Action takes a back seat to drama

Rating: 9/10 (29 August 2008)

I finally got to see the movie I have been excited about since the end of Batman Begins and I must say it was everything I expected. Great acting, wonderful production designs, and a superb script mix to make more than your average comic book movie. However, I would not go so far as to call this "the greatest movie of all time." It merely raises the bar in its own genre.
While it's an all around excellent film I can't help but point out its flaws. But please, spare me the insults; this is nothing more than mere nit picking.
Confusingly shot and plainly choreographed action scenes fail to recapture the magic of Batman (1989) and Batman: Forever. There wasn't a point throughout the film where I was awed or wished I was Batman. I found myself having trouble getting into them and even began looking around the theater when they occurred.
The story, as mentioned before, is well done, unfortunately the fall of Harvey Dent and the subsequent rise of Two Face felt tacked on. Not to mention the villain/ tragic hero's disappointing amount of screen time. As a fan I was devastated when he fell to his death. It's in this writer's opinion it was definitely something that should have been explored in its own film.
When the movie was over I couldn't help but feel it was a tad bit crowded, the movie definitely lost its focus at times. But don't get me wrong everything that happened in the story was interesting; it was just a lot to digest.
Everyone gave strong performances except for The Dark Knight himself. Christian Bale's screen presence was weak with the exception of the Joker interrogation scene and the final confrontation with Two Face. As I said before there was not one point where I wished I was Batman.
Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance as Rachael Dawes was so-so but she wasn't given much to work with.
And now for the praise. The Dark Knight follows in the footsteps of Batman Begins as a more intelligent and logical breed of super hero movie; It comes close to being a sophisticated crime drama. Whether it's gadgets or emotions they are all believable.
Aaron Eckhart is perfect as Gotham's dashing and fearless District Attorney, Harvey Dent. The way he plays off his alter ego, Two face, is also perfect. Expect to sympathize with this character.
Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker totally reinvented the character as well as our conception of the actor himself. His mannerisms and lines will be imitated for years to come, long after Jack's interpretation is forgotten. Also Director Christopher Nolan's choice of not revealing the character's origin's gave him an eerie almost super natural quality. I applaud his choice.
Props must also be given to the designers who worked on the joker. They managed to make Ledger look distinct from Nicolson while retaining the joker's trade mark green hair, makeup, and purple suit. The concept of his knife collection also adds a more gruesome element to the character.
It must also be said Gary Oldman is Jim Gordon, period!
The story is above average and deeper than most comic book movies. Some of the situations and there following consequences fit together so well it's hard to believe it's a Batman movie.
The atmosphere of paranoia the story fosters is engulfing; you really begin to fear for the characters. No one is safe from the joker's lethal brand of humor, not even the police.
The ending is another bright spot in this already glowing script. Batman's decision to take the blame for Harvey's crimes while refusing to kill the Joker make him a true hero, who will bare any burden to "bring Gotham back." It also sets up an interesting conflict for the third installment.
When all is said and done this movie is worth seeing if only to see a comic book movie done right. Solid acting, writing, and directing make this a sharp movie. However average action, a crowded story, and a long run time may deter the casual movie goer.
I eagerly await the final movie.