The Dark Knight The Dark Knight Fan Review Thread

[Nivek]

Even if those posterswho voted the low scores did it to get a rise out of people for their own self amusement?

 

[chaseter]

I think voting a 1/10 and getting a rise out of other posters is trollish in its very own regard because you are purposely causing problems.

 

[Immortalfire]

I think voting a 1/10 and getting a rise out of other posters is trollish in its very own regard because you are purposely causing problems.

Truth.

 

[LinDuh]

It has lost the comic book feel almost completely that even Batman Begins has. Nolan has taken the technology and realism too far for me and Gotham City is now just Chicago.

AHA! There it is! I knew there was just something "off" about these Batman movies for my liking and I can't believe I didn't notice it, even though it was glaring right in my face. While the rest of your viewpoints are very spot on (I agree with your entire take), this is definitely one that I most heavily agree with. I appreciate comic book movies being made realistic, I honestly do...but on the other hand, when they're TOO real, it's just like a normal movie with a guy dressed up as the star. X-Men was the same way for me. Very awesome in some ways, but just way too much placed in the "real world" to truly feel like it's your comic book heroes in all their glory. Sometimes you just want a little LESS reality. That's the point in my opinion. You're right. Every city scene was like so obviously Chicago and not a nice rendition of a fictional city.

Very good post.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Don't add a "1" if "1" bothers you, problem solved.

 

[Superman-Prime]

I think voting a 1/10 and getting a rise out of other posters is trollish in its very own regard because you are purposely causing problems.

Execpt for BubbaGump. Keep in mind, he loved TDK. He was just being silly to vote a "1".

 

[chaseter]

Don't add a "1" if "1" bothers you, problem solved.

Don't vote for "1" if you know it is going to bother other people. That is called being a "troll".

Execpt for BubbaGump. Keep in mind, he loved TDK. He was just being silly to vote a "1".

Yea I know he loved it but still...Being silly and funny is alright but some people actually would like to know how people on these boards honestly thought about a movie.

What if SHH! decided to implement a RT type of critic system for non-members to gauge what members thought and post it on the front page Being childish on here gets you no where fast.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Don't vote for "1" if you know it is going to bother other people. That is called being a "troll".

That would be compromising opinion. All that has been given is opinions, such is the nature of the thread, all that has been given back, is a few insults, I should be the one rising really.

 

[Superman-Prime]

Don't add a "1" if "1" bothers you, problem solved.

You're the one who have a problem. You made a positive review and then you voted a "1".

It's called being a "troll". YOU are a troll of the internet.

 

[chaseter]

That would be compromising opinion. All that has been given is opinions, such is the nature of the thread, all that has been given back, is a few insults, I should be the one rising really.

Then why did you say take out the 1/10 option Would that not be compromising opinions As for opinions, oh yes we all can have one. But a person that isn't childish and takes a look at a movie even if they hate it would not vote a 1/10. A 1/10 is a low budget Sci-fi channel movie with bad acting or a complete travesty like Pluto Nash and Date Movie. So, in your opinion it seems that this movie is either on par with Sci-fi movies and Pluto Nash/Date Movie or they are even better

And liking a movie and giving it a 1/10 is just plain childish and lame.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

It was explained that it was good for what it was, but it wasn't what it should have been. Chanting "troll" over and over wont change that opinion or make it null.

 

[Solidus]

Interesting to read your review, The Guard I always like your thinking.


Though on my behalf, I completely disagree with the Batman, being out of character of taking the fall for Dent. Actually that is more Batman, and beyond that I've ever seen done in the comics.

To me that was a true pure altruistic act. But he truly is taking the weight of something so drastic, to ensure that Gotham survives. They will hate him, stone him, and call him names. But in reality, he did not kill those people. He knows that and thats all that matters.

If you really think about it the people of Gotham know very little about Batman, a lot don't even know his one rule. They only know that he is a masked vigilante fighting evil. People die every day in a city, so how are people to know if Batman killed them or not. Some people in Gotham prior to this incident may believe that Batman is a cold hearted murderer, and want him stopped. I'm sure there is. So I believe that no matter what, its just hearsay that Batman killed the people that Dent did. Some people will still believe in Batman and have faith in him, because they know that Batman would never do that, and some would think otherwise. You can tell people anything, yet people will still be split on who did what and so forth. Some people still believe the words coming out of Bush's mouth, and some did not from the day he took office.

I guess what I'm trying to simply say is that its truly altruistic of Batman taking the fall, so that Gotham does not burn to the ground as the Joker intended it to. Batman has to take the rap because it gives them hope that there are good regular people out there that will continue to fight. And not to give up.

And people make up their own mind regardless of what news or what ever some one tells them. So no matter what even if the news says: "Batman Kills" there will be those out there that don't believe it, and others that do, because they can't prove that Batman killed them.

But I enjoyed your review TG and your opinion. But that is the only thing I guess I share a different view on.

 

[chaseter]

It was explained that it was good for what it was, but it wasn't what it should have been. Chanting "troll" over and over wont change that opinion or make it null.

1 - They should have stopped while they were ahead with Batman Begins.

So you think The Dark Knight should never have been made and that you wasted your time in watching it?

No, it won't change that opinion or make it null but it gives us all a good insight into your character.

 

[obiwan]

As are the people who voted 10/10 before seeing it last week.

hahaha, touche'!!



ok, well i finally saw TDK last night, and here is my little review (well, not so little lol):



well, lets say this first, it beats the hell out of batman begins, thats for sure. i was not Begins biggest fan when it came out, as i was partial to the burton batman films, and when BB wasnt as good as burtons movies, it didnt even have a similiar feel, i was dissapointed. however, going into TDK knowing what kind of batman world nolan has made, i went in prepared to enjoy but not be blown away, just had to see if this was going to be a good batman movie this time around. and it certianly was. it was more gripping, had better villians, the storytelling was much better, and batman was cooler this time around. i liked his entrance in the begining with scarecrow, and that saw-like thingamajig he had on his arm (kinda reminded me of that spatula-looking thing keaton had in B89 to smash the guys nuts with). bales batman voice is STILL crappy, and at some moments, when he was talking to harvey or whatever, he just sounded almost unbearable. but otherwise, ok. this is the one thing that differentiates his batman from other batmans. the harvey dent story was actually very well done, and i really felt bad for him later on, which i didnt expect to really. why do they still call him harvey twoface? anyway, now for ledgers joker. REALLY gruesome at times, i was like, whoa, this is a killer! obviously way more serious then jack nichsolson, and but he had those little intentionally not funny killing moments like with the "pencil", lol, which i found kinda funny as sick as it was. but so many of jokers killing techniques were so twisted, and the way he looked and acted and everything, i got more of a "burton penguin" vibe more then a nicholson joker vibe throughout the whole thing, i kept looking for nicholson, but kept feeling burtons penguin, the dark circles around the eyes, the bizarre "freak" like nature, the unrepenting killer who enjoys it. its like in Returns when the clown is like "killing sleeping children, thats a little...." and the penguin just freakin shoots the guy, well, thats the kind of humouress killing i found in ledgers performance. and of course theres the whole talk of "freaks" that goes on in the movie, which really for me evoked burtons batman. and not just penguin, but i also at times picked up a slight jack sparrow-ish vibe from ledgers joker, certain movements and habits, way of speaking, reminded me at times like sparrow, especially when he threatened with his coat full of bombs, total jack sparrow stuff right there. but there were times where he made me laugh too, like when hes filming the batman impersonator, and like playing with the batman mask, and rubbing the guys face and laughing ang then going like "SSHH" lol!! it was unintentionally funny for me. twoface was done pretty well to me, too bad he got killed off and didnt have THAT much screentime, i was getting to really like twoface.
i also really liked the bat-sonar, i thought those scenes were pretty cool. hell, i liked ALL of batmans new toys, the gun bomb thing, the fireing gauntlets, the saw razor thing he opened the truck with, all very cool. i lovew when batman has these cool hightech gadgets.

now the batpod, i REALLY liked it. however, i still dont get how batman got it to "come" from the wreackage of the batmobile, but again, another kind of burton nod (batmissle?). when i saw the toy, i was like, how are they gonna make the batpod come from the batmobile? but, they managed to do it, but it was proibably the only unrealistic moment in the movie, but one of the coolest moments. batman vs joker in the highway witht he "hit me!" was MUCH more intense then any of the trailers let it look, and batman making the truck flip was a COOL moment!! now that the batmobile is destroyed, now i think they can come up with new, more "bat-like" design for the batmobile i think. and they left the movie open, like VERY open to an obvious sequel. i think nolan wants to make another movie, im sure of it, just the way it ended, they HAVE to! it was funny to see the thug from the Friday movies playing....a thug in batman! hahahaha! that was too funny to see, but at least he was a good thug this time. the friday thug would have blown the other boat quickly!
and yes, i am glad rachel died, not when watching the movie, but now that i think about it, that character just never woirked and im pretty sure thats why nolan decided to off her, noone liked her from the begining, so its natural she die. but at least it wasnt like a "she died, oh well". it had reprucssions, and dent went mad because of it. But, i am REALLY happy that gordon didnt die. when he was announced that he died, i was like, no,.....they cant kill gordon! then....he turns out he is alive!!! i was so happy, and that certianly got applause in the theater, from me as well.

unfortunatly, the score for the film just was the same as Begins, droll and not very trumpety. i didnt like it, i dont remember any kind of themes, but the movie was dont well enough that the music didnt matter. alot of times music wasnt even used in scenes, but i guess they didnt want toio much heroic music in these new movies. i miss that though, i miss the elfman scores!! aqnd while these new movies are good, something is just missing from them, and im pretty sure its the big brass score that the older movies had. ah wel, maybe the next director will have a better score for his batman movie.
all in all, i liked it, even REALLY likeing it. but, i still think nicholson was a better joker, and keaton a better batman. probably always will. but the new guys in this movie were really really good too.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

So you think The Dark Knight should never have been made

In a sense, it was never made, this wasn't a batman film.

 

[Irony-Man]

What strikes you first about “The Dark Knight” is its quietness. While other superhero/action movies wear their brashness as a badge of honour, Christopher Nolan’s film revels in the hush that envelopes a city that’s afraid of the night. With no bombastic score instructing the audience on how to behave, the viewing experience becomes more intense and personal. The audience I saw the movie with hardly made a noise, in fact they hardly moved as they were wrapped up in the film going experience. If ever there was a movie that was required to be seen in the communal environment of a movie theatre, this was is it.

Picking up a year after the events in “Batman Begins”, the film starts with a faint glimmer of hope. Lieutenant James Gordon, played by Gary Oldman as the consummate quiet professional, has used his alliance with Christian Bale’s Batman, to start to take back the streets of Gotham City. He is joined in the task by Aaron Eckhart’s Harvey Dent, the new D.A. in town, whom Batman sees as his way out. And this is where “The Dark Knight” starts to deviate from the standard superhero mythos. Every hero, historical or mythic, or both, is as defined by their ending as much as by their beginnings. Nelson’s enigmatic last words at Trafalgar, a dying Robin Hood’s firing of one last arrow to find his burial site, Arthur being carried off to Avalon, to return in Britain’s time of need. These denouements placed a capstone on everything the hero has accomplished. With Batman, as with most comic book heroes, the medium doesn’t allow for there to be a satisfactory ending. However, with film that doesn’t have to be the case. Nolan, along with his screenwriter brother Jonathan, has recognized and they have allowed their Batman not to be endlessly fighting in the moment but instead to start to recognize that there is a way out for him. There is a goal that he can reach that will allow him to feel that he has accomplished what he set out to do. Without this, he becomes simply a lost soul descending into madness. It is also this hope, that when shattered, transforms “The Dark Knight” into the tragedy is truly is.

The shattering is done by Heath Ledger’s Joker, probably the most talked about role in any movie this year. Playing like a warped “deus ex machina”, the Joker steps into the film ready to solve all dilemmas by destroying them. Totally amoral and unpredictable, the Joker is incorruptible because what he seemingly does not want anything. Ledger does not act the Joker, he inhabits him. His walk is shambling, his makeup is crude, and his actions are motiveless. Whereas Bale’s Batman seems to want to find a way out of his role as Gotham’s hero, Ledger’s Joker lives only in the moment. It is this contrast between the two that allows the movie to set up its subtext of no action without reaction, and to sharply define the relationship between the Joker and Batman.

Another difference in this movie from others in the genre is the feeling that time has passed and is passing. The Joker was not created at the beginning of the film and dealt with by the end. He has been in Gotham for a year. There is also the feeling of time passing in the other relationships in the film. The Rachel Dawes/Harvey Dent romance feels like it has roots. It is not some meet cute romantic affair, but instead a more mature developing relationship, closer to what happens to mature people in real life. And in Maggie Gyllenhaal, the Dark Knight has female lead that can hold her own against her male counterparts, both in acting and in the story.

As a film, “The Dark Knight” is flawless. It’s pacing is deliberate but never slow. Its characters are believable, intelligent people whose motivations for their actions never feel forced. Their roles in the story are well defined and each actor is given sufficient time and space to allow the audience to know them. The dialogue is refrains from exposition and instead sounds like conversations. The action is breathtaking with an economy of movement that becomes almost balletic. The film is also beautiful to look at, with crisp clear cinematography that allows details to shine through. And the score follows up from “Batman Begins” allowing the motifs developed in that film to be repeated and enhanced.
If “Batman Begins” was the first act in this story, introducing us to the characters and showing how they arrived at where they are, then “The Dark Knight” is a fitting second act, ending not on a note of hope but on one of dismay. If the story was to end here then Christopher Nolan’s Batman films would go down in history as one of the great tragedies ever made. The series’ greatest strength however, is in causing everyone who sees it to want to come back and see what’s next.

 

[Nivek]

Mod's, please, an honest opinion is one thing, but this kid has been pushing buttons for a while here. Honestly how does this kid get by by at first having a sig that has the Trollbaiting along the lines of "Sorry kids, Batman is Gay", now he has the next irritable sig (that stupid Nicholson vs. Ledger thing), posts a 1 in a review thread, and continues to try to stir things up in this very thread not even get a probationary ban?

 

[Jokerin2012]

Honestly, it's the best movie I've ever seen. I saw the trailer in I Am Legend 7 months ago and in that 7 month period, I've bought 7 DK Joker shirts, a Joker action figure, 2 Joker posters, and the graphic novels, "The Killing Joke, The Man who Laughs, The Long Halloween, and Arkham Asylum. Just to get a feel for the Joker. I've bought a full Joker suit, over 100$ worth of makeup and props.

I saw the movie the 19 and at the IMAX. I was first in line all for the 2 hour wait, while wearing my Joker shirt. When we could go into the theater, I dashed in and then sat down first.

I WAS MESMERISED!!!
​

I loved the movie. Heath Ledger was unbleivably good. I mean, he was amazing. And after I saw the movie, the day after I saw it again in conventional theaters with my little sis and my best friend. And I was wearing another Joker shirt.

It was that good.​

 

[NoBozos]

i just want to touch on the misconception people have with comics.

The first time I read a Batman comic I was about 7 years old. Up to that point I had known Batman only from the old tv show and probably a cartoon on tv somewhere.

The comic I read that year, I can only remember part of it--the story takes place around Christmas, Batman is on his own and ends up in a housing project tied to one of those oldschool heaters and I think there's a demented guy in there dressed like Santa Claus..? does this ring a bell? I do remember it being NOTHING like the TV show and it being VERY dark and serious. I remember there not being some kind of evil supervillian getting ready to blow up the world.

anyway, I don't know which comic book people read that's "funny" or "whacky" or whatever it is that they think comics are but in reality AREN'T. Batman has been written as seriously as a heart attack for how many years now?

I mean in Batman, people get shot, killed, blown up, where is the campiness in that? It seems to me that movie MAKERS have finally caught up to the comics and graphic novels. Now we'll see if all the casual fans and critics do as well.

 

[obiwan]

however, despite that i LIKED it, i grow tired of these "this was the best movie i ever seen ever int he history of the world" posts. cmon, it was good, but best movie ever? pleeeeease, that just sounds dumb for some reason.

 

[The Sage]

Interesting to read your review, The Guard I always like your thinking.


Though on my behalf, I completely disagree with the Batman, being out of character of taking the fall for Dent. Actually that is more Batman, and beyond that I've ever seen done in the comics.

To me that was a true pure altruistic act. But he truly is taking the weight of something so drastic, to ensure that Gotham survives. They will hate him, stone him, and call him names. But in reality, he did not kill those people. He knows that and thats all that matters.

I agree. I also think it has to do with something else. The movie explained that Batman had not become the symbol he wanted to be. Instead of hope, he inspired vigilantism as shown through the fake Batmen. He inadvertently inspired the madness of the Joker.

Harvey Dent is the white knight. He doesn't wear a mask, which makes him easier to trust. He locked up 500 criminals without violence (except for one punch). He's pure, incorruptible. It's much better for Harvey to represent hope than a vigilante.

Just my view.

 

[Superman-Prime]

however, despite that i LIKED it, i grow tired of these "this was the best movie i ever seen ever int he history of the world" posts. cmon, it was good, but best movie ever? pleeeeease, that just sounds dumb for some reason.

Oh, come on. It's an opinion.

Calm down and here's some cookie for you.

 

[magus]

In a sense, it was never made, this wasn't a batman film.

That's just flat out melodramatic and nonsense. The movie is very much a Batman film and feels much like The Long Halloween. It may not be the Batman film YOU wanted, but it is very much a faithful representation of several Batman stories.

 

[Cain]

Though on my behalf, I completely disagree with the Batman, being out of character of taking the fall for Dent. Actually that is more Batman, and beyond that I've ever seen done in the comics.

To me that was a true pure altruistic act. But he truly is taking the weight of something so drastic, to ensure that Gotham survives. They will hate him, stone him, and call him names. But in reality, he did not kill those people. He knows that and thats all that matters.

I totally get where Guard is coming from. Even without citing why he wouldn't do it in the comics and just looking at the Nolan verse it's borderline stupid for him to compromise the relationship he built with the police from the last movie to this one. I said this in my review

"Batman's final decision to take the blame for Two-Face's actions did not sit right with me initially. It really seemed unneccessary and out of character I also think it took away from the tragedy of Dent's arc. It would've been more impactful and I think more influential to the people of Gotham to see what succumbing to rage induced madness could do to even the greatest of their citizens.

I think it would've influenced them to be stronger and more on their guard as a city than anything else since even such a seemingly heroic figure could be broken down. However at the same time I think it raises an interesting premise for another film and one that would be interesting to see explored in a Batman film so for that reason alone I could buy it. Also since according to the Maroni and Batman scene the criminals are of the knowledge that Batman doesn't kill which makes them view him as somewhat soft I think it ups his intimidation factor amongst the lowly criminals since now in their eyes there are apparently no extremes that he wouldn't reach."

Ultimately the only reason I accepted it is cause of the bold, the premise that it could develop for the third film and what the Nolan's could do with it is intriguing. It's an interesting theme to explore with Batman and I look forward to it but that setup initially had me put my head down cause you could still keep an element of hope in the city whether they find out about Two-Face or not.

 

[Zimmy]

Joker is able to do these things because he has every criminal orginization in his pocket. Did you miss that part?

And you cannot compare Two-Face to Venom.
Fact: Harvey Dent is a much more compelling and neccesary character to this story. Two Face is more of a plot device to prove Jokers point, and he WILL return, who is to say Two-Face is dead? Gordon came back, why not Harvey? I still look at this as his set up for the third film.

Was it really established that Joker had control of the mob? He agreed to kill Batman for half (of what I don't know) and they eventually conceded that.
It still doesn't change my point. They might as well have put a magic wand in his hand.
Capture Dent and Dawes?, poof! they are gone, the audience doesn't need to know how.
Get captured, gets to detonate the bomb so they arrive a second too late.
Infiltrates a police/government funeral in a city currently under a terrorist state without a hitch.
Batman should stand in awe of this man.
The only time he failed was when Deebo throws the detonator out the window only because the plot suited it.
If you think that some crazy hood with no name and past can completely take over the mob, police, and city and have unlimted resources (chemicals, travel plans, routes, weapons, vehicles) in a matter of weeks, well, then you a have a much higher suspension of disbelief then me.

And if Two Face lives, I will eat my words re: Venom, but it would really seem silly to go through all that dramatic speech if Dent is still breathing. You would think Gordon would check for a pulse first before releasing the hounds!