The Dark Knight Movie Review
Here Is What You Need To Know:
Alright folks gather around, here we go once again we another big-budget sequel to a superhero film. Now, normally I stick more with science-fiction films that may have slipped past a many a movie goer, but where The Dark Knight is concerned I couldn’t wait to see the film.
My verdict-it’s okay.
The Dark Knight will not leave most fans walking out of the theater feeling as though they can fly, but they won’t feel as though they have been ripped off for $8 or $10 or even $12 dollars either. Much is done well, but much is done poorly. In fact, some aspects of the production are surprisingly poor, but I will address that later.
Summing up this movie seems a little silly in that you know what you are getting, don’t you? The Joker is making his first appearance in this re-imagining of the Batman money making machine courtesy of Christopher Nolan. In The Dark Knight, Batman has put so much pressure on organized crime that they are in desperate need of help- so desperate, in fact, that they take The Joker up on his offer to kill Batman for them. The mobsters do this even though they feel The Joker is a freak.
Heath Ledger is fun as The Joker and his ever escalating terror is effective in building tension throughout the movie. Yes, it is sad that he is gone.
What Was Cool:
First,
The posters are cool
The Batman movies are a bit like the Mission Impossible and 007 movies in that gadgets are a big part of the draw and The Dark Knight is no exception as cool gadgets are everywhere. The Dark Knight is full of great costumes, extravagant battle sequences and some really impressive explosions.
There are some lackluster attempts to make some social commentary, however the writers are concerned with offending the powers that be. As a result, the statements are really not clearly defined and will leave most audience members wondering exactly what is being said. However, it was good to see an attempt being put forth to address technology’s role in freedom-or a lack of freedom.
What Was Stupid:
I am a girl. Why, I even like girls, I mean really, really like girls if you know what I mean. And, believe it or not, I am not shallow, or at least very shallow. I want to remind you of these simple facts, before I proceed to bash the collective decision to cast Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel, Batman’s love interest in The Dark Knight.
Okay people this is one of the worst casting decsions in modern film history. I am oh so serious here. Talk about miscasting, we are not talking Godfather-Sophia Coppola, but we are damn close. Gyllenhaal is not a sexy leading lady, which is exactly what the script called for, as evidenced by several remarks from The Joker. The Rachel character was supposed to be radiantly beautiful and sorry Gyllenhaal, well-you ain’t. Gyllenhaal was never a beauty but whatever diet plan she’s been on the last two or three years, well count me the F out. Having both male leads wanting to marry this woman seems like a fantasy cooked up by Gyllenhaal’s agent, its just so bizarre, so unrealistic and so, just weird that it really, truly does hurt the film. Seriously, Rachel Ray would have been a better choice. Truthfully, Gyllenhaal’s presence in this role, brings down the entire film one letter grade. This should never ever, have happened. Gyllenhaal’s agent should care more about her client.
The dreadful miscasting of Gyllenhaal as the romantic object of Batman’s affection brings up another point-why do we have to have a love story? It was god awful stupid to have a love story mushed into this film. I can’t remember too many other blockbusters that would have benefitted more from skipping the mandatory “let’s give the girls something to watch” crap, than The Dark Knight.
Amazingly dumb decision that just flat out punched the script in the face-hard.
The Film's Real Genius or Geniuses:
Christopher Nolan’s agent or parents I suspect. He doesn’t do a horrible job, but most of you know someone else could do this way better (even with studio interference.)
Overlooked Performance/Accomplishment:
Gary Oldman does a very nice job as does Aaron Eckhart, who like Christian Bale, has the unfortunate experience of being forced to kiss a woman who looks as if she is old enough to be his mother. Okay, maybe I’m being bitchy here but I come on, the woman looks old.
Story C+ (There are some good attempts at social commentary, which I am sure is handy at cocktail parties for the writers, but the script is often all over the place and really lacks focus. All sorts of events are not full explained, or flushed out and there are some logic problems as well.)
Use of Science A
Acting B
Portrayal of Women C
Visuals-Visuals and Special Effects B+
Visuals-Set Design/Props A
Wardrobe/Costumes A
Style/Sex Appeal C
Enjoyability Grade B-
Home Theater/HD Factor B
Gut Check (Level of Studio Executive Guts) F
Overall Innovation C-
Overall Grade B- (I would have given this film a B+ or even an A- without Gyllenhaal, even with all of its rather large errors as it was fun, but alas.)
A Little Fact About Cherie:
I really love the whole Batman thing and was expecting a lot more. I was one of the first people to see The Dark Knight when it came out and, while it was okay, I was, truthfully disappointed.
|
