The Dark Knight Review

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elvisdo
Mahwah, NJ

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The Dark Knight Transcends the Whole Comic Book Genre

into action flicks, still a kid at heart, an artist, a comic book junkie!

Pros

Tightly edited, Deeply psychological, Plot-driven, Great performances by all concerned

Cons

Might be too long for some

JUL

2008

There is a reason why Batman is absent from the title The Dark Knight. Everybody keeps saying that this isn’t your father’s Batman. I do think, however, that this is your father’s father’s Batman when the Caped Crusader first made his debut in 1939. Back then Batman was, perhaps, the most brutal personification of the character that could possibly be depicted, even at that time. He showed little remorse over maiming criminals. In fact, he even threw a few off rooftops, which leads me to believe that killing criminals wasn’t a problem for him as well. He also wasn’t above using guns. Certainly this isn’t the Batman that everyone remembers especially from his Super Friends days. But again, the title says it all—The Dark Knight.

Writer/artist Frank Miller’s revisionist take on Batman turned many heads back in 1986 when he produced the three-issue limited series for DC Comics called The Dark Knight Returns. He brought grim-and-gritty to the forefront and changed Batman’s world to a dark, abysmal hell. He also portrays Batman’s crusade as one that can never end. Director Christopher Nolan borrows that cue from Miller when he simply titles his film The Dark Knight. It’s a subtle signal warning people that Batman’s world will always and forever cast in a great shadow of darkness.

But a film like this needs all the necessary components in place in order for it to succeed. Under Christopher Nolan’s masterful direction, The Dark Knight is the film that propels the comic book genre into the next stage and set the bar high for all those that will follow it. Nolan’s vision was realized with Batman Begins as he planted Bruce Wayne and Batman firmly in reality. Grounding this character so he became relatable to people, The Dark Knight is a natural progression of what was first accomplished through Nolan’s watchful and meticulous eye.

A few themes have developed from this movie that really explores Batman’s psyche and those who are affected by his presence.

Gotham City was already a cesspool of corruption even before Batman was born. Young Bruce Wayne learns this the hard way with the loss of his parents. While the streets are rampart with the common criminal, the really masterminds are those that hold political positions of power. Gotham’s evil is rooted with the elected officials who are supposed to be serving the people. Not all are corrupted as Bruce finds a kindred spirit within Lieutenant James Gordon. In order to rise above the corruption, Bruce needs to adopt a symbol that transcends the conventional. Thus, the Batman is born. Over the course of time, the common criminal is finding it hard to go about doing business as usual with Gotham’s newest protector stopping their every move. This is where the criminals have taken Batman’s cue to become theatrical. Enter the Joker.

The Joker explodes onto the scene without any introduction. No origin story is needed at all. Nolan takes the Joker back to his original roots as a mass murderer, as someone who does what he does just for the sheer fun of it. It’s not about power or wealth or fame at all; it’s all about the joke. And the biggest joke to the Joker is that, despite the good intentions of people trying to make Gotham a better place, they can be easily corrupted if push comes to shove. All it takes is one bad day to make the 180-degree turn complete. While the Joker tries to do this with Batman and fails, he succeeds with Gotham City’s newest district attorney, the one dubbed as the “White Knight”—Harvey Dent.

Throughout the movie, we see Harvey’s rise and fall. Nolan wisely depicts this transformation to show some sympathy towards this tragic character. He also wisely avoids showing anything remotely about the Joker’s origin for that reason as well; if we learn why the Joker became the way he is, we might start having sympathy for a character who deserves none. The Joker is pure evil.

And here is the dilemma Bruce Wayne creates for himself. In adopting a new guise as Batman, he hopes to clean up the corruption in Gotham City. With the help of James Gordon and Harvey Dent, there might come a time when Batman is no longer needed, as Harvey Dent is the face of Gotham City’s hero. Bruce believes he might actually have a chance at a normal life, especially with Rachel Dawes. But Batman’s presence has created the likes of the Joker, Two-Face and the Scarecrow. His crusade will never end and this is what Rachel realizes; she cannot wait for Bruce to complete his quest.

Christian Bale returns as Bruce Wayne and Batman, and solidifies why he is a great choice to play the character. The first movie shows how he conquers his fear and uses it to his advantage. This second movie shows him in a more comfortable role, but now he is starting to understand that it’s a crusade that might never end.

Gary Oldman’s role as Lieutenant-Commissioner James Gordon becomes more important. In the war against crime and corruption in Gotham City, Gordon, Batman and Dent form an alliance to make Gotham a better place. Michael Caine is still the father-figure to Bruce Wayne as Alfred Pennyworth, while Morgan Freeman provides Batman with all his wonderful toys as Lucius Fox. These two men figure prominently in Bruce Wayne’s life and prove to be important allies. A big change in the cast is the inclusion of Maggie Gyllenhaal, as Rachel Dawes, who takes over the role from Katie Holmes. Gyllenhaal adds more depth and credibility to the character.

Aaron Eckhart really shines in his role as Harvey Dent/Two-Face as he allows sympathy for this character. Two-Face, in reality, is the flip side of the coin to Batman. This is what Bruce Wayne could have turned out to be if he decided to embrace to wrong side. Harvey Dent is a reminder of that.

But it’s Heath Ledger who really steals the show as the Joker. In fact, I couldn’t even find traces of Ledger at all. It’s as if the Joker was a real character portraying himself in this movie. It’s a testament to Ledger for really delving into the psyche of this homicidal murderer.

Even though The Dark Knight is an original story, it does adapt themes for Batman: The Killing Joke and Batman: The Long Halloween. The former is an influence on how the Joker’s belief comes into play while the latter deals with the trinity of Batman, Gordon and Dent, and its subsequent dissolution after Harvey’s misfortune.

The Batman mythology has come full circle with The Dark Knight as the original concepts are now being recognized after 70 long years. Comic books have come a long way from its funny pages days and I believe this movie has really washed away the stigma that this genre is only meant for kids. Society has matured over the years (at least I would like to think so) and so has this genre. But Nolan has crafted this film in a way that goes beyond the comic book genre. Take away the superhero element and it’s still an amazing movie. The theatrics just propel the mythology to even greater proportions.

Last edited on Jul 29, 2008

The Dark Knight is recommended by elvisdo

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Comments about elvisdo’s Review

elvisdo wrote on Oct 28, 2008 at 2:31PM

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In response to skbreese's comment from Aug 10, 2008 at 7:44PM:

I know what you mean. It's amazing to see who is on this site.

skbreese wrote on Aug 10, 2008 at 7:44PM

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I keep finding my Epinions buddies here. Glad to see you too. Sheila

my-viewpoints wrote on Aug 3, 2008 at 10:28PM

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The title absolutely summed up the movie. If this is the way the Batman movies are now going, this will be my last. I, myself, was in pure torture sitting there as the killings were so extensive and void of emotion that I couldn't get back to any emotion when the main characters needed it. I'm saddened that this is entertainment for so many. I found NO redeeming qualities in the storyline and the killings wore me out. What a waste of $9.

elvisdo wrote on Aug 3, 2008 at 10:22PM

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In response to PattyTherre's comment from Aug 3, 2008 at 8:41PM:

Get in line behind me. It's almost at the 400 million mark. Experts say it should hit the 500 billion mark when all is said and done, though Titanic will still rule at the top with its 600 million + revenue. Bah!

elvisdo wrote on Aug 3, 2008 at 10:20PM

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In response to LoveisJoy's comment from Aug 3, 2008 at 10:13AM:

Thanks!

PattyTherre wrote on Aug 3, 2008 at 8:41PM

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In response to elvisdo's comment from Aug 2, 2008 at 10:02PM:

Yep! I saw the movie and LOVED it. I want to see it again.

LoveisJoy wrote on Aug 3, 2008 at 10:13AM

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Excellent Review!

elvisdo wrote on Aug 2, 2008 at 10:02PM

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In response to PattyTherre's comment from Aug 1, 2008 at 11:23PM:

See, that's a good enough reason to make sure that this movie overtakes the Titanic. LOL

elvisdo wrote on Aug 2, 2008 at 10:02PM

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In response to MikeMaroon's comment from Aug 1, 2008 at 11:14PM:

I'm definitely going to see it again, hopefully in an IMAX theater this time.

PattyTherre wrote on Aug 1, 2008 at 11:23PM

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In response to elvisdo's comment from Aug 1, 2008 at 9:38PM:

I never saw Titanic and I don't want to. I'm excited to see this movie though. We're going tomorrow.

MikeMaroon wrote on Aug 1, 2008 at 11:14PM

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In response to elvisdo's comment from Aug 1, 2008 at 9:38PM:

I've seen it Twice already and I'd pay to see it again! It's just that good.

elvisdo wrote on Aug 1, 2008 at 9:38PM

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In response to PattyTherre's comment from Jul 29, 2008 at 10:40PM:

I'm going to go see it again just for the sheer fact that I want this movie to topple the Titanic as the biggest grossing film to date.

elvisdo wrote on Aug 1, 2008 at 9:37PM

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In response to MikeMaroon's comment from Jul 29, 2008 at 12:49AM:

It's amazing to see the different interpretations of this character over the years only to find that he has come back to his roots. This is the Batman that I love and I'm glad it's finally depicted on the big screen. You know there's going to be another movie after the way this one was ended.

PattyTherre wrote on Jul 29, 2008 at 10:40PM

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I'm going to see this movie this weekend and can't wait. I NEVER see Batman movies (or any in the genre) but this one captivated me. Plus I am/was a huge fan of Heath's and want to see his last full performance. *sigh*... Great review!