THE DARK KNIGHT: A Rarity in Our Time

Rating: 10/10 (29 July 2008)

For the past 30 years (since Christopher Reeves' SUPERMAN in 1978), superhero movies have become a major enterprise, raking in millions of dollars every year. From the Tim Burton BATMAN Franchise to IRON MAN to SPIDERMAN, comic book film adaptations have dominated box office sales. After all of this ascending popularity, it was only appropriate that THE DARK KNIGHT had the largest opening weekend in history, grossing $158M in a 3 day weekend and the first film to break the $300M line in a period of only 10 days. Yes, THE DARK KNIGHT has proved to be entertaining and fun to watch, but is there something more to this action-packed movie than just cheap thrills? THE DARK KNIGHT begins with a bank heist that throws violence and chilling performances in the audiences' faces. It brought the audience into the movie shocked and disturbed, which is different than any other superhero movie I've personally seen. The film continued on past the bank heist and traveled down to the meat and bones of each of the characters, shedding light on the psychosis of each individual. Nolan's screenplay (co-wrote with brother Jonathan Nolan) is up there with PULP FICTION and FARGO in greatest scripts ever. It is just a matter of time before the Nolan Brothers will be as famous and well-received as Joel and Ethan Coen.
Nolan's direction complements the screenplay fantastically, using dramatic themes mixed with action sequences that are unmatched in other superhero films. Nolan (who directed the 2000 thriller MEMENTO) can bring an antique like Batman to life in an inventive and fresh style, choosing unlikely plot twists and gritty story lines that can shock even the most unwavering moviegoer.
Wally Pfister (Director of Photography) and Lee Smith (Editor) deserve credits as well for there hard work trying to skillfully put the pieces of this masterpiece together. The real atmosphere of the film, however, came from James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer, the two composers of the film's score. Howard and Zimmer's composition is both frightening and tense at times, but then switches into heroic and empowering.
Christian Bale's performance as the title character was both dramatic and complex, showing a side of Batman that hasn't been seen before. Although speculation that Bale's performance was going to be a repeat of BATMAN BEGINS, the talented actor proved critics wrong and revealed the character's power struggle with the good and evil within himself. Maggie Gyllenhaal (who replaced Katie Holmes) was perfect for the role of Rachel Dawes, Bruce Wayne's love interest. Gyllenhaal's subtle yet effective acting techniques made her performance memorable and efficient.
Aaron Eckhart's performance was fantastic. That's all I'm going to say about it because there are some things that shouldn't be said before you see the movie. Just take my word for it, he's brilliant. Filling out the rest of the cast are Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Cane, all giving topnotch performances to there characters. However, there was one actor who seemed to stand out among everyone.
Heath Ledger performed as the Joker, leaving the audiences with little breath in there lungs from the moment he appears on the screen. People stared in awe as one of America's most beloved stars completely immersed himself into one of the darkest portrayals of all time. Ledger's performance is up next to Nicholson's THE SHINING and Mitchum's CAPE FEAR and should (and probably will) be an Oscar-Winning performance. Ledger makes himself utterly unrecognizable, a rarity with most actors these days. It's not just the facial make-up, but the mannerisms and vocal patterns that make this character memorable. Ledger's joker pulls the audience into the mind of a vicious sociopath, insanely painting a picture of the madman in everyone. Although Ledger's performance gave the audience the willies, it also produced laughter either out of comedy or nervousness. Ledger's untimely passing in January of this year was both unexpected and incredibly saddening. After viewing the young actor's startling portrayal, audiences and critics all agree that Ledger could have been the next Brando or even better. All in all, Ledger's performance stole the show and perhaps will even steal the Oscar.
THE DARK KNIGHT is more than a comic book movie, but rather an intriguing crime drama that explores the deepest pathos of the criminal mind and surveys the age-old story of good vs. evil. It's a rare film that displays great performances, pitch-perfect direction, a spotless screenplay, and fantastic timing (even for its 2 1/2 hour running time). It's thrilling, exciting, nail-biting, sad, hopeful, hopeless, depressing, funny, frightening, and entertaining. It's everything that a moviegoer, a critic, and a filmmaker are looking for in a movie. Internet Movie Database users agree that it is among the best. In fact, THE DARK KNIGHT's average star rating has surpassed that of THE GODFATHER and PULP FICTION, taking over the number 1 spot on Greatest Movies of All Time.
It's also been a fad for the past couple of years to nominate the films that are "popular" for best picture. Movies such as LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE and JUNO have been nominated not only for good performances and terrific scripting, but something that many films these days lack: charm. People weren't opposed to LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE and JUNO being nominated, but when they oppose THE DARK KNIGHT for a nomination, they will leave this moviegoer asking, "WHY SO SERIOUS?" Is it possible that this revival of a DC Comic book can win Best Picture of the year at the Oscars? It's possible, but not probable. However, I do believe that the cast will be nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble of the year. The performances are fantastic, whether the Academy recognizes them or not. Call it what you like, but THE DARK KNIGHT is definitely one of the greatest films ever made. And I'm not joking.