The Dark Knight
Batman continues his mission to clean up Gotham City, but comes up against his toughest enemy yet.
Genre: Thriller
Release: 24 July 2008
Rating: 15
Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine.
Release: 24 July 2008
Rating: 15
Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine.
Opening Scene
Six robbers enter a bank plotting to raid the volts of all their money. As the action begins to hot up the thieves discuss their share of the cash and the man who hired them to carry out the job, known as ‘The Joker’.
Storyline
HAVING begun to clean up Gotham’s streets with he help of officer Jim Gordon, millionaire Bruce Wayne continues to use his alter ego to save lives and prevent crime. Joined by District Attorney, the vigilante and the police lieutenant follow the trail of a mysterious new causer of chaos, known as the joker.
Wayne the businessman has his doubts about the man stepping into to become a powerful part of Gotham City’s political scene, and after seeing so many corrupt officials fall by the wayside Bruce is determined to find out if Dent is for real.
As for his alter-ego Batman, he is still wanted by most sections of society for causing a menace and misunderstanding is motivation for stopping crime rather than preventing it. As well as dealing with keeping his identity a secret to all but his butler Alfred (Michael Caine) and business associate Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) Batman has a new problem to deal with as Gotham has a fresh maniac on the lose whose love for a whimcical monologue is only matched by his appetite for terror. With the joker promising that he will continue to cause chaos in Gotham until Batman come out of hiding and shows his true identity, Wayne (Christian Bale) must decide whether he can continue to risk the lives of Gotham residents as well as those who are close to him, including Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal.)
Characters
Like all of the films in the Batman series, Bruce Nolan has added to an already strong set of characters with the inclusion of the menacing joker, a recreation of two-face, played by Tommy Lee Jones in Batman and Robin and even finding space for a third villain as the scarecrow from Batman Begins makes a brief cameo.
All the focus was undoubtedly on the late Heath Ledgers’ role as the joker and while the debate about his performance and its comparison’s with Jack Nicholson’s role of the joker in the ‘original’ Batman would be lengthy, there is little doubt that this is Ledger’s finest hour and his joker is possibly the greatest screen villains ever created. The Jokers every appearance on the screen sends brief chills down the spine as you wonder what scheme he will be involved in next. Ledger’s depiction of the joker is an excellent choice as the Australian actor perfectly managers to capture the characters dark wit and destructive soul which surprisingly for a villain makes him extremely appealing.
Bale is once more solid as the movies ‘hero’ but he is seriously challenged by Ledger for the staring role. As in Batman Begins, the caped crusader is involved in a ‘darker’ storyline with the character left pondering his role as Gotham’s saviour after continually being barracked by the public for his role.
Whilst The Dark Knight doesn’t go in the same way as Spiderman 3, by giving the lead character a more sinister side Batman continues to be a feared man and facing a new enemy there is no lack of the usual determination to get the better of his foes.
Another important addition to The Dark Knight is Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) who is appointed as Gotham’s District Attorney to work alongside Lt. James Gordon to continue a clean up of the city. Despite initial worries Bruce Wayne takes to Dent and though the powerful law man is engaged to Wayne’s former girlfriend Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal), the Gotham millionaire helps to boost Dent’s cause. That is until the joker gets involved. Eckhart plays Dent the largely paranoid character very well and an interesting development in the story late on sees him turning his back on the ‘good fight’ to take up the role was villain two face who creates a second problem for Batman.
The main cast are backed up well by Alfred (Michael Caine) and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) who continue to help Batman as he battles the joker and as usual Wayne’s butler provides his friend with sum much needed and comical advice about continuing to lead a double life.
Cameo Roles
Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine play excellent roles as Bale’s business partner and Butler respectfully. Always offering the Gotham millionaire advice, the pair are quick to help their friend whilst he is being taunted and teased by the ever elusive joker.
Script
Creating a story was not a real problem for Bruce Nolan but having the characters to fit into it and ensuring that fans of Batman are wanting more is something he has over achieved in doing. There was much hype surrounding The Dark Knight, even before the untimely death of Heath Ledger, and his role as the joker is scripted perfectly as a wonderful and dark anti-hero throughout the film. The storyline is as engaging as the film is captivating and with the inclusion of characters from Batman Begins and the original Batman series, this film will suit viewers of the comic-book adventure new and old.
Music
As is to be expected set on the murky streets of Gotham City, the background to The Dark Knight is suitably daunting and sets a tone of suspense and expectation during the major scenes.
Characters
A wide selection of characters in The Dark Knight pleases just about anybody who watches the film. As well as the inclusion of the joker, there is also a brief appearance of the scarecrow and ‘two-face’ who appeared in a previous Nolan incarnation of the character. Batman is suitably backed by his servant Alfred and Lucius Fox as the original comic portrays and added for good measure is the love interest of Rachel Dawes who continues to provide Batman with difficult choices.
Verdict
The Dark Knight not only lives up to the hype is received before relief but it exceeds it, ten-fold. The storyline is captivating, the characters are engaging and the action is continuous making this one of the ‘must-see’ films of recent times. Viewers who do not enjoy at least some part of Batman begins must look themselves in the mirror and question whether they really enjoy cinema as even the villains in this movie are suitably heroic.
The Dark Knight is not only the best Batman film in the series it surpasses the excellent Batman Begins and is truly fantastic from beginning to end.
Six robbers enter a bank plotting to raid the volts of all their money. As the action begins to hot up the thieves discuss their share of the cash and the man who hired them to carry out the job, known as ‘The Joker’.
Storyline
HAVING begun to clean up Gotham’s streets with he help of officer Jim Gordon, millionaire Bruce Wayne continues to use his alter ego to save lives and prevent crime. Joined by District Attorney, the vigilante and the police lieutenant follow the trail of a mysterious new causer of chaos, known as the joker.
Wayne the businessman has his doubts about the man stepping into to become a powerful part of Gotham City’s political scene, and after seeing so many corrupt officials fall by the wayside Bruce is determined to find out if Dent is for real.
As for his alter-ego Batman, he is still wanted by most sections of society for causing a menace and misunderstanding is motivation for stopping crime rather than preventing it. As well as dealing with keeping his identity a secret to all but his butler Alfred (Michael Caine) and business associate Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) Batman has a new problem to deal with as Gotham has a fresh maniac on the lose whose love for a whimcical monologue is only matched by his appetite for terror. With the joker promising that he will continue to cause chaos in Gotham until Batman come out of hiding and shows his true identity, Wayne (Christian Bale) must decide whether he can continue to risk the lives of Gotham residents as well as those who are close to him, including Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal.)
Characters
Like all of the films in the Batman series, Bruce Nolan has added to an already strong set of characters with the inclusion of the menacing joker, a recreation of two-face, played by Tommy Lee Jones in Batman and Robin and even finding space for a third villain as the scarecrow from Batman Begins makes a brief cameo.
All the focus was undoubtedly on the late Heath Ledgers’ role as the joker and while the debate about his performance and its comparison’s with Jack Nicholson’s role of the joker in the ‘original’ Batman would be lengthy, there is little doubt that this is Ledger’s finest hour and his joker is possibly the greatest screen villains ever created. The Jokers every appearance on the screen sends brief chills down the spine as you wonder what scheme he will be involved in next. Ledger’s depiction of the joker is an excellent choice as the Australian actor perfectly managers to capture the characters dark wit and destructive soul which surprisingly for a villain makes him extremely appealing.
Bale is once more solid as the movies ‘hero’ but he is seriously challenged by Ledger for the staring role. As in Batman Begins, the caped crusader is involved in a ‘darker’ storyline with the character left pondering his role as Gotham’s saviour after continually being barracked by the public for his role.
Whilst The Dark Knight doesn’t go in the same way as Spiderman 3, by giving the lead character a more sinister side Batman continues to be a feared man and facing a new enemy there is no lack of the usual determination to get the better of his foes.
Another important addition to The Dark Knight is Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) who is appointed as Gotham’s District Attorney to work alongside Lt. James Gordon to continue a clean up of the city. Despite initial worries Bruce Wayne takes to Dent and though the powerful law man is engaged to Wayne’s former girlfriend Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal), the Gotham millionaire helps to boost Dent’s cause. That is until the joker gets involved. Eckhart plays Dent the largely paranoid character very well and an interesting development in the story late on sees him turning his back on the ‘good fight’ to take up the role was villain two face who creates a second problem for Batman.
The main cast are backed up well by Alfred (Michael Caine) and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) who continue to help Batman as he battles the joker and as usual Wayne’s butler provides his friend with sum much needed and comical advice about continuing to lead a double life.
Cameo Roles
Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine play excellent roles as Bale’s business partner and Butler respectfully. Always offering the Gotham millionaire advice, the pair are quick to help their friend whilst he is being taunted and teased by the ever elusive joker.
Script
Creating a story was not a real problem for Bruce Nolan but having the characters to fit into it and ensuring that fans of Batman are wanting more is something he has over achieved in doing. There was much hype surrounding The Dark Knight, even before the untimely death of Heath Ledger, and his role as the joker is scripted perfectly as a wonderful and dark anti-hero throughout the film. The storyline is as engaging as the film is captivating and with the inclusion of characters from Batman Begins and the original Batman series, this film will suit viewers of the comic-book adventure new and old.
Music
As is to be expected set on the murky streets of Gotham City, the background to The Dark Knight is suitably daunting and sets a tone of suspense and expectation during the major scenes.
Characters
A wide selection of characters in The Dark Knight pleases just about anybody who watches the film. As well as the inclusion of the joker, there is also a brief appearance of the scarecrow and ‘two-face’ who appeared in a previous Nolan incarnation of the character. Batman is suitably backed by his servant Alfred and Lucius Fox as the original comic portrays and added for good measure is the love interest of Rachel Dawes who continues to provide Batman with difficult choices.
Verdict
The Dark Knight not only lives up to the hype is received before relief but it exceeds it, ten-fold. The storyline is captivating, the characters are engaging and the action is continuous making this one of the ‘must-see’ films of recent times. Viewers who do not enjoy at least some part of Batman begins must look themselves in the mirror and question whether they really enjoy cinema as even the villains in this movie are suitably heroic.
The Dark Knight is not only the best Batman film in the series it surpasses the excellent Batman Begins and is truly fantastic from beginning to end.