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- First reviewJuly 20, 2008
- Last reviewJuly 20, 2008
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24frames's Reviews
Overall rating
5
/
5
Bright Lights, Dark Knights
PostedJuly 20, 2008
24frames
from Hartford, WI
New Batman is an excellent extention on the comic and previous 2005 film. It is respectful to the original material, well written, and easily the best film of the summer season. Fantasy can be difficult to bring to screen, especially when the stock characters are so universally recognized. Like the X-Men, Superman, Spider-man, and others that have ascended with Batman over the last several decades, the filmmakers of these comics-turned-feature films remain pretty close to the source material. Like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, a mythology is built around these 2-dimensional characters. The important thing all of the titles previously mentioned have in common is duality (think Annekin Skywalker, Gollum). Dark Knight takes on that theme and stretches the obvious through dialogue between Batman and the Joker, and the foreshadowing statement of Harvey Dent/Two Face in the dinner scene. Many other reviewers on this site will tell you about the deliciously evil performance by Heath Ledger as the Joker, and they would be right. In this film, the Joker is to evil what 007 is to good, and both take license to kill. An Academy Award nomination let's hope. He made me forget Jack Nicholson's terrific turn as that character 2 decades ago (but only for a little while), and I will never look at a #2 pencil in quite the same way. Christian Bale as Bruce/Batman is constantly questioning himself and his motives. The other actors, some with limited screen time, were also superb. The only exception to this was Maggie Gyllanhaal as the love interest. Her part was week and she was an expendable character eventually. The true power of this film comes from 3 things: 1.) the fabulous cinematography, so dark, bleak, forboding and nightmarish (not unlike the later comics); 2.) the superb camera work, especially when Batman is perched atop a skyscraper and it swoops from behind and over; and 3.) the lighting was almost film noir-ish on both Batman and Harvey Dent, unmisakably intentional and used to full effect. The director should be lauded for creating such a well thought-out narrative. It is also a good film for a film study course or a course in mythology or sociology or psychology. The special effects were top notch, and the music was good, too. If I had one complaint about the soundtrack mix, it would have to be at the end when Gordon is speaking to his son and the music overpowers Oldman's lines. This seems to be happening more and more lately, especially in the 5.1 or 7.1 mix. Just a thought. Anyway, Dark Knight is a terrific film with strong themes, astute directing, and excellent performances. This should be on your must-see list. A DVD on a small television screen just won't do Dark Knight justice.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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