Just Beyond Unbelievable

Rating: 10/10 (21 July 2008)

If there's one thing I like more than a beyond unbelievable movie is a beyond unbelievable movie with a beyond unbelievable ending.
Do you get the hints so far? "The Dark Knight" has been raved by its critics, given a lot of 10/10s for its great story, and obviously, a high box office. I mean, who doesn't want to see the Joker toy around with Batman? I mean, as far as I'm concerned, there's no better match-up in the comic world than Batman and the Joker. And if there is, then none is better on the movie screen.
Actors: 9 | The fact is...oh, what the heck, they were all beyond unbelievable. Christian Bale has once again proved to be the ultimate Batman in this movie. Bale was better in the sequel than the latter and the Batman of today was well-done than the previous time. I mean, the previous movie was all about Bruce Wayne and how he became Batman and how he got to where he was. This movie finally showed more action, and Bale delivered it. But Batman was not the man of the 2.5 hours. My friends, I introduce you to Heath Ledger.
If there is one thing I know in my lifetime (a short lifetime, yes, but a lifetime none the less), Heath Ledger probably made one of, if not the best individual performance of all-time. No, I'm not saying that because he's deador at least trying not to be bias towards that end. However, if Heath Ledger doesn't win an Oscar for his performance as the Joker, the loss would be a joke. I've seen (along with my more comic-obsessed brother) many Batman movies before this series, and I've seen the Joker. Of course, the Jokers wereacceptable. But Heath Ledger made the Joker. He made it HIS. Whatever Ledger did (death related or not), he did a performance of a lifetime, and of all-time.
Now, Aaron Eckhart and Maggie Gyllenhaal were great additions to the film. And of course, Morgan Freemen and Gary Oldman were fantastic in their roles. However, as much as I loved this movie, Katie Holmes should have adjusted her schedule to reprise her role. I mean, COME ON! IT'S BATMAN! But alas, I shouldn't hurt the movies rating for someone's insignificant schedulebut I will. However, Maggie did an excellent job, as I saw Rachel 100% throughout the movie.
Cinematography: 10 | Christopher Nolan had a great handle on the movie, and there's no other director I would have put into the chair. I mean, the guy was phenomenal in seeing what we see. He directed such a great cast to the best of his ability and got the best movie possibly of all-time. When you think of the greatest directors (Steven Spielberg, George Lucas), it's time to put Christopher Nolan up for consideration. The guy has been nothing but money since Memento in 2000. Also, big props to his brother, Jonathan, for helping the screenplay and David Goyer for story. Every single scene had a purpose, and the audience was always on high-alert.
Music: 9 | I have to be bias here. I've always been a Hans Zimmer fan. I'm generally fond of James Newton Howard's work. So automatically, they get an 8 just for being amazing composers in the first place. Yet, they earn their 9th star rating with perfect colors. The music turned your emotions and literally told the story. If one alternation was made, it would have ruined it. Zimmer and Howard were once again perfect. And thank youthank you, thank you, thank you for not over-playing the Batman Theme.
Believability: 10 | If there's one thing I have to add to this, it's that it's just believable. How could you leave the theater knowing full well that you have no clue what could happen? It was that amazing. It made you stay in your seat, no matter how much you want to go to the bathroom.
Overall: 10 | All in all, if the box office doesn't tell you anything these days, I'll tell you that it does. The Dark Knight broke the opening day and weekend box office with $158 million worldwide, beating Spiderman 3 in both categories. It also is the most highly-acclaimed movie of the year by everyone: critics, fans, and everyone in between.
Despite two 9s and two 10s, I'll give Batman the ten it deserves. It was perfect in almost every way imaginable, and there's just no way it could have been changed to make it better. It's a great shame that with this great success that Heath Ledger had to leave this world from us. A sequel? Difficult with Heath gone . Difficult with the way the Dark Knight ends. Difficult with the way the movie business is. Though I expect a sequel, don't expect one soon. If I were them, I'd wait for a long timeperhaps 4-5 years before another movie. There's just no way that this movie can be topped. It just can't be done.
I called it firstHeath Ledger (no matter how he got it) wins the Academy Award for Best Performance.
I still have goosebumps from that movie. Just plain beyond unbelievable.