The Dark Knight Review

[jitz]

I'll try to avoid spoilers, but in some places if you put two and two together, you might make a spoiler yourself. If you just want to know if it's good or not, well everyone knows it's great, so you don't need to read this.

Ok so I watched this movie in pure luxury with reclining chairs, waiter service and a smaller theatrette type theatre limited to about 20 or so people. That's completely irrelevant to the movie, but I know now if im going into a two and half hour movie again, this is the only way to watch these movies, beers brought out every half hour.

The Dark Knight is awesome, it's extremely long, it feels long, but you're enjoying every second of it. You really don't want the movie to end, and when it does close with a chilling "he is the dark knight." you're disappointed that the only way you'll see this movie again for awhile is by forking out more cash, atleast they deserve it though. It's really not left open for another movie either, it's wrapped up nicely which leaves you with that sense of closure that so many movies lack today as they leave them far too open for the guaranteed money making sequel.

Heath Ledger is the man. His portrayal of The Joker as insane, hilarious, and vicious goes far above and beyond what Jack Nicholson did, and kinda makes Jack look like an amateur in the process. The portayal of The Joker is so consistent, you really forget all about Heath, and just see The Joker. He'll win an Oscar for the performance, he would win anyway because everyone loves dead people, but he actually deserves it.

The Harvey Dent Movie aka The Dark Knight. Really this movie is all about Harvey Dent, the trailer doesn't even show this fact, but the entire plot revolves around this guy. He gets the most screen time out of any of the supporting actors, and Aaron Eckhart does a great job too. Batman fans and people who have seen Batman Forever know who Harvey Dent is.

Rachel Dawes aka The Plot Device is back in fine Maggie Gyllenhaal behind the wheel this time. I don't find her attractive in the slightest, so the dialogue from characters about her being attractive and stuff really come off as unbelievable to me. She looks like a poor man's Kirsten Dunst, and no doubt if the real deal wasn't so strongly associated with Spiderman, they would have gone with the real thing. Katie Holmes did a standard performance with the character, another actor who the same character in every movie they're in, but simply change the name. Maggie again doesn't really go about making the character her own, but it's probably not necessary. It just seems strange that Bruce Wayne and Harvey Dent are so infactuated with this bland, boring, unattractive person.

A few people didn't like the Batman 'growl' Batman Begins featured everytime Batman opened his mouth. Well it's back and it seems they've turned it up to 11. I understand they're simply trying to differentiate Batman from Bruce, but it does come off as over the top on a number of occasions. It doesn't detract from Batman, it's just one of those directorial choices that go down to personal opinion. I can't think of another way they could have changed Batman's voice, so I'll wear the growl and take it for what it is. Christian Bale again holds the entire movie up as Bruce Wayne, he was just a fantastic choice for the character. Also once again, Batman probably gets the least screen time out of anybody, but it works so well to not overplay the character. It's really all about plot advancement and dialogue than "lets get Batman to fight some street punks to get some action in there". There's plenty of action in the movie, but it's when the plot requires it. The bank heist at the beginning of the film is one of the best ever.

Go and see it.

[ALL STAR]

My bro gets the Guardian and he showed me the reviews the critics gave it, and some are total bullshit.

'One says for a superhero film, it is curiously bereft of playfulness' and he gave it 4/10 its bullshit got to ask how some people review things that they know nothing about.

Think just because its a comic book film some reviewers mark it down.

[Aero]

iron man was better... much better.

to me this movie was on par with the new hulk movie, if it wasnt for heath bein so awesome in it, or harvey dent for that matter, it would have been on par with the 1st hulk movie.

weird thing is, ppl compain its too long, i rarely felt it drag, its just not as awesome as what every1 is making out... heath is, the movie isnt.

i'd give it a 7.5/10 and still highly recommend you go see it at the cinema, but alot of ppl are saying its alot better than it is.

[ALL STAR]

I didnt really like Iron Man that much it was ok it lacked a good villian though, it could make up for it in a sequel.

I wouldnt even compare it to either Hulk films as they are both pretty bad.

I still think its the best comic book film ever made as it does so much more than any previous films and it does it well.

Think the only comic book film that comes close to the TDK is Spiderman 2.

Edited July 28, 2008 by ALL STAR

[Aero]

spiderman 1 was better than 2.

also, iron man was awesome for me, so i reckon it was the best super hero movie to date

[ALL STAR]

Actaully thinking about it Hellboy should be up there with spiderman etc as that film is kickass

[Spectre]

Just Saw it Today, great movie. Funny and the Joker was awesome, wished they had kept Two Face alive. but thats because hes my favorite Batman Villian.

[Aero]

hell boy was great, hell boy 2 is looking better.

[jitz]

Fuck, I spent 10 minutes trying to word my review so that I didn't spoil Two Face. Most people know who Harvey Dent is, but it wasn't known to what extent his role was. He's not on the trailer for a reason. Idiot.

Aero, you're overrating Iron Man massively, it really wasn't that good.

[RingMaster2001]

Iron Man was awful. I have never been more disappointed at the Cinema.

The Dark Knight was something else. One of the most enjoyable films I have been to see.

[Aero]

seems evident pl in northern ireland 9not including jonny) have different opinions that u guys, the mass majority of my m8s all said similar to what i posted. as such i'm gonna say ur overrating the dark knight massively jitz, it really wasnt that good.... mayb u spent more time enjoying having drinks brought to you that watching the movie!

batman himself was shit in it, which is probably why he wasnt in it too often, and its not acting ability that im questioning because bruce was great.

also, not that it would have gained any extra marks from me for doing it, but see the opening scene? would have been pretty cool if they played joker & the theif as he drove away

[jitz]

Nah, The Dark Knight has everything - action, drama, and romance. Iron Man couldn't even scrape together a coherent plot about...well that's the thing, I still don't understand what the movie was about.

[Aero]

see, i got it, thaats mayb the difference.

the dark knight "romance" storyline was shit, it served a perpose like, i get that, but it was uber shit. The 1st hulk movie had action, drama and romance... doesnt make it good.

[ALL STAR]

Well you mention Batman wasnt in it that often is because Harvey Dent is the main Story arc of the film showing his rise and downfall. Batman is in the parts that he needs to be in if he was in to much it would destroy the story arc of Bruce being conflicted with Batman. And the romance just helps with that.

Its the way everything is done within TDK which makes it good they could of just stuck some villians in and made it. But they showed the downfall of Harvey dent which is done amazingly well, also its a nice twist on the title as Harvey is Gothems white knight.

[RingMaster2001]

seems evident pl in northern ireland 9not including jonny) have different opinions that u guys

That is why Northern Ireland will never be a leading global power.

[Aero]

Well you mention Batman wasnt in it that often is because Harvey Dent is the main Story arc of the film showing his rise and downfall. Batman is in the parts that he needs to be in if he was in to much it would destroy the story arc of Bruce being conflicted with Batman. And the romance just helps with that.

Its the way everything is done within TDK which makes it good they could of just stuck some villians in and made it. But they showed the downfall of Harvey dent which is done amazingly well, also its a nice twist on the title as Harvey is Gothems white knight.

but thats just it, they did work out where to fit in batman and the romance around a great story... but then the scenes with them in it where poorly done, it brought down the standard of the movie.

also, ming.... erm.. shut yer... ah ur probably right.

[jitz]

Both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight follow a traditional three act story arc, where Batman isn't needed till the second arc. Even then Batman is used sparingly to give weight and importancy to the character in a story sense. Also keep in mind that this is a very young Batman, he's essentially on his second case. Unlike the Batman shown in the comics, animated series and all the other films, this Batman doesn't have the knowledge, skills or gadgets to take out 20 thugs at once. He isn't even going after the petty thugs, he's going after the head honchos to clean up the streets. That's the storyline, not, "oh we can fit in a another Batman action scene here".

The criticism of the film is ill placed, maybe you were just in a shitty mood when you watched it. You were clearly high when you watched Iron Man.

[Aero]

fuck off, seriously, you think i was waiting for batman to pull out fanct gadgets left right and centre to make it good? no all i'm saying is the batman scenes were shit, as was the love angle, you've decided to read more into what im saying that i actually am.

my criticism is not ill placed seeing how a. its my OPINION and b. other people have agreed with me.

as for my mood? i went in to both expecting something pretty good but being very aware of all the hype around them. batman was a bit of a let down, iron man wasnt... again my OPINION.

[RingMaster2001]

1. You are Northern Irish.

2. Only other Northern Irish people have agreed with you so far.

3. Northern Irish have no opinion.

4. Iron Man sucked, it looked like a cartoon rather than a live action film.

5. Batman rocked the socks off of intelligent filmgoers (Jitz and I)

6. Ergo; we win.

[takersfan]

They had to make Iron Man look like a cartoon. His suit isnt just fucking leather its Iron. Take that into consideration man.

[Aero]

takers fan? are you northern irish?

[jitz]

He's Canadian, same thing.

Well I hate to go back to what I always say, but once again, it's right. Your opinion is wrong.

[CS]

Okay Crocodile Dundee.

Edited August 1, 2008 by CS

[takersfan]

^Couldnt be here at a better time.

[RingMaster2001]

I get it. Chris is Australian so CS makes a Crocodile Dundee quip, because HE TOO is Australian. Very funny.