The Dark Knight Review

From the IMAX Website: 

"THE DARK KNIGHT: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE, from Warner Bros. Pictures, will feature six sequences filmed with IMAX® cameras. This marks the first time ever that a major feature film has been even partially shot using IMAX cameras, marking a revolutionary integration of the two film formats."

So was this "revolutionary integration" as good as it sounds?
Yes it was!!  Amazingly I was the only person in our group that noticed that the screen went from Widescreen (like a regular movie but larger because of the size of the IMAX screen) at some parts, to filling the full huge IMAX screen at other parts.  The IMAX shots were mostly when they were showing the city view, and also during some of the major scenes at the end.  Every scene was large on the IMAX screen, but these scenes were extra large, extra clear, and extra great!  I felt like I was actually in the city at times, or traveling on a helicopter looking down on the city.

NOTE: This movie was not cut down for the IMAX screen.  It was the full 2.5 hours.

My thoughts on the Movie
The Dark Knight started right out with a bank robbery in progress - led by the Joker.  This scene really helped us get to know what kind of person he was, especially when you see how he treats his fellow bank robbers.  This movie focuses not only on the Joker as the villan, but also at the same time, the police and batman are trying to conquer the mob in Gotham City. 

I had never seen much of the older batmans, but from what I have seen, I've always pictured the Joker as being more cartoony.  Heath Ledger played the Joker amazingly well.  I couldn't even tell it was Ledger no matter how hard I tried to look past the makeup and hear past the voice he used.  It's really too bad we will never get to see him in a part like this again :(  I've always seen Ledger in romantic movies like A Knights Tale and 10 Things I Hate About You so I was amazed by how well he preformed the part of this deranged Joker.

As someone who has never seen any of the older batmans (I've only see Batman Begins) and for someone who doesn't know much about the comic books, this movie was amazing.  I honestly don't even remember much about Batman Begins, so don't think you have to see any of the past ones in order to enjoy this one.  The special effects, costumes and makeup were so good that some of the characters even grossed me out - it was just so realistic!  Those effects on the big IMAX screen were 10x better than they would have been in a theater. 

Of course we can't forget to mention Christian Bale as Batman.  I really think he was the perfect choice for this series.  Not only can he do action, drama, and fighting... but when he plays Bruce Wayne he is able to have Charisma, slight sarcasm and he's a real likable guy.  Bale has it hard in this movie as he has to play two different types of characters, but he excels at both.  His assistants played by Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman are also great choices because they are already likable and they are both able to bring some humor to the screen.

I've heard that you shouldn't bring kids to this movie, and I would have to agree.  It's a lot darker than a movie like Spider-Man and a lot more serious.  You should especially not bring real young kids to the IMAX version because it is loud and can hurt their ears.  I didn't even see any kids at the movie today and I was surprised, not even 10 year olds!  Most everyone was teen to adult as this movie really seems made for the older crowd.

As a comparison to other super hero movies, I have to say this is 5 stars for drama, an interesting storyline and action, but movies like Spider-Man are 5 stars because of the action, adventure and the love story involved.  What I mean is that both are GREAT but for different reasons.  Make sure you realize this is more of a drama and you won't find all the light-hearted and sweet things you would see in Spider-Man.

Tickets to this show were sold out ALL DAY today.  We bought ours a week ago, and found out when we got there they they are sold out for days.  Buy your tickets for next weekend at the IMAX website NOW!!  And get there early to get a good seat.  Enjoy!!