BalekFekete
Shared on Mon, 08/04/2008 - 09:07The Dark Knight has been out in the theaters now for over two weeks, and I'm quite certain you've heard the news. The movie is breaking each and every box office record so far, and has it's eyes on Titanic's record for overall box office score at a smidge over $600M. More over, I'm sure you've heard the reviews both from the critics and the normal Joes and Janes seeing the movie. For the record, this review falls into the later, and won't be anything different from what you've heard to date. I now know what movie will grace the third and final spot on the wall of my home theater room, next to Lord of the Rings and The Matrix. The movie is one of the finest I've seen ever...EVER.
I don't go out to movies often. Between the hectic family life that is built around a family of five, a good dose of a complex and challenging career, and a hobby of home theater which makes DVD-and-a-beer usually a superior experience than sticky floors and stale popcorn, I just don't. However, when I do it is for something that needs the big screen, the sound system to break up kidney stones...simply put, I reserve those trips for movies that deserve my $20+ (I don't go alone...ever) for a single viewing, and usually again for the DVD. They are fairly few and far between, but it's still a fun time out when we do go out. Then...take that and notch it up a level for a movie that I will travel an hour to King of Prussia and the IMAX theater. There's only been one before - 300. I'm happy to say that I didn't go wrong with that movie, and I certainly didn't with The Dark Knight. The visuals of The Dark Knight are things of beauty. Nolan continues to perfect his vision of what Gotham City is, and nails it again. Dark and gritty against your senses, Gotham is a hulking beast corrupt at its very soul and teetering on the edge of the abyss, but held upright by a few good people. Put those visuals up on a 5-story screen and it's optical bliss. Then, mix it with a soundtrack from the masters Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard and you have a feast for the senses.
The movie picks up where Batman Begins left off where our capped crusader, expertly portrayed by Christian Bale, is trying to keep Gotham moving in the direction of light while keeping his personal demons in check and not succumbing to the allure of the Batman. The movie introduces Gotham's newest DA Harvey Dent, with Aaron Eckart getting the nod, who has captured the heart of Wayne's once-and-still love interest Rachel Dawes, now played by Maggie Gyllenhaal. Throw in Michael Cane returning as the ever stoic Alfred and Morgan Freeman as Wayne's man-on-the-inside Lucius Fox and you have a cast built for success.
Finally, Batman's primo nemesis the Joker is introduced in The Dark Knight, played by the late Heath Ledger. I will admit I was wary when I first heard the news of that casting. Visions of A Knight's Tale and The Brothers Grimm were dancing around my head. Add to that the fact that the Joker has been done once before, and by none other than Jack (you don't need a last name when you say "Jack"...you know who), and I was concerned the casting of the major role would pull down the sequel.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
Ledger's portrayal of the demented sociopath was so spot on perfect that it gave me chills numerous times during the two-and-a-half hour runtime. I honestly wonder if the effort he put into the role contributed to his demise. He was simply perfect - from the shifting eyes to cracking voice to the facial ticks of a madman - it was perfect. This last casting will be both the crowning achievement of an all-too-short lifetime and what should in all right be awarded the 'Best Actor in a Supporting Role' Oscar posthumously. I'm both incredibly sad and nervous that Ledger will not be around for the next movie in the series. Like Richard Harris as Dumbledore, a new actor in the role simply cannot live up to what his predecessor set forth.
I'm not going to bother with any of the movie's plot because there just isn't a need. The very last thing I would want to do is spoil anything for a person who hasn't seen the movie yet. You deserve to see it in all it's glory with full anticipation and a clean, spoiler-free slate. But do that...do see it. And...when you do, watch the pencil. 
Two thumbs up...way, WAY up for Gotham's dark knight.
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Comments
Submitted by ATC_1982 on Mon, 08/04/2008 - 09:19
Submitted by BalekFekete on Mon, 08/04/2008 - 09:21
Submitted by TANK on Mon, 08/04/2008 - 10:19