The Dark Knight - 7/18/08
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Written by: Johnathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan
Released by: Warner Brothers
Genre: Superhero, Action, Adventure
MPAA Rating: PG-13
I could easily phone this review in with a list of
adjectives, like ones you see in TV commercials for movies like,
"Brilliant", "Thrilling", "Fantastic" but that ain't my style and
The Dark Knight deserves more than that. The folks behind the
impressive Batman Returns did it bigger and better in this
installment. The Dark Knight picks up the story of Gotham city
relatively shortly after the events of the first movie, Batman
Begins. In which, billionaire Bruce Wayne transforms himself in to
the Batman in order to restore order and decency to the
crime-filled city of Gotham. As The Dark Knight opens, crime in the
city has been reduced significantly but the effects of corruption
run deep. And as Batman, assisted by an un-official partnership
with police captain Jim Gordon and his Major Case Squad, prepares
to make the final blow to organized crime in the city, a shining
new district attorney named Harvey Dent, and a mysterious new breed
of villain calling himself the Joker emerge as major players in the
future of Gotham.
From start to finish, this movie is incredible.
Writer/Director Christopher Nolan and his creative team illuminated
The Dark Knight and masterfully tell this story. Awe-inspiring
visual effects coupled with riveting performances from an
outstanding cast make this movie a winner by any standard. But, the
true mastery of this new Batman franchise is the weaving together
of complex multi-dimensional characters. Something not often found
when life is given to the characters found on two-dimensional comic
book pages. This superhero movie sets itself apart from the rest by
telling a story that is as much about the city of Gotham and the
people who live in it as it is about the man in the cape. The Dark
Knight is really about why Batman is necessary in such a city.
Once again Christian Bale was excellent in the title role.
And he was assisted with great support from Michael Kane, Morgan
Freeman, and Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
They were each superb and a pleasure to watch. But, without
overstating things, Heath Ledger's Joker is nothing short of
spectacular. His performance is so dynamic, as Batman's psychotic
arch-nemesis, that it rivals the eye-popping special effects for
which is more stunning. Ledger manages to create genuine terror
with his portrayal of the Joker.
Unless you hate yourself, you should go see this movie,
immediately. Stop reading this right now and go to the nearest
movie theater. It doesn't even matter if the show has already
started by a ticket, walk in halfway through, sit down and wait for
the next showing to start. See it soon and see it often. You'll
love yourself more, if you do.
The Dark Knight earns six beers out of a six-pack.
In response to assignment:
Did you see 'Dark Knight?'