Ok. I've finally picked up the nerve to try and articulate how I feel about this beast in all its aspects and entirety. My review:
It paid off, didn't it? I've been here since '06, joining for the Spidey 3 hype. I need say no more on that matter, but obviously after my first hype experience taking such an unexpected turn (for me at least), let's just say that I was worried about getting dragged along by the hype again for another summer blockbuster. I needn't have worried. This film was incredible. I liked Begins, but I didn't rave about it like some - until I watched TDK - mouth agape the whole time - Batman '89 was my live action batfilm of choice. Sorry Tim, it isn't any more.
Let's get down to specifics
Bale/Bruce/Bats
What a great performance - as always (do we expect anything less from this guy?). As Bruce, Bale seems much more comfortable in the role this time. All aspects of the character seemed stronger and yet more subtle. The playboy side was funnier than in Begins, while not being too over the top to gain cheap chuckles. They have a great grasp on making him seem arrogant. The more serious scenes of Bruce subtly brilliant, showing his pain and torture naturally in the scene.
Bats. I liked Bats in this film. He was so damn ballsy - almost an element of recklessness in him. I'll admit, the first time I watched it, I got dragged out of the film a couple of times. Not by an usher, but by Bats' voice
There, I said it. BU-ut, I watched it for the ninth time last night and now am very used to it. I think it just surprised me is all. Bale seemed to go a bit heavier on the gruff this time. Kinda suits the ballsy side I mentioned before. So there's a plus from a downside
Pretty much the only downside you'll see in this review.
Ledger/Joker
Don't believe the hype . . . it underestimated this spectacular performance. With a character like The Joker, you can't have a definitive version. There are too many versions; too many sides that are shown in different ways. The Joker is a piece of art, intended to be interpreted as you please. There is no right or wrong way to like this character.
Heath raised the bar here, he really did. He made Joker into a living, breathing monster, where you could only glimpse the man underneath. Every line had a tune, a quirk, a defining moment. Every movement had a tic, a twitch, and a voice of its own. He was funnier than I expected him to be. Much funnier. Remember the first trailer (not teaser) where most of the lines were pretty intense and quite aggressive? I didn't see it coming that I would be lolling at everything he said and did. And although he was funny, he was also dark and disturbing - even IN the humour. It's funny, but I was partway through reading American Psycho when I went to see TDK for the first time, and they both have a similar humour (as far as Joker goes, anyway). You're laughing at things you really shouldn't be laughing about.
Sheer brilliance. Every time I have watched it, I just can't take my eyes off him. He is captivating. He truly was an unstoppable force. Heath unfortunately didn't have chance to make a lot of films and have a long happy life and career, but he has done himself proud with this role - he broke boundaries and stereotypes . And I for one prefer quality over quantity.
Thanks Heath
Eckhart/Dent/Faces
I'll get straight to the point now, I liked Dent much more than I liked Faces. It's not a bad thing, it's just that Dent was utterly brilliant as a stand alone character, without even needing to become Two Face. Two face wasn't so much a character in this film as he was a consequence of TDK's mechanics. Dent was a full character; Faces was the death of him - and that was before the ACTUAL death. I really don't think that two face was built to endure in this franchise. He wasn't the beginning of a character, it was a very sad ending of one.
Eckhart was so likeable in the role, from the first line - 'Sorry I'm late, folks' - you could enjoy his relaxed manner. I thought his chemistry with Maggie was better than Bale's, but they had more screen time together so meh.
Others
Oldman/Gordon was my second favourite performance in the film, only beaten by The Man Who Laughs. So understated - the way he delivers that line about how he'd be working alone if he didn't work along side corrupt cops to Dent made me feel for him and also makes you realise how much of a strong heroic man he is, sticking to his morals when so many around him are as corrupt as the criminals they are after. Brilliant.
Gyhillywiggle/Dawes was alright too, I guess. Anything's better than that plank of wood from Begins. It's not so much the actress. I'm just not very keen on the character. It doesn't spoil the film for me - she was expected. I'm just glad she's dead.
Cain/Alfred. He did exactly what we expected him to. Good delivery of lines, and used the word 'bloody' a lot. He's my favourite Alfred. He has brilliant chemistry with Bale. Top notch as expected.
Freeman/Fox. There was a bit more for him in this one, and he didn't disappoint. For a character that doesn't have a very high percentage of overall screen time, freeman makes Fox very well rounded and real. Plenty of depth and very likeable.
fantastic performances all round.
Lets not forget . . .
Nolan
He's outdone himself this time. He has made something epic. He hasn't tried to make it grand by weaving lots of different stories together; he did it by telling one story, a big story, from lots of different perspectives. Certain scenes are going to become iconic. Even little shots - like Joker with his head out of the car. The pacing is also a massive improvement from what we had in Begins. It moves along so quickly that you finish watching and look at your watch, sure the people who told you it was a 2.5hr film were bullsh**ing you.
Nolan did something special here - not just for Batman, but for comic book films in general. He has opened gates that we didn't even know were there, and he has done it with style.
Thank you Mr Nolan. You have given me the batfilm I always wanted.
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There are many other things I could gush about, but I don't want to break the internets. From the smallest thing, to the biggest icons, this film doesn't falter. In all, a masterpiece. A film that will endure. A film that has broke boundaries. The Dark Knight has no limits.
egg
I can't give this movie enough praise. I cannot stop thinking about it. I watch the making of HBO special, which I recorded on my DVR, like every day.
