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- Review count1
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- First reviewJuly 21, 2008
- Last reviewJuly 21, 2008
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Modigliani's Reviews
Overall rating
4
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5
Heath Ledger Steals An Already Good Show
PostedJuly 21, 2008
Modigliani
from Boston, MA
The Dark Knight is a very good film, though not quite as good as its five-star reviews. Although it probably deserves four stars (okay, four-and-a-half), both critics and viewers have consistently rated it even higher. To be sure, it features an engaging, character-driven plot, which is unusual for an action adventure film based on a comic book, and even contains a redeeming social message. Neither of those, however, would usually garner such stellar reviews. What elevates this movie to a higher plane is Heath Ledger's masterful performance as The Joker, who he plays as a brilliant, quirky, murderous sociopath. In so doing, he not only dominates the film -- which is saying something because the rest of the cast is excellent -- but establishes himself as one of the few actors of our time who can elevate a film beyond it's script, its genre, and even its director. In that, he joins the ranks of Tom Hanks, Russell Crowe, Sean Penn, and, ironically, Jack Nicholson (ironic because Ledger has even surpassed Nickelson's extraordinary performance in the same role back in 1989). Sympathy votes aside -- Ledger died of an accidental medication overdose in January at the age of 28 -- he is virtually certain to be nominated for another Oscar for Best Actor, and seems quite likely to win; indeed, his performance is so strong, it's difficult to imagine anyone beating him. His performance in The Dark Knight is likely to earn him cult status as the James Dean of his generation. Those who enjoy action adventure and special effects will almost surely enjoy both Ledger and the film in general. Christian Bale turns in a very competent performance as Batman, Michael Caine is even better as Alfred, his devoted butler (reprising a role he played in Batman Begins), and the rest of the cast is thoroughly competent and consistently engaging. (Warning: Although it's rated PG-13, the movie is quite violent, even frightening at times, and parents should think twice before permitting kids under 13 to see it.)
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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