» The Dark Knight, Batman Begins sequel

[Tintinrulz]

Here's my little review of The Dark Knight:

Dark, grim, intense and deeply psychological - this movie is appropriate only for older teens and up. It takes Batman back to his darker roots. Every minute was amazing, this is cinema as it was meant to be - a thrill ride. Heath Ledger is excellent as the Joker, Aaron Eckart exemplary as Harvey Dent, Gary Oldman brilliant as Lieutenant Gordon, Morgan Freeman and Christian Bale once again - amazing. In-fact every actor and actress in this is great. The story builds nicely from Batman Begins. If you're ready for a bleak, messed up, but high-quality movie, hop aboard!
Why so serious?

10/10

I very rarely give a movie a 10/10. I think Pan's Labyrinth is the only other.
Excellent, excellent movie. But very intense.

It's amazing how little violence was shown but how well the audience still 'felt' it. Look no pencil (yowsers!)
Also the Joker and his crew were very creepy because they're activities were like real-world terrorists but they had no weakness as such.


Has anyone else seen it?
Enjoyed it?
Hated it?

[mattali]

Your review of Dark Knight is right on target, Tintinrulz!

My niece was a fan of Batman Begins and made me watch it because she wanted me to see Dark Knight with her. She got a free movie ticket in the DVD she bought. Unfortunately, circumstances were not favorable for us to get to the theater, but she made me a Batman fan (I have had problems with Christian Bale in the past even if he is a good actor...he did a great job in 3:10 to Yuma!)! I enjoyed Batman Begins tremendously, so I bought the DVD (also got a free movie ticket) and made my kids all watch it! Then made them all go to the theater with me to see Dark Knight! I'm afraid I might becoming a Bale fan...I never thought that would happen. He does a great job as both Wayne and Batman.

I was a little apprehensive about Ledger's (never cared much for him) portrayal of the Joker (Jack Nicholson was a natural.) but was very impressed with his rendition. He was truly creepy but funny at the same time. His pencil trick was top notch especially his "ta-da" afterward! Classic! I also loved when he tried to instruct Batman on how to torture a subject - "never go for the head first, it makes the victim all fuzzy and dulls the pain of the next...(gets his hand crushed)...see?" Perfect!

I loved Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman; they are both exceptionally fine actors and really made their parts live. I had a bit of a problem with Aaron Eckart but not because he didn't portray his character well...it was his face (before he became Two-face)...I just didn't trust it, and we were supposed to. He didn't look honest to me. I dealt with it, though, and thoroughly enjoyed his performance. Gary Oldman was great as always; he has a way of inspiring confidence true to his character.

The only part I thought was weak in both movies was the casting of Rachel Dawes. Katie Holmes is ugly and only a mediocre actress at best, and Maggie Gyllenhaal wasn't much better in the "pretty" department in addition to looking way too old to play Rachel Dawes. At least she was a slightly better actress but seemed a little on the sleazy side.

The music in both movies do them justice, as well. How could they miss with Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard as composers? They are two of my favorites! It helps make the movies memorable.

I, too, would rate this movie a 10! My appreciation of it only grew with repeated viewings...I'm still hoping I can see it with my niece! I know she'll love it!

I also agree with your assessment of Pan's Labyrinth, Tintinrulz, but seeing it once was enough for me! "Intense" is an understatement.

[Quibus]

Okay I have finally seen the Batmans. They are both excellent! Chris Nolan is a genius.

The Dark Knight was awesome, and it was great to see Heath Ledger's performance rewarded at the Golden Globes, he definitely deserves it. I won't go into a full review since you guys have already done that and I agre with most everything you said. However, I did like Batman Begins better, I think. Not to say that The Dark Knight wasn't a spectacular movie--in fact I think it was more impressive than the first--I just really really reeeally loved the development of his character as seen in Batman Begins. So many things came full circle, and it was great to see hte backstory, as I'm not a comic person so I had no idea who Batman really was.

[mattali]

Yeah, I really enjoyed seeing the back story, too, because then I could take the Batman seriously instead of just remembering the "BAM," "POW," "BIFF" from the 1960's TV show! That was so lame and comicbook! As I said before the only weak casting was of Rachel Dawes. It took some major leaps of logic to believe that two powerful, intelligent, successful men (one of them filthy rich) would be undyingly in love with her. I'm sure there are numerous actresses that could have made it believable...just not the two they chose!

I'm glad you liked the movies, Quibus!

[Quibus]

Yeah, the actress switch was not a good idea in my book.

[mattali]

My understanding was that Katie Holmes wanted lots more money to reprise the role. I didn't think she deserved the million dollars that they reportedly offered her since she was only so-so in the first movie! There were so many other actresses that could have done tons better than either of the gals they chose! They were definitely weak links and especially noticeable because the casting of the men in the movies was so stellar!

[Quibus]

I completely agree.

[mattali]

I hope when they do the next one, they will be a little more discerning when choosing a female lead.