A direct sequel to the excellent Batman Begins, this installment sees Batman set out to destroy organized crime in Gotham for good, with the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart).
The triumvirate proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as the Joker (Heath Ledger in his last completed role, for which he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar) - a psychotic criminal who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces the Dark Knight ever closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante.
Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine return, and Maggie Gylenhaal replaces Katie Holmes in the love-interest role of Rachel Dawes. Directed again by Christopher Nolan (whose most recent film was the underrated The Prestige).
Remove yourself from the seat you're sitting in, find your way to a cinema, hand over your cash, buy a ticket. The Dark Knight delivers a hefty uppercut of superior pop entertainment. Christopher Nolan's rich and engrossing adventure rip-roars across the cinema screen, bullying blockbusters into new territory.
As you'll have heard, Heath Ledger takes you through the wringer with his portrayal of the Joker – nihilist, anarchist, a seething embodiment of menace. He's freaky as hell. He's awesome. Equally valuable is Christian Bale, especially in playboy Bruce Wayne mode. Or Gary Oldman's honest-cop Police Lieutenant Jim Gordon.
The story combines character with action, weaving together a sprawling and haunting contemporary tale, riffing on the idea of terrorised societies that fear chaos and anarchy. It deftly balances the intimate with the grand; the individual with the city.
Another point The Dark Knight scores over rivals, is in its attention to realism. Whilst the action is ludicrous, Nolan so wholly creates a universe, you buy it. The CG work is invisible. He also peppers the film with innovation. Lyrical moments, such as lingering on the Joker hanging out the window of a speeding car or the upside down final confrontation, give the movie a certain boldness (I only wish there was more of it). On paper it's perhaps a pessimistic tale, but Nolan has created something else with his joy of invention.
It's a terrific balancing act of ideas. This is blockbuster entertainment that feels fresh, modern and tragic. The Dark Knight, enthralling in its complexities, will have you compelled to discover the fates of its richly drawn characters. Yep, it's a cracker.
Finally, a "comic book" movie that plys for grown-ups. Just as the graphic novel transcended the childish associations of comic books, so Nolan's Dark Knight takes the superhero genre and does what Frank Miller and Alan Moore did so long ago in printed form. Dark, moody, intelligent - yet it still delivers as an action movie. And yes the Joker steals the movie - superb performance, fascinating character. Just when Heath proved he had it in him he OD's - a tragic loss based on his performance here. Oh, and the opening IMAX camera scenes need to be seen in an IMAX theatre - awesome! Turn up the volume and go batty!
best movie ive ever seen. fullstop.
Awesome plot, quite realistic, great scenes, great music and great acting. Heath Ledger dying is beside the point, he still played an awesome part as the Joker no doubt and should be commended for it. A movie worth seeing definitely.
well the truth is you do have to listen to what i have to say so listen everything you need to know about the plot if it was disappointing or not dont look at batman or anyone else in the film hear what the joker says everytrhing you need to every answer of why the film was like that it is all in the speech he says everything he's says theres an explanation just pay attention and youll find the answers
The Joker should never die this is Jokers love hate relationship with Batman whether Batman likes it or not....! LOL!
1/2 While moral messages are to the fore in this dark tale, and themes as diverse as madness, human nature, self-sacrifice, tragedy, hopelessness and terrorism are peppered throughout, there's so much going on here that even with a lengthy runtime you're left wanting more.
Ledger's performance is monumental, but The Dark Knight lives up to it. Nolan cements his position as Hollywood's premier purveyor of blockbuster smarts – and the Batbike is kinda cool, too.
Bale again brilliantly personifies all the deep traumas and misgivings of Batman's alter ego, Bruce Wayne. A bit of Hamlet is in this Batman.
In an already legendary performance, the late Ledger is gloriously unhinged, giving you nothing to grasp on to character-wise, and all the more disturbing for it.
He nailed it. If there's one thought that will stay with audiences after Heath Ledger's stunning portrayal as The Joker in The Dark Knight, it's this: He completely and totally nailed it.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 24th Jul 2008.
Release date: July 24th 2008.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
