Rating:
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
The Dark Knight (2008)
By Eric Armstrong
“Why so serious?”, the marquee line growled by Heath Ledger’s Joker in “The Dark Knight” seems to be the favorite question among those doubting the merits of Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to the 2005 blockbuster “Batman Begins.” The question seems fair, but is ultimately misplaced.
Should a comic book movie, a film based on a supposed children’s story, attack such issues as terrorism, bigotry, vengeance and justice, self-righteousness, guilt, mental illness, organized crime, and the agonizing choice between spouse and child? Those who ask this question are clearly unfamiliar with the rich history of maniacal villains, murderous vigilantes, and eminently serious storylines associated with the graphic novel and comic book mediums.
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, particularly among graphic novels. The Batman franchise is no different.
Christopher Nolan, like most others who saw Joel Schumacher’s embarrassments to the character (Batman & Robin, 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 doesn’t have to be a “comic book movie.”
Comic book adaptations, until now, have primarily focused on the super-human characteristics of the hero, neglecting character development, 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 plot-driven picture possible. Nolan capitalizes on this and gives us a sharp, intelligent, and compelling crime thriller. Heath Ledger’s brilliant final performance propels this very good movie into great movie territory.
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 he encounters well-meaning imposters 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 Caped Crusader has a little help this time around in Lt. Gordon (Gary Oldman), and Gotham’s White Knight, D.A. 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 a Sundance Film Festival’s worth of artistic merit into a tight 152 minutes. A feat by any stretch. “Why so serious?”, some critics ask. Answer: Because “serious,” is the only way this saga could be told. “The Dark Knight” is the greatest comic book film ever made.
