too much hype

Rating: 5/10 (15 August 2008)

This film was too hyped up...by the time it opened here in Hong Kong it had been praised to high heaven, including here on IMDb. (one reviewer said that it was close to being a masterpiece!) Heath Ledger's death played a huge part in that I suppose, and when compared to the dreadful "Batman" films of the recent past one might be tempted to be impressed.
BUT in my opinion: this work offered an opening scene which really grabbed me only to go slowly downhill. There was lots of mainstream American-style action and some nice performing by Ledger, but I couldn't get over the corny acting of Aaron Eckhart (playing Harvey Dent), and the lame Christian Bale (Batman). I thought that they ruined the film. Dreadful.
Maggie Gyllenhaal (playing Rachel Dawes) was so unattractive that it was actually hilarious when she was referred to as being lovely in the film. I really had trouble watching her in this role. Is her face melting or something? Whats with that huge pimple thing? Sorry, but really...she is not a pretty woman. Not even close.
I was thrilled to see Cillian Murphy early in the film, only to realize that it was a cameo! Morgan Freeman? Michael Caine? Whats with that? Perhaps I see too many independent films to appreciate this kind of production.
It seems as if loads of people are raving about The Dark Knight, and I respect their opinion...but I give it a 5.