Pure Cinematic Brilliance / A High-Octane Thrill Ride

Rating: 10/10 (21 July 2008)

Outside of the ArcLight's legendary Cinerama Dome movie theater complex in Hollywood, where Star Wars made its debut 31 years ago, Batman's motorcycle from The Dark Knight stood behind a rope for all to see and photograph, as a security guard kept a watchful eye. Inside of the theater, a Batman costume hung, flanked by the Joker's henchman's masks in transparent cases. The purple suit donned by Heath Ledger as the Joker, its color-matched gloves hanging from the arms stood eerily by, as a kind of headless specimen. Some were fortunate enough to get movie posters, from the nearby decked-out trailer.
As I sat in the packed theater, an emcee gave us all a hearty welcome; the trademark bat shadow looming prominently above, on the curtains behind him. You could almost hear a pin drop as Gotham City illuminated the slightly curved screen, in a panoramic view reminiscent of the IMAX.
There is no doubt that every person associated with The Dark Knight, brought their A game to the experience. It was obvious that the city of Chicago, a perfect surrogate Gotham City, was more than welcoming to the film crew  allowing shots and sequences that are rarely filmed in a large metropolitan city. It is hard to imagine some of those frames managing to be made, even in a movie town such as L.A.
This is a film that deftly transcends a noirish atmosphere, blending in concert, with the big budget effects. The temperament of the film, of course, is almost exclusively due to the set designs and character studies by each and every actor. In many large-scale films, the heroes and villains are drawn precisely, however, every character in The Dark Knight is so multi-layered, that it made watching a film adapted from a comic book more plausible. The identity crisis, and the resultant delusion and desolation that each character experiences, is a startling contrast to the traditional hero-warrior genre.
The presence of Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Gary Oldman, provide the perfect backdrop for Christian Bale's vigilante, Darth Vader-esquire Batman, the genius of Heath Ledger's psychopathic, punked-out Joker, and Maggie Gyllenhall's perfectly believable, emotionally tormented Rachel Dawes - all the way to Aaron Eckhart's remarkably transformational portrayal of Harvey Two-Face. Many of the actors in this film were schooled and rooted in the character-driven independent film world, and it shows. If ever there was a dream cast, this is it.
Every member of the cast who has been interviewed, has expressed the highest respect and admiration for Heath Ledger's brilliant characterization of the relentlessly psychotic, maniacally sadistic Joker. It is therefore no surprise, that it is virtually impossible to take your eyes off of him when he is on screen.
Even more disturbing than the Joker's shades of A Clockwork Orange, with the anarchistic tendencies of the Sex Pistols punk band, is the ever-present undercurrent of masochism that propels him. I choose chaos, he proclaims, and chaos is exactly what occurs, every time he is encountered. On a psychological level - choosing chaos is something that few would admit to; it shows the disturbingly masochistic nature that permeates the soul of the worst kind of terrorist  with nothing left to lose. There is nothing more chillingly dangerous than self-hatred. Heath Ledger's Joker will go down in history as one of the most amazing villains ever portrayed on screen.
The Joker enjoys toying with his prey; his survival, in a way, depends upon Batman's. He knows that humanity is what is lost, in the pursuit of money, fame and power. The greatest psychosis of the Joker, is that he has no fear of dying  or exposing his identity. It's not about money. It's about sending a message, he hisses. You can't negotiate with a masochistic, psychopathic terrorist.
As if the entire spectacle isn't enough, there are fun-house Halloween types of surprises that can jolt you right out of your seat. This is the kind of film that everyone can appreciate, whether they identify with comic book stories or not. The plot and characters are drawn so well, that the makeup and props never get in the way of what makes a film spectacular: great storytelling.
All of the characters struggle with their own demons, in one of the most enduringly artful ensemble casts ever to be seen in a high-octane thrill ride film experience. In a time when it is never certain if a film can live up to its hype, The Dark Knight definitely delivers, and then some. One thing is for sure: the genius of this film will never be forgotten.