Amazing Dark Knight

Rating: 10/10 (20 July 2008)

In a tragic juncture of "The Dark Knight" Christian Bale's Batman says to his protector Alfred (Michael Caine), "Alfred,...I meant to inspire good..." Director and Writer Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" is the best movie of the year, and may be the best movie of the last five years. The late Heath Ledger's chilling and mesmerizing performance as The Joker will win for Best Supporting Actor. However, I think Christian Bale as Batman and Bruce Wayne is amazingly powerful, deserving of acknowledgment. Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan's screenplay from the story by Chris Nolan and David Goyer is classic Greek tragedy transformed into modern superhero mythology at its most compelling.
In "The Dark Knight" the great villain, the Joker, relies upon the great hero, Batman. This battle of great evil against good is galvanized by Ledger and Bale. In one sense Ledger's performance is brilliant nihilist chaos, much like The Joker, who just "wants to watch the world burn." However, Bale as Bruce Wayne and Batman has limits. Bale's Bruce confesses, "I've seen now what I have to become to stop men like him." Bale is so riveting and powerful in the battle against succumbing to his own darkness, as a means to justice. In a poignant scene Bruce pleads, "People are dying. What would you have me do?" Alfred (Caine) says, "Endure" There are no trite answers or clean resolution in this morality play. "The Dark Knight" is the uncompromising hero tale where the hero does the right and just thing, but no one escapes unscathed or goes on without forfeiting part of their soul.
"The Dark Knight" is a classic morality play in the midst of a mystifying action movie. The action is visually astounding. Chris Nolan awes us with high speed chases, diesel truck flipping in midair, and dramatic showdowns with Batman and the Joker. Bale and Ledger are up to the physical challenges"The Dark Knight" has awe inspiring martial arts/ street fight sequences. This is Chris Nolan's modern heroic tragic masterpiece.
As "The Dark Knight" resumes, Gotham City is engulfed in a bloody organized crime gang war. Batman (Bale), The Dark Knight, is doing his valiant best as vigilante of justice. However, it seems that the result is an escalation of violence. Mob boss Salvatore Maroni (slick Eric Roberts) and his associates cut a deal with The Joker to "Kill the Batman." Bruce Wayne (Bale) and his Wayne Industries CEO (solid and cool Morgan Freeman) also suspect that potential Hong Kong partner Lau (Chin Han) is not what he says, and is tied to the conspiracy. Bruce is convinced that Gotham really needs a hero "without a mask", and that would be newly elected DA Harvey Dent (charismatic and passionate Aaron Eckhart)The White Knight. Dent wants to bring down the mob, but he questions the leverage Lt. Gordon (amazing Gary Oldman) has with The Dark Knight. Bruce is also torn, because Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaall) is in love with Harvey (Eckhart). Rachel is the love of Bruce's life, for whom he would sacrifice all. Rachel cautions Bruce to not use her as a means for "a normal life". She also confides her soul to Alfred (Caine) regarding Bruce.
The stage is set for the dramatic battle between good and evil, and more profoundly the ultimate cost and sacrifice. Here Nolan and Ledger provoke and thrill. Ledger's Joker is really not what he seemsa raving anarchist bent on chaos. His power and malevolence lies in his ability to leverage the weaknesses of his adversaries, regardless of their innate nobility. This is the source of The Dark Knight's tragedy and muted triumph. The performances are amazing. Morgan Freeman as Lucius is Bruce's trusted mentor and conscience. Michael Caine is quietly powerful as Alfred, guardian of Master Bruce's soul. He is awesome. Maggie Gyllenhaall has a strong turn as Rachel, who is caught between Bruce, Harvey, and Batman.
"The Dark Knight" is Chris Nolan's triumph of heroic tragedy. His work is emotionally compelling and spellbinding, and visually astounding. "The Dark Knight" is the best movie of the year, and the best movie of the last few years.