Let's put a smile on that face...
The Dark Knight is the type of Batman movie I envisioned from reading the graphic novels from an early age (particularly The Killing Joke, which is where The Joker was starting to be shown as a whole lot more psychopathic and disturbing). The storyline, the edgy performances, and the closeness to its comic books are what sets it apart from other superhero movies. Actually, the moment I heard Christopher Nolan (Memento) is directing the new Batman movies, I can finally say I will be forgetting about the evil that is Joel Schumacher.
This movie was not just about the action, which is what most comic book adaptations are focused on. It actually has a good story to go along with it. It's a bit rare these days to see a villain giving "sociology lessons" rather than just being plain greedy or getting revenge. This town deserves a better class of criminal, as the Joker had said. The plot mostly shows the escalation from the three main characters' individual conflicts (Batman/Bruce Wayne's endurance, Harvey Dent's rise and fall, The Joker's efforts in "trying to prove a point" and... just being there) into somewhat broader lines: the real meaning of "hero", maintaining equilibrium with order and chaos, leaving decisions to chance, and the age-old question of whether man is born innately good or, with a good push, evil.
The performances are really great as well. I was impressed by both Heath Ledger (Joker) and Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Dent/Two-Face). Ledger brings a more twisted Joker, both scary and funny, a character where you can say there's no line between genius and insane. Eckhart presents a compelling embodiment of good-guy-turned-bad. It's very unfortunate that Ledger had passed away - I'd want to see more of him on the next, oh I don't know, ten sequels. I admit I was skeptical when I heard he's taking on this complex role, but he got the comic-book Joker right on the money. And what is Batman without mentioning Christian Bale? Needless to say, he's the best Batman so far. He has the looks for the typical Bruce Wayne billionaire playboy persona and the intensity that makes a great Batman. He already efficiently redefined the character right from Batman Begins.
No outward signs of a sequel (maybe a hint or two at the next villain to be featured, and the ending does seem to point at a next chapter), but as for now, I will definitely be watching it again - most likely on IMAX.
This movie was not just about the action, which is what most comic book adaptations are focused on. It actually has a good story to go along with it. It's a bit rare these days to see a villain giving "sociology lessons" rather than just being plain greedy or getting revenge. This town deserves a better class of criminal, as the Joker had said. The plot mostly shows the escalation from the three main characters' individual conflicts (Batman/Bruce Wayne's endurance, Harvey Dent's rise and fall, The Joker's efforts in "trying to prove a point" and... just being there) into somewhat broader lines: the real meaning of "hero", maintaining equilibrium with order and chaos, leaving decisions to chance, and the age-old question of whether man is born innately good or, with a good push, evil.
The performances are really great as well. I was impressed by both Heath Ledger (Joker) and Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Dent/Two-Face). Ledger brings a more twisted Joker, both scary and funny, a character where you can say there's no line between genius and insane. Eckhart presents a compelling embodiment of good-guy-turned-bad. It's very unfortunate that Ledger had passed away - I'd want to see more of him on the next, oh I don't know, ten sequels. I admit I was skeptical when I heard he's taking on this complex role, but he got the comic-book Joker right on the money. And what is Batman without mentioning Christian Bale? Needless to say, he's the best Batman so far. He has the looks for the typical Bruce Wayne billionaire playboy persona and the intensity that makes a great Batman. He already efficiently redefined the character right from Batman Begins.
No outward signs of a sequel (maybe a hint or two at the next villain to be featured, and the ending does seem to point at a next chapter), but as for now, I will definitely be watching it again - most likely on IMAX.