Post by PR's Old Account (DO NOT PM) on Jul 19, 2008 11:36:47 GMT -5
I spy, with my GoldenEye...
A shit load of box office $$$, and a pretty darn good film.
Topics
The Dark Knight
A Few Notes
- THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS NO SPOILERS!
- I will probably say "the Batman" more than just Batman because thats how they refer to him in the graphic novels and through much of the film. These aren't mistakes, they are choices
The Writing
Every good film starts with a great script and methinks The Dark Knight is no exception. The Nolan brothers clearly based the ideology of this film on the comic and graphic novel classics The Dark Knight Returns (Frank Miller), and The Killing Joke (Alan Moore). These books, as well as the film, construct the character of the Batman, as well as his villains, as flawed human beings, but human beings none the less. The depth and realism of the characters is probably unmatched in "super-hero cinema". There is one point in the film when the Batman must choose between doing what is right for the city, and what is right for himself - ultimately choosing what is right for himself (I promise you, this spoils nothing). The brilliance of the script, however, is that this is more subtle than a lot of the choices superheros must make in most action films, and as a result it may even go unnoticed by fans out strictly for an action experience.
Aside from depth of character, the script also keeps moving at a consistent pace. Acton fans will not be disappointed with its abundance of explosions, high-speed chases, and Batman gadgetry. It stands not only as a solid character piece, but also a solid action flick.
In terms of general plot, there are an adequate number of twists, turns and tweaks, that keep the story fresh, and keeps your ass on the edge of your seat. At 2 hours and 30 mins, the film does keep moving, and as the end approaches, you forget you've been in the theatre for over 2 hours
Characters/Acting
I don't think any one could question the acting in a film that has Morgan Freeman, Micheal Caine, Christian Bale, and Maggie Gyllenhaal in it. All are very solid as usual. The two actors who surprised me were Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart. No doubt everyone will be talking about Heath's performance, but I do assure you that it is not just because he's dead. Having seen thousands upon thousands of films, in hundreds of genres, I can safely say that Ledger's performance should be considered Oscar-worthy (perhaps making him the second posthumous Oscar winner, behind Peter Finch for Network, 1976)). He crafts a character that is darkly amusing, complex, captivating, and most of all, human, albeit a rather fucked up human.
Aaron Eckhart also plays his role near-perfectly. He is very convincing as a man driven to his limits for what is right. For the sake of a completely spoiler-free review, that is all I will say.
Direction & Film Style
Overall, pretty solid film stylistically as well. Christopher Nolan often keeps the camera, and therefore the audience, moving. Never is this more prevalent than when the joker begins twisting you up in his web of fairy tales, and the camera begins spinning around him. A bit of an obvious technique, but the effect is still a spinning-head, simulating the experience of those he is manipulating in the scenes.
As always, the very dark style of the Batman films is present here. Metaphorically, they're consistent with the dark knight theme of the film, and actually play into plot and specific scenes rather well at times.
Overall (Generally)
Overall, a pretty solid film. Not the best film EVER by any means, but it would very well be a contender fo the best Batman film ever made. It does work hard to push the limitations of the superhero film genre, and does so with success. Kudos for that. Its weaknesses lie in a few visual effects that make no logistic sense, but if you can look past that, as one would expect of any action film, the movie remains pretty solid.
Go see it The Dark Knight. Batman fan or not.
Coming Soon - "The Fifth One"
Possible topics include:
- I have ideas but I want suggestions. PM suggestions to the PR.
A shit load of box office $$$, and a pretty darn good film.
Topics
The Dark Knight
A Few Notes
- THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS NO SPOILERS!
- I will probably say "the Batman" more than just Batman because thats how they refer to him in the graphic novels and through much of the film. These aren't mistakes, they are choices
The Writing
Every good film starts with a great script and methinks The Dark Knight is no exception. The Nolan brothers clearly based the ideology of this film on the comic and graphic novel classics The Dark Knight Returns (Frank Miller), and The Killing Joke (Alan Moore). These books, as well as the film, construct the character of the Batman, as well as his villains, as flawed human beings, but human beings none the less. The depth and realism of the characters is probably unmatched in "super-hero cinema". There is one point in the film when the Batman must choose between doing what is right for the city, and what is right for himself - ultimately choosing what is right for himself (I promise you, this spoils nothing). The brilliance of the script, however, is that this is more subtle than a lot of the choices superheros must make in most action films, and as a result it may even go unnoticed by fans out strictly for an action experience.
Aside from depth of character, the script also keeps moving at a consistent pace. Acton fans will not be disappointed with its abundance of explosions, high-speed chases, and Batman gadgetry. It stands not only as a solid character piece, but also a solid action flick.
In terms of general plot, there are an adequate number of twists, turns and tweaks, that keep the story fresh, and keeps your ass on the edge of your seat. At 2 hours and 30 mins, the film does keep moving, and as the end approaches, you forget you've been in the theatre for over 2 hours
Characters/Acting
I don't think any one could question the acting in a film that has Morgan Freeman, Micheal Caine, Christian Bale, and Maggie Gyllenhaal in it. All are very solid as usual. The two actors who surprised me were Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart. No doubt everyone will be talking about Heath's performance, but I do assure you that it is not just because he's dead. Having seen thousands upon thousands of films, in hundreds of genres, I can safely say that Ledger's performance should be considered Oscar-worthy (perhaps making him the second posthumous Oscar winner, behind Peter Finch for Network, 1976)). He crafts a character that is darkly amusing, complex, captivating, and most of all, human, albeit a rather fucked up human.
Aaron Eckhart also plays his role near-perfectly. He is very convincing as a man driven to his limits for what is right. For the sake of a completely spoiler-free review, that is all I will say.
Direction & Film Style
Overall, pretty solid film stylistically as well. Christopher Nolan often keeps the camera, and therefore the audience, moving. Never is this more prevalent than when the joker begins twisting you up in his web of fairy tales, and the camera begins spinning around him. A bit of an obvious technique, but the effect is still a spinning-head, simulating the experience of those he is manipulating in the scenes.
As always, the very dark style of the Batman films is present here. Metaphorically, they're consistent with the dark knight theme of the film, and actually play into plot and specific scenes rather well at times.
Overall (Generally)
Overall, a pretty solid film. Not the best film EVER by any means, but it would very well be a contender fo the best Batman film ever made. It does work hard to push the limitations of the superhero film genre, and does so with success. Kudos for that. Its weaknesses lie in a few visual effects that make no logistic sense, but if you can look past that, as one would expect of any action film, the movie remains pretty solid.
Go see it The Dark Knight. Batman fan or not.
Coming Soon - "The Fifth One"
Possible topics include:
- I have ideas but I want suggestions. PM suggestions to the PR.
