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- First reviewJuly 18, 2008
- Last reviewJuly 18, 2008
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Porkchop's Reviews
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5
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5
The Dark Knight is a crime masterpiece
PostedJuly 18, 2008
Porkchop
from Shelby Twp., MI
Over the last 5 months The Dark Knight has garnered an extreme amount of hype. And let me tell you, that hype was an understatement. Christopher Nolan's masterfully crafted crime epic is hands-down the best movie I've seen in years. It not only blows previous comic book-based films away (including its predecessor Batman Begins), it stands on its own as a truly wonderous work of art.
The film reunites Chris Nolan at the helm with Christian Bale under the cowl as well as the rest of the returning cast: Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, and stalwart Michael Caine.
With an incredible intricate and complex plot and a flawless script courtesy of Chris Nolan and his brother Jonathan, this takes the ages-old conflict of good vs. evil and examines it's grey areas. There is not much space between the madness of The Joker and the vigilante justice of the Batman. This movie examines the very foundations of a vast city at the brink of complete and utter chaos. And the catalyst of that chaos, a deranged, compassionless psychopath known only as The Joker.
Heath Ledger, in his last completed role before his tragic death, plays the maniac with pure, unadulterated glee. His Joker makes Jack Nicholson and even more so Cesar Romero's Joker's look like Pee Wee Herman. He kills for the pure thrill. His psychopathy is only enhanced by his grotesque appearance, complete with mangled clown make-up, greasy kelp-colored hair, a lip-smacking edginess, and a eerily haunting voice. Ledger comletely immerses himself in the role, terrifying the audience with his numerous, homicidal antics. The Joker is still humorous but in a sick and twist way. He'll make you laugh and make you hate yourself doing it.
His performance is iconic but the other key players are equally as impressive. Christian Bale continues to prove why he is such a versatile method actor, embodying the Batman persona with an emotional core previously vacant in past incarnations. Bale appears to be having a blast playing the playboy facade of Bruce Wayne. He is a rock. Maggie Gyllenhaal is leagues above Katie Holmes's flat portrayal of assistant D.A. and Bruce's love Rachel Dawes.
Aaron Eckhart was perfectly cast as district attorney Harvey Dent. He nailed the portrayal of the Batman mythos' most tragic hero. As most know, Harvey is destined to become the villainous Two-Face. Eckhart captures Harvey's emotionally driven fall from grace with pure talent. He was equally as impressive as Ledger in my opinion.
The film reunites Chris Nolan at the helm with Christian Bale under the cowl as well as the rest of the returning cast: Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, and stalwart Michael Caine.
With an incredible intricate and complex plot and a flawless script courtesy of Chris Nolan and his brother Jonathan, this takes the ages-old conflict of good vs. evil and examines it's grey areas. There is not much space between the madness of The Joker and the vigilante justice of the Batman. This movie examines the very foundations of a vast city at the brink of complete and utter chaos. And the catalyst of that chaos, a deranged, compassionless psychopath known only as The Joker.
Heath Ledger, in his last completed role before his tragic death, plays the maniac with pure, unadulterated glee. His Joker makes Jack Nicholson and even more so Cesar Romero's Joker's look like Pee Wee Herman. He kills for the pure thrill. His psychopathy is only enhanced by his grotesque appearance, complete with mangled clown make-up, greasy kelp-colored hair, a lip-smacking edginess, and a eerily haunting voice. Ledger comletely immerses himself in the role, terrifying the audience with his numerous, homicidal antics. The Joker is still humorous but in a sick and twist way. He'll make you laugh and make you hate yourself doing it.
His performance is iconic but the other key players are equally as impressive. Christian Bale continues to prove why he is such a versatile method actor, embodying the Batman persona with an emotional core previously vacant in past incarnations. Bale appears to be having a blast playing the playboy facade of Bruce Wayne. He is a rock. Maggie Gyllenhaal is leagues above Katie Holmes's flat portrayal of assistant D.A. and Bruce's love Rachel Dawes.
Aaron Eckhart was perfectly cast as district attorney Harvey Dent. He nailed the portrayal of the Batman mythos' most tragic hero. As most know, Harvey is destined to become the villainous Two-Face. Eckhart captures Harvey's emotionally driven fall from grace with pure talent. He was equally as impressive as Ledger in my opinion.
Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman deliver top-notch performances as Bruce Wayne's confidents Alfred and weapons liason Lucious Fox, respectively. They provide the film its emotional base, wisom, and the very few moments of humor. Gary Oldman disappears behind the skin of Lt. Jim Gordon (a truly fantastic performance).
Even with a complex plot, with many various subplots, The Dark Knight never relents or gets confusing throughout it's 2.5 hour runtime. The action sequences are breathtaking (especially in IMAX). The practical effects added to the films gritty approach. Nolan has vastly improved on his ability to choreograph intricate action set pieces from Batman Begins. Wally Pfister should be acknowledged for his vertigo-inducing cinematography. Gotham is much more modernized in The Dark Knight, weeding out any Gothic building, letting the natural beauty of Chicago shine through here.
The story of The Joker and his chaotic ambitions, Harvey Dent's emotional wrenching tragic arc, and the story of an almost ungovernable city, The Dark Knight is a true masterpiece in every category. It will go down in history as not only the best comic book adaptation ever but at one of the most intellectual, artful crime eipcs in the last decade.
The story of The Joker and his chaotic ambitions, Harvey Dent's emotional wrenching tragic arc, and the story of an almost ungovernable city, The Dark Knight is a true masterpiece in every category. It will go down in history as not only the best comic book adaptation ever but at one of the most intellectual, artful crime eipcs in the last decade.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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