Semi-Review:


First scene-Fuck yeah, somebody finally had the balls/brains to remake the "Anderson Tapes". Then with some sporadic sprinkles of the "French Connection", "Report to the Commisioner", and "Serpico", the movie gets into its groove of updating "Dirty Harry" through the filter of the "Departed" (American Version).

Heath Ledger-Start from a base of classic Jimmy Cagney "White Heat" era with a touch of "Public Enemy" era Cagney, Ledger builds the Joker. Then he morphs at times into a duel Jack Lemmon characterization from "Some Like It Hot" and "Grumpy Old Men". I also, caught traces of a drunk Truman Capote on the Dick Cavett show and a drunk Dick Nixon from the missing 18 min. of tape. The entire performance has the spector of death hovering over it ala Brandon Lee in the "Crow".

Eckhart shows why LaBute was ahead of the curve with this guy. Get this guy some leading roles in some A projects.

Nolan gets the core of Batman that Burton never did. Burton glomed onto the secondary aspect of the Batman mythology the "infinite sadness" or even lower down the chain, not fitting into society's norms. The core of Batman has always been fear. Born in the 1930s and child of the Depression and the return of booze, fear was always pulsating throughout Batman. It was the fear of the unknown (the coming war), fear of the dark, fear of self inflicted harm, etc. Batman was always about recognizing the fear, and hoping to overcome it and eventually control it, but too often succumbing to it, which is why the Joker has always been Batman's classic nemesis.

I loved the way the movie played with movie assumptions (who was going to be saved, who were the snitches, how were some actions going be resolved, etc). I would have loved it as an art-house film i.e. "Memento", but the acceptance of this film by the masses caused me to be a bit unsettled leaving the theater. The movie left me confused, which is good. Art should not conform to pre-conceived notions. This is a fine brew of film and movie and it has to be a positive that it is embraced by the masses. I am just concerned about exactly what they are embracing.

A- (to be revisted later)

Joker did remind me of Cagney at times.




True are they embracing Joker and his crazy antics which is the highlight of the film or the deep disturbing themes behind the film.

Absolutely incredible. What Christopher Nolan has accomplished in this challenging, uncompromising film is amazing. This film puts all of the past Batman films to shame. And frankly, every other superhero film. This is without a doubt the best one ever. Christian Bale owns his role, perfectly displaying the brooding demeanor underneath the costume. A superb supporting cast including Aaron Eckhart (who aces Harvey Dent's arc), old pros Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, and newcomer to the series Maggie Gyllenhaal (who is far more impressive than Katie Holmes was in Batman Begins) help this film become a true ensemble piece. There are not enough words to describe the brilliance of Heath Ledger's performance as the lethal, monstrous Joker. Ledger clearly threw himself into the role, cementing his place as one of the great villain performances of all time. Watching his stunning work in this film makes one feel pangs of sadness that this incredible talent's life ended so young. The cinematography in the various action sequences is top-notch; there is no dizzying MTV-style editing where you can't figure out what's going on. Along with the inferior but still excellent Iron Man, 2008 has shown itself to be a landmark year for the superhero film. A

It is a great film but there is that 10-15% that do not like it because it is not a fun light comic book film.

My sister found it good but average.



They fail to understand that entertainment or good film goes beyond boobs and explosions...

The exact line was "I'll help you this one time. But consider this my resignation. As long as this machine is at Wayne Enterprise, I won't be."

So yes, I see no reason why Morgan Freeman won't be back for a third movie. Afterall, WB will need another toy to market for Batman 3.

Edited my earlier post with some expanded thoughts.

Just saw it for the second time. There is no point commenting on Heath Ledger - or any of the cast, outside of maybe Eckhart - who is perhaps underrated on this board. I was glad Eckhart grinned and smirked as he did in Thank You For Smoking. The polished, personable, goody two-shoes image contrasts perfectly with the (later) gritty, crude, irrational Two-Face.

I applaud Nolan for an introspective experience, moreso than in Batman Begins. I found editing to be an issue...

Many of the sub-plots end only as they become clear or interesting. I think the first thirty minutes, after the mob bank sequence, should've elaborated on how Lau becomes involved in Gotham...I almost felt that Lau was thrown in to the picture to give the ferry dilemma some background. I think Nolan's direction suffers from the emphasis here, too, on the action sequences (whereas, he was given liberty with Batman Begins to capture Bruce Wayne's early years anyway he wanted...and you can tell, it feels like a better edited production -- even though the film remains action-free for more than an hour). Some of the scenes with one-on-one dialogue, or voice-overs and monologues, meant to reveal Batman's complexity, are out of place with the intense preceding scenes (especially the idea that Rachel made Bruce a promise that they would be together). In Batman Begins, these moments ooze effortlessly. I may be a little harsh here, but I think Nolan is a tremendous talent. This is certainly a larger transition for him, even more than Batman Begins was, coming off of Insomnia.

The white knight v. dark knight dichotomy is interesting in a way that gives the film a conclusion, without giving the film closure. Like in any great film, there is some haziness, some doubt, some things to leave the theatre thinking about.

Did anyone notice the Jonny Greenwood - TWBB influence in the score?

I loved the movie, but think that for all its characters, plots, ideas...there's still something more polished and enjoyable about Batman Begins. I want to next watch TDK side-by-side with a copy of the script and a remote control.

****-ish. Still leaps and bounds above every other action movie in a while.

Yes please!!

With a regular crowd, a non-front row seat, and actually being awake, I was able to take in the film more, and thus I loved it even more. I was able to look past my shock and disappointment that the film wasn't done exactly the way I wanted it, and appreciate the true work of art it is.

The story is dense, possibly confusing, but I liked it that way. Kept me on my toes, kept me having to figure it out, instead of being spoon-fed contrived plot developments in between expensive action sequences. Speaking of which, the action was intense and exciting when it was there, but it was decidedly (and refreshingly) sparse. This was a drama/mystery first of all, and the action was merely to support that.

I thought Gyllenhaal could (and should) have been better, but mostly everyone else was superb. Ledger and Eckhart were the show-stoppers, but I still maintain that Oldman kept the film grounded with his great, unflashy performance.

The editing was a bit too sharp at times, and the cross-cutting across sequences was both frustrating and effective, but the cinematography was brilliant and the use of the city was Michael Mann-like. And the music...


I did, and I thought it was great. The main action sequence (the truck in the tunnel) worked so much better with the almost background noise rather than intrusive, bombastic music.

This is a long, dark, epic piece of work. And I'm both loving and surprised that mostly everyone (from critics to mainstream) is embracing it.

Best film since TWBB, and it's actually pretty damn close to it.

Hopefully not. Fox is a crutch that I would think needs to be removed at some point.

Speaking of which, the Batpod's introduction was badass.

Fox will be back because after he inputs him name into the computer and starts to self-destruct, Gordon's voice-over says "Faith needs to be restored," or something along those lines. This implies that Fox believes Batman used it just this once and its gone.

I would just like to come out and say that I am glad that Nolan didn't use Michael Bay editing and try to cram so much over-the-top action into the chase sequences to appease the action junkies. All of the action/violence in this movie is organic its used to further the plot along, while entertaining and that idea is something that today's action movie makers just don't realize.

EDIT: And I don't think the was one instance when Nolan used slow motion and I was so happy to see that. Sit on it every action/comic book movie since the Matrix.

P.S I love the Matrix, this was an indicment on most other movies to copy them.

anyone think that the scene between the joker and batman after the truck flips over was a nice reference to the '89 Batman movie when Jack Nicholson and Michael Keane face off at the end of that movie?

I was definitely getting that vibe. Along with Ledger hanging from the building at the very end.

I can't think of one superhero movie with more explosions than The Dark Knight. Nor can I think of one (aside from like Catwoman and Elektra and Fantastic Four and shit in that league) that uses boobs, etc. as much of a ploy to entertain audiences.

Everyone's acting like The Dark Knight is a pure drama, and that's kinda bullshit. Yes, I think it is a brilliant film with brilliant drama, but come on... it has numerous chase scenes, lots of fights, lots of explosions, and a bunch of Bond-like gadgets. Part of it was filmed in IMAX just to leave a stronger visual impact during the action scenes. "Unbreakable" is an example of a "pure superhero drama," even if it isn't as good as TDK.

That would be like calling LOTR nothing but a fantasy drama: It's not like you would've liked it at all as much if you took out all the big fights and action.

A+++++++

lived up to the hype and than some.
the Joker was so,so,so,soooooooo good. it's too bad we won't see him again.

minor problem is Batman's voice. it's gotten worse since bb.

The thing with TDK is unlike most films, it wasn't concentrated on the action at all. Most action films are remembered for their crazy action scenes and explosions, but in the case of TDK, with all due respect to the efforts of the special effects people to make the beautiful chase scenes and explosions, those things are just forgettable, because there are a lot more things you could care about in the movie. Take away the action and TDK would still be a wonderful movie.

True, many people consider TDK more of a epic crime drama then a superhero film.

Meaning the film really does not show off Batman a lot but its focuses more on the other characters and on the story.

And he didn't use slow motion once. I hope this serves as a lesson to other filmmakers, watch older movies and realize that you don't need flashy cgi or quick cuts to make something memorable.

After thinking about the film, I raise the rating from A- to an A.


After talking with my friend (who shares my taste)


This is the GODFATHER of Comic Book Films...


Usually when you guys hype up a film, I usually go against you guys.

Here I agree 100%...

I completley agree Magnus, I think the whole truck sequence is probably the best action sequence since T2. I mean even the shot beforehand of the Joker riding alongside in his open car rifling at the police vehicle... just brilliant. And I do think the effects in this movie as as good as in Transformers, they're just not as flashy. I bought everything.

I actually agree with that. It was really reminiscent of old school action movies when directors were trying to go for visual beauty rather than visual chaos. The truck getting flipped was absolutely stunning. Today's action scenes take too many pages out of the Greengrass directing handbook.

hey now. Different styles for different folks. Greengrass is an amazing director and his movies are top notch. no need to bash him just because he's got a different style.

Oh no. I think the Bourne series is one of the best action trilogies I have seen in a long time. But not every single director needs to use his techniques. So it's refreshing to see Nolan use old school techniques to shoot his action scenes.

Now I feel bad for forgetting those. Watching that truck tumble was such a feast for the eyes. But my point is even though the action scenes are so memorable, there are so many other scenes that are far more memorable and just happen to be non-action.

And I agree on Bale being underappreciated, considering he's playing such a complex character, especially compared to say... Tony Stark.