Review: THE DARK KNIGHT
I just got back from seeing The Dark Knight.
Before I begin my review, I'll start with a short version. I didn't go totally batshit insane over this movie like everyone else. Putting it all into perspective, most people went to see this film for the late Heath Ledger (more on him in the review itself) rather than Batman, and that alone has given this film an unprecedented box-office boost, which may very well break many box-office records, and may even sink the Titanic if it stays in the # 1 spot for a few weeks (scary, but possible). But I am one of the many who went to see this film for Batman, because I still care for the character (despite how he's become in recent comics and the like). If it weren't for Ledger's death, this film would've done at least better than Batman Begins, even if not as meteoric as it is now.
But THAT ASIDE, I am very impressed with this film! Better than the previous film, Batman Begins (reviewed here) in many respects. For a film trying to keep it real, it still keeps the spirit of Batman. I couldn't be more glad to see that a superhero movie is taking top spot at the box office in such a big way.
I still like Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman, just as good as he was last time. Still the best live-action Batman I've seen, besides Adam West. The new Batsuit (introduced in the second quarter of the film) is an improvement! Much more flexible (the head's a bit more helmet-like, so as to make Bale be able to move his head), and not as bulky as I've seen in pictures and the like. It looks much better on film. I didn't mind Bale's demonic Herry Monster voice, either!
In addition to the new Batsuit, Batman has an awesome new motorcycle, the Batpod, which is part of the Batmobile.
The Joker was absolutely superb in this film! Heath Ledger was a handsome man and great actor, even though I wasn't a big fan of his. (I even had reservations over his playing the role.) BUT, he pretty much nailed the role! Imagine a much eviler, scarier and more psychotic version of the Caesar Romero Joker from the 60s (it's even what Mark Hamill would look like if he actually played the role!). Ledger ties in with Romero as possibly the best live-action Joker, easily surpassing Jack Nicholson's version from 1989. He did the role great in his last completed film before his death.
Harvey Dent/Two-Face, played by Aaron Eckhart, is great! The film's length allowed for plenty of development for his character, and he was outstanding and sympathetic. His Two-Face persona was superbly frightening. A lot like the Batman: TAS version of the character.
Gary Oldman (as Commissioner Gordon), Michael Caine (as Alfred Pennyworth) and Morgan Freeman (as Lucius Fox) are back in this film, and are still great. The only change from the previous cast is a major improvement: Maggie Gyllenhaal takes over the role of Rachel Dawes, last played by (and surpassing) Katie Holmes. Cillian Murphy returns as the Scarecrow early in the film!
The story had some really nifty real-world touches, including petty local Batman impersonators (you could tell they weren't Batman, not only because of the ill-fitting costumes, but Batman never uses guns!), and a cop trying to figure out who Batman is (everything from Bigfoot to Elvis Presley). And, as to be expected, there's also some funny bits of tongue-in-cheek humor. But the movie was really downbeat by the end, even though it justifies what Batman was trying to do for much of the film.
Overall, is it the "best superhero movie ever?" Nope, it's all a matter of personal taste. (The Incredibles still deserves that honor.) But is it at least a good film? Yes, it's a very good film! It's definitely the best of the post-1989 Batman films, very well thought-out and concieved. I was quite impressed! By all means, go see the film!
Before I begin my review, I'll start with a short version. I didn't go totally batshit insane over this movie like everyone else. Putting it all into perspective, most people went to see this film for the late Heath Ledger (more on him in the review itself) rather than Batman, and that alone has given this film an unprecedented box-office boost, which may very well break many box-office records, and may even sink the Titanic if it stays in the # 1 spot for a few weeks (scary, but possible). But I am one of the many who went to see this film for Batman, because I still care for the character (despite how he's become in recent comics and the like). If it weren't for Ledger's death, this film would've done at least better than Batman Begins, even if not as meteoric as it is now.
But THAT ASIDE, I am very impressed with this film! Better than the previous film, Batman Begins (reviewed here) in many respects. For a film trying to keep it real, it still keeps the spirit of Batman. I couldn't be more glad to see that a superhero movie is taking top spot at the box office in such a big way.
I still like Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman, just as good as he was last time. Still the best live-action Batman I've seen, besides Adam West. The new Batsuit (introduced in the second quarter of the film) is an improvement! Much more flexible (the head's a bit more helmet-like, so as to make Bale be able to move his head), and not as bulky as I've seen in pictures and the like. It looks much better on film. I didn't mind Bale's demonic Herry Monster voice, either!
In addition to the new Batsuit, Batman has an awesome new motorcycle, the Batpod, which is part of the Batmobile.
The Joker was absolutely superb in this film! Heath Ledger was a handsome man and great actor, even though I wasn't a big fan of his. (I even had reservations over his playing the role.) BUT, he pretty much nailed the role! Imagine a much eviler, scarier and more psychotic version of the Caesar Romero Joker from the 60s (it's even what Mark Hamill would look like if he actually played the role!). Ledger ties in with Romero as possibly the best live-action Joker, easily surpassing Jack Nicholson's version from 1989. He did the role great in his last completed film before his death.
Harvey Dent/Two-Face, played by Aaron Eckhart, is great! The film's length allowed for plenty of development for his character, and he was outstanding and sympathetic. His Two-Face persona was superbly frightening. A lot like the Batman: TAS version of the character.
Gary Oldman (as Commissioner Gordon), Michael Caine (as Alfred Pennyworth) and Morgan Freeman (as Lucius Fox) are back in this film, and are still great. The only change from the previous cast is a major improvement: Maggie Gyllenhaal takes over the role of Rachel Dawes, last played by (and surpassing) Katie Holmes. Cillian Murphy returns as the Scarecrow early in the film!
The story had some really nifty real-world touches, including petty local Batman impersonators (you could tell they weren't Batman, not only because of the ill-fitting costumes, but Batman never uses guns!), and a cop trying to figure out who Batman is (everything from Bigfoot to Elvis Presley). And, as to be expected, there's also some funny bits of tongue-in-cheek humor. But the movie was really downbeat by the end, even though it justifies what Batman was trying to do for much of the film.
Overall, is it the "best superhero movie ever?" Nope, it's all a matter of personal taste. (The Incredibles still deserves that honor.) But is it at least a good film? Yes, it's a very good film! It's definitely the best of the post-1989 Batman films, very well thought-out and concieved. I was quite impressed! By all means, go see the film!