The Dark Knight
posted July 18, 2008 7:16 AM
Nolan knocks Knight out of the park
In 1939, the same year that Hitler’s invasion of Poland officially launched World War II, Bob Kane created Batman. It was also the year that famed psychiatrist Sigmund Freud died, facilitating the ascendance of his onetime friend, Carl Jung, along with Jung’s more mystical and uncertain understanding of man as a creature beset by an internal tug-of-war. While there’s no clear evidence that Kane was influenced by Jung in creating his famously Jungian hero, it seems less than coincidental that Kane would choose that particular moment in time—when the global line between good and evil was drawn more starkly than at any other time in history—to deliver not only the world’s first conflicted superhero, but a villain in the Joker driven not so much by greed or perverted morals as by an almost righteous amorality. It was a tandem which—in contrast to those of other comics heroes of the day like Superman and Captain America—suggested something that the World War II generation would probably have rejected had they fully understood it; that every human being has the capacity to be a Batman or a Joker, that morals can be fragile and frequently conditional, if not contradictory, that choices are based as much on expediency and whim as conscience, and that good and evil—for better or worse—need each other.
Subsequent generations have come to not only acknowledge Batman’s bewitching psychological undercurrent, but even embrace it, reaffirming Kane’s creation as the most compelling and complex comics character in history, and quite likely the most fiercely debated. That media depictions of Batman—the camp ’60s television series and the kinetically executed, thematically bankrupt Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher films of the late ’80s and ’90s—have shied from fully engaging such vagaries speaks to how intimidating it can be to grasp such a character in the flesh.
Pretentious though it may seem, such preamble is necessary to fully convey the magnitude of what director Christopher Nolan—arguably the most Jungian of filmmakers—has brought to Kane’s 69-year-old creation. Practically without exception, Nolan’s pre-Batman films—Following, Memento, the remake of the Swedish Insomnia—as well as his interlude effort, The Prestige, all suggest a fascination, even an obsession with Jungian dualism, the nature of good and evil and the limits of human morality. If those concerns appeared to receive their most refined examination in Batman Begins, The Dark Knight voices them with a bone-chilling primal scream.
In this gripping continuation of the story—which should all but erase any lingering memory of the Burton/Schumacher films—Nolan methodically lays the groundwork for what is clearly meant to be a grand, ongoing, epic saga. While Wayne Manor undergoes reconstruction (along with, one presumes, the eventual Batcave), Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) struggles to reconcile the seeming irreconcilable—so long as he carries out his moral obligation to extrajudicial vigilante justice in a crime-besotted, seemingly ungovernable Gotham City, he and his childhood sweetheart, the love of his life, public prosecutor Rachel Dawes (a wonderful Maggie Gyllenhaal, mercifully replacing Katie Holmes), cannot be together. Adding to the irony of a hero who yearns for his own obsolescence is the thorny matter of Wayne’s one great hope for a Batman-less Gotham, a tough new crusading D.A. named Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart). who also happens to be Rachel’s boss and primary rival for Wayne’s affections. It’s a love triangle that would seem to have a great deal riding on its outcome—for Wayne, Dawes and Dent as well as the entire city of Gotham. Unfortunately, it’s an outcome that will be determined by a wild card—the wild card, as it were: the Joker.
Introduced by the simple but unmistakable emblem of a playing card at the close of Batman Begins, the Joker’s role in the film has been unduly magnified in recent weeks by the untimely death of Heath Ledger, whose characterization is already being touted for posthumous Oscar consideration. Had Ledger lived, however, it’s unlikely the reaction would have been any less enthusiastic. In a brave return to the Joker’s origins, Ledger’s incarnation is a brilliant, terrifying and unpredictable psychopath—the furthest possible cry from the charming chicanery of Cesar Romero and Jack Nicholson—for whom murder is but a casual hobby and mayhem a religious obligation. Oscar has typically loved villains of this sort—Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter in 1991 and Javier Bardem’s Anton Chigurh in 2007 being the most notable—and it’s entirely possible that Ledger will also be so bestowed. But Ledger’s Joker is, in many ways, an even more troubling figure, for he sees the creation of mayhem as purposeful, and his role in the world as catalytic, a life’s work for a prophet of doom who, from beneath his own gruesome makeup and mysterious scars, means to strip society of its illusion of benevolence and prove just how base and loathsome a creature humankind really is.
As the Joker, with the reluctant cooperation of organized crime, proceeds to make quick work of the progress laid by Wayne/Batman and Dent via a series of brilliantly orchestrated crimes, Gotham is plunged back into uncertainty and fear. But as Alfred (Michael Caine) prophetically observes early on, the Joker is quite likely not a criminal fixated on material gain. Says the wizened butler to the young Wayne, “Some men just want to watch the world burn.”
If Wayne and the Joker represent the most emblematic outward manifestation of a classic Jungian struggle—the archetypal extrovert literally willing to stop at nothing to remove the introvert’s mask—it’s Eckhart’s virtuoso and equally Oscar-worthy portrayal of Dent that hammers home the tragic culmination of that struggle. Fans of the comics—and even the previous series of films—will recognize Dent (Billy Dee Williams in the 1989 Batman and Tommy Lee Jones in 1995’s Batman Forever) as an essential component in Gotham’s murky moral landscape. His eventual transformation into the villain Two-Face is one of the great tragedies in comics history, a transformation that figures just as tragically in The Dark Knight in that it brings into devastating focus a thicket of heady issues with which comics—much less comics-based movies—rarely concern themselves. Each man, in his own way—Wayne, Joker and Dent—represents a different philosophical facet to the impenetrable diamond that is human nature, each a seeming pillar of conviction potentially crippled by hairline cracks of indecision and simple human weakness. That those around them—Alfred, Rachel, the future Police Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) and Wayne’s stalwart aide-de-camp Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman)—are both less pessimistic in their view of human nature and less effective in putting their idealism into practice is, perhaps, the most crucial dilemma of the film, and one which it intentionally never resolves, instead dropping it squarely into the lap of the audience.
None of this is to suggest that intellectual engagement as such is anything new for the movies, though it has certainly become increasingly infrequent in studio films. The great film noirs of Kane’s own era—particularly those from Warner Bros.—often wrestled with similar issues, which Kane himself acknowledged as at least a partial inspiration for certain aspects (and characters) of the Gotham world. What is surprising in this instance is that it comes from a notoriously risk-averse studio, which has in recent years gone to great lengths to become the kind of company its founders absolutely loathed. This certainly says more about Nolan and producer Charles Roven than any prospective change in Warners philosophy, though even as a momentary blip on the radar, it’s a welcome one.
Marred only by a handful of distracting cameos (Anthony Michael Hall, Tiny Lister and U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy) and a peculiar and unnecessary technological contrivance best characterized as “phonar,” The Dark Knight is an impressively dense and exceptionally well-written film (by Nolan and his brother, Jonathan, with co-story credit to Nolan’s Batman Begins collaborator David S. Goyer) as well as a technically dazzling one, with at least two key sequences and a variety of aerial shots captured in IMAX (though only audiences seeing the film in IMAX theaters will get the benefit of the impact). Nolan’s much-publicized aversion to CGI pays off once again in a number of gritty, hard-hitting set pieces that further reinforce the film’s real-world relevance. Far from offering traditional summer escapism, Nolan has instead delivered the kind of picture that would normally make studio executives cringe—a brainy, action-packed morality play meant to throttle the audience, body and mind, for a solid 152 minutes and haunt them for days and weeks later.
Coming weeks will provide intriguing insight into the film’s visceral and intellectual reach, as a wide range of reactions draws an even wider range of analogies and extra-cultural connections. In hindsight, one wonders whether Stanley Kubrick and novelist Gustav Hasford, whose novel The Short-Timers provided the foundation for Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, meant to consciously connect Matthew Modine’s Private Joker with his villainous namesake when he explains his reasoning for wearing both a peace symbol and the slogan “Born To Kill” on his helmet: “The Duality of man—the Jungian thing.”
Such considerations, of course, are largely beside the point for average filmgoers simply seeking a momentary afternoon thrill—few will likely make any connections of the sort, or even want to. At least not consciously, which may well be the most Jungian touch of all.
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Screenwriter: Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan
Producers: Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas
Genre: Action/Drama
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and some menace
Running time: 152 min.
Release date: July 18
71 Comments
Leave a comment
alvin said:
bullshit
July 18, 2008 8:16 AM
alvin said:
that's only bullshit, this won't be good enough to be 2008's film of the year. this is like the same film, Wanted, by angelina jolie, too much action. fuck ya batman, but Im sorry for the joker, they tell me that he is died but he deserve an oscar for the joker role.
July 18, 2008 8:19 AM
a said:
same film as wanted??
that has to be the dumbest thing I have ever heard
July 18, 2008 9:21 AM
Ryan said:
Alvin, that has to be the dumbest comparison of all time. The story was great, the movie was great, and if it doesn't get movie of the year then there's something seriously wrong. Heath will get some awards for the role because he sucked me into thinking that he was real in person. It was a creep performance, but at the same time brilliant.
I give it 5/5. It was everything I hoped it to be and more.
July 18, 2008 10:54 AM
vnasty said:
alvin your a dumbass and cant appreciate a good movie on more than one level, this movie and wanted are entirely different, and your an idiot, maybe your lack of english skills factor into the way you think
July 18, 2008 11:00 AM
Kev said:
Excellent Movie. It surpassed the hype surrounding it in my opinion.
July 18, 2008 4:50 PM
Twokysmom said:
Thought provoking article about a thought provoking film. Well done on both counts.
July 18, 2008 6:28 PM
Greg said:
This was one of the most twisted, epic movies I have ever seen. It was incredible. The moral dilemmas throughout the film were mind-boggling. Heath did an Oscar-Worthy job. The Joker is the most evil villain I've been introduced to.
5/5
July 18, 2008 6:44 PM
Batfan said:
FINALLY! A real worthy comic book hero story with chutzpah! SEE THIS MOVIE IN IMAX! It will blow you away!!!!! Shuler was bad-a$$ and Bale as well. Does anyone think that Two-Face survived at the end and is not really "dead"? Hmmmmm......Maybe a setup for next film?
July 18, 2008 8:03 PM
Dave said:
I agree with Batfan. This movie rocks and is possibly one of the best films of all time! I feel it should have been rated R. My 13 year old son come out afterwards pale faced. This stuff is way too intense for younger teens IMHO. Good chance we see Dent/Two-Face again. I am going tonight to see it again alone this time in IMAX. Can't wait! DARK NIGHT RULES!!!
July 18, 2008 8:16 PM
Kyle said:
Just got back from 8 P.M. Showing here in San Diego. They had it playing on EIGHT Screens and they were all sold out. This movie is a MOVIE! Don't let the 152 minute running time con you into thinking it runs too long because every second leaves you riveted to your seat. A definite masterpiece whether you like the caped crusader or not because Ledger steals the show! I will be going back a second time no doubt!
July 18, 2008 9:29 PM
big boi said:
that alvin kid is mad dumb 2 even think that
and ya it's gonna b the 2008's movie of the year
July 18, 2008 9:40 PM
Ricky said:
I saw it Midnight up here in washington on a worknight It was incredible how a person can make you love them yet hate them at the same time laugh for them and boo um... Ledger was awesome...
July 18, 2008 9:57 PM
Homey said:
Yo! It be a kick ass masterpiece! Saw da shit in IMAX. Bro' all I can say is...Well...Umm...Aw shit dawg! IT IS TOTALLY FUCKING GODDAMN AWESOME!!!!!
July 18, 2008 10:00 PM
Jim said:
Dark Knight deserves 4 out of 4 stars definitely. Hey Homey! You need to clean your filthy mouth out with soap you ghetto trash!
July 18, 2008 10:09 PM
Homey said:
YO JIM! U LAST NAME MUST BE CROWE! I PUT 4 SHINY STARS UP YO WHITE ASS CRACKER JACK BOY!
July 18, 2008 10:16 PM
Jim said:
HEY HOMEY! I AM BLACK! TOO BAD THEY DON'T TEACH YOU HOW TO ACT LIKE A CIVILIZED AND EDUCATED BROTHER IN THE 'HOOD YOU IGNORANT DUNG HEAP! MAYBE BATMAN CAN BEAT THE GHETTO OUT OF YOU ONE EVENING IN AN ALLEY DOWN IN YOUR 'HOOD...HOMEY!
July 18, 2008 10:26 PM
Troy said:
A bat beating ghetto style LMAO! that's a good one!
Dark Knight is a really great movie by the way. ;)
July 18, 2008 10:32 PM
Stephen V said:
The Dark Knight is a great movie no doubt but I have to admit that by singling out Ledger's awesome performance I do not mean to snub Bale's. For one thing, the two roles are inextricably linked. When the Joker says to his greatest adversary, "You complete me," he is pointing out the obvious: The forces of light and dark in this world are forever twinned. In the epic scheme of things, Batman needs the Joker as much as the Joker needs Batman.
But there is a reason the Joker, and not Batman, is the heart and soul of this movie, and it's not just because of the quality of the performance. Both men are just that – men. They possess no superpowers. But Batman, with his hooded glower, is irrevocably old-school, while the stringy-haired Joker with his smeary white makeup and red lipstick, who cackles while he commits the most unspeakable crimes, represents an implacable villainy that seems horrifyingly up to the minute. He's the monster of our zeitgeist. He's laughing at you and you can't laugh him off.
But the thing that I love most about this new & improved Batman Saga (including "Batman Begins") is that they’re blockbusters with something to say. It’s almost novelistic – a morality tale about that incredibly blurry line between hero and vigilante. Gotham City is a philosophical arena where the characters battle over huge ideas of ‘good’ ‘evil’ ‘justice’ in a way that you just couldn’t do in a more ‘realistic’ movie. It’s the heightened reality that makes it possible.
July 18, 2008 10:49 PM
Pr1ncess said:
I LOVE THIS MOVIE! IT WAS AWESOME! THE ONLY THING I DIDN'T LIKE WAS THE MERE FACT THAT THE PRODUCTION OF THIS MOVIE SHOULD HAVE HONORED HEATH LEDGER'S PASSING RIGHT AT THE END BEFORE THE CREDITS STARTED! I HAD TO WAIT TILL ALMOST THE END TO SEE THAT.
OTHER THAN THAT, I LOVE IT.
July 18, 2008 11:20 PM
alex said:
jesus christ this movie beat the crap out of part 1 like by 10 times!! i was so impressed with the whole movie damn i hope it continues!!!!
July 19, 2008 12:01 AM
Josh said:
I have not seen the movie yet. Can the people who write reviews please try to refrain from revealing any spoilers, like the bit about two face from batfan. Thanks.
July 19, 2008 6:16 AM
Stephanie said:
Your in a forum to talk about the movie weenie head! So be prepared to hear spoilers! Two Face lives! Nolan said in an interview that Aaron Eckart has signed on for another movie. I think he is hot!
July 19, 2008 6:50 AM
Martin 7 said:
You people like Josh whining about spoilers need to get off your ass and go see the MOVIE! It is playing on multiple screens everywhere so GO SEE IT! It is worth every penny of your dollar for the price of admission especially in those IMAX theatres. I saw it last night in IMAX format and all I can say is DAMN IT IS GOOD!
July 19, 2008 7:06 AM
Anon said:
Stephanie: "Two Face lives!"
I wouldn't be so sure...
July 19, 2008 9:56 AM
tman said:
i'm a big fan of comics turn to bigscreen,i saw it in IMAX !!! WOW what an experience ... this movie is by far the the top of its kind . The story is very strong ,keeps you entertained and wondering what's up next, till the end.I find that it's about time that Hollywood decided to get rid of the cheese in all the great comic characters and adapt stories to the young and mature audiences .this movie should send all other directors and producers back on there drawing boards to re-evaluated the next movie they make!!! This movie sets a new bar for movie makers and a message. STOP MAKING UNWORTHY MOVIES .People will always spend money for a great movie and never feel bad about it ? OSCAR for HEATH LEDGER
July 19, 2008 10:47 AM
twilightbringer said:
Beautiful, Brilliant and Brutal -
The Dark Knight surpasses all so-called superhero movies ever made, even though TDK is not a superhero movie at all. And it would be unjust for anyone or everyone to view it merely as a superhero/comic-book movie.
It is an epic crime-thriller that just-so-happens to be a comic book movie.
It gets my nod for Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor (Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhardt and of course the late Heath Ledger), Best Adapted Screenplay (Nolan bro's and Goyer), Best Director (Nolan), Best Visual Effects and Best Picture.
Why Best Picture?
Because all great movies will either leave you thinking, moved or stunned - and this movie does it all.
Heath Ledger deserves an Oscar.
July 19, 2008 11:07 AM
S_T said:
This is by far the best batman movie ever made! The actors proformances were extremely amazing, especially Heath Ledger's Joker (R.I.P). The movie has an very impressive storyline, and I can't wait to see what happens in the third installment.
July 19, 2008 11:30 AM
TJ Royal said:
This was a darned entertaining movie, but parts of it *flew* by, like when the couple are kidnapped in the film's second half. I didn't even realize they were missing until Commissioner Gordon said something about it.
And what about Joker's hold-up at Bruce Wayne's party? Batman and a guess go crashing down to the ground from a 40-story high rise, leaving the Joker and his goons up on the top floor with like, 80 party-goers. No resolution to that scene whatsoever, (Batman getting back up to save the people, the Joker killing anybody up there), cutting to Commissioner Gordon right afterwards.
Still entertaining, but perhaps my theater forgot to put a reel in (or Nolan forgot to, one or the other).
July 19, 2008 11:50 AM
Travis said:
Didn't enjoy it? go watch Barney & Friends. Amazing film, enough said.
July 19, 2008 8:10 PM
Ricardo said:
Heath Ledger stole this movie from Christian Bale, his performance as the Joker was brilliant. Great film for Chris Nolan...
July 19, 2008 10:26 PM
Kwame said:
The dark knight is true example of the battle of good and evil fought deep withing every mans heart. Good and evil exist alongside each other( The batman and the joker showed this clearly) but if pushed to a limit every man breaks as seen through the character of Harvey dent.
This is a great Movie, I like the way they introduced the joker and Havery dent together in one batman movie. Its realy sad that won't be able to see another great performance of Hieth ledger as joker if they plan another Batman movies. He truely does deserve an Oscar. He managed to play the joker character with great skills. He created and possible got more fans than the batman himself. I found my self more eager to see the Joker than any other character in the movie while I was watching in the theater.
This is truely a great a movie.
July 19, 2008 11:49 PM
rehan khan said:
one of the best movie i have ever seen ,i am so sorry for the joker ,it is so sad .he should get an oscar for this .
July 20, 2008 2:41 AM
Don said:
Best Movie I've Ever Seen!!!
July 20, 2008 9:23 AM
Raj said:
I watched the movie and I just cant believe it.it is really tragic for what happened to Heath Ledger but he proved to be the right person for the Joker role.This Joker is psychotic but brainy.He actually did show his purpose for spreading evil and throughout the movie,he did make me as the audience even fear being a Gotham citizen.The way he plans and executes what he wants was so precise that it felt he had wanted the idea of chaos be felt throughout Gotham from every child to adult.I really commend the scriptwriter and the directed Christopher Nolan for bringing back a much anticipated form of Batman than the 80s version of it.Not forgetting to mention the great action sequences.My jaws opened wide with the introduction of the Batbike. Brilliant Idea.
This is movie is going to soar high up.
Why So Serious?
Dark Knight!
July 20, 2008 10:13 AM
jason said:
this has to be the best comic book hero movie ever.heat was just awsome.he should get a nomination for sure,if not a win.can't wait for the next part.
my top five comic book movies.
THE DARK NIGHT
BATMAN BEGINS
THE IRON MAN
spider-man 1
superman
July 20, 2008 1:46 PM
Scott Bradley said:
While I think you're reaching by trying to connect the Joker and Private Joker, I commend you ENDLESSLY for mentioning Gustav Hasford.
SB
July 20, 2008 8:53 PM
Mitchell said:
First of all I think there is one negative guy here his name is dumbass Alvin. For him to say "bullshit" as a comment means he's an uneducated bastard! This movie is a trend setter. It's an example of how movies should be. This movie has depth, action, suspense and more. It even has realism. The previous batfilms exclude BATMAN 1 by Tim Burton. His sequel plus Joel Shuemachers pieces of crap made batman weak, colorful, and unbelievable. It just got cornier and cornier. I love the direction Nolan has with this batman. I hope there will be a third instllment for this franchise. Oh by the way Alvin your the only one here who is Bullshit! Wake up and smell the grammar book cause Batman will surpass your favorite all time movie Alvin "Broke Back Mountain.!" Ha ha loser!
July 21, 2008 3:10 AM
batmanfan3567 said:
alvin has no idea what he is talking about because first of all wanted is a entirely different movie and their must be something wrong with you if think the movie that broke the record for most sales not only in a day but also in weekend. This movie was really good I give a 5/5.
July 21, 2008 7:23 AM
sabastian said:
i was always thought it would be a great movie as the trailers were so amazing .this kind of movie comes only once in years ,the unforgettable acting by everyone is great to see specially by heath ledger.
July 21, 2008 2:57 PM
lauren said:
just a completely amazing movie. 5 stars. played on 20 screens at my theatre, all sold out.
July 21, 2008 8:16 PM
Alex said:
Do you think someone will replace role of Joker in next film? Comments
July 21, 2008 11:10 PM
Mitchell said:
It's going to be tough these next few years. Movies like the Dark knight are rare to come by. So DC is looking to their other heroes to become just as big if not bigger. For eg; the new WATCHMEN is coming, A new SUPERMAN sequel in the works. Hopefully a lot more action. A Wonder Woman movie is in the works. DC comics will have stiff competition when Marvel comics projects gets rolling in the next three years. All coming in sequences 2009 10 and 11. So I hope DC comics will be the there for more action packed summers to come.
The next projects confirmed soon for competition wise are; GI joe, Terminator Salvation, Punisher War Zone, Transformers 2, Wolverine prequel. So I hope your ready cause I am.
July 22, 2008 1:12 AM
omid said:
it is very very good
July 22, 2008 7:15 AM
CentralPenn said:
OK I thouht the movie was good but on some real Shit they started dragging the end of the movie my friend fell asleep and he was more hype then me about the whole Dark Knight movie
July 22, 2008 8:33 AM
Bavarian said:
I thought it was just fantastic !!
July 22, 2008 12:24 PM
Zim said:
I saw it on the day it came out on IMAX, and it was amazing. To be honest, I thought that was the best movie I've ever seen in my life. That movie easily earned 5 stars
July 22, 2008 4:34 PM
James said:
bullshit just bullshit its just like wanted but wanted is full of action. kiss my ass batman ur just shit i hope u go and fuck ur self with ur mama dildo ur just a bitch i hope u rotten in hell
July 22, 2008 11:28 PM
ricky said:
great movie, great actors, great everything!
July 23, 2008 12:20 AM
Bavarian said:
Hey James,
go back to elementary school and learn some grammar
July 23, 2008 4:21 AM
Don said:
James we know you're the alvin guy.
July 23, 2008 4:17 PM
Frankie said:
This is easily the best movie of the year, Ledger definately gives a oscar calibur performance. I absolutely loved it.
P.S. Am I the only one who liked Spiderman 3? [Please dont hurt me]
July 23, 2008 5:34 PM
TLEE0010 said:
Easily the best movie of the year, if not the best movie in about 8 years. I thought Heath Ledger was awsome as the joker and should receive ann oscar for his performance.
July 24, 2008 5:36 AM
Reel Fan Reviews said:
I LIKED THIS MOVIE, BUT I'M NOT SURE I LOVED IT!!! I MAY HAVE TOO SEE IT AGAIN.
ONE THING FOR SURE I WAS EXPECTING THE FINAL SCENE TO END WITH A BIG BANG AND THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. THAT WAS PROBABLY MY BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT IN THIS MOVIE.
BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR? I DONT THINK SO!
BEST ACTOR? POSSIBLY. HEATH LEDGER EASILY STOLE THE MOVIE. YOU ALMOST WISH HE WAS ON EVERY SCENE.
I GIVE IT A '3 AND 1/2 FANS'
July 24, 2008 10:06 AM
Andrew said:
Just got back from watching the film, at a drive in. Brilliant, and being able to have a couple of beers while watching added to the brilliance.
The only tasteless portion of the film was the direct reference to all encompassing wire tapping during emergencies. Had the exact same thing not happened in recent history here in the U.S., the idea would have been great.
July 25, 2008 11:31 PM
chris said:
all i have to say is wow, and i know from the start the third (if there is a third one) will suck compared to this one, no one and i mean NO ONE can compete or beat Heath Ledger's joker, he was by far better then Cesar Romero and Jack Nicholson. the producer is gonna have one hell of a time finding a back up, cuz that joker due me into the movie and after the movie i found my self fliking my tounge out of my mouth the way the joker did... creepy and ****ing amazing, thats all i gotta say cheers =)
July 27, 2008 12:46 PM
chris said:
btw all time favorite line "why so serious"
all time favorite part, with the two boats and the black guy threw the denetor out the window, i like how they showed that there where still good people....
July 27, 2008 12:50 PM
Adel said:
hi guys this movie is the best which ever saw who are u to give your opinion if its **** or what we are just **** viewers.
July 27, 2008 6:37 PM
Ple Thailand said:
Dark Knigth Is Good Movie this year!!!
I Want Sex...
I want sex...
July 27, 2008 9:18 PM
The Lord said:
Batman is a good movie in this year I like it very much . And I like Harry Potter movie and spider-man .
July 27, 2008 11:16 PM
MissKaNia said:
Heath Ledger's acting was over-rated. His character doesn't even get focus attention in the story! I'd say Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent and Gary Oldman as Gordon, would likely be the main star. And as for Bale, why do I feel that he is the most dispensable actor among the cast? But overall, this is the best movie I have yet seen so far this year.
July 27, 2008 11:20 PM
cameron said:
Wow....im 15 and theres been many good movies in the past but the dark knight is amazing i mean when it comes out ill go by me a copy and extra to give to my friends this movie easily earned a 5/5 if u haven't seen the movie i say u should go see it
The Dark Knight is not just gonna be the best movie of 08 its gonna be the best for years to come .......hay james watch the language kids and teens like me read these comments
You Rock Bat Man ...........p.s
i almost for got even though the joker was the bad guy he played the crap out of that roll good job thumbs up to all the cast
R.I.P
Heath Ledger
July 27, 2008 11:30 PM
Manoj said:
Very good.
Keep it up!!
July 28, 2008 5:37 AM
Elias said:
We talk about the best super-hero movie ever in my opinion. Nolan made a great work for this one. Eckhart and Oldman were eccellent choices for the roles of Dent and Gordon. As for Heath Ledger's Joker... JUST RESPECT............
July 28, 2008 5:01 PM
me. said:
loved it loved it loved it, i've seen it three times in the past week, and am still due to see it in imax
July 29, 2008 1:53 PM
Don said:
Johnny Depp would make an interesting joker. What do you guys think? Just a thought...
July 29, 2008 2:46 PM
Leslie said:
Good idea -- Johnny Depp as the next Joker. I couldn't even think of anyone adequate to carry the role until Don suggested it because Heath Ledger gave such a wonderful performance. Terrific movie all around, altho I do agree there were some over-edited parts like the party scene TJ Royal mentioned. Hollyweird should trust the audience's ability to remain interested and forget about how long the movie is. Over-cutting damages the full sense of the film as can be seen from DVD-release out-takes -- Gladiator and American Gangster are two examples of this problem that spring to mind. Terrific direction, artwork and performances, but most of all this movie impressed by bringing out its "Message" about people's essential natures. Surprise, folks: the fellow who threw the detonator out the window IS who most of us are, even with all our faults. Now I want to see it in IMAX!
August 25, 2008 9:28 PM
archit said:
xcellent man-its beyond cmparison-100/100
September 11, 2008 2:10 AM
whysoserious said:
phillip seymour hoffman- penguin
jonny depp- the riddler
no gay tight wearing batman
cher may be a good twist on catwoman, by Christopher Nolans choice.
only if it doesn't mess with the realism add poision ivy and mr freeze
they should keep making it a psychological movie with batman having repressed memories and everything not george clooneys and val kilmers batman style with criminals dressed in neon clothing and jumpsuits weird.
September 17, 2008 3:18 PM
1-7-4 said:
This movie is by far one of the best i've ever seen in my life, it's fun, it's thrilling, it has a great storyline and fantastic action sequences.
God, everyone's performances just couldn't be better, and not only by Heath Ledger, who's likely the main theme of the movie, but Christian Bale's Batman/Wayne performance which is, by far, the best of all Batmans.
5 out of 5 in my opinion, and best direction, performances, special effects, and plot of the year.
Batman Begins does not get left behind, both are the best superhero movies I´ve ever hopoed to see!!
September 17, 2008 8:04 PM
Grintor said:
Really... 4.6/5?
October 5, 2008 2:02 PM