The Dark Knight

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  November 1, 2008

  magnum32004

  Not just better than "Batman Begins", it's really better than all the Bat-films combined. It's more than just a good superhero movie, this is a really enthralling crime thriller.

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  December 26, 2009

  thmtsang

  This is a great return to the darker comic book character. Batman joins forces with Commissioner Gordon and District Attroney Harvey Dent to capture the Joker, who robbed the mob. Excellent performances from Christian Bale and Heath Ledger. Christian has a very sexy husky voice a...( read more)nd is very fit for the role. Heath gives a brilliant performance as the Joker (his character is a lot darker than Jack N's version) and has some of the best lines. This movie certainly fits the title of 'the dark knight'. The content is a lot more serious, violent and intense. It really shouldn't be rated 12A. It is also a very long movie with lots of twists and turns, so be patient.

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  December 25, 2009

  AgentLexi2132

  ''Why SO serious?''

  Batman and James Gordon join forces with Gotham's new District Attorney, Harvey Dent, to take on a psychotic bank robber known as The Joker, whilst other forces plot against them, and Joker's crimes grow more and more deadl

  ...( read more)y.

  Christian Bale: Bruce Wayne / Batman

  Heath Ledger: The Joker

  When we think back to truly worthy sequels, sequels which surpass even their original predecessors, many of us would proclaim such masterpieces as Aliens, Godfather II, Empire Strikes Back, Terminator 2...So with the coming of 2008 yet another sequel will be honoured enough to take it's place among these glorified masterpieces.
  Undoubtedly, English Director Christopher Nolan begins to resemble the mythical King Midas, in the sense that every film project he breathes life into results in a deep, puzzling masterpiece of depth and serenity. Memento, Insomnia, The Prestige have all mesmerized and set alight mindful debate among critics and fans alike, and for me been hailed as 5 star masterpieces which breach the synapses.
  2005 sees the release of Batman Begins, under the helm is none other than English Director Nolan and Warner Bros. The batman franchise, after Joel Schumacher's Batman Forever and Batman & Robin had been taking it's last dying breaths after turning into a colourful farce of nipples and cartoony villainy.
  Only a miracle could of repaired the damage done, and if any man can provide miracles Christopher Nolan surely can. Batman Begins not only gave new life to a dying franchise, it redefined comic book/Graphic Novel adaptations in terms of realism, acting, and adrenaline pumping cinematography. This was a whole new re-imagining for Bruce Wayne becoming the Batman, and quite frankly even more believable than Tim Burton's efforts in 1989.

  

  So 2008 sees the The Dark Knight, from Warner Brothers and once again the directorial genius of Nolan.
  David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan collaborated on the story of this film. The script itself was written by Nolan and his brother Jonathan. funnily enough after watching The Dark Knight, Goyer stated "I can't believe my name is on a movie this good".
  This time the hype, the anticipation, and the attention has increased a hundred fold since it's predecessor. New cast additions include Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart and the late Heath Ledger, while old veterans return such as Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Micheal Caine and the Dark Knight himself Christian Bale. Obviously the tragic death of Heath Ledger after the completion of the movie warranted alot more attention for viewers due to the complexity of seeing his last performance. However, The Dark Knight is testament to Ledger's legacy, his swan song, his immortal role among many chameleonic characters in his resume. His roles in Brokeback Mountain, Candy, showed his adult raw talent for tackling sensitive controversial material, while A Knight's Tale, The Patriot and 10 things I hate about you showed he could entertain and be charming. So with The Dark Knight we witness his best film to date, his guaranteed Academy Award grabbing carnation of the maniacal nemesis of batman, The Joker. Let it just be said Heath truly is immersed 100% into the confines of the character, he makes us believe and sometimes agree with his views on society and people.
  Joker never seized to make me laugh in appreciation despite what could be considered sick antics, I considered genius. Who else could do a pen trick with someone's head? Dress as a nurse with a silencer in hand and his clownish face glistening? Hide in a body-bag to infiltrate a mob boss's joint? Who else could immortalize Batman's most famous nemesis Joker? Without a doubt Heath Ledger bar none.

  ''You just couldn't let me go could you? This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. You truly are incorruptible aren't you? You won't kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness, and I won't kill you, because you're just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever.''

  To prepare for his iconic role as The Joker, Heath Ledger hid away in a motel room for about six weeks. During this extended stay of seclusion, Ledger delved deep into the psychology of the character. He devoted himself to developing The Joker's every detail, namely the voice and that sadistic-sounding laugh. Ledger's interpretation of The Joker's appearance was primarily based upon, of the chaotic, disheveled look of punk rocker Sid Vicious combined with the psychotic mannerisms of Malcolm McDowell's character, Alex De Large, from A Clockwork Orange. Ultimately for his efforts, The Dark Knight was the first comic book movie to ever win an Oscar for an achievement in acting, specifically to Heath Ledger (posthumously) for Best Supporting Actor.
  Heath Ledger posthumously won a total of 32 Best Supporting Actor awards for his work on this film, including the Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, SAG and Critic's Choice award.

  Christopher Nolan beautifully captures Gotham City (filmed on location at Chicago). Whereas Batman Begins was styled after the iconic piece from Ridley Scott's rainy, dirty Blade Runner, the sequel The Dark Knight mirrors the feel and look of Micheal Mann's Heat giving us a true homage to masters of cinema and film, and we see Nolan has been inspired by the best, rein-visioning his own unique directing and styling to give us a fresh and powerful Gotham City.
  Indeed, a similar scene in Michael Mann's crime saga, Heat, inspired this film's introductory bank robbery sequence. As a matter of fact, William Fichtner, who had a notable appearance in this scene, was also in Heat.

  The Dark Knight runs at nearly 3 hours, yet never ceases to lose any momentum. It doesn't waste a scene or moment of it's run-time; every event is utilized and necessary to a meaningful complex plot. Nolan tells a story worth telling and like his other film projects, nothing is ever as it seems, he is in a way the new master of suspense, a shadow of Hitchcock proportions.
  Action-sequences are mind blowingly frantic, old-school, eye-grabbing stunts and in their chaotic intensity we see that they serve purpose to the plot, yet even more interestingly, are not played for pure entertainment-value alone.
  Audiences are meant to watch, petrified, simply hoping that the outcome will go the hero's way and another show stealing performance from it's villain. Attention is never lost because we are immersed in a breathtaking, almost completely-unpredictable story, that makes us think and more importantly gains our emotional liability. We come to care for the characters, because they are believable, developed, and personified.
  Interestingly, this film and its predecessor have one-word themes which are driving forces in the stories and explanations for villains: Batman Begins centers around Fear(Scarecrow/ Ra's Al Ghul), while the focus of The Dark Knight is Chaos(The Joker/Two Face).

  ''Sometimes, truth isn't good enough, sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded.''

  Maggie Gyllenhaal results in being a more mature Rachel Dawes than Katie Holmes. Morgan Freeman again provides his authoritative presence to the role of Wayne-Enterprise CEO Lucius Fox, and under anyone else's portrayal, the part would be less than memorable. Legendary Gary Oldman underplays his world-wearied lawman with such honest finesse and plausibility, you never feel for a second any of it is artificial. The irreplaceable Michael Caine makes a gentle, reassuring, foster parent presence for Bruce Wayne yet again as faithful Alfred, and the story would surely diminish without his strong presence and interlacing moments of humourous quips and anecdotal advice for the masked hero.
  Aaron Eckhart whom plays Harvey Dent, really excels in being ''The White Knight'' politician of Gotham City whom is likable, and charismatic. The attraction between Gyllenhaal and Eckhart is believable, whereas the love triangle which forms between the complexities of Harvey, Rachel and Bruce are greatly helped by amazing chemistry between them.
  Dent's dual personality comes into effect very well, as we the audience scratch beyond that exterior, we see a dark side to Dent. A dark side the Joker inevitably wants to exploit for his own agendas.

  Brilliant scores by James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer. In fact the scores could be two new characters in the film in the sense of depth and emotion they stitch together with the powerful resonance in the scenes. The chase where Batman first uses his Bat-pod bike is nerve tinglingly delivered thanks to the effective use of musical genius and poignant sound. The movies climax and final scenes elevate The Dark Knight's soul into the heavens, creating a moving, emotional, turbulent, deep message of honour, sacrifice and themes of the greater good. Batman isn't the hero we deserve, he's whatever we need him to be...He's strong, he can take it...and as we hear deep words like this, the tones in the score give the words even more power. A power they deserve.

  Overall The Dark Knight rightly received 8 Academy Award nominations, more than any other film based on a comic book, comic strip, or graphic novel. First film based on a comic book, comic strip, or graphic novel to win an Academy Award for acting (Best Supporting Actor).
  The Dark Knight was everything I expected it to be and even more so in places, it's certainly the dark masterpiece I predicted, but I do get the feeling that it's been overly hyped for the wrong reasons. See it not just for Heath's performance which is defining and immortalized, but also see it because Dark Knight is the greatest comic book/graphic novel to movie ever. DC comics & Warner Bros. must be singing and praising Nolan a hundred fold.
  Dark Knight really does have the last laugh. An astonishing achievement that really does succeed in redefining sequels and graphic novel comic book adaptations.

  ''Because he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we'll hunt him, because he can take it. Because he's not our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. A dark knight.''

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  December 18, 2009

  SilentWarProductions2009

  Directed by: Christopher Nolan.
  Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman.
  
  << "You see, madness is like gravity, all it takes is a little...push" >>
  
  The Dark Knight cont...( read more)inues the legacy of Batman. Based a year after his encounter with Ra's Al Ghul and his thugs, the streets remain the same whether Falcone is in jail or not and Batman continues to do what he can with the help of the newly appointed Commissioner, Jim Gordon and Gotham's new D.A, Harvey Dent. Before long a menacing madman called the Joker introduces something into Gotham that no one would have ever expected.
  
  This film has been and will remain an unstoppable force. Massively hyped for years by fans and the general public well before release and now critically acclaimed, Oscar winning and Box Office sweaping, my review is simply a reminder, from both an obsessed fan and a general moviegoer, that this film is beyond anyone's expectations, especially mine and that this film simply...is...masterful.
  
  Everything about the first film is simply and assuredly raised in level here, both in quality, complexity and story; everything is taken in a new direction, yet never forgetting what made Begins so great, just simply expanding and growing around it.
  
  Christopher Nolan has always been one of my favorite directors. A relatively unknown name for a while, he pushed through the indie scene with a powerfully mixed force of complexity and stunning entertainment and rose in recognition, staying true to his direction...and he has simply dazzled me once again on all cinematic levels. To some, it might appear flashy that he has taken hold of the newest technology for the film with IMAX cameras and in the wrong hands it would have just been for show and for money, but Nolan is god behind these cameras and the sweeping, epic scope is deftly handled and perfectly assured, the man is long overdue to be recognized more...and Wally Pfeister once again, dazzles with his thoughtful tone on this epic scale, it adds such a lovely feel and broadens Gotham's seemingly normal first look and the ever dark atmosphere growing underneath.
  
  The Nolan brother's screenplay is simply remarkable and beyond everything I expected from the film. I was one of the men who knew the film was going to be more than just some 'Batman' film. The footage I saw showed it, the dialogue I heard rang true of it and the mythology and the psychology were both there for them to pick and play at...and as I am no doubt repeating in this review, it's more than you would ever expect. In Batman 89, the problem that fell on it was the fact that the storytelling became lax and extremely second-rate, where as the Joker became a first rate character in a showman fashion while Batman, who simply became third rate, seemed to cower in a corner, with very little to tell. Not saying that I hated Batman 89, but at the end of the day it really just remains as a spectacle piece over story. Begins proved that Batman and Bruce Wayne can both equally be powerful forces and complex humans and faces as the basic psychology of the large mythology showed us and TDK continues that power by delving that much deeper into the complexities of human emotions and morals. Morally complex from every angle, its one hell of a raging pathos of real persona's all colliding at every turn, it keeps everything thoughtful, deep, intense and ever so exciting...and not to mention it's also a perfect crime saga that flows with a Shakespearean tone, even under it's 'superhero cover', which many will see it as. Each character is given special treatment and in one word, a 'soul'. Bruce Wayne must now face the facts that his vengeful and pretentious *masks* ultimately are blocking the relationship with his love Rachael and now being with another man, Harvey Dent, seen as the 'White Knight' of Gotham who is the new DA, its harder when he is basically the challenge, he's a man doing exactly what he is doing, but as a man without a mask who is ridding the streets of Gotham of its criminals. Batman has to make that choice on where he stands in Gotham and where exactly his morals have taken him, especially when revenge, the one thing he has pushed himself away from doing, lingers so close. That there is the simplistic overview of the films elements, it delves so much deeper. The Joker is also is never given a major origin story nor is he ever shown where he lies, away from all the grand spectacles he creates...and thank god for that, because the direction of Nolan's vision didn't need it. He's unrelenting, mysterious, methodical, among many other things much like Batman yet so self destructive and simply one hell of a scary, menacing clown that promises anarchy and chaos...and that he delivers.
  
  I can't go on without mentioning something highly under-looked in films...the score. It is the first soundtrack I have ever bothered to sit down and listen to throughout and for good reason. Its a rich force that blends beautifully with the complexities of the films morals and emotions, beautifully adding richness to every epic scene on screen, its up there as one of the greatest pieces of music I've heard on film that can add so much to the moving image, each note displays and represents each character perfectly.
  
  You all knew I was getting to this...the performances. Christian Bale once again proves to be the greatest mix put onto screen for these characters and he has settled in nicely for the 2nd round. As Bruce Wayne, he continues to show the charismatic and often cheeky wit around the way he is seen in city, yet he remains flawlessly human, dark, and troubled and battles the strong emotions with others as we all do. Aaron Eckhart simply blew me away, especially when everyone is going in for Heath. He's perfect...and easily blows Tommy Lee off the face (no pun intended) of the earth. He's got the perfect all American charisma to play this all American man as D.A of a major city and really is a nice threat for Bruce in his personal life, because he is not only similar in statue as the force of Gotham, but also the opposing darkness to his 'White Knight' image...and when Harvey changes into who he is destined to become, Aaron is scary as hell and really compelling and chilling. Maggie Gyllenhaal is a great replacement over the horribly sub-par Katie Holmes and is given much more to work with this time around and she blends in just well, showing an intimidating streak where needed as her character should.
  
  Heath Ledger. Let me start by saying that whoever thought his posthumous Oscar win would be a sympathy vote; the truth is, they deserve no audience, nor an opinion. If the man was still alive today, he would wipe all fields with what is quite possibly the greatest villain (and also the strongest form of method acting) to ever grace celluloid...and that will be argued. Equally unexpected and expecting, his performance as the Joker will stand for a lifetime. Sure Cesar and Jack will always have a face for Joker as the showman side of the character, but Heath is the dark side everyone knows from a 50+ year old character. Charismatic, dark, edgy and scary as all fucking hell, he breezes into every scene easily stealing it and delivering something so intense, so unexpected, so real. It's the greatest embodiment into a character that I have ever seen. Heath has studied this role so immensely, right down the it's little ticks and what is now trademark nuances, it's a performance to be remembered forever. A performance delivered by someone who died so suddenly. He can rest in peace knowing that he has now done what he went into the business for.
  
  The Dark Knight is a fucking masterpiece. This is, of course an 'opinion', because no one can stand as being right. It is up there as one of the greatest films I have ever seen and blew my obsessive and very high expectations right out of the water. Moral complex, beautifully captured, deftly controlled, greatly performed...all the elements I look for in a film, put to near perfection. I still can't say that the film is 'flawless' and I ain't going to nitpick at what those minimalistic flaws are, but The Dark Knight deserves the praise for standing on a parallel line to perfection...a film so deserving of everything it gets and a film of such exquisite quality and the fact that it somehow managed to beat my insane expectations, it comes so daringly close for me...as perfect.
  
  

  98/100
  
  << "You truly are incorruptible, aren't you? You won't kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness...and I won't kill you because your just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever." >>

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  December 13, 2009

  Galeocerdo

  The biggest movie of the decade is a monolithic masterpiece, a black, towering achievement. The polish of the whole production elevates the film above its pulp roots, and the story has contemporary complexity but an almost mythic scope. One could argue that the film has too much ...( read more)story, that it is either too long or too short, or that it is dark to the point of being a sadomasochistic pleasure. But its power to thrill, disturb, and move an audience is too much fun to be counted against it. Working with an outstanding ensemble, Heath Ledger takes screen villainy to new places. Through his superb creation and Christopher Nolan's own steady directorial hand, the film captures zeitgeist fears and issues like lightning in a bottle. This is a volatile superhero film in a class all its own, much less a comic book film than a crime epic; much less a product of trend than a modern classic.

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  December 26, 2009

  teetzelk

  Ledger was so friggin' great as the Joker.

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  December 26, 2009

  DirtyLittleCrunkChick

  Fantasitc. Great job Heath! R.I.P.

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  December 26, 2009

  philpearce18

  I was putting off watching this film but had a night in and thought i would put it on...
  
  It turned out to be the one of the most amazing, fast paced exhilarating films i have seen for a while!
  
  Well worth watching!

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  December 26, 2009

  joshua1233

  showed wat heath ledger realy was an awsome actor and man RIP

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  December 25, 2009

  KingreX32

  i want to finish watching

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