The Dark Knight ~ 2008
Personal Rating ~ *****
Hollywood Rating ~ ****
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Director ~ Christopher Nolan . Distributor ~ Warner Brothers
Cast:
. Batman/Bruce Wayne ~ Christian Bale
. The Joker ~ Heath Ledger
. James Gordon (Commissioner) ~ Gary Oldman
. Harvey Dent/Two-Face ~ Aaron Eckhart
. Alfred Pennyworth ~ Micheal Caine
. Rachel Dawes ~ Maggie Gyllenhaal
. Lucius Fox ~ Morgan Freeman
Trailer #1 ~ Dark Knight Trailer 1
Trailer #2 ~ Dark Knight Trailer 2
The 2008 movie 'The Dark Knight' took the world by storm (quite literally) making over a billion US dollars in cinemas. Actor Christian Bale returned after 'Batman Begins' as Bruce Wayne and Batman, but with a new villain by the name of 'The Joker' played by Heath Ledger (who tragically passed away on 22nd January 2008).
'The Dark Knight' is the direct sequel to the 2005 movie 'Batman Begins', but in contrast to it's character developing older sibling, 'The Dark Knight' is focused more on the hero-villain relationships so well loved in comic book influenced movies.
The Batman-Joker relationship is exellently done, Batman refuses to kill The Joker because of what he feels he should be, not a murderer but a hero whereas The Joker won't kill Batman just because he gets some amusement out of being chased.
"You won't kill me out of some mis-placed sense of self-rightiousness, and I won't kill you because you're just too much fun" ~ The Joker
The movie makes good use of action scenes as there are plenty to keep the audience occupied, but without making them seem like they are just fillers. They are shot in a much better and more coherant way than in 'Batman Begins' where the fight scenes and action always felt choppy and too close up to tell what is what, but all this is sorted out in 'Dark Knight'.
Some action sequences were shot in IMAX cameras which also helps leave anyone struggling for words to describe what they just saw. Of course the movie isn't without it's flaws, I personally find Rachel just as bland and unexplored as in 'Batman Begins'. Scenes with Harvey Dent and Rachel together just don't have enough flair to make me believe that they are in love, but this is mostly just nit-picking because of course, all eyes were on Heath Ledger as 'The Joker'.
The Joker is one of the best loved cartoon characters ever and putting him back on the big screen was going to be no easy task after actor Jack Nicholson in Tim Burton's Batman, although personally, there is no point in 'comparing' Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger because the two are both comletely different.
(Heath Ledger as The Joker)
But this new Joker brought something completely different to the Batman frachise...
Heath Ledger's Joker is more sinister and not afraid of the concequences of his actions whether it affects himself or others. He is intelligent and knows what he is doing, even though he may try and pursuade you to believe otherwise...
Actor Heath Ledger personally described his character as "a psychopathic, mass murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy" Which perfectly sums up 'The Dark Knight' Joker. :D
The character of Harvey Dent (played by Aaron Eckhart) is also very interesting and very different to previous sightings in older Batman movies or comic books. He is enthusiastic about his job in Gotham and is determined to clean up the streets. He can do his job more effectively and quicker than Batman can, but Harvey believes in the Batman, he feels he isn't the vigilante everyone else thinks he is. His turn from Dent to the twisted villain Two-Face is tragic but exciting as we get to see a side of Dent we would never have expected. He is cruel and ruthless as a character and the visual effects on Eckhart are great as far as half a burned face goes.
Again, Rachel is ok but personally they could have given her character a bit more depth, she is supposed to be in love with Harvey and I just don't feel it at times, same with Bruce Wayne, continuing from 'Batman Begins' Bruce has already admitted to Rachel that he will always love her, yet any scene with them together is almost emotionless.
I like Christian Bale as Batman and Bruce Wayne, I just feel that the two characters could have been more different. Sometimes it is very difficult to see where Batman ends and Bruce Wayne begins, his growling "Batman" voice is great, but just keep it for Batman and have a change of tone for Bruce.
Overall, I love this movie and probably won't tire of watching The Joker act the way he does, some scenes may get boring over time but that really doesn't matter for the overall enjoyment factor so I give this movie...
***** Stars
Definately one to check out if you haven't already seen it.
If you would like to discuss anything I have said in my review, feel free to email me.<.H6>
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