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4/8/2008
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The Dark Knight (2008)
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There are some people who slam blockbusters. To some extent I agree with them. They exist to make money from cheap thrills; they get the audience pumping with a simple story that is easy to follow. The Dark Knight follows this formula but it does so in a way that is pretty darn near perfect the whole way through. A typical blockbuster will last you two hours of your life so as not to outstay its welcome. The Dark Knight is two and a half hours long and not once does it seem to drag. The film just works so well for its length with the pace increasing exponentially as the film runs its course. In fact other than one or two times at the beginning I would struggle to find a spot where the pace dips and you feel something could have been taken out of the film. The problem with this is at times it shouts “look how big my budget is”.
What the Nolan brothers have written here and what Christopher Nolan has director is a purebred masterpiece. Before Batman Begins I was never really into the caped crusader but now I am hooked. It is because their franchise is gritty and the characters all feel realistic that I love them. In the first film nothing that took place felt otherworldly and the same is true here. The joker just does small things to take over the city. He pushes on the right pressure points to make the right things happen. The screenplay the Nolan’s wrote is so perfect in its wittiness and everything is so well imagined. Batman really has trouble in winning this battle, victory is taken from him so many times and he is often left picking up the pieces. So the story is absolutely perfect, as are the characters.
A lot has been said of Heath Ledger’s performance in the film and his introduction is perfect. But is it really Oscar worthy? I don’t think people would be talking about the performance in those terms if he were still alive. His performance is brilliant though, he invokes fear in the audience and at times he appears unstoppable as his mind unravels. Compare him to 2008’s supporting actor gong with Javier Bardem and he is lacking a little. Javier’s Anton in No Country for Old Men was the ultimate unstoppable force, the character worked very well and was wonderfully imagined by the actor. Heath has done very well with the joker but a lot of it comes down to the makeup artists brush. Half of the effect is in the makeup. Do not have doubts about it though, Heath is superb. The troubled Christian Bale reprised his Batman role for this film and once again plays the role brilliantly. There are times when he falls short; his Batman voice is kinda annoying as a starting point. But again he does a good job portraying Bruce Wayne and is the perfect choice for the series. Aaron Eckhart puts in his usual great acting as Harvey Dent, the character whom the film really revolves around. At the centre of the main conflicts in the film he has choices to make that affect the whole dynamic of the film. Harvey Dent’s story could have been a whole other film but combined with the joker it works very well and ensures a flowing story arc. Maggie Gyllenhaal taking over from Katie Holmes as the love interest is as usual typically average and finally Gary Oldman rocks as Jim Gordon. So the performances are largely perfect as well.
There are a few negatives in the film, the first is the feasibility of the bat bike. While I have no problems believing such a thing could exist I fail to see the point of using it. With such a chunky front tyre the thing wouldn’t corner it would surely just continue on the straight and narrow. Also driving up a wall to turn around is a bit unbelievable. I guess the length is another drawback due to some people not wanting a 150 minute epic from a Batman film and lastly as I mentioned above Batman’s husky voice. That all said though I really cannot take fault with this film. While it may have its moments it will move you. Heath did a fantastic job as the joker and the Nolan’s have directed one of the best films I have ever seen. If you haven’t already seen it, you should… Right now. I love this film.
Review by Jonathan Little
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Our Rating:
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The Dark Knight has 1 votes
The average score is 5
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