniel Waters, the writer of Heathers), plus Michelle Pfeiffer's ferociously sexy performance as Catwoman, remains my personal favorite. On the other hand, I also believe that The Dark Knight is now the best Batman movie in existence. Why? There's always been something missing in the series - between both Burton's first two films and Joel Schumacher's latter two - something I can't quite put into words. I thought I'd love Batman Begins because it took the origin story and fleshed it out, probing into the caped crusader's dark, complicated soul. But wasn't that film a little dreary and boring? Just saying! With The Dark Knight, I finally get it. I get Batman as a human being, as a superhero and as an idea. Of course, I still can't quite put it all into words.
What's remarkable about Christopher Nolan's second outing with the franchise is that the film is equal parts an entertaining summer superhero blockbuster, as well as a brilliant, gritty crime saga. Say what? An exciting, action-packed extravaganza and a creepy, twisted psychological thriller all in one? I don't know how it works - they seem like completely conflicting genres - but it just does. And in every way. Oh, and can you even imagine a better cast? Christian Bale is a perfect fit for the title role (even if I still kinda prefer Michael Keaton and his knotty forehead) and Aaron Eckhart, who excels at playing both ends of the moral spectrum (he's just as believable in Erin Brockovich as he is in Thank You For Smoking), is therefore ideal to play Harvey "Two-Face" Dent. And what about Maggie Gyllenhaal? I actually think Katie Holmes is a talented actress, but I have to agree with my friend's opinion: "Maggie Gyllenhaal's first words - something like, 'Hi, Bruce' - deserve more praise than Katie Holmes' entire performance the first time around." 'Nuff said!
Okay, obviously I cannot heap enough praise on this film. But as impressive as it is overall, Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker is better. The actor creates this mad, maniacal demon that, ironically, sees the big picture with more clarity than any of his opponents. A psychotic freak? Maybe. But he's not stupid. And Ledger's bizarre but effective vocal inflections, facial tics, character backstory (or lack thereof), everything... it's just extraordinary to watch. And you gotta realize, while any actor probably dreams of playing this kind of warped character, it's also a character many actors would ruin by overacting. But Heath Ledger, a versatile artist, was too smart for that. I can't even remember the last time I saw an actor disappear so deep into a role... which is not to suggest that Ledger doesn't have any fun with The Joker - as a matter of fact, the script affords him some really delicious dialogue. But in general, Ledger keeps the madman's motivations fairly simple - no childhood memories being repressed here! Hey, that'd be letting the audience off the hook too easily. Instead, the actor presents us with enough freaky material to chew on, but keeps the nightmare alive by not allowing the character to be fully figured out. Kinda genius, right?
The 28-year-old was considered an odd choice for the role, but that's also what makes him so right for it. He is an odd choice. He gives The Joker plenty of demented traits, but refuses to make him anything less than a human being. And this, in a way, gives the character - as well as what is now, sadly, Heath Ledger's final film performance - a bit of grace.
Bravo.
In theaters, I saw Wanted and Wall-E. Remember that moment in Pulp Fiction when Uma Thurman's chest gets pumped full of adrenaline? I'd like to imagine that Wanted, an exciting, non-stop thrill ride of a movie, is what flashed before her eyes. And while I loved Wall-E - I mean, how can you not? - I don't think it's quite as excellent as the reviews and strong word-of-mouth would have you believe. (The beginning and middle sections are so fascinating, so full of ideas, that there's nothing left to ponder by the end. The final scenes, in my opinion, lacked a sense of wonder. And vision. I wish the filmmakers had been courageous enough to go a little further - a little darker, a little deeper - and not just give it a "Disney" ending.) But I digress!
I also rented a couple movies I missed in theaters: Definitely, Maybe (a surprisingly smart and fresh romantic-comedy), Penelope (a fun and breezy modern fairy tale that deserved more attention and acclaim) and Stop-Loss (which I didn't necessarily enjoy, but it was a powerful story with honest performances nonetheless.)
So, while all that is well and good, I couldn't help but wonder: Am I going to have to wait until December to see something I truly love?
Thankfully, the answer is no.
I saw The Dark Knight this weekend and all I have to say is: Finally! Finally, a 2008 film I’ve actually been anxiously awaiting and, hey, it's actually good!
Strike that - it's spectacular. And to be perfectly honest? All the early buzz, followed by Heath Ledger's sudden and tragic death and, finally, the rave reviews... it’s all made me wary more than anything else. Could The Dark Knight really be THAT good?
I still kinda prefer Tim Burton's perspective on Gotham City - Batman Returns, with its gloomy atmosphere and clever script (penned by Daniel Waters, the writer of Heathers), plus Michelle Pfeiffer's ferociously sexy performance as Catwoman, remains my personal favorite. On the other hand, I also believe that The Dark Knight is now the best Batman movie in existence. Why? There's always been something missing in the series - between both Burton's first two films and Joel Schumacher's latter two - something I can't quite put into words. I thought I'd love Batman Begins because it took the origin story and fleshed it out, probing into the caped crusader's dark, complicated soul. But wasn't that film a little dreary and boring? Just saying! With The Dark Knight, I finally get it. I get Batman as a human being, as a superhero and as an idea. Of course, I still can't quite put it all into words.
What's remarkable about Christopher Nolan's second outing with the franchise is that the film is equal parts an entertaining summer superhero blockbuster, as well as a brilliant, gritty crime saga. Say what? An exciting, action-packed extravaganza and a creepy, twisted psychological thriller all in one? I don't know how it works - they seem like completely conflicting genres - but it just does. And in every way. Oh, and can you even imagine a better cast? Christian Bale is a perfect fit for the title role (even if I still kinda prefer Michael Keaton and his knotty forehead) and Aaron Eckhart, who excels at playing both ends of the moral spectrum (he's just as believable in Erin Brockovich as he is in Thank You For Smoking), is therefore ideal to play Harvey "Two-Face" Dent. And what about Maggie Gyllenhaal? I actually think Katie Holmes is a talented actress, but I have to agree with my friend's opinion: "Maggie Gyllenhaal's first words - something like, 'Hi, Bruce' - deserve more praise than Katie Holmes' entire performance the first time around." 'Nuff said!
Okay, obviously I cannot heap enough praise on this film. But as impressive as it is overall, Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker is better. The actor creates this mad, maniacal demon that, ironically, sees the big picture with more clarity than any of his opponents. A psychotic freak? Maybe. But he's not stupid. And Ledger's bizarre but effective vocal inflections, facial tics, character backstory (or lack thereof), everything... it's just extraordinary to watch. And you gotta realize, while any actor probably dreams of playing this kind of warped character, it's also a character many actors would ruin by overacting. But Heath Ledger, a versatile artist, was too smart for that. I can't even remember the last time I saw an actor disappear so deep into a role... which is not to suggest that Ledger doesn't have any fun with The Joker - as a matter of fact, the script affords him some really delicious dialogue. But in general, Ledger keeps the madman's motivations fairly simple - no childhood memories being repressed here! Hey, that'd be letting the audience off the hook too easily. Instead, the actor presents us with enough freaky material to chew on, but keeps the nightmare alive by not allowing the character to be fully figured out. Kinda genius, right?
The 28-year-old was considered an odd choice for the role, but that's also what makes him so right for it. He is an odd choice. He gives The Joker plenty of demented traits, but refuses to make him anything less than a human being. And this, in a way, gives the character - as well as what is now, sadly, Heath Ledger's final film performance - a bit of grace.
Bravo.