McCheesy's take on "The Dark Knight"

Rating: 9/10 (20 July 2008)

Wow. Just wow. And I thought Batman Begins is the epitome of comic book movies. The Dark Knight isn't just the best comic book film ever, its one of the best films to have come out in recent memory. Everything in it is amazingly done and in tip-top shape. From the out-of-this-world acting to the heart pounding musical score courtesy of elite scorers James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer. Every little bit worked in the film's advantage and not one bit seemed annoying or dragged. The story is near damn poetic especially the end parts where Batman had to make a big decision for the betterment of Gotham city. To avoid spoiling the film, I will only say this: the ending is epic. Though there were a couple of questions left unanswered like what will happen to Harvey Dent and since Heath's untimely death, what will become of The Joker in the 3rd installment? Speaking of the late great Heath Ledger, his portrayal of The Joker is beyond words. It was much hyped even before its release and some were highly speculating that he might get a posthumous Oscar for this one. Well, along with the millions of people on this side of Earth, I think he really, really deserves it. The Oscars must be high up their asses if they pass up this one. If an Oscar won't work because of the film's mainstream status, at least have the heart to recognize it. Heath Ledger went away with a bang and he deserves all the praise he gets. It was a darker, mature and grittier version than Nicholson's comical performance in the Tim Burton film. Granted, Nicholson's performance was stellar that is until Heath Ledger came into the picture. Ledger's Joker makes Nicholson's look like a mascot for a Disney ride. His Joker is a walking hell on Earth and his devilish philosophies and ideas will make you cower in absolute fear. I'm so glad Nolan left out the origin idea for The Joker because if they did, the mystery and creepy factor of the character will turn down a notch. It won't be as "absolute" as planned. Every scene with Ledger's Joker is hellacious and watching it on IMAX is a thousand times more hellacious. His Joker is near perfection his portrayal easily catapults the character as one of the best movie villains of all time. He takes the top spot alongside Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter, Star Wars' Darth Vader and Spacey's John Doe. And to tell you the truth, if I think of The Dark Knight, one enduring image is imprinted on my mind: The Joker with his head sticking out a police car with no audible sound in the background. That's it right there, I knew I had to give this film a 5. The theater went silent for a while because that scene was just too much to handle. Ledger's maniacal portrayal combined with Nolan's masterful skills, its a match made in heaven.
Of course its not all Joker with this film. The titular hero portrayed by Hollywood thespian Christian Bale, need I say more? He's the guy you can trust to amazingly portray dark and gritty characters. And yes I think he's the best Batman, no doubt Keaton's was excellent and Kilmer's was just "eh?" and don't start with Clooney, I'm still not over with those Bat Nipples. But Christian Bale is the embodiment of Bruce Wayne. Just as much as Heath Ledger is The Joker, the same thing applies with Christian Bale. He is Batman, he is Bruce Wayne.
And then there's Aaron Eckhart. He superbly portrays District Attorney Harvey Dent and fiendishly embodies his menacing alter-ego Two-Face. This is the first time I've seen Eckhart do a serious dramatic role, his previous films were either cheeky love stories or cheeky comedy flicks or a combination of both. Not that I'm getting tired of him seeing in those films but every actor needs to tread uncharted territory to prove their versatility and I think Mr. Eckhart just did that here. His Two-Face makes Tommy Lee Jones' portrayal in Schumacher's appalling rendition a big hunk of fecal matter. And man, for a PG-13 of a film, Two-Face's ugly side is gory-licious to the umpteenth dimension.
The remaining actors should be proud too. Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman, they were all amazing. A wise move for Nolan to replace horrendous Katie Holmes for Maggie "Sherrybaby" Gyllenhaal. Her character's fate in the film saddens me but you see...it's all...part of the plan.
The Dark Knight is the best film of 2008. There is no "so-far", there is no "to date". This is the best film of 2008 hands down no questions asked bar none. You're missing out a lot if you still haven't seen this one. I suggest you go now. Like, now.
9/10.