[MOVIE] The Dark Knight (aka best superhero movie ever?)

[jasonpoon]

Heath Ledger is amazing, I can understand why he died (if his death is really related to the role of Joker)
Jack Nicholson's Joker is just a crazy bastard (but still my favorite villain in superhero movie history...before the release of Dark Knight) but Heath Ledger's is crazy+serious mental disorder+genius, he always got a plan, a plan after another plan. I love the twists in the movie, not those which can compared with twist like Fight Club, but as a superhero movie, these are A+ twists.

I should listen to Jeff, if I skip all those trailers, 6 mins preview, the Dark Knight will be even better.









*****Spoiler*****


I never expect Two-Face gonna die in this movie, I supposed he will be the major villain in the next film. However his death really bring out the theme.
And about the ferry bomb, I don't like the ending which no one press the button. If I told the story, the white-collar eventually press the button but this is the plan of Joker, the button actually trigger the citizens' ferry.

[bobwise]

Heath Ledger is amazing, I can understand why he died (if his death is really related to the role of Joker)

... what?

[ohhoe]

... what?

The joker role in the dark knight is so twisted and evil he's saying it could have mentally taken a toll on ledger.

After I saw the movie on Tuesday, my friends said the same thing.





Also dude you should put "spoiler" in the title of this post...

[ohhoe]

I never expect Two-Face gonna die in this movie, I supposed he will be the major villain in the next film. However his death really bring out the theme.
And about the ferry bomb, I don't like the ending which no one press the button. If I told the story, the white-collar eventually press the button but this is the plan of Joker, the button actually trigger the citizens' ferry.



They wouldn't have done the same type of twist twice in the movie, they already did that with Dent / Rachel, so why would they do the same thing with the ferry? I'm glad it ended like that.

[bobwise]

My boss says that "Keith Ledger" is really good as "The Choker".

[skin87]

An hour and 45 minutes until the movies comes out here in the central timezone!

[eddielee]

I'm completely serious when I say this could be the greatest movie of all time.

[proof]

WOW.

that's about all I can say other than fucking amazing zomg.

I can really see why people are considering this an oscar worthy roll, even if Heath was still here.

[taozoo4u]

this entire post is a spoiler:

Two-Face isn't dead
The movie was amazing, I loved the scene when they really first introduce you to the joker and he does the whole "Wanna see a magic trick?". Two face should have been brought into the movie either earlier or at the same time but draw out the character more. I liked the ending but it wasn't that great of a way to end it, with Batman becoming a villain but it was similar to the first ending with the whole "I'm Sorry" "you don't have to say that" dialogue bit. Overall it was a good movie. I hated how people cheered for Heath when his name came up in the credits, like they were his best friends.

[siraim]

frickin' epic.

I'm going back to see the IMAX version as soon as a ticket becomes available.

Ledger did an amazing job, as did everyone else. The movie was enjoyable and an absolute thrill ride. Can't wait to see it again.. can't wait for the next iteration.

[skin87]

The movie did nothing to change my mind about Batman being one of the lamest superheroes to ever become popular, but I do have to admit it was an extremely good movie.

[mitcharmstrong]

Mind=Blown

Heath Ledger now has a special place in my heart:o

[warreng1983]

just got back from a midnight showing, and the movie got a round of applause. Heath Ledger was amazing. The whole movie was amazing. No compromising. They didn't care if some of the plot might put off some people. It's a dark movie, and that's what makes it so great.

BEST. SUPERHERO MOVIE. EVER!

[runjun]

Movie was unbelievably good.

[ohhoe]

The movie did nothing to change my mind about Batman being one of the lamest superheroes to ever become popular, but I do have to admit it was an extremely good movie.

you take this back, right now.

[jammiepak]

Now I try not to watch the TRS sections reviewing movies until after I have seen them, as I agree with Geoff and have for years that TRAILERS SPOIL MOVIES for me at least so do some reviews, and as I lived in the UK and now Australia I can't watch in the same week as the guys.

This movie is amazing and I was lucky enough (before watching the guys review) to see this on the largest screen in the world, the IMAX in Sydney. I couldn't agree more with the guys reviews particularly Geoff's, as Dan finds it hard to articulate his opinion when he gets so excited. The IMAX turns this into an amazing experence.

The 64mm shots I didn't find distracting at all , and as Alex said "I wanted more". It was a fantastic leap in sound and video from my home projector, unlike most cinema's these days. It's $25 Auz but I will go and see my movies either there or at home from now on.

On the way home on my ferry I had an odd experience too. This is the honest truth you can check with a Google search. Last night it was a full moon here, and because of "world youth day" there is a huge search light scanning the sky above the Harbour, every couple of mins one of the huge fruit bats that fly every night from the botanical gardens to Toronga Zoo would fly over the lamp and a huge shadow would zoom across the clouds. Obviously they wern't close enough to the lamp to leave a clear silhouette, and it was very fast.

I thought this was pretty cool as Dan said it fitted with the new gritty realism of the film. ie not a clear signal like the earlier films. It is better than Ironman although that was a great movie too.

Great work on the show guys and I love the fact that you chapterise it so I can skip the movies section until I have seen the movies your reviewing. See you in Sydney soon.

[iggystar]

This is as close to movie perfection as it gets..thematically awesome, story awesome, visuals, villians, no one was all good...

Heath Ledger's Joker made Jack Nicholson's look like Wile E. Coyote...seriously, dude scared me that there were times I didn't want him to reappear.

[ohhoe]

The 64mm shots I didn't find distracting at all , and as Alex said "I wanted more". It was a fantastic leap in sound and video from my home projector, unlike most cinema's these days. It's $25 Auz but I will go and see my movies either there or at home from now on.


I did find it kind of distracting... I couldn't really see what was going on in the action scenes that were shot in 64mm. I was sitting middle left if you're facing the screen and I just honestly didn't know what to look at...

The landscape and city shots however were absolutely gorgeous in imax, but i couldn't follow with the action ones. :/

[bobwise]

I agree with Danny (or was it Jeff) that said this movie starts out at full speed and doesn't slow down.

"I'm supposed to kill the bus driver."

"I'm going to make this pencil disappear."

In the scene where Batman shows up to save Rachel but its Dent, and then Rachel can hear him screaming over the phone and she's apologizing and sayings its ok... AMAZING. When the bomb blew up I was so tense I almost threw up.

When the convict threw the bomb trigger out the window people in my theater applauded.

Best super hero movie ever. Best action movie ever. Maybe best movie ever.

[ohhoe]

I agree with Danny (or was it Jeff) that said this movie starts out at full speed and doesn't slow down.

"I'm supposed to kill the bus driver."

"I'm going to make this pencil disappear."

In the scene where Batman shows up to save Rachel but its Dent, and then Rachel can hear him screaming over the phone and she's apologizing and sayings its ok... AMAZING. When the bomb blew up I was so tense I almost threw up.

When the convict threw the bomb trigger out the window people in my theater applauded.

Best super hero movie ever. Best action movie ever. Maybe best movie ever.

People in the theater I saw it at applauded a SHITLOAD of times throughout the movie, it was insane. I'd say about 80% of the theater stayed till the end of the credits also.

[psbp516]

I don't think this move should have been made. I don't think I'll ever see a movie that was as good, again. How the fuck will Nolan top this?

[bobwise]

People in the theater I saw it at applauded a SHITLOAD of times throughout the movie, it was insane. I'd say about 80% of the theater stayed till the end of the credits also.

Was there anything after the credits?

[psbp516]

Was there anything after the credits?

No, but if you aren't given time to recuperate you might have a heart attack after the film is over.

[ohhoe]

Was there anything after the credits?

No, but I almost always stay for the credits for a movie I enjoy... my ex always did it, and it kind of rubbed off on me. I guess it's out of respect or something, but for the dark knight we were waiting for the "in memory of" thing to Heath.

[books]

I don't think this move should have been made. I don't think I'll ever see a movie that was as good, again. How the fuck will Nolan top this?

He won't. I don't think he's on board for the third film.

This movie was amazing though, intense, dark and gritty. Loved it.

[tw33k2514]

It would be a HUGE understatement to say that I was breathless throughout this entire movie. The only problem I have now is knowing that I will never see a better superhero movie as long as I live

[tdfx]

The wife and I saw the midnight showing. All I have to say is that the movie was... I can't find words to express how I feel about this movie. Heath as the Joker was the best acting in a movie in the history of movies. NO ONE will ever top that role EVER! Heath put his heart and soul into that role and he deserves whatever he gets from it. No actor will ever come close in my eyes to Heath. He is a wonderful person and actor that will be missed.

I am just glad to know that in my life time I saw the most perfect, pure, wonderful thing to ever exist.

That my friends will be something that I will always remember.

The people stayed until the credits were done as well. The movie got a standing round.

RIP Heath! Your last movie was the best gift you could have given to any one of us geeks, nerds and movie lovers.

Thank you.

[iggystar]

I don't think this move should have been made. I don't think I'll ever see a movie that was as good, again. How the fuck will Nolan top this?


Dude, there is no topping this. I want and do NOT want another sequel. End the series now...it gets no better than this.

[siraim]

Dude, there is no topping this. I want and do NOT want another sequel. End the series now...it gets no better than this.

Unlike the first movie.. this one didn't nicely create interest in a follow on movie. The Joker card clearly pointed to this movie. The end of TDK showed that the next movie would be more about chasing Batman potentially. After sitting in near shock at 3am this morning, I can't really see anywhere to go with the next movie.. but I'm dying to see the next movie.

[marcelluswallace]

What a brilliant film. It's a rarity nowadays to come out of a theater with such awe. Nolan has crafted a near perfect film. Everything in the movie works, the writing, the cinematography, the acting, the action...everything. Heath, you are the man. You will be nominated for Best Supporting Actor come Oscar time. No question.

This is the best movie I've seen this year, and should really be considered for a Best Picture nod.

[siraim]

It should be clear... but this has clearly pushed IronMan out of the top slot on my movie list this year. I suppose pushed might not be a strong enough word. It stomped on IronMan, kicked it out of the bus and drove away.

[stubadub]

Unlike the first movie.. this one didn't nicely create interest in a follow on movie. The Joker card clearly pointed to this movie. The end of TDK showed that the next movie would be more about chasing Batman potentially. After sitting in near shock at 3am this morning, I can't really see anywhere to go with the next movie.. but I'm dying to see the next movie.

Spoilers



I disagree. They made the smart move and kept Joker around indicating that there is more in store between the two of them, and the ending just indicates that he will not have the cooperation of the police. Unfortunately I don't see how they can use the Joker in another film now, considering how amazing Ledger was in the role.

Also, I don't think it's clear Two Face is dead.

[siraim]

Spoilers



I disagree. They made the smart move and kept Joker around indicating that there is more in store between the two of them, and the ending just indicates that he will not have the cooperation of the police. Unfortunately I don't see how they can use the Joker in another film now, considering how amazing Ledger was in the role.

Also, I don't think it's clear Two Face is dead.

I was being a bit vague. With Joker (and I agree Two Face) being alive, they have plenty of things they can do with the next film. Beyond that, there are plenty of other potential villains in the Batman universe to populate the third film.

I think my point was that while there are plenty of places they can go with the next film, but they didn't have a pointer to the next film like they did at the end of Batman Begins. I really appreciated that.

[stubadub]

I was being a bit vague. With Joker (and I agree Two Face) being alive, they have plenty of things they can do with the next film. Beyond that, there are plenty of other potential villains in the Batman universe to populate the third film.

I think my point was that while there are plenty of places they can go with the next film, but they didn't have a pointer to the next film like they did at the end of Batman Begins. I really appreciated that.

Gotcha, I misunderstood.

[psbp516]

I was being a bit vague. With Joker (and I agree Two Face) being alive, they have plenty of things they can do with the next film. Beyond that, there are plenty of other potential villains in the Batman universe to populate the third film.

I think my point was that while there are plenty of places they can go with the next film, but they didn't have a pointer to the next film like they did at the end of Batman Begins. I really appreciated that.

My problem with a sequel wouldn't be lack of material. The Batman universe has a lot of characters that would work well in this story. They could even bring Raz back (since his "death" was very ambiguous). I just don't think it's possible to construct another movie that is better or even on the same level as The Dark Knight. Maybe I'm over-exaggerating but what I saw last night was just....everything I ever hoped to see in a movie, my entire life.

[deegraww]

My problem with a sequel wouldn't be lack of material. The Batman universe has a lot of characters that would work well in this story. They could even bring Raz back (since his "death" was very ambiguous). I just don't think it's possible to construct another movie that is better or even on the same level as The Dark Knight. Maybe I'm over-exaggerating but what I saw last night was just....everything I ever hoped to see in a movie, my entire life.

Never say never.

[stubadub]

My problem with a sequel wouldn't be lack of material. The Batman universe has a lot of characters that would work well in this story. They could even bring Raz back (since his "death" was very ambiguous). I just don't think it's possible to construct another movie that is better or even on the same level as The Dark Knight. Maybe I'm over-exaggerating but what I saw last night was just....everything I ever hoped to see in a movie, my entire life.

I agree that this was pretty much my perfect film, but I'm not ready to stop watching all other movies either. Just because the best Batman comics are things from the past doesn't mean I don't want to keep reading, waiting for more good ones. None of my favorite Batman books have been released in the last 10 years, but there have still been some stories good enough to keep me going. I hope to see another Batman film, and I truly hope Nolan finds his way back into the director's chair.

[xfuuey]

It should be clear... but this has clearly pushed IronMan out of the top slot on my movie list this year. I suppose pushed might not be a strong enough word. It stomped on IronMan, kicked it out of the bus and drove away.

I agree.. :D

[az0madman]

Oh my, I had change my pants after that movie. Just got back from the earliest morning showing, and it was amaaazing. Heath as the Joker... I mean... Wow, I couldn't have envisioned it any better. See, THIS is how you make a movie with dual/triple baddies. Spider-man can take lessons from this movie. A lot of lessons.

[fath0m]

This is my favorite movie of all time. Joker was absolutely on point.




:::::SPOILER:::::


















:::::::SPOILER:::::








Notice which way the coin falls when harvey dent refers to himself. He is definitely still alive.

<3 <3 <3 <3 the fire truck being on fire, The prisoners dilemma being with prisoners. Anyone else catch little joker "jokes".

Unfortunately the death of Joker actor Heath Ledger will almost certainly force them to look into other super villains like two face and ??. I reallly hope they dont pull the spiderman 3 and do a CLayface villain.

[earlobe]

phillip semour hoffman was gonna play the penguin in this movie
maybe that's what he'll do in the sequel if there is one

i absolutely love hoffman but i cant say the same about the villian penguin

my favorite batman villian i would want to see would be clayface but i cant see nolan making him a believable character

[straylightrise]

Well villan wise now Nolan can add to the mythology of the series by creating his own villlans if he wants.

BEST MOVIE EVER

[skin87]

you take this back, right now.

Nope, sorry. I find Bruce Wayne/Batman kinda boring. It takes a good bad guy to make him interesting which is why this movie is way better than the last one.

I'm not trying to say Ironman was a better movie, but if you do compare the two Ironman was a great movie because of the title character, the villain in it was far short of spectacular. But the reason The Dark Knight was a great movie was because of the Joker. This movie could have been about any superhero and it wouldn't have made too much of a difference, and that is why I find Batman a little lame.

[warreng1983]

I don't think this is really a spoiler, but did anyone else think that they were foreshadowing a Catwoman appearance in the series? There was a part where Fox and Bruce are looking at some new armor, and Bruce asks if it would be good against dogs, and Fox says, "chihuahuas, rottweilers... cats." I instantly thought Catwoman.

[jasonpoon]

I don't think this is really a spoiler, but did anyone else think that they were foreshadowing a Catwoman appearance in the series? There was a part where Fox and Bruce are looking at some new armor, and Bruce asks if it would be good against dogs, and Fox says, "chihuahuas, rottweilers... cats." I instantly thought Catwoman.

wow, you didn't think about that, it's very possible and considering Rachel Dawes is dead...they need a new female character. But for more than a decade, I can't find anyone who can surpass Michelle Pfeiffer as the Catwoman.

And why people think Two-Face is still alive? His change and death link to the theme of the film in an important way. It will be lame if they said Two-Face is still alive in the 3rd film. Just find another villain, Harvey Dent did a great job in DK already.

[darthender]

Basically, as long as they are doing movies in the "Dark Knight" franchise, I don't think that I want to see them doing any villains with powers. Which kind of limits them to Penguin and Riddler as far as well known Batman villains goes(frankly, I don't even want to see Catwoman in this franchise, she already has her own fmovie this generation).

Which is weird because Mr. Freeze is one of my favorite Batman characters, but I just think that a villain with powers would spoil the almost crime dramaesque stories they are telling.



Anyway, this was the best movie of the year and I only have one complaint with it. And that's kids. This movie really feels written like it's rated R. There's alot of characters doing alot of violent stuff in it. But because alot of kids are going to see this(I know this because watching Avatar this week I get to see through about 4 Batman related commercials every commercial break), so those violent moments are edited in ways that are almost jarring. Moments like:





SPOILER:
Like the pencil, or cutting the crime bosses face, etc.






but in a movie with so much killing going on, there's not a single drop of blood. It just seems contradictory.

[skin87]

[QUOTE=DarthEnder;402592](frankly, I don't even want to see Catwoman in this franchise, she already has her own fmovie this generation)[/QUOTE

Maybe that point would be better had anyone actually seen that movie.

[damnedeyez]

[QUOTE=DarthEnder;402592](frankly, I don't even want to see Catwoman in this franchise, she already has her own fmovie this generation)[/QUOTE

Maybe that point would be better had anyone actually seen that movie.

I'm not sure I'd even consider it the same catwoman.

But...Michelle Pfiefer would be hard to beat, anyway.

[az0madman]

After Nolan/Heath's Joker, I wouldn't doubt who they would cast if Catwoman was in it.

[burkhartmj]

If Nolan does the next one I'd have faith in whoever they cast as any possible villain.

Anyways, this movie is just impossible to describe, it is so perfect. I was a batman fanatic when I was a little kid, but the string of neon batman movies put me off. When Batman Begins came out, my love for the character and mythos came back in full force. This movie does nothing to dissuade that, and makes me love the franchise all the more.

I do think Heath did a fantastic job that won't be topped in any movie in the near future, but props to Bale for keeping up with him every step of the way. I think Bale's acting in this was exponentially better compared to Batman Begins [which is now my 2nd favorite movie].

[MaxTheSilent]

Yes, it is. But it's so much more than that.

If THE DEPARTED can win Best Picture Oscar then this certainly can.

THE DARK KNIGHT has, without question, the most rich, complex and thematically deep screenplay of any movie this year. It's a masterpiece of contemporary film-making that I very highly doubt will be topped this year.

[straylightrise]

I think in the next Batman movie (if there is one which I'm going to assume there will be) Nolan will have the luxury of either bringing in some rather more obscure villans or create his own.

I'm pretty sure Dent is dead - if you're going to do a funeral for someone generally you're going to make sure he's dead. But you never know.

No Catwoman please.

I would love to see BANE as the next villan tho. In today's steroided world Bane would be a great fit.

[MaxTheSilent]

No, the next movie will be about Two-Face. Eckhart was superb and got so much screen time that he is the logical progression for the next (conclussion?) episode of Nolan's arc for this world.

Count on it.

[straylightrise]

but but....they showed the funeral - I would hope after faking Gordon's death that they would definetly make sure Dent was dead.

I would love to see a new villan because I doubt there will be no more than 3 batman movies made by Nolan (i'd be really really surprised) and for him to create and add to the mythology of the series on his last movie would be awesome. And this guy has written some pretty damn good villans.

[MaxTheSilent]

All I know is that after THE DARK KNIGHT I am 100% behind anything Mr. Nolan and his team decide to come up with.

And considering that THE PRESTIGE is one of the most under-rated mainstream movies of modern times, I hope he makes another movie before BATMAN 3 to cleanse his pallete, so to speak.

[darthender]

Honestly, I think Ra's al Ghul is alot more likely to be alive at this point than Two Face is.

I'm really hoping that when Nolan decides he's doing his final Batman movie that Ra's is the main villain and basically bookends the series.

[stubadub]

but but....they showed the funeral - I would hope after faking Gordon's death that they would definetly make sure Dent was dead.



Dent pretty much is dead, but Two Face lives.

[jammiepak]

I was amazed at the brilliant job they did at turning the joker from a Disney character in his previous outing, into a mentally disturbed sociopath in the Dark Knight. This said I just cant see what they can do with the Penguin to ground him in the same pseudo reality.

I think that part of the reason this film is so good, is the way they have taken the franchise and brought it back to a level that we can more easily relate it to the darkest elements in modern society.

I hope they find another nemesis as good as Heath made the Joker.

[quix]

I loved their take on the Joker and definitely agree with everyone who has said the film should be under Oscar consideration which is something I never thought I'd say about a comic adaption.

As for who could be the next villain, I could see the Riddler. I could see them grounding him in the world by making him less of a harmless prankster and more of a serial killer like the Zodiac with his quirk being that he leaves puzzles as to who his next target is.

[irishpunk]

This is possibly one of the greatest films I've ever seen in my life. Everything just clicked and worked so damn well together it left me in awe for a good long while after I got out of the cinema. Heath's role as the Joker, the only word that describes it for me is mesmerizing. Whenever he'd be on screen you just couldn't help but look at his acting in awe. Nolan did a beautiful job with this film. Hell I'm still at a loss for words.
One thing worth noting, I haven't in my life so far seen a 200+ person line leading from the opening lobby to outside of the theater waiting to get into the next screening. Reminded me of all that footage I've seen of when the original Star Wars came out and they showed out big of a gathering there was at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in LA.

[earlobe]

i could def see bane or the riddler

however if they did bane they should get rid of the stupid tubes that directly pump the steroids...just make him a user

[stubadub]

I was amazed at the brilliant job they did at turning the joker from a Disney character in his previous outing, into a mentally disturbed sociopath in the Dark Knight. This said I just cant see what they can do with the Penguin to ground him in the same pseudo reality.

I think that part of the reason this film is so good, is the way they have taken the franchise and brought it back to a level that we can more easily relate it to the darkest elements in modern society.

I hope they find another nemesis as good as Heath made the Joker.

Strap on that Jammy Pack and get up off my floor.

[darksydeavenger]

I had to remind myself to breathe at various points throughout the film, which is probably why I was so lightheaded walking home from the theater. I really love how they put more of Chicago into the film than with the last one. That said, it bothers me just a little that it feels like Begins' Gotham is a different place than Knight's Gotham. Did anyone else notice this?

[missbombpop]

Saw the movie last night and while I am not really surprised that I liked it but more on how much I LOVED it. In all honesty, Batman is my favorite superhero. (For many reasons that I do enjoy getting into) and I really liked the first one (Begins), I was just worried about this living up to the hype. A true confession is that I was kind of hoping that Heath Ledger DIDNT live up to the hype. I really don't enjoy the whole "tribute, great man, cry over the death of an actor" thing and I was morbidly hoping that this would do in all of the hysteria. Then I saw the thing and he was amazing (dammit)! Now I am one of the masses sad that I will never see the joker again. And who now thinks Nicholson's Joker was not so very good.

(Oh, and Christian Bale can wear an Armani suit better than anyone. Or, more like, Bruce Wayne can! :) )

eta: Best Superhero Movie Ever

[magunwarrior]

Heath Ledger is just fantastic, all of the small mannerisms really convey that certain madness that just jives so well with the character.

[az0madman]

@darksydeavenger: Well there was a lot more daytime as opposed to Begins. Maybe that changed the atmosphere a bit. And there was more emphasis above ground then the underground.

It's currently #1 on the IMDB top 250 at 28,000 votes. I know that list can't be taken too seriously, but that's still impressive.

[darksydeavenger]

@darksydeavenger: Well there was a lot more daytime as opposed to Begins. Maybe that changed the atmosphere a bit. And there was more emphasis above ground then the underground.

It's currently #1 on the IMDB top 250 at 28,000 votes. I know that list can't be taken too seriously, but that's still impressive.


Also, did they even go to the narrows at all in this one?

[az0madman]

Also, did they even go to the narrows at all in this one?

They did once, during the transport of Dent.

[jay_ray]

This movie is amazing, it's easily the best comic book movie I've ever seen, and is the best movie of the year so far. Heath played the Joker to perfection, a psychotic genious with the love of chaos. The Joker is a true danger and threat to society and was fully willing to let the world destroy it self by just poking the right spots, he was always five steps ahead, and Ledger played the part perfectly.

My only complaint is the Bale's Batman voice felt forced or strained in some parts, but that is a very minor complaint.

As a side note, did any one notice that Bale's Batman voice sounded like Solid Snake in MGS4 sometimes?

[darksydeavenger]

This movie is amazing, it's easily the best comic book movie I've ever seen, and is the best movie of the year so far. Heath played the Joker to perfection, a psychotic genious with the love of chaos. The Joker is a true danger and threat to society and was fully willing to let the world destroy it self by just poking the right spots, he was always five steps ahead, and Ledger played the part perfectly.

My only complaint is the Bale's Batman voice felt forced or strained in some parts, but that is a very minor complaint.

As a side note, did any one notice that Bale's Batman voice sounded like Solid Snake in MGS4 sometimes?


Well, now we know who can play Solid Snake in the movie adaptation, if they ever make one. :D

[sisterchristian]

Ok.. Somehow I think that I didn't see the same movie as the TRS guys or the people on this thread.

I think most of the problems with the movie have to do with the length. There might have been a nice 1 1/2 hour movie buried under the 2 1/2 hour movie I saw, but it probably was only an hour of good material.

Needless to say I was very disappointed in the movie. Was Christian Bale in this movie? I didn't really notice, tho I will say that the stunt guy in the bat suit did a good job.

I will say that Heath did a great job. Great Joker.

Was anyone else creaped out by the treatment of Barbara Gordon, the daughter not the wife? You never see her face, she is never referred to by name, or at all other than one reference to "go and get your sister".

Oh... Mission Impossible 3 wants their China/Hong Kong sequence back... plus they did it better.

Another OH... Note to writers: You really don't have to use the title of the movie in the movie. We bought the tickets.. We know what it's called.

I don't know if geeks are so in love with Batman that they are blinded, or if it's Heath's death clouding everyone's judgment, but I really don't think I saw the same movie.

[ohhoe]

Ok.. Somehow I think that I didn't see the same movie as the TRS guys or the people on this thread.

I think most of the problems with the movie have to do with the length. There might have been a nice 1 1/2 hour movie buried under the 2 1/2 hour movie I saw, but it probably was only an hour of good material.

I totally totally totally disagree! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and when it was over, I wanted more. I wish the movie would have kept on going and I would have never left the theater.




Another OH... Note to writers: You really don't have to use the title of the movie in the movie. We bought the tickets.. We know what it's called.

I don't know if geeks are so in love with Batman that they are blinded, or if it's Heath's death clouding everyone's judgment, but I really don't think I saw the same movie.

They used the title in the movie because that's what he's referred to as, so why wouldn't they? In the original Batman, are they not supposed to call him Batman ever? That's the most ridiculous logic I've ever heard.

[sisterchristian]

I totally totally totally disagree! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and when it was over, I wanted more. I wish the movie would have kept on going and I would have never left the theater.

I know!! I don't get it. And it wasn't just me, the whole group of 10 or so people I went with all has basically the same reaction.... "What the hell was that, and why was it so long".


They used the title in the movie because that's what he's referred to as, so why wouldn't they?
It was more the constant repetition of Dent as the "White Knight", that annoyed me. We get it, he's the only hope for Gothan, he is wonderful and great and loves kittens.

[ohhoe]

I know!! I don't get it. And it wasn't just me, the whole group of 10 or so people I went with all has basically the same reaction.... "What the hell was that, and why was it so long".


It was more the constant repetition of Dent as the "White Knight", that annoyed me. We get it, he's the only hope for Gothan, he is wonderful and great and loves kittens.



Maybe you should have gone to see Meet Dave instead.

[skin87]

My only complaint is the Bale's Batman voice felt forced or strained in some parts, but that is a very minor complaint.

It's supposed to, it makes him sound more intimidating and hides his identity.

[skin87]

Maybe you should have gone to see Meet Dave instead.

It was a very good movie, probably will end up as one of the best of the year. Still, no movie is as good as all the hype this one is getting, and I am getting really sick of anyone that brings up criticisms being insulted for their opinion. He brought up valid points, no need to be hostile because he refuses to like it as much as everyone else.

[ohhoe]

It was a very good movie, probably will end up as one of the best of the year. Still, no movie is as good as all the hype this one is getting, and I am getting really sick of anyone that brings up criticisms being insulted for their opinion. He brought up valid points, no need to be hostile because he refuses to like it as much as everyone else.

How was I being hostile? I gave him a valid family friendly alternative. :)

[sisterchristian]

How was I being hostile? I gave him a valid family friendly alternative. :)

Oh don't worry, I can handle the sarcasm.

But Family Friendly isn't really my thing... One of the best parts of Dark Knight was the "pencil trick" :) Loved that part.

I think the movie suffers from "too much". The plot is really about Dent, Gordon, and the Joker. The problem is they don't really interact. So the movie spends a LOT of time building up the story arch of these three characters AND Batman. I probably would have enjoyed the movie much more had I watched it at home, taken breaks to piss or have a smoke.

If this movie was a comic it would have been 6- 12 issues, which is just too much to slog through in one sitting.

[skin87]

How was I being hostile? I gave him a valid family friendly alternative. :)

Oh come one :rolleyes:, this is the TRS forum. You know what the level of insult was when you Meet Dave out there.

[jasonpoon]

One thing I don't understand, Two-Face was wearing the "Two-Face monkey suit" which is not match the rest of the film. Harvey Dent was just angry and wanted to revenge but he's not a psycho, why would he wear that suit? I know that's what Two-Face should look like in comic but I think it just doesn't match the movie.

[az0madman]

Two-Face monkey suit?

[jasonpoon]

Two-Face monkey suit?

I mean his costume.:D
He should wear a normal suit instead of the Two-Face costume.

[forbizzle]

"People reveal their true colors moments before they die" Definitely going to be in some clip reel. Probably before he wins an Oscar.

[puddlefish]

It was his normal suit, half of it was just burned, like his face.

I thought this movie was too long the first time around. There wasn't anything I disliked, so there weren't specific parts I thought should go, but it felt a little too long. Second time around, though, no complaints. Loved it.

[crazymagician000]

Ok... I have a question, Is it worth waiting a couple days to go see it in IMAX or just going to see it in a normal theater tonight...

I've heard the IMAX is really good, but is it worth it?

[yibn]

I thought the IMAX was worth it, but then again I had perfect seats in there. So I would get there early to make sure you get good seats, otherwise you'll be staring straight up and not seeing half the screen.

[stubadub]

Ok.. Somehow I think that I didn't see the same movie as the TRS guys or the people on this thread.

I think most of the problems with the movie have to do with the length. There might have been a nice 1 1/2 hour movie buried under the 2 1/2 hour movie I saw, but it probably was only an hour of good material.

The only scene that I've seen someone suggest should have been cut down that I could have lived without was the scenes with the two ferrys with all the passengers making the decision, but I didn't really have a problem with this scene. At the end of the film I was sorry it was over, and I couldn't bring myself to get out of my chair.


Needless to say I was very disappointed in the movie. Was Christian Bale in this movie? I didn't really notice, tho I will say that the stunt guy in the bat suit did a good job.


You're not a fan of Bale's chin is what your saying?


Oh... Mission Impossible 3 wants their China/Hong Kong sequence back... plus they did it better.


You mean the scene that largely happened off camera in MI:III? Both had to gain entry into a skyscraper in an asian location. The location was important here in Dark Knight, it was happenstance in Mission Impossible. I liked that scene in Mission Impossible (hell, I liked that Mission Impossible in general) but i don't think that is a fair comparison, and between the two this was my favorite scene (though I did think it cool that the Rabbit's Foot was aquired off camera).



Another OH... Note to writers: You really don't have to use the title of the movie in the movie. We bought the tickets.. We know what it's called.


He's known as the Dark Knight in the comics, they were making a point to how he had to pick up the role of savoir of Gotham again since the White Knight was no more. I thought that little voice over at the end was a fitting conclusion.


I don't know if geeks are so in love with Batman that they are blinded, or if it's Heath's death clouding everyone's judgment, but I really don't think I saw the same movie.

In my group of friends there were several of us that were skeptical to varying degrees of this film. I loved Batman Begins so much that I felt confident that this would be a good film. My skepticism was largely a product of the praise that Ledger was getting before the release. I viewed this the way I view the Biggie/Tupac praise I hear in the hip hop world. Yes, they were both talented, but had they not died there would be a lot less people claiming them to be the greatest rappers ever. It seemed likely that Ledger's performance would be getting a similar boost because of his untimely death.

I was completely blown away by a performance that I expected to dissapoint because of the hype. My friends all seemed to be completely geeked out as well. This was a film that had me on the edge of my seat in anticipation, that had the balls to pull a few moves that most films cower away from, and as a result made the real. It was one of very few movies that compelled me to pay more at the box office to see it again, and it was every bit as good when I knew what was coming.

Of course you don't have to like this movie. There will be people that don't like any movie, and this one was dark, tense and testosterone fueled. That's not everyone's thing, sometimes even if it sounds like it should be your thing.

However, don't make the mistake that the fanaticism being expressed for this film is empty hype. Hype gets people to the theater, but it rarely makes it far afterwards. Stephen King wrote a great little piece in Entertainment Weekly about hype vs buzz, and this is clearly a case of unprecendented buzz. The love for this film does not end in a few weeks after everyone intersted has seen it. It will endure.

[invisibleman]

I liked the movie, but it did not leave me with the feeling I had after Iron Man. It could be that I liked the Iron Man title character more since he is essentially an engineer/scientist who fights terrorist after inventing his own power source. As an engineer, this is like a little boys fantasy come to life on the big screen.
Bale's preforms doesn't even come close to RDJ's as a billionaire playboy/superhero. He seemed out of place in those parties and he was not as good as the batman than in 'Begins'. The real star of the show is The Joker. Heath's performance is legendary, every time he is on screen its like lightning in a bottle.
My problem is not in the length of the movie (I actually like long movies) but in the lackluster ending. That movie deserved a better ending then the one I saw. Two Face was done well, but his death seem a little rushed. I mean was he in affect killed by the same man who refuse to let the joker die. Two Face went crazy a little fast, and his lack of hatred for the Joker didn't make a lot of sense. The Joker should have been in the final scene not Two Face.
But enough of my criticisms, I did like the movie. While I liked Iron Man more, this movie was a great ride and I only really regret there was no IMAX showing in my area.

[stubadub]

Bale's preforms doesn't even come close to RDJ's as a billionaire playboy/superhero. He seemed out of place in those parties and he was not as good as the batman than in 'Begins'.

I'd say this out of place feeling was by design. He doesn't fit in to that society, and only pretends to as a means to further his Batman agenda. I do agree that Robert Downey Jr is far more charismatic and fun as Tony Stark than Bale is as Bruce Wayne, but I think truly fun playboy Bruce Wayne would have felt out of place in this movie.

I don't know why so many feel that Two Face is dead. Two Face has replaced Harvey Dent, so it was Harvey Dent who is dead in the eyes of the public.

Nolan almost said as much before Ledger's death. He'd said something to the effect of "I have a plan for a trilogy, the first film set up the world, the second film sets up Joker and Two-Face, and the third film is a 'trial' for these two characters." At least at that time his intention was not to kill Two Face at the end of film two.

[mharrison]

I was quite disappointed in the lack of design in Gotham City in this movie. Batman Begins had a really nice city design, with the monorail, and the Wayne building and the central island (the one that got gassed), whereas this one is just Chicago, the Wayne building is totally different. I guess they ran out of money to portray Gotham? This is Batman not CSI: Chicago, I like my comic book cities to look a bit more fantastical than real-life ones. Why did they change this from Batman Begins? This change was totally jarring for me and made the movie less enjoyable.

[sisterchristian]

The only scene that I've seen someone suggest should have been cut down that I could have lived without was the scenes with the two ferrys with all the passengers making the decision, but I didn't really have a problem with this scene. At the end of the film I was sorry it was over, and I couldn't bring myself to get out of my chair.

I think that there is a lot that could have been cut and you would have never noticed. I was chatting with a friend last night who felt similar about the movie, and I came up with this concept: You could have started the movie with the Dent "I am Batman" press conference and continued from there and had a nice kickass movie.



You're not a fan of Bale's chin is what your saying?


Well it is a very nice chin, but he is a good actor I would have liked seeing some more acting from what you would think is the lead actor/title character.


You mean the scene that largely happened off camera in MI:III? Both had to gain entry into a skyscraper in an asian location. The location was important here in Dark Knight, it was happenstance in Mission Impossible. I liked that scene in Mission Impossible (hell, I liked that Mission Impossible in general) but i don't think that is a fair comparison, and between the two this was my favorite scene (though I did think it cool that the Rabbit's Foot was aquired off camera).



He's known as the Dark Knight in the comics, they were making a point to how he had to pick up the role of savoir of Gotham again since the White Knight was no more. I thought that little voice over at the end was a fitting conclusion.



In my group of friends there were several of us that were skeptical to varying degrees of this film. I loved Batman Begins so much that I felt confident that this would be a good film. My skepticism was largely a product of the praise that Ledger was getting before the release. I viewed this the way I view the Biggie/Tupac praise I hear in the hip hop world. Yes, they were both talented, but had they not died there would be a lot less people claiming them to be the greatest rappers ever. It seemed likely that Ledger's performance would be getting a similar boost because of his untimely death.

I was completely blown away by a performance that I expected to dissapoint because of the hype. My friends all seemed to be completely geeked out as well. This was a film that had me on the edge of my seat in anticipation, that had the balls to pull a few moves that most films cower away from, and as a result made the real. It was one of very few movies that compelled me to pay more at the box office to see it again, and it was every bit as good when I knew what was coming.

My point was more about why do you need to go to hong kong? Why do you need that scene at all? Yes, it was kewl, but the purpose of the scene is to have a Rad action piece and have evidence for the trial, which you could have done in many different ways and not leave Gotham or have all the step for the scene.


Of course you don't have to like this movie. There will be people that don't like any movie, and this one was dark, tense and testosterone fueled. That's not everyone's thing, sometimes even if it sounds like it should be your thing.

Nope I love dark testosterone. I just think the borne movies and Casino Royale did that better. Iron Man is a better superhero movie.


However, don't make the mistake that the fanaticism being expressed for this film is empty hype. Hype gets people to the theater, but it rarely makes it far afterwards. Stephen King wrote a great little piece in Entertainment Weekly about hype vs buzz, and this is clearly a case of unprecendented buzz. The love for this film does not end in a few weeks after everyone intersted has seen it. It will endure.

I disagree that it will endure. I think once the hype is gone and people watch it at home they will see that a lot of this movie is unnecessary and in the way of the good Batman movie that's buried in the 2 1/2 rise and fall Dent/Gordon movie.

[mharrison]

Nolan almost said as much before Ledger's death. He'd said something to the effect of "I have a plan for a trilogy, the first film set up the world, the second film sets up Joker and Two-Face, and the third film is a 'trial' for these two characters." At least at that time his intention was not to kill Two Face at the end of film two.

If the first movie set up the world, then why did he completely scrap the world he created in Batman Begins? Nothing was recognizable from the first movie except maybe the one street that went down to the lower part of the city and even that was different.

[jay_ray]

It's supposed to, it makes him sound more intimidating and hides his identity.

I realize it's supposed to sound deep and dark, but at times it sounded as if Bale went beyond his vocal limit and his voice sounded strained as a result, but that could be a result of just hearing Batman talk a lot more.

[stubadub]

I think that there is a lot that could have been cut and you would have never noticed. I was chatting with a friend last night who felt similar about the movie, and I came up with this concept: You could have started the movie with the Dent "I am Batman" press conference and continued from there and had a nice kickass movie.


None of that was fluff. You would have lost the bank sequence setting up the brilliance of Joker's planning ability, how the Joker convinced the mob that he could help, why the Mob bought into it, the entirety of why Harvey Dent was considered the White Knight of Gotham, and the turning of the tide in the public perception of Batman.


Well it is a very nice chin, but he is a good actor I would have liked seeing some more acting from what you would think is the lead actor/title character.


This wasn't Batman or Bruce Wayne's story, it was the story of the birth of Two Face, and the Joker played a much bigger part in that story. Actually, if you even go back to all batman movies except Begins, Batman has played a much smaller part than the villains.


My point was more about why do you need to go to hong kong? Why do you need that scene at all? Yes, it was kewl, but the purpose of the scene is to have a Rad action piece and have evidence for the trial, which you could have done in many different ways and not leave Gotham or have all the step for the scene.


That was to show that while the Mob could come up with a solution to stop the police, they could not stop Batman. It reinforced their need for the Joker.


Nope I love dark testosterone. I just think the borne movies and Casino Royale did that better. Iron Man is a better superhero movie.


All of these movies you mentioned serve different purposes. If I'm looking for laughs and a lighthearted romp I'd go to see Iron man, it was truly an entertaining film. If I was looking for pure Testosterone I'd get the Bourne movies. I can't think of a better Spy franchise in recent memory.

I think Casino Royale was an interesting choice to bring up. That is an example of a film that I feel over-extended its welcome by about half an hour. Great film, but it felt as though a conclusion had occured when they give Bond another reason to continue.



I disagree that it will endure. I think once the hype is gone and people watch it at home they will see that a lot of this movie is unnecessary and in the way of the good Batman movie that's buried in the 2 1/2 rise and fall Dent/Gordon movie.

Time will tell, but hype is rarely supported by critics. Here the critical response is very favorable. Hype also tends to leave a certain kind of post movie word of mouth. This films word-of-mouth and exit polls are insanely high. I'm interested to see what will happen in the coming weeks. Films this dark rarely have heavy repeate viewings in the theater, though super hero movies do have such repeat viewings.

IMDB is more of a measure of the internet geek movie geek culture, but it is significant how highly rated this movie is. I'm sure it will fall a little on the list, but very little.

[stubadub]

If the first movie set up the world, then why did he completely scrap the world he created in Batman Begins? Nothing was recognizable from the first movie except maybe the one street that went down to the lower part of the city and even that was different.

This seems like a nitpick. His house was burned down and the rail was destroyed. Cities look different depending on what section of town you are in, and Gotham is supposed to be as big as New York City. Is it that strange that they didn't repeat locations?

I realize it's supposed to sound deep and dark, but at times it sounded as if Bale went beyond his vocal limit and his voice sounded strained as a result, but that could be a result of just hearing Batman talk a lot more.

I noticed that the times that he sounded the most strained tended to be after he'd been kicking ass. Maybe he's out of breath?

I'm not sure I'd have identified it as such a problem if I hadn't watched TRS first, but I definitely felt the same way.

[earlobe]

I was quite disappointed in the lack of design in Gotham City in this movie. Batman Begins had a really nice city design, with the monorail, and the Wayne building and the central island (the one that got gassed), whereas this one is just Chicago, the Wayne building is totally different. I guess they ran out of money to portray Gotham? This is Batman not CSI: Chicago, I like my comic book cities to look a bit more fantastical than real-life ones. Why did they change this from Batman Begins? This change was totally jarring for me and made the movie less enjoyable.

my brother commented on how he preferred the city in 'begins' i didnt
really notice it enough to bother me
though it did have more of a new york feel to me

[siraim]

This seems like a nitpick. His house was burned down and the rail was destroyed. Cities look different depending on what section of town you are in, and Gotham is supposed to be as big as New York City. Is it that strange that they didn't repeat locations?

So, given the near universal question regarding the Monorail, I have to assume I was the only one to see it in TDK. I can't remember which scene, but I'm pretty sure it was some scene near Wayne Tower, but there was a monorail track very prominently shown in the left hand side of the background.

Honestly, the lack of attention drawn to the landmarks of the city worked for me. This isn't Spider-Man. There is no added benefit for me to recognize landmarks around the city. The only reason the city mattered while watching TDK was to see how they blended the real Chicago with the CG Gotham. Quite cool. Other than that, Gotham is more about the people and the events that it is about the places.

[jay_ray]

I noticed that the times that he sounded the most strained tended to be after he'd been kicking ass. Maybe he's out of breath?

I'm not sure I'd have identified it as such a problem if I hadn't watched TRS first, but I definitely felt the same way.

I don't know how much Bale's Batsuit weighed but I believe previous iterations weighed around 100 pounds, so that would do it. Maybe I wouldn't have noticed it also if Jeff didn't say he noticed it, and really that would be my only complaint about this movie, and that's just nitpicking.

[darthender]

I actually thought his voice was worse in the first movie. In the scenes where he was "yelling" as Batman when trying to interrogate people. That's when it sounded the worst.

There was none of that in this one, so it actually was an improvement.

[anakinastronaut]

That was the coolest movie ever. My mom let me stay up and we went to the midnight one on Thursday. There were people dressed as the Joker too. And it was neat because it was really loud and people being jerks and then when the movie started it was really quiet. The Joker was awesome. When he was talking to Harvey in that dress I thought he looked so funny. My mom said that he is one of the hardest characters to play. But Harvey Dent looked really scary at the end. I thought he was really bad because he was going to kill a kid. That isn't right. My mom put her arms around me for that part because she thought I would be scared. It was scary but I knew Batman would save him. That is why he is the coolest superhero ever.


I saw the Watchmen thingy at the beginning but my mom says I am too young for that one. I need to change her mind cause that was wicked. That blue guy was awesome.

[siraim]

I saw the Watchmen thingy at the beginning but my mom says I am too young for that one. I need to change her mind cause that was wicked. That blue guy was awesome.

Glad you enjoyed the Dark Knight and kudos to your mom for taking you to see it on opening night. We always knew your mom was the coolest mom.

That being said.. your mom is dead on with Watchmen. It's a bit too adult. Far more than the Dark Knight. Of course, it's no worse than something like "Identity Crisis". Not that I think you should read that book either. :)

[vhalkirian666]

Heath Ledger is amazing, I can understand why he died (if his death is really related to the role of Joker)

... what?

Ledger said in an interview in November that "Dark Knight" and last year's "I'm Not There," took a heavy toll. He said he "stressed out a little too much" during the Dylan film, and had trouble sleeping while portraying the Joker, whom he called a "psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy."

He ultimately died from taking prescriptions to help him relax and sleep. Don't know if you could say that the particular role of the Joker killed him, but the role certainly affected him.

Some friends and I have talked about how Heath Ledger was a "method-actor."

Wikipedia defintion: Method acting is an acting technique in which actors try to replicate real life emotional conditions under which the character operates, in an effort to create a life-like, realistic performance.

As we know now the role of the Joker definitely affected Heath Ledger in a way that no one could predict.

[trivialnobvious]

I'm gonna have to go back and see this in the imax. Excellent movie.

My only critiques:

1) Chicago. I found myself getting distracted by recognizing way too much of the city. Lots of 'I know where that is!" Maybe that's because I'm in Chicago.

2) Why did it have to end so soon? Yes, it was a long movie but the story was huge. For example, I'd like to have seen a more gradual decline into two-face.

[tsmith15]

It's definitely one of my three favorite movies in terms of first viewing.

I think that the combination of the themes and characters, symbolism and character development, accented by the tension, violence, action, and sheer intensity makes this one of the greatest first-view movies ever. I was on the edge of my seat for an entire hour, with several HOLY SHIT moments in a row. The climax was a solid 30-45 minutes long, and Nolan was throwing logs after logs into the fire until it was burning my eyes, and I couldn't turn away.

Every single scene in the movie fits perfectly into a bigger picture, and all those bigger pictures fit into the BIG PICTURE.

I already went to see it a second time, and I can say that it is definitely too long the second time as long as you remember the first time, even remotely. Once you watch through it all the tension, which is present almost the entire time is lost on you, and the movie comes up more like a typical action-porn film, with unusually strong writing and acting and cinematography.

My two friends and I, who saw it today (my second time, their first), came to the consensus that Batman was the weakest link in this film. It's almost impossible to relate to Bruce Wayne, and he is mostly a 2-dimensional character there to enhance Harvey Dent's character. Once Bale was in-suit, aside from the Punisher voice, he didn't have that much depth. TDK's roots was Batman, but Harvey and Rachel and The Joker and Gordon are the trunk and the branches of the film and deserve all the attention.

I saw it IMAX the first time, and regular the second time. At my IMAX viewing it had the same aspect ratio the whole time, so I'm thinking this IMAX wasn't traditional IMAX in the way it is at the Museum of Civilization where the screen is curved and panoramic. At my IMAX theatre it's just the entire wall, a certain % bigger than the regular screen. I thought it looked fucking unbelievable in IMAX, and was a tad too dark and un-detailed at the regular showing afterwards.

I absolutely loved everything Heath did in this movie. I can't imagine a rendition of the Joker I would like more, after seeing him play it here. The changes in pitch and tone of his voice, the quick licks of his lips, the hand gestures and head tilting; all the minutia of his acting method completely connected the actor and his role to the point that Heath became The Joker, the way Harvey Dent became Two-Face. I liked all the acting, with the exception of Bale in-suit, but I think he did a really good job as Bruce conversing with Alfred.

The score was absolutely amazing to the point where you only realize it after you see the movie. The second time I saw it the score sort of got a tad annoying because I couldn't get sucked into the movie again. It reminded me of the earlier episodes/seasons of Lost, as well as Atonement and There Will Be Blood.

In conclusion, I don't think Nolan will make another Batman movie, because I can't imagine a Batman movie being better than TDK. I also can't imagine a Super Hero movie being better, and for the next few weeks I won't be able to imagine ANY MOVIE being better than this one was.

P.S: I am so heartbroken over Heath's death, because seeing this shows just how much he was capable of as an actor. This performance reminded me of Viggo in Eastern Promises which is my favorite performance in the last several years.

[mckay]

Heath Ledger...if he was alive he would be loved for this role. What do you call the void that is left after seeing this movie? Our generation is now a little less great...

[esophagus]

The special edition podcast iFanboy discussed how Ledger actually was The Joker. It was easy to say "Bale makes a agood Batman" or "Eckhart makes a good Dent" but it was really just "The Joker was amazing." He was that character. He added so many little details that just brought it too life.

- Licking his lips
- Playing with his hair
- Changing his origin story
- His hobbled walk that had a bit of a spring in his step

Excellent.

Anyways, I just thought I'd throw that in because everything else has been said to death. Movie of the year. Movie of my life. Great.

[vhalkirian666]

Heath Ledger...if he was alive he would be loved for this role. What do you call the void that is left after seeing this movie? Our generation is now a little less great...

Agreed, after seeing "The Dark Knight" today, I feel the same way I felt when I saw Brandon Lee in the movie "The Crow."

[mckay]

Agreed, after seeing "The Dark Knight" today, I feel the same way I felt when I saw Brandon Lee in the movie "The Crow."

Eeeeeexactly...

[-jedibitch-]

My two friends and I, who saw it today (my second time, their first), came to the consensus that Batman was the weakest link in this film. It's almost impossible to relate to Bruce Wayne, and he is mostly a 2-dimensional character there to enhance Harvey Dent's character. Once Bale was in-suit, aside from the Punisher voice, he didn't have that much depth. TDK's roots was Batman, but Harvey and Rachel and The Joker and Gordon are the trunk and the branches of the film and deserve all the attention.

I totally agree.

I am so grateful that they replaced Katie Holmes... such a good choice.

[geeksunny]

He added so many little details that just brought it too life.

I also loved how clumsy and erratic he was when things got up-close and physical.

[tokenuser]

My two friends and I, who saw it today (my second time, their first), came to the consensus that Batman was the weakest link in this film. It's almost impossible to relate to Bruce Wayne, and he is mostly a 2-dimensional character there to enhance Harvey Dent's character. Once Bale was in-suit, aside from the Punisher voice, he didn't have that much depth. TDK's roots was Batman, but Harvey and Rachel and The Joker and Gordon are the trunk and the branches of the film and deserve all the attention.I think that is one reason why I enjoy TDK so much ... it was more than just Batman/BW. It was an ensemble cast that worked together to make something much much bigger than a movie that focused on a single character.

Everyone played their roles perfectly - even Christian Bale. Batman is flawed as a character. Bruce Wayne is the distant playboy. Bale played Batman brilliantly.

Ledger is getting the press. Deservedly so. He played the best onscreen villian we have seen in many years - especially in a movie that was rated as PG13. Jack Nicholson was pissed he wasn't asked to reprise the role, but Ledger's version was much, much darker, and played like Nicholson could never do (and I like Jack).

[habs-geek]

Unbelievable film.

Without taking into consideration the fact that Heath Ledger died and the number of votes he would get simply for that fact, I still believe he needs to at least get nominated for actor of the year. Maybe he suffers in that sense because it's a "Batman movie" and not a "Joker movie" and gets supporting actor of the year, but in reality, Heath was the star of the movie. It was a Joker movie. I love Christian Bale and most of his movies, and his performance in Batman Begins was golden, but I found that they could have had anyone playing Batman in this movie and it wouldn't have taken away from it. That's not a knock against Bale, that's just how incredible Ledger was. Up to this point, I have not seen anyone else in any movie this year that can compare. Actor of the year so far by a mile. He's on par with Daniel Day-Lewis last year.

Nicholson was amazing as Joker, Heath just blew him out of the water. I'm going to need a little time to let it all sink in, but at this point, I think he may have even surpassed Darth Vader as the best movie villain of all time.

[straylightrise]

Um - Ledger's Joker might not be Vader but he surpasses Hannibal Lecter in my book.

The difference between the Joker and every other villain was that he had absolutely nothing to lose. There was NO leverage over the Joker. With nearly every other villain there's something that they fear or will protect. With the Joker even his life is fair game - and that's his greatest weapon because he knows that Batman WON'T kill him no matter what. And because of that he will nearly always have the upper hand.

Even if Heath Ledger hadn't died I still think he would win Actor of the Year based on his insane performance. Think about it - did you see Heath Ledger or the Joker when the Joker was on screen? No - you saw the Joker. And that's why he was amazing

[stubadub]

Jack Nicholson was pissed he wasn't asked to reprise the role, but Ledger's version was much, much darker, and played like Nicholson could never do (and I like Jack).

I always took this as Jack Nicholson the prankster having fun with the press. I don't think he was actually serious.

[darthender]

Agreed, after seeing "The Dark Knight" today, I feel the same way I felt when I saw Brandon Lee in the movie "The Crow."I've decided to call it the "Curse of the White Face-paint"

[tw33k2514]

well, I just saw the movie again yesterday and I am happy to realize that even the second time around it is one of the best movies ever.

I will probably go see it a few more times to be honest.

[jay_ray]

Even if Heath Ledger hadn't died I still think he would win Actor of the Year based on his insane performance. Think about it - did you see Heath Ledger or the Joker when the Joker was on screen? No - you saw the Joker. And that's why he was amazing

Exactly, I never at one point said, oh that's Heath playing Joker, Heath was Joker during the movie. When I heard Heath was cast to play Joker I thought it was a good choice, but not the best choice, after seeing the movie it was the perfect choice to me. I won't say Heath's performance can not be matched, but it will take a very unique and talented actor to match it.

I wonder who will be the main villain in the next movie, to me the only possible villain that could come close to the Joker in terms of ability is the Riddler.

[tokenuser]

I wonder who will be the main villain in the next movie, to me the only possible villain that could come close to the Joker in terms of ability is the Riddler.There was talk of it being The Penguin as an arms dealer.

Threading Catwoman in (or Poison Ivy, or Harley Quinn - if they want to hit the animated series universe) might be interesting now that Rachel is gone - a love interest that has a hidden life to play off the good vs evil lurking below the surface thing.

Whatever happens, I just hope it stays dark.

Eitherway - Watchmen up next :)

[thehal]

:spoiler:

I think that two face is still alive... they say that he is dead to keep his good name since he is obviously insane. I think it is very possible for the sequel to have him as the villain.

Did anyone else at the end want Batman to say "Listen Harvey, you're cool and all... but I actually tried to save Rachel dude. Joker fooled us like he did 5 times before." Or was that just me?

[hec207]

There was talk of it being The Penguin as an arms dealer.

Threading Catwoman in (or Poison Ivy, or Harley Quinn - if they want to hit the animated series universe) might be interesting now that Rachel is gone - a love interest that has a hidden life to play off the good vs evil lurking below the surface thing.

Whatever happens, I just hope it stays dark.

Eitherway - Watchmen up next :)

Yeah I don't mind seeing the Penguin in the next movie as long as its not campy! They don't have to make him look like a penguin like they did DeVitto.
Also who should they cast as either Catwoman or Poison Ivy keeping the same dark theme and spectacular acting they have done so far?

[geeksunny]

Also who should they cast as either Catwoman or Poison Ivy keeping the same dark theme and spectacular acting they have done so far?

This morning I saw an article from the LA Times website. It was an open letter to Christopher Nolan begging for Catwoman and to have her played by Angelina Jolie.

I threw up in my mouth a little.

[deegraww]

WHY WHY WHY do these movies feel they have to kill off the bad guys?

[tokenuser]

Yeah I don't mind seeing the Penguin in the next movie as long as its not campy! They don't have to make him look like a penguin like they did DeVitto.
Also who should they cast as either Catwoman or Poison Ivy keeping the same dark theme and spectacular acting they have done so far?Give the Penguin a big nose, bad teeth, a combover, and a monocle - and it doesn't need to be over the top ... although, I did like the DeVitto version.

Angelina Jolie for Catwoman - I suspect that even after twins she would slip into a leather catsuit purrfectly. As for Poison Ivy - thats a much harder call. Needs to be an A list or B+ list actress. A Scarlett Johansson type, without actually being Scarlett (can't see her in the role - the persona needs to be a little older). I'd suggest Famke Janssen, but are we ready for a Marvel/DC cross over?

[gojira]

I loved The Dark Knight from beginning to end. One point no one has seemed to have brought up which I loved about the film was...

***Spoilers***










The choice Joker gave Batman to save person A or person B. This is a convention in super hero movies that is always disappointing. Batman Forever and Spiderman are the two that stand out in my mind that feature this cliche. The disappointing part? The hero always saves both. The Dark Knight actually has the guts to be true to that threat, and only one survives.

[hec207]

I loved The Dark Knight from beginning to end. One point no one has seemed to have brought up which I loved about the film was...

***Spoilers***










The choice Joker gave Batman to save person A or person B. This is a convention in super hero movies that is always disappointing. Batman Forever and Spiderman are the two that stand out in my mind that feature this cliche. The disappointing part? The hero always saves both. The Dark Knight actually has the guts to be true to that threat, and only one survives.

With that said, I was still surprised that he went for Dent and not Dawes. I mean it made total sense if we were to see Two-Face that Dent survive but what a twist still!

[jasonpoon]

With that said, I was still surprised that he went for Dent and not Dawes. I mean it made total sense if we were to see Two-Face that Dent survive but what a twist still!

Actually did Batman know from the beginning that he's going to save Harvey Dent instead of Rachel? I mean he told Gordon he's going to save Rachel but in the story we knew he wanted Dent who is the last hope of Gotham, to survive.

[jay_ray]

Spoilers










Actually did Batman know from the beginning that he's going to save Harvey Dent instead of Rachel? I mean he told Gordon he's going to save Rachel but in the story we knew he wanted Dent who is the last hope of Gotham, to survive.


Joker gave them the wrong info, he needed Dent alive, and knew Batman would save Rachel.

[az0madman]

I want to say that Batman knew, but personally I think that he thought he was going after Rachel. After all, Gordon was sent too so Batman probably believed that both could still be saved. And his personal feelings seemed to take over when he was beating up on the Joker, so I don't know.

[gojira]

Joker saw how Batman went out of his way to save Rachel and he told Batman as much. So I think he told Batman the wrong information to screw with him. Rushing to save Rachel only to find Dent, quite gutting.

[thehal]

Joker saw how Batman went out of his way to save Rachel and he told Batman as much. So I think he told Batman the wrong information to screw with him. Rushing to save Rachel only to find Dent, quite gutting.

I disagree... no matter who Batman picked to save he would be greatly disappointed by the outcome. If he convinced himself he had to save Harvey Dent instead, and found Rachel he would be happy he still saved her, but would be mad since he was trying to save the White Knight and ultimately help himself deal with Gotham. It was lose lose.

[forbizzle]

Comments re: Chicago...

Now you know what it's like to be from Toronto.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_filmed_in_Toronto

Even Chicago, was filmed in Toronto

[darthender]

Actually did Batman know from the beginning that he's going to save Harvey Dent instead of Rachel? I mean he told Gordon he's going to save Rachel but in the story we knew he wanted Dent who is the last hope of Gotham, to survive.It's fairly certain that he went after Rachel. Because he told Gordon he was going to, expecting Gordon to save the other.

He's not going to get half way there, then change his mind, leaving both teams going to save the same person and ensuring the other persons death.

Joker lied to him. Which is why I was fully expecting that the bombs on the ferries to be switched as well. But it never came up since neither boat pressed their buttons.

He gives you this terrible choice, and then switches the consequences so you don't even get what you want.

[trunolimit]

Just saw Dark Knight and i got to say... holy shit was that the most awesome movie or what.

first the bad
that little voice that batman does when he's in costume is kinda corny.

{spoiler: why did they have to destroy the phone sonar machine? "thats to much power for one man to have" what kinda BS is that.}

now the good

everything else

I loved how the joker was always one step ahead until the very end. I've always thought the Joker to be the dumbest idea for a super villain but now I get it and he mos def earns his place as batman's ultimate villain. Heath pulls off the joker phenomenally. Honestly for me the joker stole the movie.


Not that I'm complaining but are they going back and redoing the batman movies? Is the penguin and cat women next?

one more thing. I went Thursday night to see the midnight showing, couldn't get in because there were lines around the block at every theater I went to. All day Saturday and Friday same story. so i waited till Monday, who goes to the movies on a Monday? I still had to wait in a big ass line to see the thing.

[trunolimit]

People in the theater I saw it at applauded a SHITLOAD of times throughout the movie, it was insane. I'd say about 80% of the theater stayed till the end of the credits also.

yeah there were people who stayed till the very end before my showing which pissed me off cause i was standing in line to get in and they were like we have to wait till everyone leaves so we can clean then let you guys in.

every one did a bit of cheering at this showing also but they were cheer worthy parts. like when he rode up the wall on his motorcycle.

[hec207]

Spoilers













Joker gave them the wrong info, he needed Dent alive, and knew Batman would save Rachel.

Well only one way to figure it out. I'm watching it again!

[hec207]

{spoiler: why did they have to destroy the phone sonar machine? "thats to much power for one man to have" what kinda BS is that.}



That part of the story just reminds me of how Batman is the most dangerous hero in the DC Universe. The fact that he knows how to bring down most of the heros and villans just proves it. Just remember he created Brother Eye to spy on fellow heros.

[jasonpoon]

{spoiler: why did they have to destroy the phone sonar machine? "thats to much power for one man to have" what kinda BS is that.}


I think Bruce wanna keep using the machine but he really need Morgan Freeman help and the only way to persuade him is to let him decide the fate of the machine (let him enter the password to destroy it after tracking down Joker)

[warreng1983]

I'm gonna see it again this week, so I'm definitely gonna check, but... I thought it went down like this:

Gordon said, "Who are you going for?"
Batman said, "RACHEL!"
So, Gordon went to the address where he thought Dent was at, and Batman went to the address he thought Rachel was at. If Batman changed his mind, he and Gordon would have ended up at the same place.

Joker deliberately told the addresses backwards so that Batman wouldn't save whomever he chose.

[EDIT]: DarthEnder beat me to the same point.

[habs-geek]

Spoilers:



I was completely thrown off by the switched addresses Joker gave them too. It was just compounded by the fact that it is never referred to throughout the rest of the movie. You would think Batman or Gordon would have said something to Dent about the switch during that final showdown in order to try to save Gordon's family.


Minor Harry Potter GoF Spoiler:

In regards to who the next Batman villain is, the rumor I heard was that Oldman mentioned the Riddler played by David Tennant (Barty Crouch Jr.).

[esophagus]

I'm gonna see it again this week, so I'm definitely gonna check, but... I thought it went down like this:

Gordon said, "Who are you going for?"
Batman said, "RACHEL!"
So, Gordon went to the address where he thought Dent was at, and Batman went to the address he thought Rachel was at. If Batman changed his mind, he and Gordon would have ended up at the same place.

Joker deliberately told the addresses backwards so that Batman wouldn't save whomever he chose.

[EDIT]: DarthEnder beat me to the same point.
This is indeed what happened. Both Batman and Dent wanted Rachel saved, so for Joker to win Dent had to be saved.

[straylightrise]

Minor Harry Potter GoF Spoiler:

In regards to who the next Batman villain is, the rumor I heard was that Oldman mentioned the Riddler played by David Tennant (Barty Crouch Jr.).

Oh sweet Jesus yes - I love Tennant. But he is kinda you know busy with his theatre thing and also being a Time lord. So probably not.

[esophagus]

Oh sweet Jesus yes - I love Tennant. But he is kinda you know busy with his theatre thing and also being a Time lord. So probably not.
I really just don't see The Riddler happening. If it did, I could see it being like The Scarecrow's role in this movie.

[trunolimit]

Am I alone when I say that Jim Carey was awesome as the Riddler

[esophagus]

Am I alone when I say that Jim Carey was awesome as the RiddlerYes.

I think he did good with the role he was given, but that role just wasn't The Riddler. They butchered the character.

[smartso]

So let me preface this post to avoid some flame bait, the showing of the film I saw was flawed, the sound wasn't up to snuff, the projector was a little loose on the focus and the lights did come on part of the way through for about 15 minutes, but I don't think that affected my overall judgment of the film that much: I don't think it lived up to the hype. There I said it. I think I'm the only person I know who was underwhelmed by the film but I was. I'm not saying it was an ok movie. I'd put it up there in the good superhero movie category, but this is a category that I normally have say, "yeah but it's a super hero movie so..." a few too many times for my liking.

Here's the issues I had with the film.

The editing was pretty weak: There were a few occasions where actions were started that weren't finished in the following cut, that's nothing huge but I noticed them. Also at least twice it went from a wide shot of bruce speaking to a close up where the line finished only his lips weren't moving. That's just bad editing. They also broke the axis a couple times and I didn't feel like the action sequences were put together as well as they could have been.

The batman voice: I mentioned this in the other thread but the batman voice just wasn't well done. It isn't that I don't think his voice shouldn't have changed, I'm all for that, I just don't think it was pulled off well. It seemed like it was digitally changed or they made it more clear than other dialog or something, but it stands out like a sore thumb.

Random introduction of badguys: Why does every batman movie love to have multiple villians? Maybe the writers think that having more than one villian will break the mold of the regular super hero movie so they try it. Well, it doesn't work. Why was scarecrow in the film? There just wasn't a need for him to be there. It didn't advance the plot at all and just made things confusing. If they were going to use him they should have brought him back later. I also wasn't a huge fan of killing off two face. The way the made him was great (although the makeup was not so hot) but leave him for the next film. Let him kill off some people and let him get away.

Christian Bale: He just wasn't that good in the film. Almost everyone else on screen upstaged him every time. Whenever he was there I just wanted any of the other characters to enter so the story would become interesting again. He also does not brood well.

The ideas / big concepts: This might be a bit harder to explain but I feel like this movie was trying out a lot of good ideas that just fell flat. The movie wanted to be grittier and more real especially trying to make batman more human but then it does something silly like having batman rides his bike up the wall at an impossible angle only to have him fall off his bike 30 seconds later doing something mundane. There is stuff like this throughout the whole movie. The world just isn't consistent.

I think I've got more as well but I'm a little sick at the moment and my brain has stopped working. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it, the joker was an incredible performance, but I don't know that I would go out of my way to recommend the film to anyone who wasn't already a batman fan the same way I tell everyone to go see iron man. I think what it comes down to is I knew I was watching a film the entire time, where as iron man sucked me in completely so if there were problems with it I could forgive them because I bought everything else.

[trunolimit]

So let me preface this post to avoid some flame bait, the showing of the film I saw was flawed, the sound wasn't up to snuff, the projector was a little loose on the focus and the lights did come on part of the way through for about 15 minutes, but I don't think that affected my overall judgment of the film that much: I don't think it lived up to the hype. There I said it. I think I'm the only person I know who was underwhelmed by the film but I was. I'm not saying it was an ok movie. I'd put it up there in the good superhero movie category, but this is a category that I normally have say, "yeah but it's a super hero movie so..." a few too many times for my liking.

Here's the issues I had with the film.

The editing was pretty weak: There were a few occasions where actions were started that weren't finished in the following cut, that's nothing huge but I noticed them. Also at least twice it went from a wide shot of bruce speaking to a close up where the line finished only his lips weren't moving. That's just bad editing. They also broke the axis a couple times and I didn't feel like the action sequences were put together as well as they could have been.

The batman voice: I mentioned this in the other thread but the batman voice just wasn't well done. It isn't that I don't think his voice shouldn't have changed, I'm all for that, I just don't think it was pulled off well. It seemed like it was digitally changed or they made it more clear than other dialog or something, but it stands out like a sore thumb.

Random introduction of badguys: Why does every batman movie love to have multiple villians? Maybe the writers think that having more than one villian will break the mold of the regular super hero movie so they try it. Well, it doesn't work. Why was scarecrow in the film? There just wasn't a need for him to be there. It didn't advance the plot at all and just made things confusing. If they were going to use him they should have brought him back later. I also wasn't a huge fan of killing off two face. The way the made him was great (although the makeup was not so hot) but leave him for the next film. Let him kill off some people and let him get away.

Christian Bale: He just wasn't that good in the film. Almost everyone else on screen upstaged him every time. Whenever he was there I just wanted any of the other characters to enter so the story would become interesting again. He also does not brood well.

The ideas / big concepts: This might be a bit harder to explain but I feel like this movie was trying out a lot of good ideas that just fell flat. The movie wanted to be grittier and more real especially trying to make batman more human but then it does something silly like having batman rides his bike up the wall at an impossible angle only to have him fall off his bike 30 seconds later doing something mundane. There is stuff like this throughout the whole movie. The world just isn't consistent.

I think I've got more as well but I'm a little sick at the moment and my brain has stopped working. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it, the joker was an incredible performance, but I don't know that I would go out of my way to recommend the film to anyone who wasn't already a batman fan the same way I tell everyone to go see iron man. I think what it comes down to is I knew I was watching a film the entire time, where as iron man sucked me in completely so if there were problems with it I could forgive them because I bought everything else.

That sucks about your viewing experience. I had to sit next to a little girl who completely hogged the arm rest. God i wanted to kick her little face in. And the lines to get in were ridiculous, who goes to the movies on a Monday?

Any way I agree that Mr. Bale sucked balls, I just don't buy him as a Batman. And Your right about the scare crow someone should have gotten fired for that. Also The joker was kick ass your right about that too but thats it. This was probably the best movie I've ever seen ever.

[earlobe]

The score was absolutely amazing to the point where you only realize it after you see the movie. It reminded me of the earlier episodes/seasons of Lost, as well as Atonement and There Will Be Blood.


thought the same thing

[iccanui]

I just have to say this.

I saw dark knight today and i thought it was great. I was drawn in for most all the movie and it rarely let me go. But more to the point of this post i need to express a deep regret for ledger. I have liked his work in the past, but after seeing a post movie review where he was figety and already in the later stages of his situation, i am so saddened by what i saw today. I had reservations about the hype he got for this role and while he might not have had the attention if he was still here, i have to say that you can see how committed he was to this. I think as a actor, knowing his other roles, this was a brilliant performance. I didnt even recognize him in this movie and it had nothing to do with the make up. There were dark parts in his performance that seemed to tell of real world emotion being drawn on. I feel not only did we lose a good joker for the next movie, but we lost a good actor and a valuable human being. I dont care about stars much, but i am emotionally moved as i take in everything i know about him and see it tied up today with my viewing of the movie. If there is a afterlife i hope you have peace in it heath.

And one final thought on the movie. This movie was so deep and complex to me, that i cant wait for dvd so i can watch it again and fully drink it in. I feel like this is one of those rare movies that not only do you have to watch a few times to really experience, but you want to.

Its not that i havent seen better or worse movie, its just its own unique entity.

Anyway, i just had to at least express my feeling on heath some where.

Like i said man, i hope your resting in peace. And i have to say, if you have to go out in this life, which we all do, there is worst ways to go then at the top of your movie career right after the greatest performance, in my opinion, of your career. Not that im condoning drugs and stuff, im not. Im just saying, at least you lived well what you had to live.

[vhalkirian666]

I just have to say this.

I saw dark knight today and i thought it was great. I was drawn in for most all the movie and it rarely let me go. But more to the point of this post i need to express a deep regret for ledger. I had reservations about the hype he got for this role and while he might not have had the attention if he was still here, i have to say that you can see how committed he was to this. I think as a actor, knowing his other roles, this was a brilliant performance. I didnt even recognize him in this movie and it had nothing to do with the make up. There were dark parts in his performance that seemed to tell of real world emotion being drawn on. I feel not only did we lose a good joker for the next movie, but we lost a good actor and a valuable human being. I dont care about stars much, but i am emotionally moved as i take in everything i know about him and see it tied up today with my viewing of the movie.

And one final thought on the movie. This movie was so deep and complex to me, that i cant wait for dvd so i can watch it again and fully drink it in. I feel like this is one of those rare movies that not only do you have to watch a few times to really experience, but you want to.

Its not that i havent seen better or worse movie, its just its own unique entity.

Anyway, i just had to at least express my feeling on heath some where.

Like i said man, i hope your resting in peace. And i have to say, if you have to go out in this life, which we all do, there is worst ways to go then at the top of your movie career right after the greatest performance, in my opinion, of your career. Not that im condoning drugs and stuff, im not. Im just saying, at least you lived well what you had to live.

I couldn't agree more. Honestly I hadn't followed his career that much after "A Knight's Tale", mainly because he was in movies that just didnt interest me personally. I remember his death being plastered all over the tv and on the internet. At the time it reminded me of when Brandon Lee passed away during the filming of "The Crow".

It wasnt until the movie was about to premiere that it really hit me about how special his performance was in TDK, especially after seeing the "final" trailer for the movie.

As you said, while watching the movie it only hit me in a few spots the I was watching the "actor" Heath Ledger vs the character of The Joker.

In fact after seeing the movie I was reading some net reviews etc...about the movie and at one point in time there was a scene in the movie in which the Joker is in a body bag. There were some that thought this was a scene that probably should be removed from the movie given the fact that one of the last images of Heath Ledger was his body being taking to an ambulance in a body bag after his death. Personally I am glad that they left the scene in the movie. Thinking back, I never even thought about his death watching that scene, all I saw was the Joker and not the actor. It is a testament to the skill that he had attained and the immersion that he had while portraying the Joker. Some of his fellow cast has said that Heath had achieved a place in his acting that most actors aspire to being in. A total freedom and abandon in playing a character. I certainly think this is the case in this movie.

One thing on the drugs. Was Heath Ledger a drug user, who knows? Personally I don't care. He was human, and had all the failings and shortcomings that we all have, even if he was in the media all the time. In fact the strain on him from being the "center of attention" is something that most of us will never have to face and personally I am thankful for that.

One might ask, how could he have been so irresponsible in taking so many different drugs. I would bet that there would be more than a few of us out there that have had several or have known people that have had at least some of those same meds or all of them in their med cabinet at one time or another. I personally have 4 of the 5 drugs found in his system in my house. Some have reported that the drugs were not all taken at the same time, or even in a large amount, but it was the mixture of the specific drugs that caused his death. Personally, I believe it was just a tragic mistake on his part that should point out to all of us the dangers of taking prescription medications without a strict docters oversight.

I personally hope that Heath Ledger has found that peace that seemingly eluded him in his time here on Earth.

[iccanui]

Well i didnt know if i wanted to post this or not but.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKa-aDga1fE


Thats a post movie interview. In my opinion he wasnt a " drug user " in the classic sense. From what i know and of my experience it seems he just had a problem, was perscribed drugs to fix it and just got lost in that mess. I dont know if anyone here has been on those kinds of drugs, Anti-depression/Anxiety, but they change your brain chemistry and you go to this like spiraling out of control place if they arent used exactly as intended. As a rich young actor im sure he was given plenty of latitude as to what they gave him, which is why i think the doctors involved should face some serious scrutiny.

But when you look at that interview i see a man in pain. Someone to needed some real friends to help him through a tough time that a lot of us face when that veil in life is lifted and reality of ... stuff ... sets in. This is the tragedy to me. I honestly think that as a talented actor he through himself so deep into the joker that it really messed him up. Like i said, there are a few scenes in that movie where i thought to myself " this guy isnt just acting, he is acting OUT, the joker. You follow ?

Im very sad he isnt still with us.

[andyaldrich]

Remember the part when Batman drops the mob boss and he survives? I think this is a clue to us that 2 Face might have survived, but was playing dead.

I watched the film twice and it really holds up on a second viewing, which is a good test for blockbusters.

Loved the scene with the Joker as the nurse.

[jasonpoon]

Remember the part when Batman drops the mob boss and he survives? I think this is a clue to us that 2 Face might have survived, but was playing dead.

I watched the film twice and it really holds up on a second viewing, which is a good test for blockbusters.

Loved the scene with the Joker as the nurse.

It's because the mafia boss land with his foot (and he broke his legs).

I would love to see more Two-Face in the future Batman movie but his death in Dark Knight is a good conclusion and it will be lame if they bring him back in the next film.

[stubadub]

It's because the mafia boss land with his foot (and he broke his legs).

I would love to see more Two-Face in the future Batman movie but his death in Dark Knight is a good conclusion and it will be lame if they bring him back in the next film.

They never say Two Face is dead. They say that the Joker won by turning Dent into Two Face, and they hold a public funeral for Dent.

[runjun]

It's because the mafia boss land with his foot (and he broke his legs).

I would love to see more Two-Face in the future Batman movie but his death in Dark Knight is a good conclusion and it will be lame if they bring him back in the next film.

It could easily start with Dent opening his arms and limping away.

[vhalkirian666]

Well i didnt know if i wanted to post this or not but.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKa-aDga1fE


Thats a post movie interview. In my opinion he wasnt a " drug user " in the classic sense. From what i know and of my experience it seems he just had a problem, was perscribed drugs to fix it and just got lost in that mess. I dont know if anyone here has been on those kinds of drugs, Anti-depression/Anxiety, but they change your brain chemistry and you go to this like spiraling out of control place if they arent used exactly as intended. As a rich young actor im sure he was given plenty of latitude as to what they gave him, which is why i think the doctors involved should face some serious scrutiny.

But when you look at that interview i see a man in pain. Someone to needed some real friends to help him through a tough time that a lot of us face when that veil in life is lifted and reality of ... stuff ... sets in. This is the tragedy to me. I honestly think that as a talented actor he through himself so deep into the joker that it really messed him up. Like i said, there are a few scenes in that movie where i thought to myself " this guy isnt just acting, he is acting OUT, the joker. You follow ?

Im very sad he isnt still with us.

I agree, though that interview was post the "I'm Not There" film about Bob Dylan, not TDK. He had already gotten the part, but had not started shooting the movie.

Some have said that he suffered some sort of anxiety disorder, especially when talking to the media etc. To me he looked almost the same in the interview above as he did with some of his interviews on Brokeback Mountain. Specifically his Ellen appearance...He was fidgety, couldn't sit still etc. He even talks about not sleeping much even at that time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkOpJsdjrEU

After reading quite a few interviews and watching clips, I don't think that the Joker character put him in a deep depression and caused him not to sleep like some of the media is trying to portray. His former fiance Michelle Williams said that he had insomnia ever since she had known him. They met on the set of the Brokeback Mountain movie. Also Gary Oldman stated that "the media just wants some dark story about him" and there wasn't one. In between takes Heath would sit around joking and talking etc. He especially talked about his young daughter Matilda. But when the cameras were rolling he was in character and that was it.

I think the saddest part is, and you mentioned it above is that he basically had no one close to him around at the time of his death. He was known as a "hermit", as far as the media was concerned anyways. I personally think that after his breakup with his fiance he basically just threw himself into his work. People have stated that he would be "on-set" even when he was not shooting scenes etc 10-15 hours a day...Sadly I just dont think he could relax and sit still. Also at some point he apparently suffered a fairly severe back injury, either on TDK or the unfinished movie and was taking meds for that.

I just think that he was taking meds for his anxiety/depression maybe due to his breakup. He was taking meds for a back injury and also taking meds for insomnia. All of that together proved to be a fatal mix for him. It's just seems unfair at times because he had so much potential as an actor as shown in TDK, to live such a short time. The saddest part of the whole thing, in my opintion is that it was totally preventable.

As far as the drugs involved I have personally taken most of the ones that he was on at the time of his death. I too suffer Chronic Insomia and have Ambien and the over the counter med Unisom. I also have the pain meds from back when I suffered a back injury. But unlike him, I didn't have my issues all at the same time so that I would have to be taking them at once. And I will be honest, If I had the "three" issues that he had at the time of his death with the different meds prescribed to me, would I have known not to mix them together? After all they were prescribed for 3 different medical problems.
So unfortuntely it was just an esclating time-bomb waiting to go off. Unfortunately in his case it did and proved to be fatal.

[mltvcocktail]

Finally saw it last night and everything that has been said about it is completely true. Ledger is absolutely amazing and his performance will definately go down in the annals of cinema villain history. The most pleasant surprise for me was Aaron Eckhart. I've been a fan of his since Thank You for Smoking and was super impressed by the fantastic evolution Harvey Dent took in this movie. The way Nolan handles two villains makes Spider Man 3 and other similar efforts look like they were directed by a monkey pounding gibberish on a typewriter. Bale is solid as always and keeps climbing up my list of favorite actors. Finally Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and all the supporting actors really help to round out the film's greatness and I love that each character has a great pay off somewhere in the film. 5 out 5, 10 out of 10, 100%, whatever rating you want to use, it's easily the best superhero movie ever made and one of the best modern crime films as well, as good as Heat or The Departed. I see everyone is talking about what villain could work in the third film and I think Nolan (if he comes back) could make anyone of them work but one that would fit his darker vision of Gotham could be Mr. Zsasz. He already showed up in Begins and with the right actor could be as equally as creepy and disturbing Ledger's Joker, what with the killing people or "zombies" to liberate them from their pointless lives and marking each death on himself in a tally.

[jaylaf]

I don't think I need to say anything more about this movie, Nolan's directing, or any of the actors' performances. It's all been said, and I agree with everyone regarding how fantastic it was to sit through Dark Knight.

I definitely noticed the mention of Batman's new suit helping against cats. It was an interesting choice to stick that in there. For a hint of what's (possibly) to come, it's no joker card, but cool just the same.

I really liked the little nods to Nicholson's Joker in this film, like Joker standing in the street saying "Hit me!" and how the last scene with him, has him suspended upside-down, talking to Batman. Nice.

Regarding the next movie's villian, I have heard from a couple odd places that, if the next film does include Joker, Daniel Day-Lewis is a possibility. Of course, this is a rumor that floats in the ether, so there may be no solidity to it. But, it is an interesting thought...

[darkwing]

just saw this great movie totally rad for sure but i noticed something after few hours later.....(spoilers but hopefully everyone reading this already seen the movie)
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
Batman failed at just about at epic level against the Joker!!!
he actually would have give up and unmask himself excpet Dent saved him and from there on joker just played him all the way to the end

i can't think anything batman did which joker didn't plan for. and if Dent did die Joker would have total victory over batman wouldn't it?

[darknessgp]

THIS POST IS SPOILERS, DON'T READ UNLESS YOU WANT TO GET SPOILED.







just saw this great movie totally rad for sure but i noticed something after few hours later.....(spoilers but hopefully everyone reading this already seen the movie)
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
Batman failed at just about at epic level against the Joker!!!
he actually would have give up and unmask himself excpet Dent saved him and from there on joker just played him all the way to the end

i can't think anything batman did which joker didn't plan for. and if Dent did die Joker would have total victory over batman wouldn't it?

But did the Joker win? I think that was the point. The Joker wanted to take the strong hero, Harvey Dent, and turn him into a villian. So that Gotham's people have no hope. Yea, they have Batman, but clearly they think he is more vigilante than hero. I'd agree, the Joker did play him at the end. But the Joker still didn't win. We ended up Dent being a hero, Joker, presumably, locked up. and Batman taking the fall, because Gotham needs the image of Dent as the hero. I think it was more about Dent's image than him actually being alive.

[stubadub]

Doesn't Batman taking the fall also mean that in the eyes of the criminals he's willing to break his one rule? Now they have further reason to fear him again. That's another gain he made back by the end of the film.

[cool8man]

My first impressions are the same as those saying the movie was too long. At a certain point I almost felt like they had started the 3rd Batman movie with Two-Face and then had to rush to resolve it. I even made the same ice cream analogy as Alex. Most movies would have ended soon after that climactic battle where they first capture the Joker, but this movie goes on for about another 45+ minutes. I agree with people who have criticized that Dent's transformation to evil takes place too quickly and doesn't really make sense. Two-Face needed more development; he hops out of a hospital bed and starts killing innocent people like the mob boss's driver and is so evil he wants to kill Gordon's son? It didn't even make sense to me why he hated Gordon so much.

The other reason why the movie felt so long is because the experience is like 2 1/2 hours of nonstop tension. There was just about nothing to break up the tension in this film and give it different beats. With a movie about the Joker you'd think there might be a few more laughs. Two and half hours of non-stop tension is not a great experience for me. I was loving this movie for about the first 2 hours or so but after a point I felt like it was too much and my enjoyment of the film was starting to diminish. I was ready for the movie to be over with the Joker passing the torch to Two-Face in the hospital, but the fact that it kept going instead of saving Two-Face for the next movie was disappointing.

As others have said the entire Hong Kong sequence was a bit unnecessary in a movie of this length. I don't think it really does anything significant other than give us another action sequence in a movie that had tons of action sequences. On the flip side of the coin I liked that they continued what they did in Batman Begins of making the world bigger than just Gotham City.

Other criticisms which are valid are that the city in Dark Knight did not have the same unique Gotham feel of the first movie and just felt like Chicago (either that is laziness or more likely budgetary issues) and Christian Bale's performance in this movie was not great. Bruce Wayne was completely unlikeable in this movie and Batman felt a little bit boring and lifeless. The ensemble cast they've put together for these Batman movies is incredible. Usually movies that have this many big actors are a mess - I don't know how Nolan/Warner Bros. are pulling it off. Bale did such a great job in the first Batman movie that it's a little bit disappointing to see him not doing much here.

I didn't come away loving the movie as much as most people here and as much as I liked Heath Ledger's performance I don't think he redefined the Joker for me. He fits well into Nolan's Batman universe, but everything about this Batman universe is a bit inauthentic (not gospel) to me. For example The Tumbler is cool, but it isn't what pops into my mind when someone mentions the Batmobile. That's how I feel about the Joker in this movie. Ledger's Joker is cool but he doesn't change the image and personality of what I think the Joker really is.

[darknessgp]

Mayb this was already addressed, im not reading through 155 posts, lol.

If Two-face was introduced at the very beginning or earlier like you suggest then we'd get no Harvey dent...and he's the key to the whole film...in fact we wouldn't even get the ending we did and our villain (two-face) would be a pretty horrible villain if we didn't get the majority of film with Dent.

agreed. One thing I liked a lot about this two face more than tommy lee jones one, was that tlj one we never saw him as anything but a villian. We didn't see his other "face". With this we get to see Harvey being good, and then turn "evil". Given his whole killing is based on a coin toss he's hardly that evil.

[wintermuted]

Well, TDK...

Certainly the best film of 2008, maybe the best comic book film, but in no way shape or form the best film ever made. IMDB's rating is quite ridiculous - It seems to me that people have craved a spectacular super-hero genre film and thats exactly what they've got and thus they went mental.

Heath Ledger's final performance is phenomenal, Oscar worthy? Maybe... But definitely not the best acting I have ever seen. The films general theme and portrayal of a descent into madness I found to be a little forced by Aaron Eckhart, he didn't really do it for me. Personally, I didn't find the film too long at all on first viewing but when I saw it again last night I could definitely see where people are coming from, far too much ice-cream...

I hate rating films numerically but, shenanigans to that:

8/10

[stubadub]

I agree with people who have criticized that Dent's transformation to evil takes place too quickly and doesn't really make sense. Two-Face needed more development; he hops out of a hospital bed and starts killing innocent people like the mob boss's driver and is so evil he wants to kill Gordon's son? It didn't even make sense to me why he hated Gordon so much.


The people that kidnapped Dent and Rachel are two officers that Dent told Gordon were crooked. Gordon says he has to work with what he's got. Had Gordon not left them on the team Rachel might still be alive.

[darknessgp]

The people that kidnapped Dent and Rachel are two officers that Dent told Gordon were crooked. Gordon says he has to work with what he's got. Had Gordon not left them on the team Rachel might still be alive.

yep, not to mention that he even says in the movie that Rachel was his family, and Gordon was the one responsible for her death. I mean he also takes it out on Batman, even though the Joker gave Batman the locations, and they were wrong (I doubt the Joker knew they were)

[gazzum]

So I JUST saw this film this morning (in the UK it's barely been out a week so I'm not that pathetic)... and I did not care for it at all.

my 2 "cents":

Heath Ledger's performance was just okay

Joker for me was nowhere near as compelling as Two-Face


Someone get Joker a chapstick, 'cos dude licks his lips all the damn time


Am I the only one who didn't think Joker's plans were 'genius'?


I HATE Bale as Batman


Batman doesn't work when it's trying to take itself seriously


The Batman suit looks CRAPPY


Does "Harvey Dent is the real hero of Gotham City" need to be said every 5 minutes?


Batman in Asia... Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight...


I'm glad we wont be getting anymore Joker in future Batman films (although obviously the reason for this is tragic) as I feel they would just recycle the same thing again and again


Best part in the film: When Joker tells everyone in Gotham to kill that guy or he'll blow up a hospital, that was awesome


So yeah, no Dark Knight DVD for me please ^.^;

[gazzum]

its not even questionable.

How is it not questionable? Heath Ledger was alright but no way does he come close to the Joker in the comic books or even animated series. The Joker should be deleriously happy all the time, he should use the "gimmick" ironically i.e. a birthday present with a bomb in it, he should be focused... instead what we got was a run-of-the-mill psychopath who just happened to have clown face-paint on.

I was majorly disappointed by the whole affair.

[darknessgp]

How is it not questionable? Heath Ledger was alright but no way does he come close to the Joker in the comic books or even animated series. The Joker should be deleriously happy all the time, he should use the "gimmick" ironically i.e. a birthday present with a bomb in it, he should be focused... instead what we got was a run-of-the-mill psychopath who just happened to have clown face-paint on.

I was majorly disappointed by the whole affair.

that's sad. Sounds like you went into the movie thinking "The Joker has to be exactly like this or it doesn't count" which to me is sad. I LOVE the way they took him. I LOVE that they didn't do the acid bath origin.

[gazzum]

i went into this movie thinking I hope the Joker is The Joker, but what we got, like I already said, was Stereotypical Psycopathic Villain #802

[quix]

And he was the Joker. Many of the best Joker moments don't include the use of gimmicks. When he beat Robin to death he did it with a simple crowbar, not a comically themed weapon.

[darknessgp]

i went into this movie thinking I hope the Joker is The Joker, but what we got, like I already said, was Stereotypical Psycopathic Villain #802

isn't that what I said? Let me remind you...

Sounds like you went into the movie thinking "The Joker has to be exactly like this or it doesn't count" which to me is sad

[stubadub]

I think this version of the joker very much captures the essence of the character.

[vhalkirian666]

I think this version of the joker very much captures the essence of the character.

The movie also captures the essence of their battle over the 70 or so years the Batman comic has been in production.

Batman will not kill the Joker because of his unwavering principles and the Joker will not kill the Batman because he is "too fun". Its a never ending story...the Batman captures the Joker, they imprison him in Arkham Asylum...he escapes...etc...

So...in that respect why would we need another Nolan version of the Batman vs the Joker. He has already made the Dark Knight movie which is a complete and self-contained movie version of the Joker-Batman storyline imo....

[hellhound]

Wow... I dont know what to say... not about the movie.. but all the koolaid drinkers.
The movie was alittle better than OK. I liked 1st Batman and most of Begins better. It started out nicely then the action scenes turned almost generic - nothing I'd call mindblowing. It was too long and alot of the last 2/3rds of the movie I'd call "filler". Ok "filler" tho.. wasnt boring enuff that I wanted to stop watching but I kept wanting something kool to happen.
The movie over hyped the insanity of the Joker. Woulda probably been better if Rob Zombie wrote the Joker's scenes.
SPOILER:
Come on... those who say best movie ever... I know its a superhero movie and supposed to suspend critical thinking.. but Batman isnt "superpower" type character and is supposed to abit more realistic... Did nobody notice a schoolbus sticking out the front of the bank? The bumber to bumper traffic in front of the bank and there just happens to be a space exactly the size of the schoolbus to pull out into... AND in a line of other schoolbus'??? For such a thing so early in a movie supposed to have a dark gritty realism and which started out w/ the nice realistic elimination of the fellow accomplices disappointed me alittle.
7/10

[psbp516]

SPOILER:
Come on... those who say best movie ever... I know its a superhero movie and supposed to suspend critical thinking.. but Batman isnt "superpower" type character and is supposed to abit more realistic... Did nobody notice a schoolbus sticking out the front of the bank? The bumber to bumper traffic in front of the bank and there just happens to be a space exactly the size of the schoolbus to pull out into... AND in a line of other schoolbus'??? For such a thing so early in a movie supposed to have a dark gritty realism and which started out w/ the nice realistic elimination of the fellow accomplices disappointed me alittle.
7/10

How can you enjoy any movies? There is not a film out there that doesn't have this type of other worldly timing. It's a god damn movie for fucks sake. Did you want a 10 minute scene where the joker backs out moves forward, waits for someone to let him through, is noticed by some pedestrians or other drivers, they call the cops, the joker awkwardly drives away in rush hour traffic. What did you want from the movie?

[comhcinc]

okay my two cents:

on the whole joker bus thing. i can believe he planned that and it;s cool. no biggie.



i like this movie. it was okay. one of the better batman movies but not the best. loved the joker hated the batman voice.

the wife and i thought the movie was too long. i would have ended it right when the joker is escaping the police station and all hell is breaking loose. then you could have had a whole another movie!

[tomanderson]

How can you enjoy any movies? There is not a film out there that doesn't have this type of other worldly timing. It's a god damn movie for fucks sake. Did you want a 10 minute scene where the joker backs out moves forward, waits for someone to let him through, is noticed by some pedestrians or other drivers, they call the cops, the joker awkwardly drives away in rush hour traffic. What did you want from the movie?

Yeah, and it's in context with his character that he would have timed it perfectly for the bus to just join the line of buses.

[stubadub]

Wow... I dont know what to say... not about the movie.. but all the koolaid drinkers.


See, this is the sentiment that pisses me off. It's fine if you don't like the movie, but don't tell me that the reason that I liked the movie so much was because I'm drinking the koolaid. I have seen quite a few movies in my years and I know when I enjoy a movie and when I don't. I can tell you when a movie doesn't meet my expectation.

I am a fan of Batman comics, and I enjoyed the Batman movie in 89', Batman Returns a little less, and the following two not at all. Batman Begins was pretty much my favorite superhero film, so my expectation for this film was huge. Every hope I had was met and then some.

My wife could care less about comics, movies and superhero films specifically. She has moderately enjoyed some such comic book films, but she was not very interested in this new movie. She doesn't pay attention to hype and isn't the type of person to seek these things out. I took her opening day and she was blown away. It was pretty satisfying to see that her engagement nearly matched mine, which almost never happens.

My friends wives are largely in the same lot, having enjoyed the film much more than they anticipated. My point isn't to say that if you didn't like it that you don't recognize good cinema. My point is there is something about this film that plenty of people are identifiying with that reaches well beyond hype and your damned koolaid.

[hellhound]

What did you want from the movie?

They coulda at least had to push a car outta the way to get into the bumper-to-bumper traffic. They smashed thru the front of the bank afew feet away so I dont think knocking a car would be too much to ask. I REALLY liked the beginning/bank scene but was disappointed by that getaway.

See, this is the sentiment that pisses me off. It's fine if you don't like the movie, but don't tell me that the reason that I liked the movie so much was because I'm drinking the koolaid....I am a fan of Batman comics, and I enjoyed the Batman movie in 89', Batman Returns a little less, and the following two not at all. Batman Begins was pretty much my favorite superhero film, so my expectation for this film was huge. Every hope I had was met and then some.... My point is there is something about this film that plenty of people are identifiying with that reaches well beyond hype and your damned koolaid. (quote editted for reply)

BTW I believe I did say that I liked the movie. gave it a 7/10 at the end of my post. but wanted to put out the 2 things I thought coulda been done better for me.

The Koolaid remark didnt go out to everyone that liked the movie... its for those that are saying "the best movie ever made and a better movie can never ever be made in the future". A "koolaid" comparison in the presence of that type of zealotry/worship is acceptable IMO.

[sugarsickness]

About Harvey's "Forced" two-face transformation:

After the ceremony for the commissioner and Harvey steals the ambulance or whatever with the guy who shot at Gordon in it, Harvey is in the alley with him telling him to say where the Joker is. He says "Heads and you get to keep yours" and then flips his coin. Later we find out that his coin has two heads, so he knew that he wouldn't be able to kill him... and yet after that first flip he says "Let's go again" or something, and flips it again, even though he know it will still land on heads whether or not he wants it too.

It was not like he "Just" decided to kill people. There is obviously some twisted OCD like obsession with the coin and chance and all that prior to the accident, so I don't think having one side of his body burned up and his lover killed being what sends his over so fast far fetched at all...

[vhalkirian666]

... its for those that are saying "the best movie ever made and a better movie can never ever be made in the future".

I agree, after I saw the first Batman with Jack playing the Joker I thought that there never could be anyone who could top that performance or even that Batman "version".

I was wrong. I like the Nolan take on the Batman world because its more "down-to-earth", more realistic and the characters seem so much more conflicted and real.
In the original Batman movie the characters were more comedic and the world was less gritty.

Can or will even Nolan make a 3rd Batman movie that surpasses what has done before, who knows. I for one am happy with the 2 films he has done so far, would love to see another one by him.

[damnedeyez]

SPOILER:
The bumber to bumper traffic in front of the bank and there just happens to be a space exactly the size of the schoolbus to pull out into... AND in a line of other schoolbus'???

I think the point of the scene was partly to show just how well planned and coordinated the Joker could be...and using a schoolbus to begin with implies he knew there'd be the line of schoolbusses passing by at that time.

I don't know about you, but I can't see too many schoolbus drivers willing to risk an accident with another bus...I don't know whether they'd let another in out of courtesy, but chances are, if another was moving to cut in line would they really play bumper buses out of spite, or slow down and let them in to avoid a mess (particularly if it's covered in bricks, dust and other bits of wall.)

Edit: Yes, there are crazy bus drivers...but there are some that aren't idiots, too.

[habs-geek]

Just saw it again, loved it just as much as before. You can tell me I'm drinking the kool-aid all you want, but truth be told, I think this is A/ the best superhero movie ever made (and probably the best that will ever be made since it has surpassed the previous best by such a large margin) B/ the pinnacle of the Batman franchise, due mainly to Ledger's performance as Joker, I don't believe it's possible for even Nolan to improve on this movie C/ pushing itself into the top tier of the best movies all-time (superhero movies are always a little hard to compare to more serious content movies though, so it is hard to say exactly where it would rank), and D/ the best villain performance of all time, surpassing Javier Bardem in No Country, Hannibal Lecteur, Jack Nicholson in the Shining, and yes, even Darth Vader.

It isn't often that a movie actually hits me so well that I actually want to sit down and watch it over and over and over. Stardust was the last one to do it, but it isn't anywhere near this level. Move over Field of Dreams, The Dark Knight is now probably my favorite movie ever.

[wideawakewesley]

Only saw Dark Knight last week and I'll sum up my thoughts briefly:

The most well made Batman film
The most realistic Batman film
Not the most enjoyable Batman film

I find it hard saying it, but I enjoyed the the original Batman movie (ignoring the TV show one) with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson more. That film is also infinitely more rewatchable than this.

Wes

p.s. Heath Ledger was great, but Oscar talk is ridiculous.

[comhcinc]

The most realistic Batman film

i pretty much agree with you but, could you (and anyone else who thinks this) explain just exactly what you mean by this? between men flying out of airplanes, motorcycles that can only go straight, and trucks flipping over, i must have missed all this "realistic" stuff.

[darknessgp]

i pretty much agree with you but, could you (and anyone else who thinks this) explain just exactly what you mean by this? between men flying out of airplanes, motorcycles that can only go straight, and trucks flipping over, i must have missed all this "realistic" stuff.

he said the most realistic batman movie. That's like saying the manliest powerpuff girl. The movie was filled with some unrealistic things, but compared to the other batman movies it is the most realistic of them.

[comhcinc]

he said the most realistic batman movie. That's like saying the manliest powerpuff girl. The movie was filled with some unrealistic things, but compared to the other batman movies it is the most realistic of them.

true i am just amazed that for some reason that seems to be a talking point with alot of people

and while wideawakewesley did say most realistic, a lot of people ( some in this very thread! *dramatic music* ) have talked about how realistic it is, not comparing it to other batman films.

[wideawakewesley]

Yeah I definitely meant in comparison to the other Batman films.

I actually think it was a downside for me too, because I really thought the coolest moment if the film was when the bike turned around on the wall and that's not exactly realistic.

:)

Wes

[jacide53]

Could someone explain why they like this movie? I saw it for the first time today and I thought it was good, but everyone has been talking it up being such a great movie. Maybe my expectations were raised too high? I can't think of anything from the movie that would make it great though.

[bjkrautk]

Things I learned from TDK: (Spoiler-y, so consider yourself warned)

- If you put a bounty out on someone, and that person shows up at your hideout in a body bag, without a visual cause of death....turning your back on them is almost as bad an idea as leaning in closer. Put a bullet in their temple first, ask questions later. (Did anyone not see that one coming?)

- Police officers who talk casually about medical expenses among the most trustworthy (...or was I not supposed to pick that up in the first 10 minutes?)

- If you kill the cop who comes in to check on the cop you've already killed, no one else will come looking for either dead cop. No one will even be in the adjoining hallway.

- Putting a priority on evacuating one hospital means that people will forget to evacuate the most prominent patient in said hospital (save for the two dead cops noted above).

- People live in Gotham City....why?

- High-priced fund-raisers in expensive high rise penthouses have poor security; anyone will be allowed to come up an elevator to get into one.

- If you've concluded that one place is the safest spot in all of Gotham City (despite the apparent lack of security previously noted), you should leave for no apparent reason...forgetting why you went there in the first place.

- Despite all the charges of corrupt / rogue cops in the Gotham City PD, not a one of them was willing to take a shot at a captive Joker.

- Having a manual detonator for explosives makes it completely unnecessary for an automatic failsafe (that would do exactly what you said it would do).

- A ring of unexplained killings must be blamed on the superhero who doesn't kill people, and not the captured criminal who does kill people. (For writers smart enough to tie in the RICO act, they're not even willing to consider conspiracy / party-to-a-crime charges? If the person you know committed the crimes is supposed to be dead, who even cares if the convictions stick?)


...I'm not saying it was a bad movie (and, admittedly, I'm a Marvel guy), just that there was a lot of stupidity in TDK, and it centered around the main plot points and moving the film further. Also, FWIW, they terribly under-utilized Cillian Murphy this time around. Could have been worse; they at least ditched the monorail this time around!

[enemybrick]

I liked it, it was great, but I'd still put the original Superman and Unbreakable ahead of it in great superhero movies

[stubadub]

true i am just amazed that for some reason that seems to be a talking point with alot of people

and while wideawakewesley did say most realistic, a lot of people ( some in this very thread! *dramatic music* ) have talked about how realistic it is, not comparing it to other batman films.

it tries something different than most superhero movies. Batman is just a well trained, incredibly obsessive and rich guy. It is more reasonable to think that his gear could be military grade equipment than it would be to think cerebro might be in use at your nearby military base. The villain is just a very intelligent psychopath that convinces thugs it is in their interest to obey him, as opposed to a guy whose suit of four extra arms has been wired directly into his nervous system having taken control of him.

Realism is a relative term. I'd venture that most people who have said in this thread that the film is realistic meant so in comparison to other superhero flicks. None of us are expecting to see the Tumbler show up down the street.

[hellhound]

Could someone explain why they like this movie? I saw it for the first time today and I thought it was good, but everyone has been talking it up being such a great movie. Maybe my expectations were raised too high? I can't think of anything from the movie that would make it great though.

TY everyone that either found this just an average movie or didnt like it.. at 1st I thought I was in the minority, when I voiced reservations about it being "the best movie ever".

[eddielee]

Could someone explain why they like this movie? I saw it for the first time today and I thought it was good, but everyone has been talking it up being such a great movie. Maybe my expectations were raised too high? I can't think of anything from the movie that would make it great though.

The acting all around was awesome, the story was great and had many twists, the action sequences were great, the score was amazing, a great message behind it....

[eddielee]

I liked it, it was great, but I'd still put the original Superman and Unbreakable ahead of it in great superhero movies

Original superman!??! Seriously!??!?