"This town deserves a better class of criminal. And I'm going to give it to them." - The Joker
Unless you've been living on the moon for six months, you know that today (Friday July 18) marked the premiere of The Dark Knight, the Bat-sequel to the 2005 movie Batman Begins. Like the true nerdy man-child that I am, I went to the midnight showing at the South Pike Cinemas last night, and I now have a command for anyone who may be reading this right now:
SEE THIS MOVIE!!!
That's not a suggestion. And I'm not talking from the viewpoint of someone who gets a boner for superhero movies. And this is not awesome in the way that Highlander or Star Trek V are awesome. This is not just a great superhero movie. This is a fantastic film by all counts. I command all of you to see it!
"I believe that whatever doesn't kill you makes you.... stranger." - The Joker
This movie picks up where Batman Begins left off. Batman has become legendary in Gotham City. Criminals fear him. Wannabes imitate him. The police and mayor revere him. As promised in the last movie, Batman is proving that good can triumph in his city.
Then the Joker shows up. And that's exactly how it happens. He just turns up. There is no origin story for the Joker, unless you count the three completely different tales that he provides regarding the origins of the smile-shaped scar on his face. The Joker brings chaos and pandemonium to Gotham simply because, as Alfred says...
Then the Joker shows up. And that's exactly how it happens. He just turns up. There is no origin story for the Joker, unless you count the three completely different tales that he provides regarding the origins of the smile-shaped scar on his face. The Joker brings chaos and pandemonium to Gotham simply because, as Alfred says...
"Some men just want to watch the world burn." - Alfred
Anything you've heard about the performance from the late Heath Ledger cannot begin to describe his take on the Joker. I've heard some critics claim that Ledger should win a posthumous Oscar for his performance, and while I think that's a bit premature, I wouldn't be surprised to see him nominated. His Joker is an amoral, depraved sociopath with zero empathy, and you can't help but laugh at his lines and behavior - and then feel dirty for laughing. Ledger also has this way of licking his chops while he talks so it sounds like he's chewing on every word. That's sounds a bit odd, but when you see the movie (remember, that's a command!) you'll know what I mean.
"You either die a hero, or you live long enough to watch yourself become the villain." - Harvey Dent
The Joker certainly drives all the action in the story, but he doesn't represent the emotional core of the story. Hell, even Batman isn't really the character with an arc. Batman's dual identity is firmly established. The real drive of this story comes from Harvey Dent, played by Aaron Eckhart.
Anyone with even a passing familiarity with the Batman universe should know that I'm not spoiling anything when I say that Harvey's story doesn't have a happy ending. (A link for the less informed) Harvey Dent is the newly elected District Attorney in Gotham City, and he becomes the newest and most influential ally for Batman. Batman considers him to be a "white knight" because he's able to take down the criminals according to the law and without hiding his identity. Bruce Wayne, however, has more conflicted feelings because Harvey is madly in love with his former love interest Rachel Dawes (now played by the much more talented Maggie Gyllenhaal instead of Katie Holmes). The Joker takes a particular interest in bringing down Harvey Dent, because he thinks that any man can be driven nuts if the circumstances are bad enough. Batman fans will understand when I say that it takes "just one bad day," and Harvey gets a doozy!
Anyone with even a passing familiarity with the Batman universe should know that I'm not spoiling anything when I say that Harvey's story doesn't have a happy ending. (A link for the less informed) Harvey Dent is the newly elected District Attorney in Gotham City, and he becomes the newest and most influential ally for Batman. Batman considers him to be a "white knight" because he's able to take down the criminals according to the law and without hiding his identity. Bruce Wayne, however, has more conflicted feelings because Harvey is madly in love with his former love interest Rachel Dawes (now played by the much more talented Maggie Gyllenhaal instead of Katie Holmes). The Joker takes a particular interest in bringing down Harvey Dent, because he thinks that any man can be driven nuts if the circumstances are bad enough. Batman fans will understand when I say that it takes "just one bad day," and Harvey gets a doozy!
"Introduce a little anarchy... Upset the established order... Then everyone loses their minds!" - The Joker
The movie gives a clear picture of a city that was beginning to see hope but then goes completely to shit. You get the perspectives of the entire city including the politicians, the police, the corporate world, the citizens, and even the mob. The Joker creates pandemonium, not just within the story, but for the audience as well. Don't think that just because you've seen 20 superhero movies that you know how this one will turn out. No character is safe, and by the end of the movie, if you want to be in Batman's shoes, then you are a sadistic glutton for personal torment.
The fact that it's a badass Batman movie is enough of a delight, but that this is a tremendous movie by any standard made it a real treat. I've never unabashedly gushed about a movie on my blog before (most of my commentary is snarky and sarcastic), but this movie deserves it. My only complaint is that the theater I was in must have been at least 100 degrees! Didn't these people ever hear of air conditioning? Jesus, it smelled like Gotham City in there. But in any case, unless you hate good things, you will love this movie!
----------------------------------
10 out of 10 readers will be seeing this movie, because if they don't, JP will personally hunt them down and burn the left sides of their faces.
The fact that it's a badass Batman movie is enough of a delight, but that this is a tremendous movie by any standard made it a real treat. I've never unabashedly gushed about a movie on my blog before (most of my commentary is snarky and sarcastic), but this movie deserves it. My only complaint is that the theater I was in must have been at least 100 degrees! Didn't these people ever hear of air conditioning? Jesus, it smelled like Gotham City in there. But in any case, unless you hate good things, you will love this movie!
"I BELIEVE IN HARVEY DENT!!" - Bruce Wayne
----------------------------------
10 out of 10 readers will be seeing this movie, because if they don't, JP will personally hunt them down and burn the left sides of their faces.
2 comments:
Agreed. Dark Knight was badass.
"now played by the much more talented Maggie Gyllenhaal instead of Katie Holmes"
...but 300x less attractive.
I'll admit that she has an unusual-looking face for a Hollywood actress, but I think she's pretty attractive.
Since you mentioned it, I checked out some of the comments on her IMDB page. Apparently quite a few people think she's not that attractive. I'll bet it's because her brother is more famous. It's like seeing Bob's sister. She may be attractive, but you can't help but see the Bob-like features.
I dunno. I probably have no taste.
Post a Comment