Oscar!

Rating: 10/10 (19 July 2008)

***MILD SPOILERS***** What a fantastic film. Let's start by saying, this isn't the Batman from the TV series, and it isn't even quite the Tim Burton Batman from the 80s/90s. Burton created a dark, dreary world, creepy, somewhat real and somewhat surreal.
Instead, what we have here is Batman existing in 2008, with cell phones, globalization, terrorism - things that are all too real. This movie feels like it could happen in Chicago or New York or Los Angeles, not some fictional place like Gotham City. That's makes for at least a portion of the freakiness.
But the most freaky thing in this film, bar none, is Heath Ledger as the Joker. NEVER have I seen a villain that nuanced, that detailed, that meticulously crafted. Was it the screenplay, or was it Ledger's acting, or was it the synergy of those 2 things combined? Whatever brought it out, Heath Ledger's Joker was beyond creepy. They didn't waste any effort on his back-story, like Burton did with Nicholson's character (who was a pretty solid Joker, but nothing like THIS). There were moments where I felt that the Joker was a sympathetic figure, only to realize 45 minutes later that I had been duped. I can't say anymore without some serious spoilers, and I have no desire to ruin this movie for anyone. I am certain that Ledger will get a posthumous Oscar for his performance. I almost cried when I got home, over the tragedy that the guy didn't live to hear the raves about his phenomenal portrayal. His death was sad already, but his Joker was simultaneously a thespian triumph and tragedy.
I wasn't super-impressed by Bale, but I guess that's the new Batman. He's still very misunderstood, even by those closest to him. At points, it seems he doesn't even seem to understand himself, who he is, and what he should be doing. Maybe like the rest of us. Not a cocksure hero like we see in other Batmans, but a guy who strives to do the right thing, yet doubting his own actions. And he takes things too far - truly a flawed character in many ways. Maybe that's what makes this a great movie. I will say this - if you're expecting 2 hours of screen time for Bale, forget it. He gets less time than Harvey Dent or Commissioner Gordon.
Eckhardt as Dent is really good. A wonderful, nuanced performance. Likable, yet cocky. I thought his "transformation" seemed a shade rushed, and the fact that his villainy is limited to pretty much one event is unfortunate. I was hoping that he would have been milked for more plot development in the future - his character's story is somewhat compelling, and the part was well-played.
While I liked Oldman as Gordon, I couldn't escape thinking "that mustache is fake". Still, he looked like a desperate honest cop, which was the role. Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine were very good as Bruce's/Batman's "aides" (Freeman plays the equivalent of "Q" in a Bond film, while Caine is Alfred). Alfred was well written, and isn't just some old "yes-man" butler like we've seen him in past Batmans - he's got some conscience, and even (righteously) objects to some of the things the Dark Knight is doing. I liked Maggie G. as Rachel Dawes...VERY adorable. But the surprise role, to me, is Eric Roberts as the crime boss. Genius.
What a great film. Even if you don't like the Batman narrative, this film stands on its own, and the acting is superb. Go see it if you haven't, if for nothing else, just to see Ledger's Joker.