grunty_freak (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} grunty_freak) wrote,@ 2008-07-28 12:04:00 |
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The Dark Knight Review
So, there's this movie called the Dark Knight out in theatres. I'm not sure if you've heard about it. It's a sequel to a small movie called Batman Begins. Once again, I'm not sure if you've heard about it. The movie had the misfortune of opening at the same weekend of Mamma Mia (which you've ALL heard of), so it only BROKE BOX OFFICE RECORDS. Yeah, it's a complete under the radar movie and (not sure if you've heard of it) it's best actor is now 6 feet under.
Why so serious? I killed the bus driver. You complete me. Let's now blow things out of proportion. It's all part of the plan.
I can quote this movie FOREVER.
Let me say this right now: The Dark Knight is the best superhero movie ever. Yes, even better than ANY OTHER Batman movie (of which only 3 are legitimately good), yes, even better than the Spiderman series, yes, even better than the Superman movies. Christopher Nolan has created a world that doesn't belong in the superhero genre. He's created something much larger.
I dislike Batman begins. I'll admit that. The villain's intentions weren't as strong as those of the usual rogue gallery and the action scenes didn't suffice enough. I didn't get it and everything seemed to pale to Tim Burton's Batman. Maybe it's because Ra Al Ghul isn't that well known, or maybe it's because he's just not...insane. I like my villain's insane.
Then...BOOM. The Dark Knight. When I heard Heath Ledger was playing the Joker...I was excited. I mean, most people made mocking pictures, but I ADORE obscure casting. Like Michael Keaton as Batman, putting an actor out of their element shows you their true potential. Not to mention of course, I've hated every movie Heath ledger's been in (I haven't seen Brokeback yet, but the rest are poop.). Then Heath Ledger dies.
HOLYFUCKSHITHYPE.
But after seeing the Dark Knight, you realize that his death has NOTHING on the film. Regardless of circumstances, the Dark Knight owns. You think the viral game's ingenious? Have you been following it religiously like I have? While extremely entertaining and clever, it has NOTHING on the Dark Knight. Nothing in the game matches how awesome the movie is.
Now: The movie. Kudos go to the writers. They've invented Gotham city, realistic, dark and slightly comedic. They've eliminated the superhero deus ex's and they've eliminated all comic book type effects. They've made a real city, with real people. While they may not get a nomination, it is a tight, fast moving script that involves the viewer.
While the rest of the cast provides a good effort (Gary Oldman plays an extremely likable Gordon and Michael Caine does what all previous Alfreds have done: not screw up), chances are that you care only about one actor...namely the one who'll never be in another film (besides the new Terry Gilliam one) every again.
I didn't think very highly of Heath Ledger before the Dark Knight. When he died, my initial reaction was "What?" It was a question, with no emotions or fury attached to it. After seeing the Dark Knight, I can fully mourn Heath Ledger's death. His performance extremely strong. Like, buff. Like Academy Award-like.
I'll compare Ledger's joker to Nicholson's. Ledger kicks his ass. While all previous iterations of the Joker have played it for laughs, Ledger plays a psychopath hellbent on destroying Gotham. He doesn't have any motives and just wants to see Gotham burn. You can't see any human in Ledger's Joker and he's literally the stuff of nightmares. This is the type of villain that you're not supposed to see in movies, but Ledger's 2 week character work (locking himself in a room for 2 weeks) has a great pay off. You WANT Batman to hurt him and he kills a LOT of people. This guy's smart, quick and to the point. A brilliant moment is in the holding cell, where Batman's beating the shit out of him. For every punch, the Joker laughs and laughs. He doesn't Get pain. He doesn't feel pain.
He's the motherfucking Joker and he goes out laughing, like the crazy man he is.
This Joker cuts through people's mouths to see smiles on their faces, he kills his associates just for laughs, he can't kill Batman because he's too much fun. In short, he's a badass. It's a shame Ledger's dead. There's NO ONE that can beat Heath Ledger's joker. No one at all. In fact, I don't think they can make a sequel to the Dark Knight. The villain'll be living in the Joker's shoes (the Riddler anyone?)
Aaron Eckhart is the perfect Harvey Dent. Compared to the travesty of Tommy Lee Jones' Two face, Eckhart hits it out of the park. His Dent is just as good as his Two Face, showing the versatility of this amazing actor. If we find him dead, I will be a very angry panda.
That leads me to my one complaint: Two face. By now you've all probably seen what he looks like (sexyness) and Eckhart plays him well. The only problem with this movie is Two Face. He has only one motive (which I will not spoil) and he becomes a fairly one dimensional character. If the film had been 30 minutes longer (yes, I want The Dark Knight to be 3 hours) to extend Two-face's fall from grace. Also, whoever played Barbara Gordon can't act her way out of a paper bag.
Morgan Freeman plays Morgan Freeman. Really, this guy is so cool that I feel unpopular (more so than usual) just hearing him talk. Which brings me to my next point. Freeman's character creates a Sonar device for Batman. Coupled with the special effects team, this makes the finale of the Dark Knight even more epic, with a sense of urgency that is found in video games more than it is in film. It's a seamless thing that you have to see to believe.
In short...
The Good:
-Heath ledger creates a Joker than can successfully kick Batman's ass. He's a terrorist. One of the best moments of the film involves him torturing a Batman wannabe. It reminds people of one of those beheading videos. It's terrifying and awful.
-The screenplay. It shows the timeless battle in a way Tim Burton failed to do so
-The cinematography. Swirling camera! Oh noes!
-The sonar segments
The Bad
-Barbara Gordon and her 4 lines
-Two Face's one dimensionalness
In the end...a 9.6/10
I hope you're happy, Ning.
So, there's this movie called the Dark Knight out in theatres. I'm not sure if you've heard about it. It's a sequel to a small movie called Batman Begins. Once again, I'm not sure if you've heard about it. The movie had the misfortune of opening at the same weekend of Mamma Mia (which you've ALL heard of), so it only BROKE BOX OFFICE RECORDS. Yeah, it's a complete under the radar movie and (not sure if you've heard of it) it's best actor is now 6 feet under.
Why so serious? I killed the bus driver. You complete me. Let's now blow things out of proportion. It's all part of the plan.
I can quote this movie FOREVER.
Let me say this right now: The Dark Knight is the best superhero movie ever. Yes, even better than ANY OTHER Batman movie (of which only 3 are legitimately good), yes, even better than the Spiderman series, yes, even better than the Superman movies. Christopher Nolan has created a world that doesn't belong in the superhero genre. He's created something much larger.
I dislike Batman begins. I'll admit that. The villain's intentions weren't as strong as those of the usual rogue gallery and the action scenes didn't suffice enough. I didn't get it and everything seemed to pale to Tim Burton's Batman. Maybe it's because Ra Al Ghul isn't that well known, or maybe it's because he's just not...insane. I like my villain's insane.
Then...BOOM. The Dark Knight. When I heard Heath Ledger was playing the Joker...I was excited. I mean, most people made mocking pictures, but I ADORE obscure casting. Like Michael Keaton as Batman, putting an actor out of their element shows you their true potential. Not to mention of course, I've hated every movie Heath ledger's been in (I haven't seen Brokeback yet, but the rest are poop.). Then Heath Ledger dies.
HOLYFUCKSHITHYPE.
But after seeing the Dark Knight, you realize that his death has NOTHING on the film. Regardless of circumstances, the Dark Knight owns. You think the viral game's ingenious? Have you been following it religiously like I have? While extremely entertaining and clever, it has NOTHING on the Dark Knight. Nothing in the game matches how awesome the movie is.
Now: The movie. Kudos go to the writers. They've invented Gotham city, realistic, dark and slightly comedic. They've eliminated the superhero deus ex's and they've eliminated all comic book type effects. They've made a real city, with real people. While they may not get a nomination, it is a tight, fast moving script that involves the viewer.
While the rest of the cast provides a good effort (Gary Oldman plays an extremely likable Gordon and Michael Caine does what all previous Alfreds have done: not screw up), chances are that you care only about one actor...namely the one who'll never be in another film (besides the new Terry Gilliam one) every again.
I didn't think very highly of Heath Ledger before the Dark Knight. When he died, my initial reaction was "What?" It was a question, with no emotions or fury attached to it. After seeing the Dark Knight, I can fully mourn Heath Ledger's death. His performance extremely strong. Like, buff. Like Academy Award-like.
I'll compare Ledger's joker to Nicholson's. Ledger kicks his ass. While all previous iterations of the Joker have played it for laughs, Ledger plays a psychopath hellbent on destroying Gotham. He doesn't have any motives and just wants to see Gotham burn. You can't see any human in Ledger's Joker and he's literally the stuff of nightmares. This is the type of villain that you're not supposed to see in movies, but Ledger's 2 week character work (locking himself in a room for 2 weeks) has a great pay off. You WANT Batman to hurt him and he kills a LOT of people. This guy's smart, quick and to the point. A brilliant moment is in the holding cell, where Batman's beating the shit out of him. For every punch, the Joker laughs and laughs. He doesn't Get pain. He doesn't feel pain.
He's the motherfucking Joker and he goes out laughing, like the crazy man he is.
This Joker cuts through people's mouths to see smiles on their faces, he kills his associates just for laughs, he can't kill Batman because he's too much fun. In short, he's a badass. It's a shame Ledger's dead. There's NO ONE that can beat Heath Ledger's joker. No one at all. In fact, I don't think they can make a sequel to the Dark Knight. The villain'll be living in the Joker's shoes (the Riddler anyone?)
Aaron Eckhart is the perfect Harvey Dent. Compared to the travesty of Tommy Lee Jones' Two face, Eckhart hits it out of the park. His Dent is just as good as his Two Face, showing the versatility of this amazing actor. If we find him dead, I will be a very angry panda.
That leads me to my one complaint: Two face. By now you've all probably seen what he looks like (sexyness) and Eckhart plays him well. The only problem with this movie is Two Face. He has only one motive (which I will not spoil) and he becomes a fairly one dimensional character. If the film had been 30 minutes longer (yes, I want The Dark Knight to be 3 hours) to extend Two-face's fall from grace. Also, whoever played Barbara Gordon can't act her way out of a paper bag.
Morgan Freeman plays Morgan Freeman. Really, this guy is so cool that I feel unpopular (more so than usual) just hearing him talk. Which brings me to my next point. Freeman's character creates a Sonar device for Batman. Coupled with the special effects team, this makes the finale of the Dark Knight even more epic, with a sense of urgency that is found in video games more than it is in film. It's a seamless thing that you have to see to believe.
In short...
The Good:
-Heath ledger creates a Joker than can successfully kick Batman's ass. He's a terrorist. One of the best moments of the film involves him torturing a Batman wannabe. It reminds people of one of those beheading videos. It's terrifying and awful.
-The screenplay. It shows the timeless battle in a way Tim Burton failed to do so
-The cinematography. Swirling camera! Oh noes!
-The sonar segments
The Bad
-Barbara Gordon and her 4 lines
-Two Face's one dimensionalness
In the end...a 9.6/10
I hope you're happy, Ning.
