movie thoughts: The Dark Knight (2008)

[orangerful]

The Dark Knight [Theatrical Release]

While Ironman was a fun comic book movie, full of laughs and action, The Dark Knight is something more.  It is an EPIC. 

2 hours and 47 minutes of action, intrigue, suspense, and nitty-gritty heroes and villians.  While Tim Burton's Batman had character that looked like they had walked out of the comic books, Christopher Nolan's Batman series has people that grew up in a very real Gotham city.  There are no cartoon smudges, just real people - people flawed in their own ways.

I don't want to give anything away and frankly, after watching the movie, I feel like I need time to process all the subtle nuances of the story and pacing. 

Everyone did a fantastic job, and Heath Ledger does deserve the kudos he is getting, though it is sad that the "important" people in the business are only noticing because he is dead.  Their take on the Joker for this film was more terrifying than any Joker I've seen before.  His make-up applied haphazardly, sometimes running from his sweat, making it look as though he has been crying.  Aaron Eckhart makes Harvey Dent more likable then I had ever imagined.  What could easily be yet another slimy lawyer turns into a man that wants to save his city.  Gary Oldman's return as Gordon was welcome, and Maggie Gyllenhaal was a far more mature and likable Rachael than Katie Holmes could ever pull off.


Probably the best Batman movie yet.  I am already wondering what they could possibly do to follow this up...

Originally posted on orangerful.vox.com

Comments

[jellibean.livejournal.com]

it is sad that the "important" people in the business are only noticing because he is dead.

Agreed. Whoever decided that great acting couldn't happen in a less-than-serious film needs to be hit with a clue-bat.

Ledger was absolutely terrifying. All of the actors were spectacular, but he stole the show. It was his movie... and that's not because he died. It's because he was that good.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

Agreed, he totally stole the movie.

[persephones-rev.livejournal.com]

When I first heard that Heath Ledger was cast to be the Joker, I was delighted because I knew he could bring more depth to the character than the prior actors. I was happy for him that he was finally in a film that would open him up to a whole new demographic. I want to see it, but with our issues with baby-sitters, we'll sadly probably have to wait. But, part of me almost wants to avoid it because I do feel sadness for his tragic end. :(