The Dark Knight Frank Miller on TDK

[Bat-Mite]

Yeah, we all know ASBAR sucks. But let's move on. Nolan isn't God, and criticism of TDK shouldn't be taboo around here.

I don't recall anyone in this topic saying that Nolan's a God, or that this movie is above criticism. Just because people disagree with Miller's comments doesn't mean they believe either of those things. And I don't think people in general on these boards have a problem with criticism of this movie, so much as they have a problem with stupid criticism. Like what HarryGucha was always rambling on about.

 

[Doctor Jones]

See, this being the internet, I can't tell if you're out-sarcasming my sarcasm.

Ahhhh. That was sarcasm? If so, all's cool.

But just to bring up, Stalin was worse than Hitler.

 

[Etienne]

Frank Miller is worse than Hitler.

I laughed but I'm afraid others might take this too seriously.

I dont really get why so many people care what Miller thinks, if you like his work you like it, that dosent mean to have to agree with his views.

Agreed well said. I couldn't care less what Miller or anyone for that matter thinks of The Dark Knight all I know is I LOVED it. People are going agree and disagree with Miller's opinion nothing wrong with that. It is pretty funny to read some posters comments basically telling others to leave Miller alone.

 

[LostSon88]

Frank Miller's the comic book creator who revived Batman and turned him into The Dark Knight in the 80s.
What's Frank think of The Dark Knight's Oscar chances?
"It looks right. It’s dark. It’s spooky. Unfortunately, they seem to have forgotten it was a Batman movie. He’s barely in it.
"I think Heath Ledger’s death was, I have to say it, a major marketing boon for Warner Brothers. But he made a terrific Joker. He certainly has a shot" at an Oscar.​

"You’ve got to give’em credit. They FINALLY got the title right."​

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_movies_blog/2008/12/frank-miller-on.html​

I've been wondering for awhile what he thought of the movie. I'm actually surprised he didn't critisize the realism. But he seems to give credit where its due, at least.​

Did he even watch the movie?

 

[Doctor Jones]

Did he even watch the movie?

Yes, but that's his point of view. For God's sake leave the man be. I swear to God, anyone that has their opinion of a flaw or gripe of this film, people swarm all over them like they killed someone. Who the hell cares what he thinks? Who the hell cares what anyone else thinks of the film for that matter? As long as you liked it it doesn't matter.

 

[Caped Crusader]

All the other Batman films? Batman Begins is the only one that focuses entirely on Bruce/Batman. The rest of the films focus on a wider range of characters.

edit.

 

[hatebox]

eh.. I dont think so

Well considering B89, BR, BF and B&R are far more interested in the villains I'm not sure how you could disagree. But oh well.

 

[Rasputin911]

Ahhhh. That was sarcasm? If so, all's cool.

But just to bring up, Stalin was worse than Hitler.

I'd say they were equally demonic. Stalin just had a bigger body count becuz he had more time to work with.

 

[Rasputin911]

Yes, but that's his point of view. For God's sake leave the man be. I swear to God, anyone that has their opinion of a flaw or gripe of this film, people swarm all over them like they killed someone. Who the hell cares what he thinks? Who the hell cares what anyone else thinks of the film for that matter? As long as you liked it it doesn't matter.

my thoughts exactly.

And Miller liked the frickin movie!!! He just had one minor gripe!

 

[Doctor Jones]

Edit.

 

[Doctor Jones]

my thoughts exactly.

And Miller liked the frickin movie!!! He just had one minor gripe!

And it was his opinion of it. His view. That's just what he saw. No big deal.

People just want to find something else to jump at him with.

And frankly, The Spirit looks good, Sin City was a damn good film. And he's a wonderful writer. Though I do admit, he rights in a way that you don't even have to look at his name to figure out who's writing it.

 

[Caped Crusader]

Well considering B89, BR, BF and B&R are far more interested in the villains I'm not sure how you could disagree. But oh well.

I'm getting things confused.

What I meant to say is.. All the other Batman films dont just completely focus on Batman/Bruce besides Begins. 89 I would say is equal between Batman & Joker the other films including TDK lean towards the villains which doesnt mean its a bad thing, TDK is my favorite of all time, Returns I loved & Forever was good. Most Batman story's never really focus on just Batman/Bruce anyways.


I dont understand why some of you are getting all tight with what Miller said.

The better the villain the better the story.

 

[benhs1898]

Actually I could rip the film to shreds. It's really over the top and I hate the fact that it has a cliched climax just like Batman Begins. Without the writing and characterization of the Joker by the Nolans + Ledger, the film is pretty average if you ask me. Batman "not being in it enough" is not something I'd criticize, though.

Cliched climax? Like the kind where Christopher Nolan left us all hanging off the edge of a gigantic cliff with no solid intention of picking us up? Or how he raises the stakes without raising the risk? Batman Begins, all of Gotham is in danger of being killed, THAT is cliched. The Dark Knight has a greater sense of urgency even though the amount of lives at stake are much lower. That, to me, was a very clever and refreshing end.

Oh, and, over the top? IT'S A MOVIE, if it wasn't a bit over the top wouldn't it fit into your last criticism, that it was too average? Anyway, the whole point of it being over the top is that the Joker is very over the top, they wanted a story to go with... I SHOULDN'T EVEN BOTHER WITH THIS. You can't just say, Nolan and Ledger did a good job but it was blah blah blah. Any type of entertainment is ensemble work so it must be looked at from all angles. With all of the elements together, the film is very effective because it achieves what is necessary within the limits it has set.

 

[Doctor Jones]

^ It definately was unconventional. It didn't end with explosions or The Joker. It ended emotionally, more satisfying than an action scene. It didn't mop up anything like your usual action fare does, the end is still the same scene. The ending is tragic. The last hope dies, the hero takes the blame, now on the run. How the hell is that cliched?

 

[LostSon88]

Yes, but that's his point of view. For God's sake leave the man be. I swear to God, anyone that has their opinion of a flaw or gripe of this film, people swarm all over them like they killed someone. Who the hell cares what he thinks? Who the hell cares what anyone else thinks of the film for that matter? As long as you liked it it doesn't matter.

I think you've been around here long enough to know that that's just how it works here at the hype...

There is no 'middle ground' here at the TDK Boards. For better or worse, you're either with us or against us!

 

[hatebox]

It's not that bad anyway though. I doubt that deep down anyone believes the film to be perfect. Miller gave a criticism which most people are responding to with logic. Yes, there are a couple that go too far, but that hardly constitutes the whole board as being overly zealous fanboys.

 

[batmanofbaylor]

i like frank miller *ducks for cover*

 

[redfirebird2008]

^ It definately was unconventional. It didn't end with explosions or The Joker. It ended emotionally, more satisfying than an action scene. It didn't mop up anything like your usual action fare does, the end is still the same scene. The ending is tragic. The last hope dies, the hero takes the blame, now on the run. How the hell is that cliched?

I didn't call the ending cliched. I called the climax, ie the fight with SWAT and the ferry boat stuff, cliched. I loved the ending of this film. It sums up why I love Batman as a character. It might even be my favorite scene in the film. I just wish the fight with SWAT wasn't even in the movie at all.

 

[NickyTea]

If you look up "curmudgeon" in the dictionary, there's a picture of Frank Miller.

 

[Franklin Richards]

^ It definately was unconventional. It didn't end with explosions or The Joker. It ended emotionally, more satisfying than an action scene. It didn't mop up anything like your usual action fare does, the end is still the same scene. The ending is tragic. The last hope dies, the hero takes the blame, now on the run. How the hell is that cliched?

Just kidding. t:

 

[benhs1898]

I didn't call the ending cliched. I called the climax, ie the fight with SWAT and the ferry boat stuff, cliched. I loved the ending of this film. It sums up why I love Batman as a character. It might even be my favorite scene in the film. I just wish the fight with SWAT wasn't even in the movie at all.

I just don't understand what you see in it that is similar to lots of other things. It was necessary. He had to fight the swat because they were positioned and Batman had no way to communicate the correct information to them. The boat scene served as the big thing to show joker(and the audience) that he isn't always right, and it wasn't even big enough to show him that. Also, I would like to know what you would compare the boat scene to.

 

[Doctor Jones]

I didn't call the ending cliched. I called the climax, ie the fight with SWAT and the ferry boat stuff, cliched. I loved the ending of this film. It sums up why I love Batman as a character. It might even be my favorite scene in the film. I just wish the fight with SWAT wasn't even in the movie at all.

The ferry boat was cliched? I though it was brilliant. For the first time, I wasn't just an observer, I was a participant in a film. This is us in a situation. That's exactly how we would react. I don't know about the outcome, but just the thought processs. It's very thought provoking scene and one of them in the entire film. It raises so many questions about the good of man. Are we really evil? Would we turn the key? What would be the outcome? The Joker could of pulled a switcheroo like he did with Rachel and they blew up their own boat instead, paying for what they did. That finale had a whole theme behind it. Like Joker's purpose in the film. To show that truly everyone is evil. Even the best of people.

Listen to the BOF podcasts and you'll see it alot better.

 

[Dark Knight]

After ****ing over The Spirit, Miller isn't allowed to have an opinion on other people's work.

Exactly! Especially since Frank Miller can only dream of being in the same league as Chris Nolan as far as being a director is concerned.

 

[benhs1898]

Miller keeps saying idiot things about the movie business as if he knows anything about it. He keeps saying something about he wont believe in Sin City 2 until there are marquees for it.

 

[Rasputin911]

Exactly! Especially since Frank Miller can only dream of being in the same league as Chris Nolan as far as being a director is concerned.

look at me! I'm cool cuz i bash on Frank Miller!