July 18, 2008
The Dark Knight Triumphs and Disturbs
Christopher Nolan's second episode in the relaunch of the Batman franchise, The Dark Knight, takes a daring turn towards embracing a darker, bleaker vision of the masked vigilante and his increasingly odd rogues gallery of adversaries. Batman Begins did a good job of saving the Bruce Wayne/Batman character from the travesties that Joel Schumacher rained down upon our hero, excised the remaining camp from previous cinematic versions, and rebuilt Batman to more accurately reflect the darker tone of the original comics.
In The Dark Knight Nolan introduces a Joker that may shock most moviegoers, but that feels wholly appropriate to fanboys and girls. Too long has Jack Nicholson and Cesar Romero's campy readings of the character diluted one of the greatest villains in all of comicdom. The Joker is supposed to be anarchic, psychotic, and downright scary; he's a man who murders for no reason, but reasons out elaborate plans to ensure his twisted victories. Heath Ledger finally delivers this vision of the Joker in a performance that is so mesmerizing, disturbing, and viscerally memorable that it leaves you chilled.
We admit we were curious whether the tragic loss of Ledger during the movie's post-production would skew our perception of his performance, but believe us when we say we so no trace of Ledger in the Joker. The actor so submerges himself into the performance our perception of him melts away to be replaced by a scarred, perpetually grinning boogeyman. Other noteworthy performances are offered by Gary Oldman in a note-perfect Lieutenant James Gordon, and by Aaron Eckhart, who masterfully handles the multifaceted character of Harvey Dent.
Aside from the darker turn in tone, the other major difference we couldn't help noticing is the emergence of Chicago as "Gotham." While the first movie built a largely digital construct laid over the bones of Chicago, The Dark Knight's cityscape is very recognizably Chicago. In fact, at some points hometown viewers may get a little distracted playing "pick the location." (HINT: They spent a LOT of time around the intersection of Wacker and Michigan.)
The movie is not perfect. It does run a little long, but we're willing to overlook that for the masterful build-up of tension and apprehension the movies length allows to develop. Bale is also our favorite actor to potrray Batman by far, but we sort of wish he had decided on using a different vocalization than the distracting barking baritone he employs while wearing the cowl. We also kind of wish the the criminal syndicate the film employs to signify Gotham's greater enemy was a bit less stereotypically obvious. And there is a plot device that surfaces to drive the climax that stretches the suspension of disbelief a bit too thin. But these are minor quibbles in the face of the film as a whole.
The Dark Knight is quite possibly the bleakest Summer blockbuster we've ever seen, but it's also one of the best.
A NOTE TO OUR FELLOW NERDS: To sum up this review in terms you all you nerd can understand, The Dark Knight is The Empire Strikes Back to Batman Begins' A New Hope, only with better pacing, stunts, and special effects.
Stills courtesy Warner Brothers
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Anyone want to watch me make this pencil disappear?
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Heath Ledger - fantastic. Creepiest thing Ive ever seen. Bravo.
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StephanieSays, fucking SUPER creepy, huh?
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DOes anyone else suspect that there is some voice modulation going on post-production with Christian Bale's "Batman" voice?
I just re-watched Batman Begins and I too found the bark distracting...I don't think it is his actual voice without effects.
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You know, I saw an interview that asked that question and he didn't really answer it, I don't think.
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Oh, here it is:
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Tankboy, let me tell you how I got this scar.
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from nytimes:
"With his eyes dimmed and voice technologically obscured, Mr. Bale, who’s suited up from the start, doesn’t have access to an actor’s most expressive tools."
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Stephanie: Is it ok if I say that I'm developing something of a crush on you?
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Albany:
She is waaay to good for you.
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Are their creepy old men on blogs, too?
I just thought they were on the Red Line.
This actually sounds like an interesting movie, and I have a strong dislike of anything that comes from comic books.
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Jennyblur:
It's because I'm a racist isn't it?
I already know Stephanie actually. It's a joke.
I'd say lighten up, but I'm sure you'd find a way to racialize that comment with your perpetually offended mindset.
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Albany:
Me too. I was joking (sort of). I pretty much think Stephy is too good for everyone.
But seriously. Stay away from her.
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Oh Jenny, let's get together and make beautifully confused bi-racial children who self-hate and self-love forever and always!
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O.K. folks, let's try to steer any discussion back the the movie, huh?
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ok...dunnuh dunnuh dunnuh BATMAAAAAN!
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There's one thing that bugs me a bit. It's how crazy people go for seeing Chicago...in...a...movie!
848 this morning had two segments of fawning about Chicago locations in films.
We're a world class city with a huge variety of neighborhood with a government that's all but hung out a 'for sale' sign. What's not to love!
Granted, I hate seeing another movie set in New York as much as anyone, but it makes me feel very cow-town to see all the apoplexy that goes on over Chicago-set films.
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Albanyparkour, I can't really see how public media running stories acknowledging a movie being set in its own community is apoplectic.
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Albany: That's because Chicago is a small Midwestern town at heart, and has all the insecurities one would expect. Have you not realized this yet? How long have you been in Chicago?
I don't think that's bad or good, the small-town thing, but that is the reason.
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I'm goin' down to Cowtown, the cow's a friend to me
lives beneath the ocean, and that's where i will be
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Albany:
I know you?
Who are you?
Why so serious?
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Two stories, back to back, about 15 minutes of an hour show essentially devoted to actual local news. A movie shot here last year isn't news, it's bordering on a commercial.
Look, I'm a civic booster. I love this city and I love seeing movies shot here. But come now, take the Chicagoist's own advice "act like you've been here before". The "Gee-whiz, they is makin' a Moo-Vee" makes me think cow-town.
The 848 thing may have irked me more than anything else because of how AWFUL their movie critic on there is. They host sounded like she wanted to choke him for rambling about 70 year old movies and "morphological chicago".
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Stephanie:
Damen and Chicago. I'm sure that rings a bell. Fancy running into you online young lady.
"What doesn't kill you only makes you...stranger"
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Beneath the waves, the waves
and that's where I will be
I'm gonna see the cow beneath the sea
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The yellow Roosevelt Avenue leaf overturned
The ardor of arboreality
is an adventure we have spurned, we've spurned
A new leaf overturned
It's a new leaf overturned
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Yr all lucky I'm a TMBG fan who had Lincoln as one of their top new albums Junior year of high school.
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Wait, there's a new Batman movie?
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ap can stfu. I love seeing Chicago in movies. TO people do as well...so do new yorkers!
Everyone loves seeing home on the big screen...just a fact.