I'm not asking about major changes, like "perm-white Joker" (or, post that if you really want i guess). I'm asking for aspects within the film that you would have tweaked for a more satisfying experience. Also, I want to point out again that i loved TDK, i'm a huge film buff all around and TDK is still my favorite film of the year.
1.
Video Game Sonar view
The only moment that takes me out of the film. I really hate the sonar vision. I don't hate the idea that Batman uses sonar while Foxx runs the program, it's kind of cool and reminds me of of the oricle a bit. I just hate how he can pan up and down like a video game, how you can see shadows and facial features, how the camera glides in and out with ease.
If i could change it: the angle will never move away from Batman's vision and would look like actual sonar or even the Predator view. Anything is better.
2.
Batman's gruffy voice
It didn't bother me at all in Batman Begins, but from seemingly the first scene in The Dark Knight, with the Hockey-pads line, it was just off. The cresendo of course being THe line "This city just showed you its full of people ready to believe in goooooood!" It really annoyed me when i watched it with a group of friends who just couldn't look past it.
If i could change it: i would have ADR work done and match it almost in the deep whisper Keaton had in Batman, the best Bat-voice, IMO.
3.
Rachel...
Don't get me wrong, i think Maggie is a huge improvement over Holmes, but my God, are we supposed to like this character? Two scenes bugged me.
1. After Harvey avoids a fatal gunshot, she smiles, clenching his arm, "If your not getting shot at your not doing your job right!" She laughs. "I'm glad you are taking it so well Rachel..." I'm sorry, but wasn't her ex-boyfriend an Assistant D.A. who got SHOT IN THE BACK in Batman Begins? Whats wrong with this girl? Does she get off on this stuff? Would a normal person who react that way? Also, i think the scene where she accepts Bruces kiss and says "what kind of a live do you think they'll let us have together?" makes me dislike her. I know its a conflict for her, but seeing the **** Harv goes through for her as well as the revenge he gets as Two-Face in her name makes me wonder why this gal is even worth it. You might say it makes her more three-dimensional as a character, maybe you are right, but it doesn't change my opinion of her.
If I could change it: i would get rid/change the first scene and change the second scene to: Bruce leans in to kiss, she puts her hand in his cheeck but rejects. She asks "what kind of life do you think this city will let you have if you turn yourself in."
4.
The fall from Wayne's Penthouse/Joker's Escape
Look, i'm not dumb. I can guess what happened. Batman puts one wing out, breaks their fall by having Rachel land on top of them. I also don't need the joker's escape spelled out for us, but i
do think the pacing is off in that scene, as well as its transition to Gordon in MCU. Having Batman in almost no pain after that huge drop with extra weight diffuse the impact of his fall after dropping Harvey at the end. Are we supposed to belive he might be hurt after that? Come on, he survived the fall from the penthouse!
If I could change it: Have Batman use a grappling hook on the building as the fall, it connects, they swing toward the building, batman holds Rachel out, having his back hit a window. They go flying through into an empty room (maybe a bedroom, landing on a bed for comedic effect). Also, have the scene that was in the script of Joker and his men leaving before Batman could come back.
5.
Two-Faces Voice
Simply, i think having Eckhart's voice practically the same after his burning is a huge mistake. I think it lowers the visual effect, we all know he wouldn't talk the same. Put your finger and stretch out one of your cheeks and talk. That alone sounds very different. Having his voice the same not only diminishes the effects work by making it all the more evident the whole effect was done in post, it also diminishes the event itself. He sounds exactly the same, if he didn't, i think it would help build the believabilty in his transformation.
if i could change it: Avoid ADR work, his on set line delivery is imprtant, just gruffle the voice more in post.
I just read an analytical blog post that mentioned how the Joker liked using time and countdowns in his tests.
I don't even think he's in any IMAX shots either, so they wouldn't have had to loop to hide the sound of the camera. Fichtner and Ledger's lines in the prologue were recorded live.
