Thursday, July 31, 2008
Dark K(night)
I went and saw the highly anticipated and much hyped sequel to Batman Begins on Tuesday night there, The Dark Knight, and I'm pleased to say it did live up to my expectations. The plot this time round is quite involved (and covers alot of ground) but to sum up Batman faces a new set of villains, both mob bosses and a more fearsome enemy who calls himself "The Joker" (superbly played by the late Heath Ledger) who wants to make his mark as the new crime boss of Gotham. The Joker threatens to kill one person every day until Batman turns himself in, which he duly does but of course Batman doesn't give in too easily. However on a personal level Bruce Wayne also comes up against a new hero in Gotham, Harvey Dent (Aaron Erckhart), the new DA who doesn't mess around with criminals in court, and he also just happens to be dating Rachel Dawes, Bruce's ex-sweetheart (played more solidly by Maggie Gyllenhall). As events progress all their fates intertwine as Gotham once again spirals out of control.
Christopher Nolan, is a film maker of a rare quality in that he hasn't made a single bad Hollywood movie ever since he's arrived in America. This film is no exception and carries the same thrilling momentum as Batman Begins did, again taking a very dark, at times bleak tone, but thankfully Nolan never spoils Batman or forgets to make it fun. The action and setting maybe more realistic but there is still plenty of dark witty humour in the script. I also like how Nolan puts his characters in real danger and when you think all is lost it gets turned round. Nolan should also be applauded for reinforcing Batman's humanity as his Batman is a moral avenger who didn't believe in killing, unlike Tim Burton's Batman, who was more than willing to take lives.
Performance wise of course this film is all about Heath Ledger, his Joker, is both chilling and amusing all at once, his creepy facial makeup really makes your skin crawl when you see him, despite plenty of unsettling chilled moments, Ledger's joker is also funny, just not overtly so, and he does provide one of the film's biggest laughs (involving a pencil!). He could well be up for a posthumous oscar nomination next year, its just a real shame that he won't be there to receive it. Christian Bale again puts in a decent turn as Batman but I must admit Bale as an actor is caught between two extremes, as Bruce Wayne he mutters quietly under his breath, as Batman he talks very huskily under his breath (just a bit too husky methinks!). Nonetheless he is still the best Batman since Michael Keaton. Aaron Eckart is (as always) worthy of note as he puts in a really good performane as Harvey Dent (later becoming Two Face) and he neatly balances the self righteous goodie with his tormented and twisted transformation into the half-scolded Two Face. My only let down here was we didn't get to see enough from Two Face (or perhaps we did!) as he didn't appear enough to justify his character.
Anyways regardless of any minor niggles, The Dark Knight is an excellent sequel and a great continuance of the rebirth of the Batman franchise and here's hoping that Chris Nolan helms the next one.
Christopher Nolan, is a film maker of a rare quality in that he hasn't made a single bad Hollywood movie ever since he's arrived in America. This film is no exception and carries the same thrilling momentum as Batman Begins did, again taking a very dark, at times bleak tone, but thankfully Nolan never spoils Batman or forgets to make it fun. The action and setting maybe more realistic but there is still plenty of dark witty humour in the script. I also like how Nolan puts his characters in real danger and when you think all is lost it gets turned round. Nolan should also be applauded for reinforcing Batman's humanity as his Batman is a moral avenger who didn't believe in killing, unlike Tim Burton's Batman, who was more than willing to take lives.
Performance wise of course this film is all about Heath Ledger, his Joker, is both chilling and amusing all at once, his creepy facial makeup really makes your skin crawl when you see him, despite plenty of unsettling chilled moments, Ledger's joker is also funny, just not overtly so, and he does provide one of the film's biggest laughs (involving a pencil!). He could well be up for a posthumous oscar nomination next year, its just a real shame that he won't be there to receive it. Christian Bale again puts in a decent turn as Batman but I must admit Bale as an actor is caught between two extremes, as Bruce Wayne he mutters quietly under his breath, as Batman he talks very huskily under his breath (just a bit too husky methinks!). Nonetheless he is still the best Batman since Michael Keaton. Aaron Eckart is (as always) worthy of note as he puts in a really good performane as Harvey Dent (later becoming Two Face) and he neatly balances the self righteous goodie with his tormented and twisted transformation into the half-scolded Two Face. My only let down here was we didn't get to see enough from Two Face (or perhaps we did!) as he didn't appear enough to justify his character.
Anyways regardless of any minor niggles, The Dark Knight is an excellent sequel and a great continuance of the rebirth of the Batman franchise and here's hoping that Chris Nolan helms the next one.
# posted by kenny @ 12:19 am 
