| The Dark Knight (2008) | |
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Rating: 9.0/10 (2,869,224 votes) Director: Christopher Nolan Writer: Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer Stars: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart Runtime: 152 min Rated: PG-13 Genre: Action, Crime, Drama Released: 18 Jul 2008 |
| Plot: When the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman must accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice. | |
After much build up and hype, the most anticipated film of 2008 is finally upon us. There has been a serious level of buzz around the film since the closing moments of the last film (Batman Begins) teased us with a Joker card. The announcement of the casting of Heath Ledger drew some concerns from many fanboy quarters. Could this average actor really deliver a perfromance worthy of The Joker? Faith in Nolan as a director kept the wolves at bay, much in the same way that when Scorcese began working with DiCaprio everyone trusted that he saw talent in him which had thus far been untapped. The first shots of Ledger as Joker teased the fanbase, and hinted that this would not be the fun-packed-pantomime Joker of yesteryear – this would be a darker, more twisted version, more akin to the comic tales such as Killing joke.
The first trailer arrived to much fanfare, and anyone who had any doubts about Ledger were completely converted. There was no doubt that he was going to deliver a career defining performance. Then the event of the early year shook the world. Ledger’s death resulted in Warners swiftly pulling the marketing for the film, unsure whether to continue the focus on Ledger, and so began the new hype machine. What was going to be a blockbuster film anyway was now going to be the must-see film of the year. Ledger’s final role was likely to be his most staggering to date, but could the film live up to all the expectation, or would it be a let-down?
Picking up events mere months after the closing moments of the last film, the film wastes no time in getting going, with a bank robbery opening scene which introduces Joker and his gang perfectly (as well as Joker’s twisted mentality). We are also introduced to the idea that Batman has become an inspiration for other wannabe vigilantes, and a heroic symbol to the people of Gotham. At the same time, another hero to the people, District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) is working to bring down organised crime in Gotham, but due to always wanting to do things by the book he keeps getting blocked in every move he makes. Jim Gordon and Batman team with Dent to assist with the cases, whilst Joker seeks to play the flip-side and use the mobs to cause his own level of mayhem.
Batman Begins was a stunning relaunch of the franchise, although Nolan’s handling of the action was limited, relying on the swift edits and shaky-camera which has become such a terrible fad these days. Thankfully this one flaw has been remedied this time around and the action is stunningly delivered by a director who continues to learn and build on his already remarkable talents. Confident in the dialogue and quieter moments, Nolan can now play action with just as much confidence. The returning cast all slip back into their respective roles with ease, and the new cast jump effortlessly into the mix. The switch of actress for Rachael, from Katie Holmes to Maggie Gyllenhaal, doesn’t upset at all. Indeed Gyllenhaal is such a stronger actress that we actually welcome the switch.
But the important role here is that of Joker. As the ultimate in Batman\”s catalogue of nemesis, his role was the one everyone would focus on anyway. After Ledger’s passing it became more than that – it became THE focus for the film. Back in Burton’s Batman Nicholson delivered a Joker which was perfect for the time. Drawing on the colourful, and materialistic excesses of the 80’s, he played up the laughs, and pandered to the crowd. Now, however, we live in somewhat more oppressive times – with less excesses and thrift than 20 years hence, and a constant concern over the enemy within. Enter Ledger’s take on Joker, a warped chaos theoriser who strives to bring out the darker elements of our own nature, and show us the true animal within. This is also the Joker that the Batman needs, and who needs the Batman – the other side of the coin, the Yang to the Yin. Indeed there are scenes of dialogue exchange between the two which practically lift from Killing Joke, showing how the two need each other. Ledger plays the role with eerie perfection, delivering dark humour that you are unsure you should find amusing, but nonetheless do (his vanishing pencil a true highlight). This is Ledger’s finest moment in film, and he steals every scene he is in. It has been argued that this is actually a problem with Batman/Joker tales – the Joker is such an exuberant character that he steals all moments from Batman, meaning you want him to actually win. I don’t get concerned about that, and actually feel that this is the actual point – we relate more to Joker than Batman, and this is what worries some people, but is the whole point of the character.
When the film drew to a close I was stunned that I had been watching it for over 2 hours. It didn’t feel at all long, thanks to the packed story (there are many elements I have not mentioned – you should find out for yourself) and the stellar display of talent on offer. The Dark Knight is the Batman film I was hoping for, and it delivered in each and every moment.
