Review: 'The Dark Knight' is a Masterpiece! 2:25pm, July 2, 2008
If 2008 proved anything thus far, it's that there is hope for cinema. With dozens upon dozens of mind-numbing films being dumped into theaters, we have already seen a few glimmers of hope, even though I still haven't seen a film that blew me away... that is until last night. Warner Bros. Pictures' THE DARK KNIGHT is not only the best film I have seen this year, but quite possibly the best superhero movie ever made.
KNIGHT is a complex film, following Batman (Christian Bale) and James Gordon (Gary Oldman) joining forces with Gotham's new District Attorney, Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), to take on a psychotic bank robber known as The Joker (Heath Ledger), whilst other forces plot against them, and Joker's crimes grow more and more deadly.
You can believe the hype, KNIGHT could have quite simply been renamed to THE JOKER. Ignoring the fact that we lost Ledger earlier this year, he truly does deserve credit for bringing one of the most diverse, unique and well-developed characters to the big screen since Daniel Day Lewis in THERE WILL BE BLOOD. Some will say it's over-the-top, while everyone else will see the true genius in his work. When Christopher and Jonathan Nolan reveal The Joker's motive early in the film, it's tough to take in, and tough to take serious (why so serious?), but by the final frame of the film, the viewer should be sold without question. The deconstruction of The Joker is something of wonder; watching Ledger descend deeper into psychosis was more interesting that watching Lewis do it in BLOOD. To say he will give the viewer goosebumps is an understatement.
The acting is only part of the reason KNIGHT is so fabulous, Nolan has taken Batman to new heights. In the first film Gotham City feels very compact and claustrophobic, but the scope of the sequel is massive. Nolan's shots of Chicago are breathtaking as they remove of us from this small fantasy land and bring the viewer into a whole new world. It not only makes the film more believable, but also it makes Bruce Wayne as a character more believable. The only problem is that some of the movie was shot on IMAX, so the aspect ratio continues to change throughout the movie, which is insanely annoying. But it was worth it to see some shots in HD IMAX, which is remarkable and stunning.
The screenplay is also very well developed as it not only blends violence and humor to perfection, but mixes in some political references and opinions without throwing them in your face. With Harvey Dent being the face of Gotham City, there are various scenes about being a man and doing the right thing for your city (or your country). In one sequence Batman uses the city's mobile phones to emit sonar signals so he can watch everyone in the city. During that scene Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) says to Wayne "If this technology exists in the Batcave you can consider this my resignation," implying that quite possibly our "protectors" - or government - or taking away our rights in order to protect us.
If DARK KNIGHT gets anything less than an Oscar nomination it would be a great injustice to the world of cinema. Nolan has delivered an epic masterpiece that will literally take your breath away. If this film doesn't make you feel like a kid again, maybe there's no hope for you...
I'm so eager to see this movie. But I have two questions: 1: Does Heath Ledger's Joker actually make jokes as Jack Nicholson did in Tim Burton's Batman? And 2: I've not seen one review that mentions Two-Face, so do we actually see Harvey Dent after he turns into Two-Face (and not just the back of him)?
Questions. Does Two Face actually look really gruesome like he does in the comic? Also, did you notice any cool comic book moments/characters for cameos?
I really love Nolan's Batman, but I think the reviewer is Heath Ledger freak, all the actors in this film deserves praise not only Heath, or maybe if Christian Bale died, somebody will also say...Christian Bale is the best!!!...Oh man I don't like this review, but I love this film....
It's Heath Ledger's role which is the truly genius bit of the film and this is according to not just Mr. Disgusting but every other reviewer so far.
This is THE movie i have been waiting to see for over a year now, nothing else comes close in my hype meter.
ha think you could of given this a negative review and everyone would still go see it
cause who hasn't been waiting for this since at least the trailer in i am legend?
Buzzing about this movie, haven't been to the cinema since saw 3 as nothing as got me hyped until now - who would of thought a welsh kid could be playing the best Batman ever, respect to Bale.
Batman Begins was ridiculously overrated. That being said I (unlike many others) CAN wait to see it. I wouldnt mind if I missed it in cinemas. And also, about it being more realistic? Arent we missing the point of superheroes?
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If 2008 proved anything thus far, it's that there is hope for cinema. With dozens upon dozens of mind-numbing films being dumped into theaters, we have already seen a few glimmers of hope, even though I still haven't seen a film that blew me away... that is until last night. Warner Bros. Pictures' THE DARK KNIGHT is not only the best film I have seen this year, but quite possibly the best superhero movie ever made. 
