Morgan Bell
Kynaston
REVIEW: The Dark Knight
August 24th 2008 19:24
Directed: Christopher Nolan (Memento, Insomnia, Batman Begins),
Written: Christopher Nolan (Memento, Batman Begins), Johnathan Nolan (Memento), David S Goyer (Blade, Batman Begins, Jumper) - based on the comic by Bob Kane
Starring: Christian bale (American Psycho, 3:10 To Yuma, Rescue Dawn), Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain, A Knights Tale, Candy), Aaron Eckhart (Erin Brokovich, Thank You For Smoking, No Reservations), Gary Oldman (The Scarlet Letter, The Fifth Element), Michael Caine (Children Of Men, The Weather Man)
I know that Batman is in this film but by the end I couldnt recall one memorable thing he said or did - this film is a showcase for The Joker and i was completely mesmerised every time he appeared on screen.
It was a bitter-sweet feeling to watch Heath Ledger so fully emmerce himself in the role of The Joker, knowing that he will never be able to reprise this defining character that he so masterfully etched out. I had to stop myself from falling completely in love with The Joker because i knew i would never see him again. It is impossible to separate Ledger's performance from his death as it alters the way you relate to The Joker and forces you to keep him at arms length. If Ledger were alive today The Dark Knight would have been a completely different experience, you could freely emmerce yourself in The Joker's passion and complexity without inhibition, knowing there would be more to enjoy later.
Before i get all misty eyed lamenting over Heath Ledger's death (again) i will paraphrase Oscar Wilde and say that sometimes a tragedy can contain artistic elements, beauty and style that appeals to our sense of dramatic effect and enthalls us. Heath Ledgers real life tragedy unintentionally generates a guarded feeling towards his portrayal of The Joker, and within this context the character gains an impenetrable layer that completes the role so perfectly. I was enthalled by the poetic justice. Not scared, or saddened - just enthralled.
The Joker is a sort of anti-hero forcing the people of Gotham to re-evaluate whether Batman should have absolute power over crime and punishment in the city. The Joker sets up a series of eloborate tests for Batman, the police force, the politicians, the criminals, and the general public to shine a light on all that is hidden and to prompt people to question for themselves and find common ground with their enemies. The Joker is a ruthless and manipulative killer, a sociopath devoid of empathy, and above all completely fearless.
Throughout the film The Joker snuffles and licks his lips like the car-chasing dog he likens himself to. But we see glimpses of his bare wrists and forearms to remind us that he is mere man with human skin. When runs his fingers through his grungy hair we are confronted by his dark black eyes - empty, hollow, darting, deranged - perhaps only the shell of a man?
The Joker, The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight is brilliantly written and constructed, the plot is very sophisticated (a caper within a caper within a caper) and the political and moral themes are woven seamlessly into the character conflicts. Great dialogue. Great character development. This film is an instant classic.
Thankyou Heath . . . this really is the feather is your cap . . . rest in peace xx
Written: Christopher Nolan (Memento, Batman Begins), Johnathan Nolan (Memento), David S Goyer (Blade, Batman Begins, Jumper) - based on the comic by Bob Kane
Starring: Christian bale (American Psycho, 3:10 To Yuma, Rescue Dawn), Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain, A Knights Tale, Candy), Aaron Eckhart (Erin Brokovich, Thank You For Smoking, No Reservations), Gary Oldman (The Scarlet Letter, The Fifth Element), Michael Caine (Children Of Men, The Weather Man)
I know that Batman is in this film but by the end I couldnt recall one memorable thing he said or did - this film is a showcase for The Joker and i was completely mesmerised every time he appeared on screen.
It was a bitter-sweet feeling to watch Heath Ledger so fully emmerce himself in the role of The Joker, knowing that he will never be able to reprise this defining character that he so masterfully etched out. I had to stop myself from falling completely in love with The Joker because i knew i would never see him again. It is impossible to separate Ledger's performance from his death as it alters the way you relate to The Joker and forces you to keep him at arms length. If Ledger were alive today The Dark Knight would have been a completely different experience, you could freely emmerce yourself in The Joker's passion and complexity without inhibition, knowing there would be more to enjoy later.
Before i get all misty eyed lamenting over Heath Ledger's death (again) i will paraphrase Oscar Wilde and say that sometimes a tragedy can contain artistic elements, beauty and style that appeals to our sense of dramatic effect and enthalls us. Heath Ledgers real life tragedy unintentionally generates a guarded feeling towards his portrayal of The Joker, and within this context the character gains an impenetrable layer that completes the role so perfectly. I was enthalled by the poetic justice. Not scared, or saddened - just enthralled.
The Joker is a sort of anti-hero forcing the people of Gotham to re-evaluate whether Batman should have absolute power over crime and punishment in the city. The Joker sets up a series of eloborate tests for Batman, the police force, the politicians, the criminals, and the general public to shine a light on all that is hidden and to prompt people to question for themselves and find common ground with their enemies. The Joker is a ruthless and manipulative killer, a sociopath devoid of empathy, and above all completely fearless.
Throughout the film The Joker snuffles and licks his lips like the car-chasing dog he likens himself to. But we see glimpses of his bare wrists and forearms to remind us that he is mere man with human skin. When runs his fingers through his grungy hair we are confronted by his dark black eyes - empty, hollow, darting, deranged - perhaps only the shell of a man?
"Do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it! You know, I just, do things. The mob has plans, the cops have plans, Gordon's got plans. You know, they're schemers. Schemers trying to control their worlds. I'm not a schemer. I try to show the schemers how, pathetic, their attempts to control things really are."
The Joker, The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight is brilliantly written and constructed, the plot is very sophisticated (a caper within a caper within a caper) and the political and moral themes are woven seamlessly into the character conflicts. Great dialogue. Great character development. This film is an instant classic.
Thankyou Heath . . . this really is the feather is your cap . . . rest in peace xx
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Comment by Jeff Musall
Comment by Jason King
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Here's the link to my reivew
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i dont know exactly how they choose these things, but i think he deserves Best Supporting Actor as it is really more of a character role . . . i think Ledger's performance is far superior to the winner or any of the supporting nominations from last year
Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men as Anton Chigurh (WINNER)
Casey Affleck - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford as Robert Ford
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Charlie Wilson's War as Gust Avrakotos
Hal Holbrook - Into the Wild as Ron Franz
Tom Wilkinson - Michael Clayton as Arthur Edens
if they nominate him for Lead Actor i think his performance rivals past winners Denzel Washington in Training Day, and Daniel Day Lewis in The Gangs Of New York
Comment by Morgan Bell
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the full Oscar Wilde quote is on my profile page, its from Dorian Gray . . . i tend to search for the silver lining in any tragedy, some useful result to justify such a senseless loss
thanks for the link to your review, it is a treasure trove of trivia for anyone obsessed with the film!
Comment by Cheryl J
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Just goes to show, not everyone liked it. I loved it.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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that is a stunning statement, but i have heard people say similar, griping about the length etc
Nolan puts realism into his interpretation that diehard fans of the Burton and Schumacher films of the 80s and 90s may find a little jarring . . . The Dark Knight is quite gritty and serious as opposed to the flashy campness of the originals
this is a stellar cast, Oldman and Caine continue to impress . . . theres a little peak of my darling Cillian Murphy as Scarecrow too (more of a cameo), i hear he will be featuring as the villain in the next one
Comment by Jason King
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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i think originally they were going to write it as a neat little trilogy with recurring cast and characters across the three . . . i read that the third one was intended to be the trial of the joker but with no Heath they are having a re-think
i know Cillian has a contract where he is "optioned" to appear in all of the sequels, and i thought his inclusion in The Dark Knight was to remind us that Scarecrow is still out there
im sure they will have several villains wandering around in the third one . . . it would be interesting to include a character we havent seen on film before like Clayface or The Mad Hatter?
Comment by Bill Green
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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im glad i gave you the confidence to watch it!
it realy is an excellent film and i think it is more directed at adults than children . . . there have been some George Bush vs The War On Terror interpretations, although ive seen that done with Star Wars aswell
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I loved the movie, but wasn't so enamoured with Heath as the Joker..(Uneven and some wasted opportunities, he never carried a threat for me, which the part demands) Aaron Eckhart shone brightest for me as harvey Dent/Two face.
If your interested I did a review of the Dark Knight that you can read HERE.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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oh i thought The Joker was totally unpredictable - very menacing!
i agree that Aaron Eckhart was supurb in a far less flashy role . . . however, i actually didnt like the CGI on the deformed side of his face (nothing to do with his performance i know), i thought it was a bit tacky and out of place . . .
ill check on your review now . . .