Overrated but enjoyable!

Rating: 7/10 (26 June 2012)

Now, let me start by saying that I have, and always will think The Dark Knight is overrated. I think the only reason it got so much attention was because of the whole publicity around Heath Ledger etc. Let me say, if Ledger were still alive, I feel the film would probably perform well, but really not as much as it did. So yeah, with this in mind I sat down this afternoon to watch it. It's grown on me a bit since last viewing, but I still think it's very overrated. I've said this a lot in the past, but Nolans trilogy just isn't Batman to me. I see them as very well written action movies. I just don't feel he's captured the look and feel of what Batman is supposed to be (For me anyway, this is my opinion). It's very strange though, since I prefer Batman Begins, to something that can be considered more traditional Batman (Joker etc), but anyway, I find The Dark Knight to be a very well written, and entertaining film. Heath Ledger is, one of the strongest aspects of the movie, and even though he's not my favourite Joker (I have to say that I prefer Jack Nicholsen and Mark Hammil), he put forward a very good performance. Gary Oldman is fantastic once again as Commissioner Gordon, and Michael Caine delivers a rather small, but unforgettable role as Alfred.
Overall, The Dark Knight is very enjoyable, the action set pieces are stunning, and the dialogue is beautifully delivered (Except "WHEREE ISS HEEE!?!?!?! and "I'M NOT WEARINGG HOCKKEYYY PANNNNTTTSS! and "THEN YOU'RE GONNA LOVE ME!", but we'll get to that later) Despite how much I enjoyed it though, I still think the movie is just a bit too long and has a few pacing issues. I think the pacing of Batman Begins was pitch perfect, and I feel that The Dark Knight dragged quite a bit in places, especially the Hong Kong scene, which i didn't think added anything to the final film, and a totally forgettable sequence. I thought Two Face, even though a good villain, was un-needed. His scenes could've easily been cut, and made his reveal into some kind of cliffhanger for The Dark Knight Rises. I just don't think his character was that well developed to be honest. I wasn't that much of a fan of him, but it was a nice performance all the same. I also don't know the reason as to why Katie Holmes didn't return to the part of Rachel Dawes, but I felt that Maggie Gyllenhaal was a very worthy replacement, ALTHOUGH it would've had a lot more emotional impact to have the same actress in both parts considering what happens.
It's very strange actually, because I thought that Christian Bale was the strongest aspect of Batman Begins, and here I feel he is one of the weakest. I don't really care for Bruce Wayne that much, maybe that's intentional. I know he's an international playboy type character, but I'm just not a fan. I really enjoyed his performance in Batman Begins a lot, and I thought his performance in The Dark Knight was a bit disappointing. I also spent the entire movie getting constantly more and more annoyed at his Batman voice. It's completely unnecessary and there's no reason why he just couldn't speak normally, he did in Batman Begins. Although. I'm not going to blame Bale for this, because apparently it was an editing decision made in post production.
The Dark Knight is littered with beautiful scenes and lovely dialogue. It's definitely a strong film in it's own right, despite it's flaws, and it has managed (Along with Batman Begins) to heighten my excitement for The Dark Knight Rises (Which I really wasn't that interested in seeing).