OT: Batman: The Dark Knight, Review and Discussion

Note: I'm going to try to skim on the actual details of the movie or scenes as much as possible. I'm always annoyed by film reviews that are more like "hey these were my favorite scenes of the movie". Sorry, it's a little too long. I added pictures so it's easier to digest. Also I think using nihilistic where I did is a malapropism, but it's a blog, who cares right?

Intro

I'm not a fan of comic book movies.

Some things look better on paper than in person, I'm a firm believer that men wearing excessively tight leather outfits that seem to cut off circulation to the nether regions, is an example of this idiom. Sure, it looks bad ass when it's ink and marker. In real life, it looks more like glorified sadomasochism. 

And unfortunately the trend looks irreversible. At this point Hollywood is toiling away, going ever deeper into it's metaphorical comic book cash mine. Green lighting projects that look well, like garbage (lol Cat Woman, Dare Devil, Ghost Rider, Green Lantern). That should make at least a 100mil right? The once fresh concept has been flattened, rounded, and shined into an impeccably produced, consumer friendly, revenue machine.

Note: If you don't care about themes and stuff skip this next section. Nietzsche is disappointed in you for not examining your own psyche.

Themes

Accompanying this shift, is the decreasing amount of actual substance in the films. Sure, comic book movies like their fellow Summer blockbuster brethren will never be heady discourse on the human condition. They shouldn't be. It's just that the film adaptations of comic books often lack key themes that are obvious in the original material. Morality, ethics, self-sacrifice, justice; these are all themes that are conveyed through the comic book medium. Without them these movies are basically guywithrandompowerawesomecgigeneratedfightscenes-de jour. All good stories have a message and that's what makes "Batman: The Dark Knight" superior to any movie that has come out this summer.

What I appreciated most about the philosophy about The Dark Knight, was that it was well, dark. There was an overall very mature and pragmatic take on ethics that goes back to Machiavelli's "Prince", are unethical means justifiable for a good end?

On human nature the film is equally nihilistic. Are victories over the corrupt and evil truly possible when none of us are incorruptible? Who is to judge what is truly right and truly wrong? What keeps us from doing what is wrong, is it just fear? If it is, then what kind of civilization do we truly live in. There is classic role reversal here as well, where the convicted members of society are the ones that act in the moral right, and the "normal" citizens are the ones that bow down to their own want of survival. These are all very deep questions that I was pleasantly surprised about, I never expected these things to ever be addressed in a Batman movie.

Cast

A strong cast of actors, from Christian Bale, to Aaron Eckhart (Thank You for Smoking), Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, and ok, Maggie Gylenhall kind of sucks, but whatever she is a little better than Katie Holmes.

All the buzz however, is on Heath Ledger and his portrayal of the Joker. And rightfully so, he deserves an Oscar for this role. He flat acted his ass off. Honestly, it was the most realistic and psychotic take on the character, and he came off as completely believable. What's most remarkable is that he completely unrecognizable. If you were to say that Heath actually faked his death and slashed up his face to form a permanent smile  and is now living out his life as a crime lord in New York, I would believe you. The insanity and whimsical nature of the Joker is what makes him so frightening and endearing at the same time. This character will be the most remembered in 2008, and none of that has to do with Heath Ledger's early demise.

Technical

Beautifully shot, with careful attention to space, many of sets are rather minimal and this adds to the dark, modern nature of the film. The most beautiful and visceral scenes are the cityscapes, the towering heights of the concrete jungle and the bat that flutters through them, it was visual poetry.

The actions scenes were well done, but not over the top. The opening bank heist was clever and an immediate attention grabber. There is more than enough action to sedate those just looking for a popcorn flick.

Lack of CGI was duly noted and appreciated. Probably why the action in this movie far surpasses Iron Man.

Drawbacks:

Too long

The second arc isn't as good as the first. Might have worked better as a sequel.

Overall

In conclusion, the film lends credence to the idea that faith in ones own beliefs and the conviction to follow through on those notions, despite the consequences, is what truly defines courage.  An idea that  we should all strive towards. I think this movie will may well be remembered as the best superhero film.

4.8/5