The Dark Knight Review
Hmmm hmmm hmmmm....after all the hype for this movie, and now all the praise, I felt conflicted about even writing a review for this movie. I mean honestly...what can I say that you, my dear reader, haven't already read, heard, seen, or at this point, thought yourself about this movie? I mean the simple fact that you're browsing this website means you're probably apt to check up on those giants of nerd.com lore such as newsarama or ain'titcool or any number of countless other sites that dwarf this one. Those have been loaded to the point of Dark Knight critical mass with reviews, interviews, and all sorts of other buzz. Well, I decided I'd do it anyway for my track record's sake, since that's pretty much my function on aboutheroes. But I am going to quickly browse over most the stuff that's generally already known. Ready?
Ok, here's what you should know thus far. It's good. It's very good. It's so good that there were times where I honestly kind of felt like tearing up just because it was so damn good. It was just pieced together so comprehensively and artistically that I couldn't help but feel my heart-strings being tugged with thanks at the fact that people who really love these characters as much as us fanboys are in the driver's seat on this one.
Heath Ledger is truly worthy of all the buzz he's getting on this. All you've heard is true. He just cuts through the film like a razor, messing everything up and leaving a path of destruction in his wake. He's a monster, he's truly scary, and he's loveable in the most sinister fashion conceivable. He literally cannonballs into the roll, going from silly clown menace to intimidating violent psychopath and the drop of a hat, and it's sooooo good.
Harvey Dent is sooooooo well handled here. I was surprised that they took him full circle in this. Pleasantly surprised, though. He's the main character of the story, and thus needs to have his story play out for a good sense of closure. He plays a really good straight man to the titular character, our man Bats. He's the other side of the crime-fighting coin that operates in public, cracking down on criminals in the court rooms and saving Gotham city through the proper channels. It's good to see him operate in tandem with the caped crusader to get Gotham's cowardly and superstitious lot behind bars. Aaron Eckhart does a really good job of playing the two sides of this character, and when he goes around that corner, man, you're right there next to him, feeling just what he's feeling. Too put it frankly...Man, it's so brutal.
And then there's our man, Batman. Decked out with a few new tricks up his sleeves, it's amazingly fun to watch him run around in this movie kicking ass and taking names. Christian Bale continues to play both Batman and Bruce Wayne very convincingly, I do however come up a bit short when I try to think of praise for Bale here because this isn't really his movie. That's not to say he isn't in it very much, but Batman's story was really told in the first film. This story flutters from one character to the next, and it does so very well. Bats is certainly one of the more prominent characters, but like I've said before, it isn't his movie. It's Dent's, but also his supporting cast as well.
The supporting cast continues to be amazing in this series. Gary Oldman fully settles into his roll as Gordon. Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) and Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine) continue to be good counter-balances for the Dark Knight, holding him up when he's failing and encouraging him when he's struggling to get the job done. They are perfect casts. And Maggie Gyllenhaal fills Katie Holmes' boots very well as Rachel Dawes. But to get back to the beginning of this review, this is all stuff you should know by now. So here's what you might not have heard. The stuff that's not great. And it isn't much. The Bat-Pod is a little silly, but once you get past it, it's really cool in terms of what he can do with it. One of the gadgets in the film is a little too big for it's britches, but again, just swallow that pill and enjoy the effects. Other than those two things, the movie is just about flawless. But then, you knew that didn't you? If for some reason you didn't/don't, then I'd prescribe a trip to your local theater for a liberal dose of TDK, otherwise known as The Dark Knight. A.
Also, one neat little thing is that the Mayor of Gotham city is played by Nestor Carbonell, also known as Batmanuel from the short lived live action "The Tick" tv show from years back. As soon as I saw him in the movie I started giggleing like a child and was surprised to find that none of my nerd-friends had made the connection. I thought it was a stroke of genius. Not to discredit Mr. Carbonell though, he played the part quite well.
Best movie I've ever seen.
I would have been giggling right there with you Josh if we'd seen it together for the Batmanuel nod.
I am gonna loose all credibility by saying this but...I still like Batman Begins better then this sequel.
Both Nolan Batman flicks are good, there is no denying this, and the casting in this was pretty damn good (Ekhart as Dent...man even with what little he had he worked those f'in lines.) but...the first one there was just more there for me to grab onto, this one was all about the Joker and how such a great mad genius he was, and while I like the complexity of this story it felt at times lacking.
I never had a moment where I was like, OMFG!
There were some nice funny moments (see Joker blowing up the hospital, or Pencil trick) but, action wise I felt this movie lacking when compared to the first. Yes there was a chase scene in this movie but, short of that one scene with the bazooka I wasn't really on the edge of me seat.
The length of this thing could have been parsed down too, that whole 20 minutes where they planned how to kidnap that asian accountant...that was just dead weight to me in the film, it could have been shorter and better. A LOT of scenes were left out too and I understand Nolan did this because he gave the audience credit enough to just assume certain things but...sometimes I debate whether some of the scenes left out...should have been. I mean...what the hell happened to the Joker? The general assumption is the police took him into custody AGAIN after Batman left him hanging but, we all saw how easily he got out of being locked up last time...what's to say he didn't break out somewhere in transport.
I have other issues but, at this point Chris, Omar, and many others wanna likely throw me out a window for my Insanity so....yeah....good movie but, not as good as the first.
People can have their own opinions.
Except Nick.
And except about The Dark Knight.
nico suave, i'm not 100% sure, but i have a strong suspicion that people like you are the ones that make the world go around. to me, you are an anomaly, one that i have no hope of figuring out. and that just goes to show you how different we all can be sometimes.
I thought it was amazing, Nolan has taken Batman to a completely different level from being a super hero; they even acknowledge that in the film. But still you know that he's a super hero anyway and that's what makes it so cool.
The movie was dark the whole way through, Burton may have blurred that line with his adaptation, but Nolan has taken us there. He has nailed the characters and made them what they should have been all along. Ekhart was creepy even when he wasn't Two Face...and when he was Two Face, oh man, I was hit hard by that first showing of his scars. I totally agree with you Josh, I walked out of the theater wanting more Batman and Bruce Wayne drama, but you said it perfectly: it wasn't his movie, he had his and it was incredible. We don't want what we saw in Batman Begins, thats when things get old and sequels run into the ground. Nolan has taken these supporting and antagonizing characters and given them there do, with Batman there fighting them.
Heath Ledgers Joker will go down as one of the most iconic villians in movie history. He was perfect, from his eery beginning to the end. I wanted him on screen every time he wasn't. The best part is that it was all the actors idea, he had a vision for what the Joker should be and he performed it perfectly. I want more, and I can't get it because Ledger is gone. That's what makes me want them to be slow and careful about a third installment. It would be different if Ledger were still around to go more in depth.
Cinementography, continuity, everything was fantastic in The Dark Knight. My two problems: Gyllenhall as Rachel Dawes, she's acted well, but I didn't feel it, she's just...not hot. Second is The Joker and Batman's final battle being on the top of a building like Burton's Batman. I love the original Batman film, but I was waiting for his exit to be something different.
I'm ready to see it again in Imax. Kudos to you is you actually red this long comment. Thanks for reviewing Josh, you made great points as always.
I have to agree with Josh. This is a grade A movie. Best movie of the summer and I can't wait to hear the podcast on this. Nick, you have lost your geek mind. Someone needs to take his geek badge away and give him a copy of Swampthing Returns.
Great review Josh! I LOVED this movie. Loved it. Remember, I'm more of a Marvel fan than DC but this movie blew me away and is the best movie I've seen all year. It blew Iron Man, Indiana Jones, and Hulk out of the water and I enjoyed all three of those movies. Still, Dark Knight was amazing from beginning to end.
The story was great. The cast was great. The twists were great. The ending left me wanting more. Everything was just perfect. The movie was also intense as could be. I jumped about six times during this film.
I have tons of favorite moments from this film but I loved the part where Batman dropped the guy from the building and both his ankles/legs shattered upon hitting the pavement. This Batman doen't play around! Also, the Joker and the pencil scene was awesome!
All in all, this movie ranks in my top five favorite comic films of all time. It's that good. Nick, are you sure you went and saw this film? Are you sure you didn't see Space Chimps or Mamma Mia by mistake?
No, Nick did go to see Mamma Mia but only after Dark Knight, so he didn't get them confused.
Now the real test, Ben, was this better than Spider-Man 1, 2, or 3?
This was a Great Fucking movie. I loved the hell out of it, I just want to climb inside of it and live in there. I'll need to watch it a few more times to fully appreciate everything, it was like my Brain couldn't keep up with what my eyes were showing me. Great plot, Great Acting and Great Action. Loved Two-Face, he was so great and I didn't expect his story to end that fast(if he was killed, still unclear about that). Joker was Great, loved him every time he was on the Screen, and loved how he was always 5 steps ahead of everybody. So yeah, It was everything I wanted and more.
Beware: Dark Knight Spoilers below!
I love all three Spidey movies, I really do. But after thinking about it I have to say yes, this was way better than Spider-Man 3.
I'm in do way dogging Spidey 3. I know a lot of people didn't dig it and that's fine. But I never really felt scared during Spidey three. I knew the symbiote would leave Peter, I knew Peter would take down Venom and Sandman, and I knew that MJ really wasn't in any danger. Peter would save her just like he did in the first two movies.
The Dark Knight on the other hand made me feel scared. It was clear from the get-go that the gloves weren't just off, they were blown to hell. Gordon's first "death" shocked me. Rachel dying surprised the hell out of me. The Joker and the pencil trick made my stomach churn with glee and disgust. The entire situation with the boats and the detonators had me on the edge of my seat. Watching Harvey's face burn and then the reveal of Two-Face had me cheering and feeling nauseated at the same time. Finally, Batman taking the rap for Two-Face's crimes made me feel for him. Like Gordon's son said, "But he didnt' do anything wrong." Damn, that's powerful stuff.
These are but a few of the emotions I felt upon watching Dark Knight. I felt great watching the Spidey films but again, those are fun films with no real sense of threat. With this movie no one and nothing was safe. That's a damn fine formula for a damn fine super hero.
I really need to join in the Dark Knight podcast, I have tons more praise to share about this epic film.
Spider Ben, you hurt my brain when you talk about Spider-Man 3. Even after all this time, I can't comprehend how anybody thought it was good, and you seriosly comparing that movie and this one just blows my mind. :-/
Well I asked him to.
And at least he agreed that this was a better flick.
Great review and comments, Josh and everyone! I saw the movie on Saturday night and it was FREAKING AWESOME! In fact, my catch phrase all weekend to describe how much I love the movie is, "FUCK JACK NICHOLSON!" I will say that again for everyone in the nosebleed seats..."FUCK. JACK. NICHOLSON." Yes, indeed...this movie was so good that it blatantly pointed out ALL the mistakes that Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher made years ago. In fact, "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight" have retconned the previous Batman films so they are no longer relevant!
Everyone else has already covered what I loved about the movie...and speaking as a magician, that "magic trick" with the pencil had me clapping and giggling with wicked glee! But, I want to add that I do see your point of view, Nick, about perhaps trimming the fat out of some of the scenes. Having written a screenplay a long time ago, one of the first lessons you learn is keep your story tight. So, I could see where a few scenes could have been trimmed a bit to make the story, including the retrieval of Mr. Lau from Hong Kong. My guess is, Christopher Nolan and David Goyer wanted to take advantage of having different locales and really show them off.
Plus, keep in mind, that Bruce Wayne/Batman, though he has been working over Gotham's criminal element for a while now, is still learning along the way. (Such as the scene where the dog bit into his suit, so he realizes he needs better protection.)So, it would be logical to see him be more meticulous in his planning to ex-fil Mr. Lau. (That signifies his "detective" skills!)
But all the other elements, including the performances, action sequences, costumes, locations, etc. more than made up for any slow scenes.
In fact, I will go so far as to say, this movie is PERFECT.
whoa whoa whoa ray. I'm glad you liked the movie and all, but why the hate on Mr. Jack? I realize they were different movies but they just had a different approach to the mythos and the character. A simple "Heath did it better." Would suffice. It was a different time, and cinema was in a different place. IT WAS THE 80's!
That being said, you CAN say fuck Joel Schumacher and fuck Tommy Lee Jones' 2 face all you want. There's no excuse for any of that business.
Funny story actually, My editing teacher in school back when I was at the Los Angeles Film School used to work in production design and worked on Batman and Robin (bad movie, but admittedly really awesome production design) and he said Joel was super Gay-nuts for him, which sent Joel's man-servant into a frustrated envy-hate spiral, which I thought was really funny. Ok, JOSHIEBEAR OUT.
Damn great movie and damn great review. I am so glad this movie is meeting all expectations. But it seems that at least two of the message boards I go to there is always someone that wants to hate on the movie because it's the "cool" thing to do.
exactamundo mon frer.
Ben- You described the differences between Spidey 3 and TDK really well. "No one was safe": that's a great way to put it. And I agree, I loved Spider-Man 3 as well and it was a completely different type of movie, a completely different type of hero and a completely different type of world. There are qualities about it that I really enjoyed, but yes, The Dark Knight was so much better even in treating any type of super hero.
Josh- I totally agree, Tim Burton's Batman will always be close to my heart. Although Nolan's series is loads better, Burton still adapted Batman pretty damn well if you asked me. Schumacher is who ruined the Batman saga, not Burton. Burton's two films were dark and different, Schumacher's were homoerotic and an emberessment. Nicholson's character doesn't even compare to Ledger's and it was pretty dumb of him to get all pissed when they didn't offer him the role in The Dark Knight, but I still like the fun campiness of 1989 Batman's Joker. He was just such a different character, even had his own origin exclusive to the film. So Hero 004 would tell Christopher Nolan to keep making Batman movies, Tim Burton to keep his availible, and Joel Shoemaker to keep making shoes, not movies (I know, I know, your laughing so hard your falling out of your computer chair from the shoe maker joke)
Hi Josh!
Sorry my response is so late, life has been nuts for the last several days. Anyway, to answer your question...first off, believe me, I remember that it was the 80's when the first Batman movie was released. I lived that decade, and all the bad hairstyles that came with it! LOL! But you asked why the hate on Mr. Jack?
Okay, here's the thing: Actually, you said it when you mentioned, "They just had a different approach to the mythos and the character." Yeah, and as far as I'm concerned, the wrong approach. First, Jack was too old, and not lanky enough. Second, the Joker started out as a petty thug with a questionable sense of fashion that BECAME the Joker, when we all know that the Joker as a character works best as an enigma, with no origin. ("The Killing Joke" nonwithstanding). Finally, Jack Nicholson is one of many actors whose personality tends to bleed through and overshadow whatever character he plays. In other words, we're not seeing the Joker, we're seeing JACK NICHOLSON PLAYING the Joker. See the difference? So, he really wasn't putting THAT much effort into the role.
Whereas, Heath Ledger, as one reviewer described it, all but DISAPPEARS into the character. I did not see a trace of Heath Ledger in that performance. So, for me, Jack's performance was the Cesar Romero approach brought back to life. (My apologies to Cesar Romero!) What we needed, and finally got, was...well, Heath Ledger. I think we're all the better for it, don't you?
Hero 004, I must confess that I do find "Batman Returns" a better movie of the Tim Burton films. But as far as the first film goes, having the Joker be the murderer of Thomas and Martha Wayne? I believe that idiotic idea was Tim Burton's because I know it wasn't the screenwriter's. Plus, Burton always front-loads his "weird whimsiness" into nearly all of the movies he does, so you can instantly tell this is a Tim Burton film. What Nolan did was to make the Batman mythos feel like it could really be taking place, and make it BELIEVABLE as well. That's because Nolan is really great at contemporary film noir. (Check out his movie, "Memento" for starters.)
Oh well, at least you guys agree with me about Joel "the Schmuck" Schumacher. About the only good thing for me that came out of his two Batman movies is that I discovered Seal as a musical artist with his song "Kiss From a Rose" from the Batman Forever soundtrack!
But, in any case, everybody is entitled to their opinion, so I hope no one takes this personally.
(But I still hate Jack Nicholson. :) )
Aside from not hating Jack Nicholson I completely agree with everything you said Ray, Nicholsons Joker was still Nicholson, Tim Burton does overload on whimsical, Nolan is a kick ass contemp noir director, and I liked Returns better than '89 simply because of the rewrite of Joker being Wayne's killers...ya know I actually had to correct friends who thought Joker really was Wayne's parents killer...like it developed into an arguement, lol.
The Batman Forever soundtrack does in fact kick ass.
Best fucking movie this year and I'll have words with anyone that says otherwise. Fuck Tim Burton's overrated piece of shit.
the batman forever soundtrack? good.
The batman and robin soundtrack? AWESOME.
Batman and Robin was a good soundtrack, only good to come out of the movie.
"Schumacher's were homoerotic and an emberessment."
First, the whole idea of Batman is homoerotic! And second, learn to spell.