“Why so serious?”, the marquee line growled by Heath Ledger’s Joker in “The Dark Knight” seems to be a popular question among those especially critical of Christopher Nolan’s ultra-dark follow-up to the 2005 blockbuster “Batman Begins.”  The question is fair, but ultimately misplaced.

Should a comic book movie, a film based on a supposed children’s story, attack such weighty issues like terrorism, bigotry, vengeance and justice, self-righteousness, guilt, mental illness and organized crime?  To be upset by such hard-hitting content taking center stage in a comic book film is to be wholly unfamiliar with the rich history of maniacal villains, murderous vigilantes, and eminently serious story lines associated with the medium.

Todd McFarlane’s diabolical “Spawn” chronicles the undead existence of Al Simmons, a murdered CIA agent who cuts a deal with Satan in order to return to earth as a demonic anti-hero.  Similarly dark and thoroughly serious premises are the norm.  The Batman franchise is no exception.

Christopher Nolan, like most others who saw Joel Schumacher’s embarrassments to the character (“Batman & Robin” and “Batman Forever”), was probably itching to breathe legitimacy back into the bat-suit.  With “Batman Begins” Nolan proved it could be done.  With “The Dark Knight” he proved something greater; that a comic book movie can be more than just a comic book movie.

Comic book adaptations, until now, have primarily focused on the super-human characteristics of the hero, neglecting character development, social commentary, originality of plot, freshness of dialogue, i.e. things that make a movie great.  Part of Batman’s advantage is that he has no super-human abilities making a more plausible and prescient picture possible.  Nolan capitalizes on this and gives us a sharp, intelligent, and compelling crime thriller.  And Heath Ledger’s brilliant final completed performance elevates this clever, fantastically paced, surprisingly believable film into the rare territory of  compelling blockbuster entertainment.

We’re introduced to the Joker in the first few minutes of the film during an elaborate bank heist scene (possibly my favorite scene of the movie).  There is no lengthy flashback or awkward explanatory dialogue detailing his origins.  A simple unmasking is all that’s necessary, revealing greasy unkempt hair, sloppy flaking white makeup, and a villainous, grotesquely scarred sneer; the embodiment of remorseless chaos.

Batman has a new suit, and a whole slew of new problems.  The people of Gotham don’t know what to think of him.  Some idolize him, others think he’s a parasite that belongs in Arkham Asylum.  The police force is as corrupt as ever, and it seems the Bat-Man encounters well-meaning impostors at every turn, further tainting his public image.

Although Bruce Wayne is a billionaire playboy that sleeps during the day and engages dangerous criminals in mortal combat by night, Christian Bale’s Batman is someone we can relate to.  The problems he faces, though fantastic and exaggerated, are ultimately the same issues that plague us all.  How are we to keep fighting in the face of so much evil in the world?  Do we fight back or is pacifism more viable, noble?  Who’s to say what is unequivically right or wrong?  Batman is the personification of society’s collective struggle with these central and eternal questions.

Luckily the Caped Crusader has some help this time around in Lt. Gordon (Gary Oldman), and Gotham’s White Knight, District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart).  Oldman’s performance is spot-on, as we would expect, and Eckhart does well tackling the conflicted Dent.  Their alliance brings hope to Gotham, that is, until the Joker executes a string of complex and downright serpentine schemes to take down the trifecta.  Mayhem ensues.

The reason this film works so well, other than Ledger’s remarkable performance, is the Nolan brothers’ superb script.  It cleanly packs a summer’s worth of blockbuster flair and all the artistic merit of an indie film festival into a tight-feeling 152 minutes.  A feat by any stretch.

Cast & Credits
Directed by….Christopher Nolan
Written by….Christopher and Jonathan Nolan
Bruce Wayne….Christian Bale
The Joker….Heath Ledger
Harvey Dent….Aaron Eckhart
Alfred….Michael Caine
Rachel….Maggie Gyllenhaal
Gordon….Gary Oldman
Lucius Fox….Morgan Freeman