The Dark Knight [WS] [DVD] [2008]

The Dark Knight is the start of a new era for comic book films, and even for summer blockbusters. A smart, dark, realistic film, it seems like an antithesis to the flashy, shallow entertainment that generally fills the multiplexes in the hot summer months. This is the kind of film that you go out of your way to refer to as a "film". The story begins about a year after the events of Batman Begins. Batman (Christian Bale) and Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) have formed an unofficial alliance and are hard at work to take down the Gotham mob, who are weker than ever. Along comes a mysterious bank robber known as the Joker (Heath Ledger, in the final performance of his career, and one of the most memorable ever) who has spent the last year stealing mob money for fun and now comes to the crime bosses of the city with an interesting proposition: he will take out the Batman for half of their loot. They mock him at first, but soon are forced to accept his deal. However, as the Joker's crimes become deadlier and more out-of-control, everyone in Gotham realizes that the only one who can stop this menace is Batman, who in the Joker finds his deadliest foe: a maniac without fear who obeys no rules and will stop at nothing to bring chaos upon Gotham and take the very souls of its citizens. Meanwhile, Harvey Dent, the new District Attorney of Gotham joins Gordon and Batman in their quest to stop the mob, but is soon forced to make terrible sacrifices and must even risk his relationship with Rachel Dawes, who is Bruce Wayne's childhood friend. If the story sounds complex, it's because it is; wonderfully so. Never before has a summer action film has such varying layers of depth. It thrills and engages the mind. The performances range from good to great; Ledger's turn as the Joker will likely net him an Oscar nomination or victory for Supporting Actor. The Dark Knight is the farthest thing from disposable entertainment, and its high level of accessibility to a mass audience merely adds to its greatness. This really is the Godfather II of graphic novel adaptations.

Chris Nolan and Christian Bale came back to true form in this sequel to the new, revamped, Batman franchise. Christian Bale does a consistent job on Batman, but his voice for the character has been reduced to almost a growl. It's overdoing it just a bit, but the character comes across non the less. Caesar Romero and Jack Nicholson has brought their creative renditions of the Joker (and BOTH are one of the greatest actors in their own right), but Heath Ledger nailed The Joker right on point. The Joker is not a comic character or some psychopathic clown, but just a person who's totally demented and the dangerous part-The Joker KNOWS it. Heath Ledger's approach was simple and to the point, but Heath made The Joker his own. The story has many twist and turns as Batman including the cops and criminals, are all caught in The Jokers web of manipulation and deception. No one is spared against The Joker's sadistic cruelty. He creatively uses their strengths and weakness against each other to create a chaotic world for his control and amusement. The story has a tendency to drive the point of how people handle situations in the moment of crisis a little to hard, but it gets the job done. The composition within the cinematography are fantastic although I would have favored a more edgier, more contrasty lighting as seen in Road to Perdition shot by the late Conrad Hall. The fact that most of the stunts were shot live as opposed to CG added to the flavor and "realism" in Batman. Heavy CG use would have reduced the impact of the character and the story. The use of the Chicago location couldn't have been more perfect as opposed to the "Cabinet of Dr. Calagari" inspired set design of Tim Burton's Batman. Over all I give Batman: The Dark Knight a high rating and must see for all fans of Batman and all fans of good crime movies.

Chris Nolan and Christian Bale came back to true form in this sequel to the new, revamped, Batman franchise. Christian Bale does a consistent job on Batman, but his voice for the character has been reduced to almost a growl. It's overdoing it just a bit, but the character comes across non the less. Caesar Romero and Jack Nicholson has brought their creative renditions of the Joker (and BOTH are one of the greatest actors in their own right), but Heath Ledger nailed The Joker right on point. The Joker is not a comic character or some psychopathic clown, but just a person who's totally demented and the dangerous part-The Joker KNOWS it. Heath Ledger's approach was simple and to the point, but Heath made The Joker his own. The story has many twist and turns as Batman including the cops and criminals, are all caught in The Jokers web of manipulation and deception. No one is spared against The Joker's sadistic cruelty. He creatively uses their strengths and weakness against each other to create a chaotic world for his control and amusement. The story has a tendency to drive the point of how people handle situations in the moment of crisis a little to hard, but it gets the job done. The composition within the cinematography are fantastic although I would have favored a more edgier, more contrasty lighting as seen in Road to Perdition shot by the late Conrad Hall. The fact that most of the stunts were shot live as opposed to CG added to the flavor and "realism" in Batman. Heavy CG use would have reduced the impact of the character and the story. The use of the Chicago location couldn't have been more perfect as opposed to the "Cabinet of Dr. Calagari" inspired set design of Tim Burton's Batman. Over all I give Batman: The Dark Knight a high rating and must see for all fans of Batman and all fans of good crime movies.

One of my most favorite movies I've ever seen. The movie is dark and disturbing and the acting all around is great. All the actors did a great job, but unfortunately Maggie Gyllenhaal (sp?) still couldn't put life into the Rachel Dawes character. She did better than Katie Holmes in Begins, but I think the character in general is just weak. Eckhart did an amazing job as Dent, though I think they rushed what happens at the end just to wrap up that story in this movie. However, the whole movie was stolen by Ledger who puts out one of the creepiest performances I've ever seen and easily propels himself into one of the greatest villains of all time easily. This performance far surpasses Nicholson's version, though they are two completely different Jokers. Oldman steps up as Gordon and one scene in particular makes you cheer out loud. Caine is still a heartwarming Alfred that makes you smile and feel good, and of course Bale still delivers as the best Batman yet. Storywise, it's the Joker breaking down Gotham and showing everyone that they are just steps away from completely breaking and becoming villains themselves. He goes for Dent in particular because he's seen as the best among the people who inspires hope. But in his way is the Batman, and Joker is willing to bring him down to fulfill his goals of anarchy. Really, it's an amazing movie with the only complaint I've really heard is being that it's too long, which I sortof agree with. They set it up nicely for a third film if they wish to do so, and hopefully they do (and more likely will after the success of this film). This movie is action packed, character-driven, heart-felt, and everything you could want in a film wrapped into a 2 1/2 hour bundle of excitement. Definately a must buy on my list.

While plenty has been said about The Dark Knight and how amazing it is, this collectors edition set with the Batpod can frustrate some Blu-Ray owners. Some of you out there are like me and purchase the biggest, baddest, top-of-the-line edition of anything we are going to purchase, but likewise, we keep our collections orderly and like everything to be neat, uniform, and alphabetical on our shelf. I know this doesn't apply to everyone, but some of you reading this are in the same boat as me. Just know that this will not go nicely into your collection, as the discs' case is built directly into the figurine. No alternative like the collector's editions for Blade Runner or Hellboy 2 or even the previous collector's edition for Batman Begins. Great movie, great extras, but just remember that if you're very particular about how your collection is organized, you're gonna have a figurative square peg to somehow get into a round hole. I WOULD NOT recommend the CE to someone who was as particular as I am, but would gladly recommend it to everyone else.

I want a hero that will hold my flashlight during the dark night. You know, I really wanted to like this movie. I know a lot of people do by the reviews and the way my friends talk about it, I just don’t know what I missed. This movie is actually pretty great. It is just not that great of a movie. Let me explain this to you. The movie has a great story and is creative, just would have fitted into a comic book better. It is rather stressful to sit down and watch the whole thing through. I don’t know, it’s just too dark for a relaxing watch, definitely good for a serious viewing though. Now, you might be thinking that I am the type that does not like gritty, dark films, but I have watched and enjoyed films such as: Flags of Our Fathers, Black Hawk Down, Saving Private Ryan, etc. Also, people come to love the most horrible character I have ever seen depicted in a movie of any type, the Joker. Now, I just don’t find it too humorous when you make a joke of a pencil going through some dude’s head, killing your hired hands, and blowing up hospitals. There is more, but I do not wish to spoil your afternoon with spoilers. (There is a reason they are called that.) What I meant earlier by the first sentence in this review, is that Batman seems to have lost his edge to kill or at least seriously threaten the head honchos. In the first installment of the series, he leaves his mentor on the track to his doom. In this film, he is reluctant to hurt that pretty face of the Joker’s we have all seen. Watch the film and prove me wrong, you will most likely enjoy it for at least the first time.

This movie was absolutely amazing!!! This is at the top of my wife and I's list of greatest movies ever made! Not to take away from Batman Begins, but this one was better. (But then again, it's really just one movie in two parts.) I personally have to be honest, when I heard Heath Ledger was going to be the Joker, I was upset. Not only because he had never really played a bad guy (Ned Kelly doesn't count), but because I didn't think he would live up to Jack Nicholson's Joker. Boy was I wrong! Not only did I eat my words, but he surpassed J.N.'s Joker! Don't get me wrong, I'll always love and appreciate J.N.'s Joker. But, H.L.'s Joker was much darker and more sinister, as he was originally meant to be. I also thought they did an outstanding job, (not only character wise, but special effects wise), with Two-Face. I love the new Batman films because they've started all over, making the films more dark and serious the way they were intended. Much like the Punisher, Batman was always suppose to be a sort of a bad good guy. Not the comedical Batman of the past, or the goofy Batman from the 50s and 60s spoofs. This is the REAL Batman, as it was intended! Heath Ledger actually was so into character that it messed with him mentally, and eventually led to his untimely death (allegedly). But, he will live on in this film. The performance of a lifetime, he will be missed! This is a must own movie, I highly recommend!!! I also recommend Batman Begins and look forward to the Dark Knight sequel. (From what I understand, Johnny Depp will take the role of the Riddler, I can't wait!)

In response to the only "bad" review to this movie, everyone did a great job acting even though I would have rather had Katie Holmes at Rachel, but the Maggie did a good job for that part. What made the other actors/actresses possibly not look as good is Heath Ledger. Heath Ledger as the Joker, not one person can honestly say that they thought he was going to perform as well as he did. Never in his career has he starred as a character as dark, twisted, and crafty as the Joker. His role outshined the other characters, but with exception to Rachel, you couldn't have picked a better cast for this movie. Most of us have seen the movie, but in regards to those who haven't I won't spoil it but I will say that Aaron Eckhart did an amazing job bringing out his other side throughout the movie. (hint, hint) This is the darkest chapter of the Batman saga, with the perfect combination of action, suspense, and drama. After what happened to Heath Ledger, can we expect another movie with this fantastic cast directed by Christopher Nolan? I know that this series can't end like this...after all that is what happened with the Michael Keaton series. Two good gothic style batman movies were made and they were amazing especially the first one, but with Michael Keaton gone...it took an enitrely different angle and I was not much of a fan of those movies. Now with the Christian Bale series, I have been nothing less than astonished by what Christopher Nolan has done and there must be a third movie or else DC movies is pretty much done for another twenty years before they remake the movies again.