The Dark Knight (2008), Christopher Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart; dir. Christopher Nolan
Batman Begins was a damned fine origin story, with killer set design, great costumery, and a solid story. (Oh yeah, and a damned fine cast, too.) The Dark Knight has all of that, sure, but this second venture is a layered exploration of order and chaos, morality and madness. Ledger’s Joker is a tour de force, a nonstop maelstrom of comic fury and psychotic punch. And the writers captured the Batman/Joker dichotomy perfectly. The added thread that further twists that web is the addition of Harvey Dent. Ah, Harvey—another facet of madness, complete with scarred coin, though with a fine alteration to the original minting. And Harvey the uncaped crusader has the central line in the film: “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” One might offer that up as a theme, but it’s just not that simple—layered; I said layered. Batman—or, properly, the Batman—feels more real than other superheroes. Why? Simply put, his lack of powers. Batman is a nearly imdomitable warrior, true, but he is all too human; in the movie and in the comic, scenes are often given to surgical repairs, whether performed by the faithful Alfred or by Bruce himself. His tools are technology and his own body, not flight or X-ray vision or silicon webs. But this movie is not about Batman or the Joker—it’s about humanity. It’s about that moment where we have to look our darkest selves in the eye and make a choice: fight or give in. Where the film gets it right—no, where it exceeds expectations—is in its bleakness. The characters talk of hope, but Gotham has none. I mean, sure, the symbolism is operating—Batman offers hope, Dent offers hope, of kinds, but many of the detectives in Gordon’s Major Crimes Unit, the special unit meant to bring order to the city, are dirty; the mob runs most of the city; and Batman’s presence, his beginning, seems to have made Gotham more dangerous, not less so. But Bruce Wayne sees something in Harvey Dent, a hope for himself and for his city, and this movie is Harvey’s story almost as much as it is the Joker’s or the Dark Knight’s. The questions of morality, or of survival perhaps, that fill this story are questions born of the age. The nihilism of this Joker, the desolation of amorality, the atmosphere of fear that inhibits Gotham, the readiness to turn on what was once loved or at least admired, even the technological tool that enables Batman to find the Joker (Echelon?)—these are of our time; they speak to the world we face now. It’s bleak out there, and courage comes in many forms; justice comes from many directions. There is one thing we can agree on—we need heroes, and we need those who operate under cover of the dark. And sometimes, sometimes, those two are one and the same. (Promotional image (c) 2008 Warner Brothers)
37 comments:
You have definitely earned this movie a place on my shelf. I always love the villain, the more amoral the better. He always seems to be the most realistic to me. The Joker has always been a favorite of mine, so really all that would have been necessary would be saying "They got the Joker right," but your description of the complete hopelessness of the city makes it infinitely better.
Only after taking the Power and Media class did I decide to go out and see this movie, and I really liked it. I agree with you about the cast and other aspects of the movie itself. I thought it was a great movie and thought it went well with the comic (at least the few Batman comics I've read.)
I think that movie was a good movie. I sow it on the big screen. My faveret part is the new bet car.
This post is ooberly well thought out. When I first saw the movie I was in love. There were so many meanings and life stories within the main idea of it, but I didn't particularly think of it the first time I saw it. The second time around, I thought about the larger picture. How many morals there were in the story. My favorite and most influential part of the movie was when Batman took the blame for Harvey at the end of the movie so Gotham could have their 'hero'. This shows the giving of yourself for the 'greater good' or what its thought to be. Along with this moral there are many others hidden within the movie, it is well made visually but there is more deep down.
~Silver~
I have to agree with you on this one, Dark Night was a freaking hell of a film. But I've got to say what made it for me was how vastly different it was from the modern make of movies today.
Most noticeably, the aim of the film. Despite the superhero aspect of the whole "Batman" thing, this wasn't really a kid movie. The dark humor and lack of easy laughs making this fall on to a whole different level.
Then there was Heath Ledger's Joker. Played more as (as you said) a nihilist, terrifying in itself. Comparing Heath to past jokers quite frankly makes them look like (pardon the pun)a joke.
Though I love the choice of actor for Bruce Wayne, I absolutely hate him as Batman. His voice being so scraggly and gross is more distracting than effective.
And as someone who hates the superhero movie theme thing (With great power. . .) this one was more or less standable. Still a little bit forced, but it could have been worse.
In all, great movie and its a shame there won't be more with Heath. :C
When I watched The Dark Knight, I couldn't help but connect the Batman's actions to the actions of Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series. He appears to the masses as a bad guy but really works behind the scenes to try to change things for the better. Severus Snape is like the Dark Knight of Harry Potter!
This was a very good review/overview of The Dark Knight. While I myself have not seen the movie, I think you did a good job of pointing key things out without saying too much.
I completely agree about the casting roles Mr. B, it was orchestrated perfectly. I think that its' clever how you labeled Dent as the "uncaped crusader" because that's exactly what he was in the movie; during the day they turned to Dent and when the sun fell they relied on the Batman. I also think you hit the point about no hope very well. Batman saves Dent because he knew he could make a difference but in saving him, he actually creates more chaos(two face) who goes on a killing spree on all that hurt his loved one. Mr. B, I'm sorry if nothing makes no sense, but I think your post was good and I understood it but didn't quite know how to word my response.
Alright, this is me posting my comment. Sorry, I got distracted over the weekend. :p
So yeah, I really like your post. I completely agree with it. A lot of the people I've talked to who've seen the movie don't understand the ending and I'm just like "...Are you dumb?"
Batman was already gradually becoming more and more hated. But the people of the city were looking to Harvey Dent for savior. They had put all their hope on him. If the city of Gotham had known he had gone on that ridulous rampage killing those important people, commiting those crimes (witch I still think was sort of a bit of an over reaction, despite the Joker's manipulation), it would've been devastating. All that hope would've been blown away. That's why Batman took the blame. It was the only possible way he could think of to cover it up.
And just because I haven't said it yet... the Joker rocks and he is my hero. :]
"Madness is like gravity. All it takes is a little push." -Joker
Must remember that the Joker is many different things, can't label him psychotic, or any thing honestly. I like to go with Super-Sane. When someone can create such schemes in all sense and knowledge and, as seen in the movie, catch even the batman off guard, (hint hint: Harvy)
The first time I heard about the movie I wasn't the excited about it. I had heard it was a good movie and the Heath Ledger was the perfect joker. Now, that I have seen it i couldn't agree more. I also thought it was cool how you made the comment that Batman is more realistic in the sense that he has no special powers, Batman uses technology. That to me makes it a lot more fun to watch. More hand to hand combat fight scenes.
dwaynep's comment was terrible
kidding......
I agree that it makes it more realistic that he has no special powers and uses technology to help people. I haven't yet seen the movie but with the responses to this posting I will have to watch it
After reviewing the posts from different students, I have noticed that many of them commented on how batman gave himself up to keep the cities faith in Dent alive. I think I was mostly surprised that some of them went so in depth and reached into the subject. I was especially intrigued by yellow jacket man's comment on the comparison between snape and batman. After i thought about it some I figured it out and was psyched that he made such a connection.
I think that the dark Knight is like Severus Snape, too. It is a good point when Yellow Jacket Man said “Severus Snape is like the Dark Knight of Harry Potter!”. I think that this is cool because I am a fan of Harry Potter and that it is cool that Yellow Jacket Man could make that contusion.
Severus Snape is definatly like the Batman of Harry Potter! I never thought of it that way. It's really cool that Yellow Jacket Man thought of that, creative too. I never would have even begun to compare two movies that way. :)
(in Response to ~Silver~)
You have to remember that just because you can be a scapegoat that doesn't mean people are going to like you. People are going to get what they want and its those scapegoats that are needed to sacrifice for the "greater good".
Sounds a lot like Jesus when he died for all the sins of those who hated him.
This movie was amazing. I went to the opening night at ever since then i loved it. i bought it the first day it came out and watched it over and over.it has everything a movie should have and even more. The storyline is incredible, with characters that play their parts exceptionally well. Heath Ledger's joker has got to be one of my favorite movie characters of all time. He puts Jim Carrey's joker to shame. Ledger's joker is exactly what a movie villain should be like.
I heard the movie was good but, I was like "great another stupid batman movie." I went for about 4 months after it came out before I saw it. I thought it was a pretty sick movie. The joker is played perfect.
I, myself went to see this movie and i thought it was amazing. Its by far one of the best movies i've ever seen. The Dark Knight is an action-packed movie but also presents many interesting thoughts and ideas.
This movie was so well done in so many ways. Ledger's "Joker" role was phenomenal and will be remembered by everyone in the cinematic business. On top of that, the director hides many morals and messages about society in this film without making it blatently obvious, making the viewer look past the 'black-and-white' image to comprehend his work. The Dark Knight is simply one of the best movies of the 21st century thus far... C'mon, how many movies even get considered to be put back in theaters, hoping to break the 'one billion' mark?
The Dark Knight is a great movie. I think that you hit the nail on the head with your description of the film. I watched this movie thanks to a couple of my friends that lent me the Dvd after telling me how great it was. On e of my personal favorite parts in this films was the comedy relief that it gave. Best I think was the part where the joker (Heath Ledger) blows up the hospital and how his reaction to its not immediate explosion. he was deffinitly the right man for that role in the film
This definitely was a good movie I got it right when it came out. I like the reference to all the other superhero movies like Spiderman and Superman that was good. When I watched this movie I though it was way better then all of the other movies.
-R
I totally agree with you about the cast and everything. This movie is awesome and in a twisted way, heart touching. The joker is my favorite character because of the way he thinks. In my opinion he is a heartless monster that I can totally relate to. Over all the review was good.
Have way seen Twilight yet? If so what are your thoughts?
I really liked this post. You made a lot of good points about the movie.I think the thing that intrigued me the most about the movie was how realistic is was. The problems that Gotham faces in their town, especially the crime is very real to today’s issues. I also like how morals play into the film. I love the scene where the citizens and the convicts are on the boats leaving Gotham. Both groups are faced with the decision to either blow up the other boat or let the joker kill everyone. When both groups refuse to kill each other is a really powerful scene. It gives the viewer hope that there still is some hope left in society. I agree that the cast is amazing (especially Heath Ledger) and the cinematography of the fight scenes are just amazing. This is definitely one of my favorite movies of all time!
Skylar Storm-
I agree with you that the movie was heart touching. In my opinion one of the most heart touching moments was at the end, when Batman took the blame for Harvey. Batman knew that the people of Gotham would be crushed if they knew that Harvey was really the bad guy. The fact that Batman was willing to ruin his image was very touching. The Joker is also my favorite character.
to Rambo, you should defintly see this movie its realy worth seeing. i thought i was going to hate it because im not into action movies. But this one i just loved and now own.
i agree with nardy24 when i heard about the movie i thought it was going to be another horrible movie...but it actally was pretty good. The Joker in the movie was amazing, they just made the movie.
In response to GCAL 22, this was an exelent movie. Throughout the entire thing it is very action packed with different thoughts and ideas. I enjoyed watching it over and over.
I agree with Starnight1254 saying it was a goo movie, but not to be mean but I think you should stop watching movies and go out and get a dictionary. Then most of all I agree with samk125 I wont be looking at movies and anything media related again he same way. But I think it should be an mandatory class because it opens peoples mind's even more.
(in response to Skylar Storm)
SS-
I feel that there's a fine line between Twilight and Batman. I can't stand all the hype about Twilight. Maybe it's an unfair prejudice, the fact that my mom is OBCESSED with Twilight, and can't seem to get enough of it. This just turns me off from the whole fantasy/vampire aspect of movies.
Batman was great because it placed a hero into a REAL environment. Instead of having a world about mythical creatures. The reality Batman presents can grab a viewer's attention better.
For all the Twilight lovers, I have nothing against your personal taste in movies. I just feel that mythical creatures and movies are designed for those who don't have a clear understanding about society and the real world around them, or those who can't accept that vampires aren't real.
This movie sky rocketed to the top. There arn't very many movies that can do that, while straping you down to your seat as you go for a wild ride. I would definitely agree with the other comments made, it was a in my opinion a best picture type of movie. And as others said the thing that pulls you in the most is the fact that Batman is just like everyone of us. He has to use his mind as well as his strength to vanguish evil. He doesnt have any super powers like Spiderman or Wolverine he has to use the power of his brain. And as you can see that can put you on top.
As everyone else has said in there reviews the movie in general was absolutely amazing. The special effects were sweet, and they made the car even better. Everyone says the cast is so great, but what about them is so great. I mean i completely agree with all of you.
yes I have seen twilight. I think that was vary good but a little bit creepish the way Edward C was all most stalkerish when he first met bella. but that is not the point, the point is the themes in the dark night and twilight have in common are that we have a choice. A choice to pick the lesser of two evils. like in twilight edward could bella become a vampire and then they could be to gether but then she could never be with her famly for fear killing them, or suck the venom out and risk killing her. but in the dark night, batman has the choice of geting the joker or saveing the city, the out comes are different but the choices are not.
When I went to see this movie I went with a bunch of people who had seen the first movie and they constantly compared the to the first. They all said that it wasn't as good as the first. But I enjoyed all the movie and still haven't seen begins. I thought that the characters in this movie were very well played. As a little girl I always watched Batman on television. I believe that Christian Bale was a very good Batman!
The Dark Knight is a really great movie. It does have all that stuff you said and its just a really great movie to watch
I already agree that the movie, was good. I saw it A while back, it was very dark, but still it was a good movie, definitely worth seeing, but perhaps not worth buying, unless you are a true batman fan.
I have watched this film, i agree with you on some things, but in opinion i think this was the best film the hole year.I mean Heath Ledger is an amazing actor, and so is everyone in the film. It's just something About Ledger in this film that makes him stick out as a villain, and it just made the film happen..
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