The Dark Knight Review

Posted by Chad Webb on 07.18.2008

The wait is over. Batman has returned, but to cheers or jeers?

Christian Bale: Bruce Wayne/Batman
Heath Ledger: Joker
Aaron Eckhart: Harvey Dent/Two Face
Michael Caine: Alfred Pennyworth
Maggie Gyllenhaal: Rachel Dawes
Gary Oldman: Lt. James Gordon
Morgan Freeman: Lucius Fox
Eric Roberts: Salvatore Maroni
Nestor Carbonell: Mayor Robert Garcia
Cillian Murphy: Scarecrow
Chin Han: Lau
Nathan Campbell: James Gordon Jr.
Monique Curnen: Ramirez
Anthony Michael Hall: Reese
Melinda McGraw: Barbara Gordon
Michael Jai White: Gambol
Director: Christopher Nolan
Written By: Jonathan and Christopher Nolan
Release Date: July, 18, 2008
Running Time: 152 minutes







PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and some menace.

If all I wrote in my review was “Best Comic Book Film Ever”, I think everyone would be satisfied, and no complaints would be made about the content or quality of my writing. In truth, that could very well be what the world has received with The Dark Knight. It is/was the most anticipated blockbuster of the year, surviving buzz and gossip for months, even years, and it has surpassed all expectations. From top to bottom, all facets of this production are masterful. At this point, I think even Tim Burton would bow down to Director Christopher Nolan. He has crafted a shining diamond of an accomplishment that this generation will not soon forget.

Now that Batman (Christian Bale) has defeated Ra’s Al Ghul, he has developed into an almost mythical figure. Many think of The Caped Crusader as a savior, the man that will clean up Gotham City, but that is certainly not a unanimous outlook. He must contend with imitator Batmen, the Scarecrow, and the ferociousness of dogs. His actions have begun to cripple the mob bosses and other organized crime factions. This situation intensifies when new District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) wastes little time in attacking all the syndicates head on. In the meantime, he is involved with Bruce Wayne’s childhood sweetheart Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal), which is met with mixed opinions from the owner of Wayne Enterprises. With Dent, Batman, and Lt. James Gordon (Gary Oldman) as a trio preparing to wipe out crime, it seems as if the city will soon be a better place. Unfortunately, a psychotic madman named the Joker (Heath Ledger) has his own agenda, and is quickly ascending as the foremost menace. He gathers the mob and persuades them to unify under the goal of eliminating Batman. As the leader of this force, he wreaks havoc all over the streets and skyscrapers of Gotham. When Joker clashes with Batman he demands that he remove his mask, or the death toll will rise every day.

I have to be honest. I built up for this motion picture by revisiting Batman Begins and the 1989 Batman. I wanted to see them back to back and make my decision on what was superior in my own eyes. Burton’s vision held a special place in my heart since I was a child, but regardless, I would still give it the edge for any number of reasons. I love both almost equally, but even I who slightly prefers Burton must admit that The Dark Knight exceeds both of his efforts in the legendary Batman saga. It is a hypnotizing, unsettling, and imposing achievement. One statement that best describes this is that it does not look, feel, or sound like a comic book movie. Nolan attested that it go beyond the label of a mere “adaptation.”

Christian Bale epitomizes the Batman character in every way, shape, and form. He is a man of few words when in costume, he is not invincible, and he is not a hero in the eyes of all. As a matter of fact he is a dark and ominous individual who speaks with coarse, deep tones, and makes sure that each blow counts. Bale can safely position himself as one of the top actors to slip on this suit. He is noticeably skinnier compared to Batman Begins, probably due to Rescue Dawn, so the shirtless shots are few and far between. In terms of the strength of his portrayal, he exposes Wayne/Batman in a unique light never before seen. He is legitimately scared and unsure of how the chaos will conclude. Wayne doubts and questions his choices, and they all have consequences. These are not penalties that only movie characters suffer, but realistic ones that must be dealt with.

The first images of Harvey Dent are via news broadcast where he is seen walking into court with Rachel Dawes by his side. From that moment Aaron Eckhart’s depiction was oozing conviction, pride, and confidence. This is a powerhouse addition to his resume that proves how viable a star he can be. That is saying something after the acclaimed hit Thank You For Smoking. Dent is a man with guts. He is a person that will walk straight through occasional gunfire to reach his destination, and will not be intimidated by the warnings of any mob goon. He does not revel in the spotlight, but does not stay away from it either. He is a proficient speaker, a charismatic gentleman, and the mounting symbol of hope for Gotham residents. Eckhart nails it with class, magnificence, as his fate chills you to the bone.

I have come to a conclusion about Rachel Dawes. After being further bothered by Katie Holmes’ over the top job in Begins, I was anxious for Maggie Gyllenhaal to step into those shoes and repair some of the damage. To her credit, she treats Dawes better with her acting, but one fact has not changed since 2005. Rachel Dawes is annoying, no matter who is playing her. She is a self-centered, whiny, and insincere female who has two wealthy men in the palm of her hand. She is regularly a damsel in distress, but at least Gyllenhaal attempts to mold the character into a tolerable love interest and woman caught in the middle of the pandemonium, instead of just an intolerable pain.

If Cesar Romero was a mischievous and harmful trickster, and Jack Nicholson was a sadistic clown, Heath Ledger's Joker is an insane terrorist. He is a warped, sick, and eerie criminal hell bent on creating turmoil. His motives differ from the mob that ruled Gotham prior to Batman’s arrival. He is nowhere hear as funny as his predecessors, but nevertheless his mannerisms, speech, and unstable awkwardness will induce chuckles from time to time. Is his performance worth the hype? Yes. Heath Ledger is more memorable than any comic villain in history, and his death has no affect on that. If he was alive, and I wish he were to give more performances like this, it will still be hailed as it justly deserves because that was how Ledger approached the material. At times it is hard to believe it is Patrick Verona from 10 Things I Hate About You under the makeup. He had been elevating his game gradually since Monster’s Ball, and he has left us with a thought provoking, bizarre, and ultimately brilliant finale to his short career.

Many other faces, old and new, are notable as well for exemplary supporting contributions. Michael Caine is still fabulous as Alfred Pennyworth, an important and blunt mentor in the life of Bruce Wayne. He is a butler, but one that guides and soothes Bruce through the ordeal. Gary Oldman is a controlled and dependable police Lieutenant in James Gordon. Oldman is as reliable as usual, though Gordon is considerably more momentous in how the events unfold. And who could forget Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox? This is not uncharted territory for Freeman, but he packs an impact for his screen time.

Christopher Nolan has landed firmly in a higher phase of his directorial career. This is his sixth film, and with such amazing consistency, he is now in the same category as a Ridley Scott, with or without the frequent award nominations. I cannot say how much CGI was utilized in the making of The Dark Knight, but the explosions, stunt work, and gunfire expressed absolutely no flaws to the naked eye. Maybe they squared off a random city and just blew it to shreds, I don’t know. The action sequences are glorious, such as a thrilling moment where Joker chases an assembly of cop vehicles in a tractor trailer truck with a bazooka. Nolan’s timing is meticulous, yet perfect in that he understands exactly when to shift from a riveting conversation to an exhilarating shootout, suspenseful terror, or substantial encounters.

Christopher and Jonathan Nolan have weaved a complex tale of greed, power, judgment, and the sacrifices of eradicating a greater evil for this seedy world. It is not as simple as good guy versus bad guy. Many lines are not only quotable, but fit the proceedings with sheer excellence, such as Joker’s “When the chips fall, the people will eat themselves.” The music from James Newton Howard and Hanz Zimmer fills the adventure with passionate, inspiring, and brooding sounds. Cinematographer Wally Pfister has sprouted from soft porn backgrounds to delivering angles on an epic scale. He captures Gotham, with Nolan’s supervision, as a domineering and daunting area that shapes its citizens to fit the same mood.

When I arrived approximately an hour ahead of schedule, I noticed that the majority of the seats in my particular theater will almost filled to capacity. It was being shown in 4 different rooms, and I had to pass three tellers before entering and finding a seat. Once the lights dimmed, and iconic logo was displayed, all the noise silenced as we all became engrossed in what was transpiring. In the decades that will pass, the millions of young viewers that attended screenings for The Dark Knight will still remember the event as vividly as those who were similar ages saw and soaked in Star Wars.

The 411: I have been reading and hearing so much about The Dark Knight for so long that I thought it an impossible task to reach this rating. I do not give it out lightly, and I tend to become even harsher as the hype grows. I loved this movie from start to finish. Any sort of movie fan could not ask for a better experience. I could grumble about Bale's overly deep voice when he is in costume, or a few other minor things, but why bother? This is fantastic. You have it all here in a masterful 152 minutes of action, drama, humor, and suspense. If they do continue the series, and with the money this will take in, I can’t see why they wouldn’t, this will be mighty hard to beat.

Final Score:  10.0   [ Virtually Perfect ]