Number 6- Why so serious?

The Dark Knight (2008)

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman

Before people say anything, I am not a comic book geek, but I love all of the Batman film.  Christopher Nolan final two attempts with the Caped Crusader pull out all the stops.  The Dark Knight is an exciting, action packed film with fantastic acting and even better directing.

The Joker (Ledger) returns as Batmans (Bale) nemesis who is busy trying to protect all the fake “Batmen” who want to help save Gotham City.  Attorney Harvey Dent (Eckhart) also plays the hero, trying to round up a criminal circut know as the Falcone Gang, however Batmans alter ego, Bruce Wayne doubts if Dent can be trusted, not least because of his relationship with old flame Rachel Dawes (Gyllenhaal).

After illegal dealings and the arrest of Gothams crime lords, The Joker starts to taunt Batman, killing his wannabes and other senior members of Gotham police.  The Joker warns that for everyday that Batman goes unmasked, people will die starting with Commissioner Loeb, Harvey Dent, and Judge Surrillo.  Harvey Dent however, is at a fundraising party at Wayne’s penthouse and is saved by Batman when the Joker turns up.

Dent’s life is still on the line, with The Joker killing two men, one called Harvey, the other Dent.  At the scene, Lt Gordon (Oldman) finds an advance copy of tomorrows newspaper with the lead story saying Gothams Major will be murdered.   At the funeral for Loeb, The Joker and his men disguise themselves as police in the guard of honor, and after a trap is set off, aim at the Mayor, but Gordon is shot instead.  Dent, tracks down one of the Jokers henchmen and finds out Rachel is the next target.

The next day, Wayne is ready to give himself in as Batman to save Rachel, however Dent takes the stage and declares he is in fact Batman.  He is arrested and while being transported to County Prison, the convoy is attacked by the Joker, which leads to one of the best car chase scene ever.  The Batman turns up and with the help of Lt Gordon, captures the Joker.

During interrogation, the Joker tells Batman that Dawes and Dent are tied up at two different locations and that only one can be saved.  Batman races to rescue Rachel but on arrival finds Harvey lying on the floor in gasoline.  The location where Rachel was explodes and a fire at Dent’s location burns half of his face leading to him being called Harvey Two-face.

The Joker then plays a game of cat and mouse with the police and Batman, and threatens to blow up a hospital if an employee who knows who Batman is, is not dead within an hour.  The time passes and The Joker, disguised as a nurse blows up Gotham General, where Dent is.  He then tells Gotham that those who want to leave should do so by tonight.

In the rush to leave, the Joker has hijacks two ferries, one with civillians and one with prisoners.  He tells them that they must chose to blow up one ferry by midnight.  During this however, Batman finds the location of The Joker and a battle ensues.  The Joker goes on to tell Batman that the fight was never about killing him, but bringing down Dent, who is now just like him.

At the end the Joker is arrested and Batman leaves with Gordon calling him ‘The Dark Knight.’

The Dark Knight, is no family film like others have been.  Nolan adds his own dark twist and turns to the story and creates a highly exciting and visually impressive film.  Bale gives a good performance in the role of the brooding Batman, and Eckhart is just as impressive as Harvey Dent, but the real star of the film is the late Heath Ledger, who tragdically died before the release.  Even without the untimely loss Ledgers performance would still have been worthy of the Oscar he won for his portrayal of The Joker.

Although at times the storyline does get rather lost along the way, the final hour is none stop action as the plot comes to a head.  Unlike other Batman films, you are able to connect emotionally with the cast, getting to know the motives of their actions, as well as being engrossed in some fantastic cinematography and special effects.  If you have never seen a Batman film, this is the one to see.

Have you seen The Dark Knight? What are your opinions? What do you think of Heath’s performance? Leave your comments below.

Advertisement

---