Imax format is the only way to see it

Rating: Null/10 (16 August 2008)

I watched "The Dark Knight" in IMAX today my second viewing of the film in Austin, Texas. I had only seen one other IMAX film prior to this a documentary about Antarctica at Paramount's great America in Santa Clara California. I can truthfully say that I have never had my jaw drop open as I did with this. The IMAX scenes are stunning and add an almost David Lean like spectacle. In fact in an odd way it reminded me of "Lawrence of Arabia" Both TE Lawrence and Batman were men who were tormented by various psychoses and both became unconventional heroes. Lawrence, like Batman was both a hero to some and a villain to others. And like Batman both had personal traumas that shaped who they were, Bruce Wayne witnessing the murder of his parents and Lawrence being sodomized by the brutal Turkish bey. The brilliance of Leans masterpiece was that it also was a character study as well as an epic drama. TDK is much the same way. Film is after all a visual medium first and foremost. Nolan's imagery is almost operatic and especially in the truck sequence. It is so visceral so alive and so kinetic that it makes for one of the most exciting sequences in years rivaling the truck chase in Terminator 2. I will not waste any more time talking about the actors, particularly Heath Ledger as the Joker. I can add nothing new here. Seen in Imax format however he becomes more than just a man but a demonic force. His first scene when he takes off the clown makeup is sweeping. His visage fills the entire screen and the clarity of the format is such that you can see the rot of his face which reflects his rotting soul. The sequence in Hong Kong shot almost entirely in IMAX is a masterpiece of editing and cinematography. Nolan has created an epic crime drama as well as a Faustian drama. The joker has not just sold his soul to the devil he's the devil personified. Batman almost loses his soul. The film in the end is about choices. The choices we make every day. Throughout the film characters are given choices to make. The joker chooses anarchy and chaos over harmony. Batman chooses to save Rachel and in the end loses her. The passengers on the ferries are given a choice. The citizens of Gotham are given the choice to kill the man who knows Batman's identity. And in the end Batman makes the ultimate choice. He chooses in Alfred's words to "make the choice that no one else will have to face." And of course both the Joker and Batman made monumental choices in their pasts that shaped who they were. Batman chose the path of good and the joker chose the path of evil. The film shows how making choices for better or for worse can have profound impacts on our everyday lives. It also shows how the line between heroism and madness is sometimes very thinly drawn. The best comic book movie to date and one of the best movies of the year with the most thrilling ending in recent memory.