BATMAN - DARK KNIGHT
PG13 (US) - 12A (UK)
The caped crusader earns his ears...
The new series of Batman films has once again caused some controversy with the new sequel Batman: The Dark Knight. It's had its fair share of problems even before its launch with the death of one of its stars - Heath Ledger.
Mr Ledger was a creative and critically acclaimed actor that many will miss, and who was the unfortunate victim of a drug reaction - apparently caused by a mix of prescription drugs he was taking. He is personally one of my favorite actors, and his role in this film is to be commended. He plays the Joker, a man who is in reality an urban terrorist. A man who creates fear and mayhem for the pleasure of it. A man who is a combination of insanity and genius. Very dangerous, and very cruel. At least, that's how he is portrayed by Ledger, who captures the comic book villain perfectly without having to jump into the camp version of the character. Even when wearing a dress, the Joker is a frightening site.
Then we have Harvey Dent, played by Aaron Eckhart. Dent is a man who is so dedicated to justice that he comes very close to crossing the line between hero and villain. He isn't afraid for his own life, but his friends are his weakness. Even before his eventual injury and breakdown you can see him flipping his fathers lucky coin to decide peoples fate.
Then there is his injury. Unlike the comic book villain, it is a confrontation with the Joker that causes the injury, and it is the Joker's manipulations that eventually twist him into the villain he becomes. When comparing the two villains, (Two Face and the Joker), Dent is definitely the more tragic of the two. His transformation - gruesome as it is - does not really compete with the true evil that is the Joker. He is truly a victim of circumstance, and his own desire for justice.
The Batman has changed as well. He has reached a crossroads. Either he has to give up the mantle and let Dent do the job, or he has to become the sort of person that he really doesn't want to become. This is the true story that the movie tries to cover, and I say try because it doesn't really succeed. The problem here, and it is only a small one, is that the main story seems to be the fall of Harvey Dent; the progression of the Batman into the true Dark Night seems to be a secondary plot line. However, without spoiling the story for those who haven't seen it, the Batman does show the sort of nobility that you would expect from a Knight of old - doing whatever it takes to save lives, even at the cost or enhancement, (depending on your point of view), of his reputation.
Somebody asked me if this is a movie for young kids, and I would have to say no. It's quite dark and a lot of what goes on might be above their heads. Yes, any teen will love it, but they'll have to be able to follow everything that's going on to get the best from it. However, it is a good film that is well shot with almost invisible effects - and I still like it that the Batman can fly.
Best bit: Aaron Eckhart's acting, Heath Ledgers completely unredeemable Joker.
Worst bit: No Batcave!
This film scores a good 8 out of 10, but I still prefer Hancock.