I’ve heard many call it the empire strikes back of the trilogy and I like that- it’s the best film of the series (though close) and certainly very bleak
The film begins with a trademark Nolan gorgeous establishing shot of the city
I admire the terrorism post-9/11 element in the joker character and film. We have hostage videos and cell phone surveillance and certainly a blurry line of good and evil
2 wonderful 360 shots- unlike De Palma or other shots though Nolan chooses to do one revelation and pause at a choice time
Absolutely has a gripping narrative and performances led by a virtuoso genius-level show by Heath Ledger- this and his performance in brokeback mountain put him on the fast track for greatest working actors until is tragic passing
Leger’s walk is studied as are his facial tics
There are multiple jaw-dropping sequences and set pieces. The tunnel chase scene is a jaw-dropper as is the impeccably timed hospital explosion set piece
Unlike the bond films where it always feels like Bond is one step ahead here it always feels like joker is and it plays marvelously on the viewer
The zimmer score is superb
I feel like Dent/two-face/eckhart’s betrayal could’ve been built up better formally- I don’t want to go so far as to say it’s a flaw it’s just an unwelcomed suspension the viewer’s disbelief that he would turn that quickly
The entire drama, almost like Shakespeare or the godfather in gravitas is impeccably executed
I love seeing Gary Oldman playing a straightforward character. He’s such a brilliant character actor but after 20+ years it’s nice to see him do such a good job at a straight-laced character
I think this is a very good film. Joker is the embodiment of nihilism and everyone else is super determined. Joker doesn’t care about anything but attacking the morals of everyone else. Dent is the most interesting character though i think. This movie is eclipsed by the fact that people call it the best movie ever. It’s not but it is still a very solid superhero and thriller don’t you think
@D.WGriffith– interesting- thanks for sharing. I try my hardest (and it is hard) to remove stuff like “people call it the best movie ever” and stick to what’s up on the screen. Still- to your point- it is hard not to have that on your mind before you’re watching, during or after when thinking about it
How do you think Michael Mann would fare as the director of The Dark Knight? Obviously, his style, especially Heat, was a massive inspiration for Nolan. The heists, the action, the dark cityscapes, the intense conversations, the ensemble casts, and the egalitarian view of both the “hero” and the “villain” (mentioned in quotation marks as the villain ends up seeming more of a protagonist eventually in both films). Do you think Mann would direct a better, worse, or relatively equal movie? What might be some notable differences between Mann’s The Dark Knight and the existing Nolan version? Mann never really attempted the campiness and fantasticality that superhero movies are bound to require (even a gritty, realist one such as this), but I’m sure he could manage. He is no stranger to the vast majority of elements in The Dark Knight.
Personally, I don’t see any reason why his version wouldn’t be equally as great.
@Graham— yep, I’d love to see it. I think the sound mix audio may be better in Mann’s world (maybe, I mean we’re talking about two greats) and maybe some of the parallel editing in Nolan’s version a little stronger.
What are your top 10 male acting performances of the 2000-2010?
I think this is a very good film. Joker is the embodiment of nihilism and everyone else is super determined. Joker doesn’t care about anything but attacking the morals of everyone else. Dent is the most interesting character though i think. This movie is eclipsed by the fact that people call it the best movie ever. It’s not but it is still a very solid superhero and thriller don’t you think
@D.WGriffith– interesting- thanks for sharing. I try my hardest (and it is hard) to remove stuff like “people call it the best movie ever” and stick to what’s up on the screen. Still- to your point- it is hard not to have that on your mind before you’re watching, during or after when thinking about it
Would probably say it’s the best superhero movie ever at least.
How do you think Michael Mann would fare as the director of The Dark Knight? Obviously, his style, especially Heat, was a massive inspiration for Nolan. The heists, the action, the dark cityscapes, the intense conversations, the ensemble casts, and the egalitarian view of both the “hero” and the “villain” (mentioned in quotation marks as the villain ends up seeming more of a protagonist eventually in both films). Do you think Mann would direct a better, worse, or relatively equal movie? What might be some notable differences between Mann’s The Dark Knight and the existing Nolan version? Mann never really attempted the campiness and fantasticality that superhero movies are bound to require (even a gritty, realist one such as this), but I’m sure he could manage. He is no stranger to the vast majority of elements in The Dark Knight.
Personally, I don’t see any reason why his version wouldn’t be equally as great.
@Graham— yep, I’d love to see it. I think the sound mix audio may be better in Mann’s world (maybe, I mean we’re talking about two greats) and maybe some of the parallel editing in Nolan’s version a little stronger.
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