The Dark Knight - Review

Early in the summer, Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. defied all expectations by beginning an amazing new franchise. But Iron Man did more than that, it raised expectations for comic book adaptations forever. It changed the stigma that super hero films are flimsy screen versions meant for only the truest of fans. With the Dark Knight, this unfair fallacy can be forever put to rest. Christopher Nolan's second caped crusader outing surpasses 2005's Batman Begins in numerous ways. Here, we are finally past Batman's conception and must now get down to the meat of his personal struggle to serve Gotham regardless how Gotham feels about him.

This story plays out more like a classic organized crime drama and less like a super hero film, because all though we are privy to explosions and chases galore, we are also witness to public officials trying desperately to save their city. Nolan inlisted the help of his brother Jonathan in the writing of the script, he first helped him in the writing of Memento. Their dialogue is always crisp and lean, truly capitalizing on the A-list cast that shines in this ensemble piece.

In all the Batman films and beyond, I doubt any villain can compare to this Joker, portrayed in terrifying detail by the late Heath Ledger. Here is a villain unlike we are used to in recent years. This is a evil doer on a large scale that doesn't seek money, or fame, only chaos, making him all the more unsettling. The film is complimented all the more by Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, Bruce Wayne's gadgets expert, Michael Caine as the dutiful Alfred and Gary Oldman as the newly appointed Commissioner Gordon. These are oscar worthy actors playing bit parts and the reason is obvious, because never again will a Batman film climb above its predecessors and defy its genre to not only entertain but challenge both emotionally and intellectually. So, my advice see it, then see it again just for good measure. Here is celluloid euphoria, the kind of film we all hope for in the middle of a steamy summer.