Viva La Cinema!

Rating: 10/10 (18 July 2008)

Let me first begin by saying this: The Joker is the new Captain Jack Sparrow.
Yes, we've heard the hype, the tragedy, the Oscar predictions, and let me defuse all of these arguments with an emphatic response: Heath Ledger is a phoenix. We will be hearing glorifications about his performance as the Joker, well and beyond the contrived Oscar ceremonies. Heath Ledger is this movie. Heath Ledger is the embodiment, and rebirth, of not only method acting, but the dynamics of a well-textured character. What i mean to say is, in a world where neo-Hollywood patronizes the idea that a story needs character, Heath Ledger is a convincing testament to a milestone that will either be doomed to fall into pop-culture palaver or rightly take it's place among one of the best acted, and scoped, villains of all time. The Joker is an anachronism, where the zeitgeist is: flat character + bump action = $$$. I can't stress this enough, we need more Jokers, seriously Hollywood, Why so serious? Let me move on to the rest of the movie, although i'd rather just gush about Heath Ledger.
Christian Bale really fleshes Bruce Wayne out. I've heard the movie was dark, i've even heard it compared to film-noir (which is slightly obtuse), but the fact of the matter is, this film requires a genre all onto itself, be it, Dark-Noir. The reason i bring this point up, is because, it capitalizes on the dark side of every character in the movie. Gordon, Dent, Wayne, etc. this film is an exposure of negatives, an exposure of human morality, and most importantly, the exposure of human corruption, inevitable human corruption. This film is real, there is no other way about it.
But yes, i've digressed, here's the skinny on the characters: Bruce Wayne becomes dark, which is refreshing to the social playboy billionaire syndrome. I felt Bale was reminiscent of Michael Keaton here. The only fault i have with Bale, as i had with the first film is, the breathy vernacular he employs whilst playing Batman, that teeters on cheesy and well, cheesy. But, i must admit, if it wasn't for the overshadowing aspect of Ledger's performance, Bale would shine throughout this movie. He adds depth to the already pitfalled desperation of Bruce Wayne.
Maggie Gyllenhaal does a fine job of covering the footsteps of Katie Holmes (which i thought did a fine job in the first film). The thing i appreciated about her was, she didn't superimpose her trade-mark zany, neurotic, girl-with-a-punch, characterization to her role as Rachel Dawes.
Gary Oldman does a great job once again. Also, keeping in check his idiosyncratic acting tendencies. He plays it cool, cautious, but also slides into scenes with a demanding presence as not just a off-kilter commissioner, but a man behind the cop suit. Too many times, the cop is just a guy in a uniform with a badge, Oldman makes the audience empathize with him, and not just through obligatory sympathies towards the, "good cop" staple.
Aaron Eckhart, as soon to be, Two-Face, paths the road for the third installment. In fact, one thing I fault Nolan for with this movie is, it is more of a transitional succession, rather than a stand alone. People will gawk at me for this, but yes, I said it. I can't complain about Aaron, nor really can I about any character, the only downside to his role is, the campy CGI that becomes applied to his face. Enough is enough, no more CGI! It always looks terrible.
So, that all being said, see this movie. Twice. Three times. As many times. It has something for everyone, okay, maybe not the Sex and the City crowd, but who cares. Four under thought understatements: action is great, music is great, cinematography is great, and suspense, wow-wee, nail biting! This movie is not only an ode to the absurd (yes, absurd) talent of the late Heath Ledger, but an ode to the suppression of lackluster movie-goers demanding: Viva La Cinema.
So, please, dance with the devil by the pale moonlight, see the Dark Knight.