The Dark Knight (released 2008) begins in with a great opening sequence that sets the tone and pace for the movie. The level of violence typical of the DC comic-book franchise. Any doubts about the quality of direction and attention to character were subdued by the level of acting on the part of Heath Ledger. It wasn’t so much that he absolutely nailed the twisted psychologically-blasé evil quality of a super villain such as the Joker - more that, Ledger was always the Joker. Gary Oldman played Lt James Gordon, the idealist and all round good cop. Christian Bale – the Batman, at times ethically challenged, but Ledger became the Joker and remained the Joker and won a posthumous Oscar for his efforts.
Filling the Joker`s Shoes will Prove Difficult
Bale put in a good turn as Batman although constantly upstaged, and the voice Bale uses for the Bat did begin to get annoying, yet made up for it in sheer bravado and fantastic action sequences. Bale’s on screen antics as Batman were a marvel to watch and thus far the only actor to nearly match Michael Keaton’s Batman in Tim Burton’s earlier entry (1989).
The supporting cast were good bordering on very good. The film and its impact were helped by a decent script and superb direction. It was evident that the director chose to tackle issues of morality and social cohesion amongst other fruits of a tangible plotline, succeeding as much as he failed. This film had a firm storyline borrowing from ideas and stories right out of the DC Batman comic books and possessed interesting plot devices, such as the occasional twist or unexpected use of excessive force that made for great entertainment. Some aspects of the film were drawn out and mulled over a fraction too long. Occasionally, and only occasionally it did seem like the movie was stretching out a little, yet it delivered its punches well. Admittedly some mixed emotions were conjured and being in two minds about just how good this movie was an easy place to end up.
The Dark Knight Delivers on Many Levels
Rating this within the Batman franchise is a mistake. The Dark Knight stands apart from its predecessors, even Batman Begins (2005). Warner Bros aimed to make a darker, ultimately more realistic movie and succeeded. Arguably it was Heath Ledger`s Joker that created a gap between this and every other attempt, but great writing and acting always makes a difference. As per Ledgers untimely death, questions arise like; who will fill the Joker`s shoes? Will there be a Batman as good as The Dark Knight? One thing is for sure, The Dark Knight has set the bar significantly high for future movies of its kind.
 |
