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The Dark Knight
If you see nothing else this summer, get out and see The Dark Knight.
Review by Sirus
The world, to some, appears to be made up of many dichotomies. Just as Batman and most comic-book stories illustrate the dichotomy between good and evil, there is a visible contrast between two kinds of summer blockbusters. There are big summer films that are a lot of fun and pull at your emotions but don’t really make you think (Hellboy 2). There are also movies that suck you in for 2 and a half hours of thought provoking, emotionally charged, character driven mayhem. The latter is a solid description of The Dark Knight.
Batman Begins took what many considered to be a silly fantasy world of Batman and turned it into something that is a viable representation of what it might have really been like if Batman existed. While it was a fantastic exposition to examine the path Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) took to become the masked crusader, it lacked a central focus to drive the entire movie. The Dark Knight starts right where Batman Begins left off, in a world where desperation has motivated criminals to boldly commit crimes they wouldn’t have dared previously.
The leader of this recent wave of criminals goes by the name of Joker (Heath Ledger) [God rest his soul]. Joker is a man who, like Batman, hides behind a mask, though his is one of makeup resembling a twisted clown. Joker first crosses the mobsters in town and then finds himself working for them in an effort to rid the city of what all criminals believe to be the greatest threat to their existence: Batman. The movie benefits greatly from the introduction of a central villain who is smart, witty, and psychotic. The central conflict between Batman and Joker is developed fantastically, with each side making headway at various points of the movie along with outcomes of those encounters that are unexpected. There is another villain who is introduced near the end who has a solid run reeking havoc as well.
Christian Bale and Heath Ledger give wonderful performances in the film. Heath Ledger’s is especially good, making it clear just how devastating his death is for movie audiences everywhere. Ledger’s Joker is masterfully played and never gets old. The soundtrack is a feat unto itself. Borrowing largely from their work on Batman Begins, Hans Zimmer and James Newton-Howard create a score that fits the tone and feel of the movie perfectly. They somehow find a way to take orchestral music and give it a dark and sinister power that rivals Batman. The soundtrack is truly a wonder to behold thanks to its thundering horns and soft strings.
The Dark Knight is a movie that takes what many would consider to be a childish character of Batman and infuses his character and surrounding story with multiple layers of morality and characters rarely seen in cinema these days. Every choice and character interaction feels as if it could exist in real life. The dialogue enhances this with phrases that will be remembered by film audiences for years to come. If Hellboy 2 is too much fantasy for your liking, The Dark Knight is one summer blockbuster you will want to see time and time again to catch every tiny morsel of hidden meaning that can’t be understood on first viewing. If you see nothing else this summer, get out and see The Dark Knight.
Second Opinion
by Dack
Could a movie based on a comic book win oscars? It's very likely with this stunning masterpiece. The Dark Knight may be a summer blockbuster that flocks of people are going to see to munch popcorn and escape the heat, but it's so much more than that. Heath Ledger elevates the movie to incredible heights with his haunting potryal of The Joker. If Heath Ledger doesn't get an Oscar nod, I'll be outraged. The Dark Knight not only is one of the best comic adaptions of all time, but it's easily the best movie so far in 2008. Everyone needs to see this film.
Final Score
If you see nothing else this summer, get out and see The Dark Knight.
Review by Sirus
The world, to some, appears to be made up of many dichotomies. Just as Batman and most comic-book stories illustrate the dichotomy between good and evil, there is a visible contrast between two kinds of summer blockbusters. There are big summer films that are a lot of fun and pull at your emotions but don’t really make you think (Hellboy 2). There are also movies that suck you in for 2 and a half hours of thought provoking, emotionally charged, character driven mayhem. The latter is a solid description of The Dark Knight.
Batman Begins took what many considered to be a silly fantasy world of Batman and turned it into something that is a viable representation of what it might have really been like if Batman existed. While it was a fantastic exposition to examine the path Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) took to become the masked crusader, it lacked a central focus to drive the entire movie. The Dark Knight starts right where Batman Begins left off, in a world where desperation has motivated criminals to boldly commit crimes they wouldn’t have dared previously.
The leader of this recent wave of criminals goes by the name of Joker (Heath Ledger) [God rest his soul]. Joker is a man who, like Batman, hides behind a mask, though his is one of makeup resembling a twisted clown. Joker first crosses the mobsters in town and then finds himself working for them in an effort to rid the city of what all criminals believe to be the greatest threat to their existence: Batman. The movie benefits greatly from the introduction of a central villain who is smart, witty, and psychotic. The central conflict between Batman and Joker is developed fantastically, with each side making headway at various points of the movie along with outcomes of those encounters that are unexpected. There is another villain who is introduced near the end who has a solid run reeking havoc as well.
Christian Bale and Heath Ledger give wonderful performances in the film. Heath Ledger’s is especially good, making it clear just how devastating his death is for movie audiences everywhere. Ledger’s Joker is masterfully played and never gets old. The soundtrack is a feat unto itself. Borrowing largely from their work on Batman Begins, Hans Zimmer and James Newton-Howard create a score that fits the tone and feel of the movie perfectly. They somehow find a way to take orchestral music and give it a dark and sinister power that rivals Batman. The soundtrack is truly a wonder to behold thanks to its thundering horns and soft strings.
The Dark Knight is a movie that takes what many would consider to be a childish character of Batman and infuses his character and surrounding story with multiple layers of morality and characters rarely seen in cinema these days. Every choice and character interaction feels as if it could exist in real life. The dialogue enhances this with phrases that will be remembered by film audiences for years to come. If Hellboy 2 is too much fantasy for your liking, The Dark Knight is one summer blockbuster you will want to see time and time again to catch every tiny morsel of hidden meaning that can’t be understood on first viewing. If you see nothing else this summer, get out and see The Dark Knight.
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by Dack
Could a movie based on a comic book win oscars? It's very likely with this stunning masterpiece. The Dark Knight may be a summer blockbuster that flocks of people are going to see to munch popcorn and escape the heat, but it's so much more than that. Heath Ledger elevates the movie to incredible heights with his haunting potryal of The Joker. If Heath Ledger doesn't get an Oscar nod, I'll be outraged. The Dark Knight not only is one of the best comic adaptions of all time, but it's easily the best movie so far in 2008. Everyone needs to see this film.
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Final Score
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