• 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
  • Masterpiece