The Dark Knight

Rating: 10/10 (21 July 2008)

As people standing on the outside, it is very easy for us to praise or denounce another artists work. We have the luxury of imaginations, with which budget and limitations hold no sway. So, I stand here with the predicament of trying to stand out from a braying crowd, and going with what I feel.
This film is not perfect, nor is it the end all be all film. A few minor transgressions, which have been beat to death by those who have rated it before me, do lay fault to the film. However, this is a brilliant film that will stand the test of time.
As a follow up to a phenomenal Batman Begins, the crew found themselves in a unique position. They had been granted silent permission to rewrite the Batman mythos. Instead of trying to maintain the feel from the first movie, which is the fault of most sequels, the Nolan brothers and co. bravely took the film to new depths. The dark, menacing overtone through out the film allows for the actions of the main characters to really effect the audience. The wanton violence, while it may be distasteful for some, is brutal and unrelenting. But, this brings a certain emotional high to the film. The Joker's maniacal and malicious plot leaves the audience uncomfortable, as it should.
The individual roles bring together an amazing cast that mirrors the intent of the movie so well. Bale has always been excellent at playing tortured roles, as evidenced in Equilibrium, American Psycho and the Machinist. Here, he is given a playground to explore this tension as only a Hollywood blockbuster can provide. Aaron Eckhart plays his role to a T. You are torn in both directions when his character falls. You feel for his rage and realizes he wanted to sacrifice himself, yet you cannot condone his actions. His descent into madness is both heart wrenching and horrifying at the same time. The supporting cast does not play their roles as such. Each person puts an honest soul into what could have been cardboard, cut out roles. Bravo to the cast.
But, to the late Heath Ledger, my hat is off to you. This role exemplifies what he had to offer to the cinema industry. His roles up till this one were no more edgy than the rebel from a teen movie. Most of the time, he relied on his looks and charm to carry his character. But here, here is a masterpiece in method acting. The lack of back story adds to the menace, as he even gives multiple stories himself. His complete lack of goal, which is a goal in itself, is so unnerving. We're used to a tortured villain out for revenge for the lost of a loved one. But, here is a wanton psychopath that is destined to go down in the annals of cinema history as one of the definitive villains.
If you have read until this point, I thank you. This movie is a modern masterpiece, that explores the duality of society from multiple facets, and has left me speechless. This is not for everyone. The violence in this movie is brutal and unsettling. For the Joker, there is little context to his actions, as it forces the hero to stand firm in his beliefs. THIS IS NOT A KIDS MOVIE. Yet, in a world where movies are becoming souless, this movie took a brave step in a risky direction. Bravo, ladies and gentlemen of the Dark night. You are now part of the gilded guardians of cinema.