Much of the unwashed masses appear to have proclaimed that 2008’s The Dark Knight is the best film ever – see Internet Movie Database (IMBD.COM). With the untimely death of Heath Ledger (who plays the Joker), the buzz around this summer’s release is almost out of this world.
I finally went a saw this film last night. First the positives: yes, Heath Ledger does a fine job in the role (worthy of an Oscar, me thinks this is a bit of hyperbole on the part of masses – remember when Elizabeth Taylor won for Butterfield 8 when she was ill). An illness or death always creates exaggerated praise for a person – for example, when you put a bullet into someone their stock always goes up, from Lincoln to King to Kennedy to Kennedy. Had each of these people lived to a ripe old age, you would not see them held in such high esteem.
Morgan Freeman brought a great since of dignity to the role of Lucius Fox.
Christian Bale does a decent job as Bruce Wayne and a fair job to the part of Batman (although, he was better in the first film). Gary Oldman played the role of Gordon as well as he could, considering the poor direction provided by C. Nolen.
Many of the stunts were excellent from the kidnapping in Hong Kong to the flipping of a semi-tractor trailer.
Now, to the less than sterling components of the C. Nolen’s composition one can only say that he is not that familiar with world in which Batman lives.
First, the art direction was way too bright. Even though some consider this to be dark film due to Ledger’s performance as the Joker, the film has way too many scenes in broad daylight. For example, the Joker blows up a hospital with the sun at his back.
Also, Chicago did not look enough like the traditional Gotham City. There were way too many recognizable Chicago landmarks.
Sound. It is important – especially when dialogue is being spoken. Several times throughout the film I had to lean forward in my seat just to barely make out what was being spoken. Some people would argue that this is a petty criticism of the “great film.” However, if you can’t hear what is being said, then what is the point of writing the lines in the first place. These technical issues matter when presenting a complete film.
It has been mentioned about the length of the film and some unnecessary elements in other reviews. So yes, it is true that the film is too long and the subplots involving the Rachel Dawes and Harvey Dent characters were more than a bit cumbersome. The beginning sequence with the Scarecrow was just added trifle that one wonders why it was even in the film.
Now, while I enjoyed the pairing of Michael Caine and Christian Bale in the Prestige, they almost seemed disjointed in the Alfred and Master Wayne relationship.
It would have done Mr. Nolen well to have read more Batman comics and watched some of the excellent animated Batman series that have been released over the last 12 to 14 years. He just doesn’t seem to have a handle on who the Batman is – at least not in this film.
