The Dark Knight The Dark Knight Fan Review Thread

[CrimsonChinster]

This was really an amazing film. From start to finish it kept an intense pace and was visually mesmerizing. The characters seemed real, the action scenes were not overdone and the cast turned in solid performances all around.
Heath Ledger is definitely Oscar worthy, and not just because of some 'gimmie' post-humous honor. He earned it. He colors the screen with just the right amount of delicious villiany to counter the hard, dark-edged role turned in by Christian Bale. Gyllenhall turns in a better (and more likable) role as Rachel Dawes, Caine and Freeman are excellent but Aaron Ekhart's Harvey Dent/Two Face shines. Ekhart gave what I believe is the best screen portrayl of the physically and emotionally scarred character.

The only complaint I had - and it was minor - was the way the movie ended with Batman taking the rapp for Two Face's murders. It made sense why he did it, but still left you with a 'bummer' feeling. Despite the ending twist, I LOVED the film.

CCs Rank of My Favorite Super-Hero Movies
1) The Dark Knight (simply and utterly excellent)
2) Spider-man (my favorite hero and still love this movie. Gobby rules!)
3) Iron Man (best Marvel comics movie to date)
4) X-Men 2 (best of the X-Men trilogy)
5) Spider-man 2 (Spidey fights Doc Oc, enough said!)
6) Batman Begins (the right director finally gives us an authentic Batman)
7) X-Men (after Blade, it was the first major Marvel undertaking)
8) The Incredibles (best Pixar film and a lot of fun to watch)
9) The Punisher (Thomas Jane is the Punisher)
10)X-Men 3 (despite the critics, I enjoyed this one. More action and they finally let Magneto show how bad-ass he can be)

CCs Rank of My Least Favorite Super-Hero Movies
1) Daredevil (don't ever let Ben Can't Act Afleck near another super-hero movie)
2) Elektra (should have never been made)
3) Catwoman (should have never been made)
4) Batman Returns (why do people think this film was good?)
5) Batman and Robin (horrible beyond words)
6) Batman Forever (silly, loud movie)
7) Fantastic Four (good origin story, weak casting except for Thing)
8) Fantasic Four, Rise of the Silver Surfer (cartoonish movie)
9) Hellboy 2 (cartoonish movie lacking really good villian and plot)
10) Ghost Rider (cartoonish in CGI and plot not well developed)

 

[Blader5489]

The only complaint I had - and it was minor - was the way the movie ended with Batman taking the rapp for Two Face's murders. It made sense why he did it, but still left you with a 'bummer' feeling. Despite the ending twist, I LOVED the film.

It's the Empire Strikes Back of the Nolan trilogy; of course the ending is going to be bittersweet.

 

[Retroman]

Just came back from a PACKED screening at the IMAX.Too tired really to go in to detail. This is such a good movie!!! I think i'll give it a 9 out of 10.t:

 

[Scooter]

Bruce Wayne's penthouse was really nice. Especially those free-standing glass partitions around his bed.

 

[Two-Face]

I liked the women Bruce dated. "They were European"

 

[Isildur´s Heir]

I just came from seein it, and there is only one word to describe it........AMAZING.
What an amazing movie, simply put, the best comic book movies ever (Lee´s Hulk was dethroned).
Everything was top notch, every acting was perfect (i still don´t like Maggie Gyllenhaal), the plot was incredible...i can´t stop loving this movie to death.
Serious, adult....perfect.....now that´s a comic book movie.

Not really a flaw, but the same thing as in the first movie, Batman is still not The Batman; and the Joker needed something more to be The Joker.
The characters were still a bit off, but then again, no comic book movie so far can´t really capture the character to perfection.

Hey, but i´m cool, the Thumbler is no more, so, i guess, in the 3rd movie, we can see the real Batmobile.
And, did anyone notice when Lucious Fox asked about contracts with the government?
I guess that´s a wink to Justice League, just like Nick Fury appearing in Iron Man.

The only scene i didn´t liked was the first enterence of Batman, the Scarecrow was poorly used.

 

[DOG LIPS]

This movie was a full bottle of awesomesauce. I really really enjoyed it. At first I didn't like Heath as Joker, his voice was odd, and his expressions were kind of... meh. But when he got fired up, I warmed up to him in the role REAL fast. His schemes and plots were intense and clever. Two-Face was perfect as well.

 

[Mdizzle]

Oldman as Gordon had me cheering.

 

[GCityCoffee]

1st post! (spoilers, of course)

I've seen TDK twice now, and I definitely liked it a lot more the 2nd time, I agree with people saying that it really sinks in more on the second viewing. That being said -

I thought TDK was a 10/10 movie. To me, the beginning of the movie did a good job of setting up where the characters are at this point after we left them at the end of Begins. I enjoyed the Batman/Gordon/Harvey alliance as it felt like The Long Halloween. I enjoyed the arch of the movie, how it started as more of a crime drama and it escalated the whole way through. I enjoyed the whole movie and after the first chase sequence with the Batpod where Joker was first captured, the movie was nonstop until the end.

I worried before watching the movie that Two-Face's story would serve as a subplot and mere setup for a third movie, but I was wrong. His character was beatifully tied in with the Joker plot in a Killing Joke style story that I greatly appreciated.

That gets me to Heath Ledger's performance, which I thought was perfect. He was amazing. Every mannerism of the Joker he perfected, while at the same time adding his own unique quircks to the character (the lip licking for example). However, Heath Ledger doesn't get all the credit. The Nolan bros. and David Goyer did a great job writing for the Joker and they used him perfectly. I loved Nicholson's Joker, but he just wasn't used too well. He was in too many scenes and a lot of the scenes he was in weren't that great, so his character ended up dominating the screen time and overshadowing Batman. Ledger's Joker however, had the perfect amount of screen time, and every scene he was in was classic. Every moment, from the first meeting with the mob, to the "Why So Serious" scene, to the party scene, to the interrogation scene, to the jail escape, to the hospital scene, to the final scene with Batman, was great. He had a lot less screen time than Nicholson, however the writers of TDK made a lot more of Ledger's screentime that the writers of Batman89 did with Nicholson's screentime.

I loved the characterization of the Joker. I loved how they included him making threats on the TV as well as in other ways and than proceeding to carry them out. The Batman/Joker mentality was very Killing Joke inspired which I also liked. The characterization of Batman was great too, he was doing detective work and scientific work which was appreciated. He was showing up at crime scenes which I liked. About Bale's voice, I liked it most of the time, but on a couple lines it slipped a little bit. It wasn't a grievence for me though. I love Bale's Batman.

Aaron Eckhart was overshadowed by Ledger, but he was also great. His transition to Two-Face was perfectly plausible and well done. I loved the scene with him and the Joker in the hospital. Perfect Dialogue. The script by Chris and Jonathan Nolan was basically flawless in my opinion. The only line in the movie that really felt like a one-liner was when one of the fake Batmen said, "What's the difference between you and me?" and Batman said, "I'm not wearing hockey pants." For a moment I thought Batman was going to pull a Will Smith and say, "I make this look good."

I had no problem with the ending, I thought it was great. I thought it left room for Batman to slip into a Dark Victory style mode of solitude where he separates himself from Gordon as well as others. However, instead of bringing in Robin for a third installment, I think Batman should have a romance with Catwoman. Nolan shouldn't feel the need to bring in villains trying to trump the villian's of TDK, it should be more about Batman's redemption and his path to glory so that the series can end on a more upbeat note.

I hope that if someone reads my whole post, it simply wasn't a rehash of thoughts expressed in the hundreds of posts and reviews before mine in this thread. t:

 

[Kaleb]

OMG, OMG, OMG ,OMG this film OMG,OMG, OMG,OMG,this film OMG this film O...M.....G. Seriously guys this film OMG.

 

[Toxin72]

Just seen it

Spoiler

I'll write my review as soon as my mind has returned.

Has your mind returned yet?

 

[Superman-Prime]

1) Daredevil (don't ever let Ben Can't Act Afleck near another super-hero movie)

I liked Daredevil. Ben Affleck isn't that bad and also, Director's Cut is definitely worth to see.

2) Elektra (should have never been made)

Again, I liked the movie. I love Jennifer Garner. t:

3) Catwoman (should have never been made)

For a once, I agree with you on this.

4) Batman Returns (why do people think this film was good?)

What's so bad about Batman Returns?

I personally liked it because they chose the correct actor, Danny DeVito as the Penguin. He has done really good job as the Penguin. It worked good.

5) Batman and Robin (horrible beyond words)

Ugh. It was absoutely terrible. That was so embarassed to watch the movie because George Clooney kept his head shook every minutes.

6) Batman Forever (silly, loud movie)

It was fun to watch Batman Forever, but there are some problem in this movie. I don't need to make some details.

7) Fantastic Four (good origin story, weak casting except for Thing)
8) Fantasic Four, Rise of the Silver Surfer (cartoonish movie)

I loved Fantastic Four! Great comedy and great story. Especially my favorite actress, Jessica Alba.

9) Hellboy 2 (cartoonish movie lacking really good villian and plot)

I would rather not to watch the second movie because I hated the first movie.

10) Ghost Rider (cartoonish in CGI and plot not well developed)

I thought it was pretty good, but the problem is... THE LACKING OF ACTION.

 

[Superman-Prime]

Double post.

 

[Vengeance of Bane]

I loved Fantastic Four! Great comedy and great story. Especially my favorite actress, Jessica Alba.

I want to know what kinda drugs your on. How can an actress who can't act be your favorite actress? Oh... and TDK rules...t:

 

[The Squirrel]

This was really an amazing film. From start to finish it kept an intense pace and was visually mesmerizing. The characters seemed real, the action scenes were not overdone and the cast turned in solid performances all around.
Heath Ledger is definitely Oscar worthy, and not just because of some 'gimmie' post-humous honor. He earned it. He colors the screen with just the right amount of delicious villiany to counter the hard, dark-edged role turned in by Christian Bale. Gyllenhall turns in a better (and more likable) role as Rachel Dawes, Caine and Freeman are excellent but Aaron Ekhart's Harvey Dent/Two Face shines. Ekhart gave what I believe is the best screen portrayl of the physically and emotionally scarred character.

The only complaint I had - and it was minor - was the way the movie ended with Batman taking the rapp for Two Face's murders. It made sense why he did it, but still left you with a 'bummer' feeling. Despite the ending twist, I LOVED the film.

CCs Rank of My Favorite Super-Hero Movies
1) The Dark Knight (simply and utterly excellent)
2) Spider-man (my favorite hero and still love this movie. Gobby rules!)
3) Iron Man (best Marvel comics movie to date)
4) X-Men 2 (best of the X-Men trilogy)
5) Spider-man 2 (Spidey fights Doc Oc, enough said!)
6) Batman Begins (the right director finally gives us an authentic Batman)
7) X-Men (after Blade, it was the first major Marvel undertaking)
8) The Incredibles (best Pixar film and a lot of fun to watch)
9) The Punisher (Thomas Jane is the Punisher)
10)X-Men 3 (despite the critics, I enjoyed this one. More action and they finally let Magneto show how bad-ass he can be)

CCs Rank of My Least Favorite Super-Hero Movies
1) Daredevil (don't ever let Ben Can't Act Afleck near another super-hero movie)
2) Elektra (should have never been made)
3) Catwoman (should have never been made)
4) Batman Returns (why do people think this film was good?)
5) Batman and Robin (horrible beyond words)
6) Batman Forever (silly, loud movie)
7) Fantastic Four (good origin story, weak casting except for Thing)
8) Fantasic Four, Rise of the Silver Surfer (cartoonish movie)
9) Hellboy 2 (cartoonish movie lacking really good villian and plot)
10) Ghost Rider (cartoonish in CGI and plot not well developed)

Hellboy 2 worse than X-Men 3?


...... please.

 

[The Squirrel]

I want to know what kinda drugs your on. How can an actress who can't act be your favorite actress? Oh... and TDK rules...t:

Because hotness > acting ability.


To some.

 

[Spade]

Maggie > Jessica. I'd rather have a good actress who inspires others to be better than bad ones that inspire models to look into acting.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I like Maggie a lot more than Alba, but I will say Maggie didn't wow me in TDK.

I just don't think Rachel was a great role for anyone. Not that I hate the character, but I don't love the character.

 

[GCityCoffee]

I could actually believe Maggie as an assistant DA, which I liked. I thought you could actually feel that someone could like her for more than her looks (even though I do find Maggie attractive).

 

[phillyboy]

Saw it last night & my head is still spinning. So here are a few random thoughts that have been going through my head:

-Finally a Batman movie with...BATMAN: rooftop meetings with Gordon & Dent, Investigated crime scenes ("I need five minutes before your men contaminate the crime scene). It was almost weird seeing Batman doing Batman stuff in live action movie.

-Totally forgot Ledger was in this movie, wasnt til the hospital scene when he takes off the wig & his hair is tied up, that I remembered that it was him.

-I loved the Jokers schemes, I thought they were great social experiments. The Mr Reece & Ferry plans really got me thinking, what would I do? Never seen that level of depth in a superhero move before.

- I thought 2face was going to be the 'Venom' of TDK (thrown in for the final showdown). It didnt feel like that at all, the burns arent what turned him into 2face. If thats all we see of 2face, then I'm satisfied. Finally we got Harvey/2face the way he should be, not friggin Lando Calrissian or TLJ's Joker wannabe. I'm happy with quality over quantity.

The best thing was that there were no 'cringe' moments, there was nothing that I didnt like, it didnt seem rushed, it just worked.

I tip my hat to Chris Nolan for giving me the Batman movie I've been waiting most of my life to see. Thank you, sir.

 

[Batman137]

I can't wait for the DVD I will tell you that!!

 

[The Sage]

*Shutters then steps back into the Batman boards*

I really enjoyed the flick.

Heath Ledger was fantastic and so was Gary Oldman.

Maggie G was so much better than Holmes but didn't have much to do but I still don't really care for the sorta love story, it just doesn't work.

Still not feeling Bale as much as I want to and his Batman voice is still terrible. Sometimes you couldn't understand what he was saying.

Eckhart did a fine job.

The first actually good storyline in a Superhero comicbook movie.

Sometimes think that Nolan's style makes the more ridiculous things seem even more ridiculous.

Glad the ScareCrow wasn't in the much as I disliked the character and performance in the first flick.

The car chase scene was well done but the fight scenes still aren't up to par.

The end scene with the Joker hanging upside down was fantasic, so was the Why So Serious scene and the Hospital scene...hell just about every scene with him in it was great. Still wished he laughed more because thats how I like my joker and Ledger came up with a pretty darn great laugh.

The 3rd movie is going to be interesting and a bit sad because it's clear that the Joker was going to play a role... I seriously doubt the role is going to be recast so the plans are going to have to change.

Score: 8.5 or 9.0 out of 10.

This is the highest I've seen you score a superhero movie. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

 

[Apollo]

i'll probably go see it again this weekend!

 

[Mdizzle]

i'll probably go see it again this weekend!

Good idea; I'm in, heh.

I didn't feel Maggie was necessarily enough to do in the movie; however I have no qualms with her performance or how the movie turned out. Didn't really bug me either way. The focus certainly was not on Dawes' character, but as an actor, Maggie came through for this film.

 

[The Joker]

The first viewing of this movie was an adrenaline rush of excitement. But after seeing the movie three times now, I can make a proper review as I feel all the details and plot points have sunk in thoroughly now.

Heath Ledger was quite simply stunning as the Joker. Every second he was on screen he just grabbed your attention with an iron grip and he never let go. From that first shot of him removing his clown mask in the bank and revealing his face, to the final shot of him swinging upside down and laughing manically, he was a force of villainy that tops anything we’ve seen with a comic book movie villain.
The magic trick with the pencil, nurse Joker, his coat full of grenades attached to a string, the ‘(S)laughter is the best medicine’ truck, his TV broadcasts etc. I love how they kept his theatrical nature and balanced it with his raw psychotic evil side. This was a Joker who knew how to hit his prey where it hurt. He knew how to push everyone’s buttons. Get under everyone’s skin. He was a genius at what he did. I could go and list great scenes with him in it, but the fact is that every scene he was in was a gem. God help the actor who has to step up and fill the villain role in the third Batman movie, because they’re going to have one HELL of a job filling Ledger’s Joker’s villainous shoes.

Christian Bale as Batman/Bruce Wayne. I’ve read a lot of criticism about his Batman voice this time around. I have to say that it did get a little raspy sometimes, but overall I thought it was an improvement over his voice in Begins. It’s not perfect, but it was an improvement. Bale had some great material to work with, and he delivered. I have to say that his scenes with Harvey Dent were particularly good. As were his scenes with Alfred. He looked more comfortable in the Batman costume. There were some scenes in Begins where he looked awkward. Like the scene in the Narrows where asks Gordon to drive stick. None of that this time around. The playboy aspect of Bruce Wayne was also good. Laughed out loud at the shot of him walking into Dent’s party with the three hot chicks.

Aaron Eckhart was amazing. I just loved the intense scenes he had as Harvey. My favorite one being when he took that Joker thug in the Cop costume hostage, and taunted him with the flip of the coin for whether he’d shoot him or not. You could just see Harvey coming so close to crossing the line. The Long Halloween homages were great. The climax of his story as Two Face played out wonderfully. This is the Two Face we’ve been long overdue. And I don’t believe he’s dead, either

Maggie Gyllenhaal was good with what she had to work with. Rachel was an integral character to the story in terms of her connection to Harvey. And Maggie was a lot more likeable and convincing as a D.A. than Katie Holmes.

Gary Oldman was probably the third best actor in this movie after Ledger and Eckhart. Jim Gordon was a tour de force in this movie. He was brilliant. And as a comic book geek it was great to see his family. And no horrid adultery storyline like in Year One. Wonderful to see Gordon get promoted to Commissoner at last.

Michael Caine as Alfred. Ok, what was all this about his role being cut down a lot? I thought Alfred had plenty of scenes. Certainly not any kind of dramatic decline in screen time. I never noticed much if any difference. Alfred was in fine witty form, being there to sew up Bruce’s injuries, and offer advice and support when Bruce needed it. I think Caine has great chemistry with Bale.

Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox. Again, Morgan delivers a solid performance. It was so good to see him as a big boss man at Wayne Enterprises this time, instead of a low level grunt dwelling in the basement. Lucius played a big role in this movie. The Hong Kong trip, the sonar gadgetry, and his excellent handling of Reece’s attempted blackmail. Hilarious.

The action was so much more exciting this time around. My favorite sequence being the Joker’s attempt to kill Harvey in the armoured truck which climaxed in that awesome showdown in the street with Batman on the Bat-Pod. Batman’s new gadgets were top notch. I was very skeptical of the Bat-Pod, but like the new Batman costume, it came off so much better in the movie. Loved it. All the nods to the comic books had me grinning from ear to ear. When I saw Joker with that crowbar in the final confrontation, I geeked out. I just loved that sequence of him going ballistic on Batman with it.

I think I’ve said everything I want to say. I mean everyone’s said it all before. This movie was just incredible. It’s so rare that I go into a movie with huge expectations, and they are actually exceeded. This was so worth the three year wait. Chris Nolan out done himself.

10/10 all the way.