The Dark Knight reviews and reactions. Caution, spoilers galore

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Eddie who?

This is not your dad's Dark Knight. This film is hardcore, all out, balls to the wall DARK.

I just previewed this film and I am seriously having trouble coming up the right words to describe how I feel. TDK starts out on the slower side. There is a lot of story and dialogue inside the first half that must be digested in order to process the gut wrenching second half. My mind has yet to calculate what this film will mean for any subsequent Batman films save for the absolute certainty that from now on, all of the films will be just as compelling and gritty.

I had been thinking lately of the third Batman film and if Aaron Eckhart would be able to at the very least match the (hype?) perfomance of the late Ledger's Joker. As of now there is no doubt in my mind that he can pull it off. We all know Two Face will be the next big antagonist. But how deep and serious will Nolan take this new character?

[Show spoiler]I assure you that when you see him, (And you DO see him)

you will be convinced that the Batman franchise is in no danger of waning any time soon. The action scenes are solid as are the acting abilities of virtually everyone of the major characters.

[Show spoiler]The Mayor wears eye makeup for reasons that

still elude me. Maggie Gyllenhall is OUTSTANDING. The biggest surprise by far as I'm not her biggest fan, but she is far more natural and believable than KH ever was.

The tipping point of the film is the scene in

[Show spoiler]which the Joker is caught and interrogated by Batman

. From then on it is a no holds barred Miller-esque graphic novel with a pulse. The only thing that I did not see coming was

[Show spoiler]the death of a major character.

[Show spoiler] The need for the new suit is explained very well although I personally hate the way it looks. And the Bat Pod is inventive, although a little too coincidental

.

There is much less comedy in this film ( I only remember laughing once) but the WOW effect is very much in place. Ledger's perfomance really starts to shine

[Show spoiler]in the last quarter of the movie. He will, without a doubt, be terribly missed. The psychotic nature of the Joker is captured without flaw in his performance although I preferred the Killing Joke origin to the film's less than dramatic Joker birth.

The film is rich in detail and will serve as the standard for all comic book adaptions made in the following years.

That's my time, guys. And remember: S Laughter is the best medicine!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!

Actually, I thought the movie was pretty funny at parts. Like when the joker is the nurse, the audience really does find themselves laughing at a joker, twisted and demented as he is.

[Show spoiler]And as for the deaths of major characters, I was surprised as well. Not only that they killed Rachel off, but I was expecting a second appearance by Two-face in the next film (even though that is still possible).

I think Aaron Eckhardt did a phenomenal job as well.

[fighthefutureofhd]

Originally Posted by jasonbird

I just hope Nolan decides he WANTS to make a 3rd one. And it can't be a money thing. That would be bad.

i do too, but nolan deserves the money and he deserves to see a higher pay raise if he wants to. warner would be stupid to not give it to him anyway. but then i don't put it past warner. after all they did make steel.

[SlmShdy1]

I found myself laughing quite a bit actually. Michael Caine had his jokes like in Batman Begins and The Joker was hilarious. I think the funniest part is when he did the disappearing act with the pencil.

Originally Posted by jasonbird

I just hope Nolan decides he WANTS to make a 3rd one. And it can't be a money thing. That would be bad.

He would love to make a third one, but he wants a vacation first.


We asked him whether they had anything ready if Warner Bros. came to them Monday asking for a third movie in the series. "Honestly, we had nothing on paper. We didn't even have an idea when 'Batman Begins' came out for 'The Dark Knight' and we don't have an idea now," he admitted to us. "We're not even thinking about it. When this one comes out and is out there around the world, which we're expecting to be in the next month or so, then maybe after everyone takes a vacation, we'll start to think about if there's a reason to do another one."

http://www.superherohype.com/news/fe...ws.php?id=7478

[GreenScar]

Originally Posted by SlmShdy1

He would love to make a third one, but he wants a vacation first.


We asked him whether they had anything ready if Warner Bros. came to them Monday asking for a third movie in the series. "Honestly, we had nothing on paper. We didn't even have an idea when 'Batman Begins' came out for 'The Dark Knight' and we don't have an idea now," he admitted to us. "We're not even thinking about it. When this one comes out and is out there around the world, which we're expecting to be in the next month or so, then maybe after everyone takes a vacation, we'll start to think about if there's a reason to do another one."

http://www.superherohype.com/news/fe...ws.php?id=7478

I agree he's going to think about it, but I don't see him saying he'd love to. I think I posted that article back when it came out. It had me worried that they'd throw a bunch of money at him to help him make up his mind. That's the last thing I want to see happen. Mind you, he deserves all he can get, but I want the passion he had for the second one to be there. I want it to get even better and I know if anyone can do it, Nolan can.

[SlmShdy1]

Well, I can't remember if it was an article I read or a TV special I saw, but the executive producer said that they'd like to do a third. He then went on to say how hard it would be to top The Dark Knight. That's what they're worried about.

[GreenScar]

I hadn't posted this find, but I know you'll appreciate it. Things get lost in these giant threads. Here's what Bale had to say about a sequel (and Terminator)

"What we do for a living is completely ridiculous," says Bale. "We call ourselves grown men who are pretending to be other people for a living and the more ridiculous I view what I do, the more I love it and the more I appreciate and am able to do this for a living. The more seriously I take it and it sounds paradoxical, but the more serious and more dramatic a role gets in any genre, the more ridiculous you have made it."

Story continues after the jump...

Bale praised not only Ledger's work in Dark Knight, but also all of his cast members. "We have a damn good cast straight throughout this movie. It becomes that much easier to create great scenes."

Does Bale see a sequel to the 'Dark Knight' on the horizon?

"You have to ask Chris that. Look I see that in finishing the movie, I want to know what happens? What is going to happen? It is completely in the hands of Chris of whether he desires to do that or not. I will bet a lot of money that he hasn't made any indication of whether that was going to happen or not, but it's completely his decision."

Bale sees two main challenges if Nolan were to create another Batman movie.

"I think that there is a great challenge to it for two reasons. One is there have been a number of sequels that have surpassed the first movie. You look at 'Godfather 2'; 'Empire Strikes Back' in my personal opinion surpass the first one. There have not been many times that you get a third in a trilogy that manage to be the best and I see that as a good enough reason to want to tackle it. There is also another challenge, which is Heath has done such a superb job with this, how do you create a superior villain to that?"

When asked about Nolan, Bale can't seem to imagine continuing on in the franchise without the director's involvement.

"He's created this. This is his. No matter how much there are great performances or how much there is a great cast; everything comes down to the director. He casts those people. He is responsible for picking the right people for the right parts. He's responsible for the whole damn thing.

"If the movie works it's all due to Chris. If the movie fails, it's all due to Chris. The director should take the credit and all the blame whether a movie works or not. He should because he is the one that's making all the decisions. I am just the one providing a piece to the puzzle, but he's picked me to provide that piece. So if I'm not doing it well ok I'm to blame for not bringing that up, but he's to blame for casting me in the first place."

This is now Bale's third time working with the director, in 'Batman Begins', 'The Prestige' and now 'The Dark Knight'. What sort of working environment does Nolan create on set?

"Well I can speak for myself, but I have a great trust in his abilities and he's going to be making a very smart and engaging movie," Bale said, but adds. "It never stops me from questioning him because everyone should have people questioning. It doesn't benefit to have yes men around the place, but I have yet to come up with a question that he hasn't considered before I've asked it and I hope he would be able to feel the same about me.

"He does know I am the kind of actor that can arrive and without having him tell me anything, I have my own opinion of how I think a scene should be shot and I will present it to him. Then a collaboration begins of him telling me, ‘what the hell was that? What are you doing, you're missing the point?' or ‘Bang on that was it, we're moving on.' So I hope he has the same trust in me that I have in him.

Bale seems to enjoy franchises. Up next for the actor is tackling the fourth 'Terminator' movie, subtitled 'Salvation'.
Christian Bale as John Connor in 'Terminator: Salvation'

"That was actually something I questioned greatly, do I want to do that again? What I saw with 'Terminator' was what I saw with 'Batman Begins'. 'Batman Begins' was clearly an origin story and we were in many ways ignoring any of the movies, which came before. This won't be the case with 'The Terminator'. We certainly will be staying true to the mythology, certainly one and two more so than three."

Bale isn't looking to simply rehash what's already been done so well by James Cameron, who created the franchise but is no longer involved with it.

"It's the opportunity and the chance to reinvent and revitalize that. There's no point in making it otherwise. That's my aim and that's why I finally decided. It took a long time to consider and why I finally decided yes I wanted to try this. That's the responsibility that we have as filmmakers and that's what I'm aiming to achieve."

So how has the film been going so far? "'The Terminator' is going well. It's a tall order. It really is and I recognize that. We have a lot of work to do and I just started as I just finished 'Public Enemy' a couple weeks back."

Pretty cool guy if you ask me.

[MLK]

Originally Posted by SlmShdy1

Actually, both are correct.

Yeah, I thought both were correct too. Just more so the reason I put in my response.

[fighthefutureofhd]

Originally Posted by jasonbird

Pretty cool guy if you ask me.

no one did.

[GreenScar]

I know, I just like to impose myself on everybody.

But I don't have a man-crush on the guy like some people...

[SlmShdy1]

Originally Posted by jasonbird

There is also another challenge, which is Heath has done such a superb job with this, how do you create a superior villain to that?"

I know Heath Ledger did a tremendous job as The Joker and The Joker is Batman's most known enemy, but there are other great actors out there. Bale is right. It will be hard to find an enemy and an actor to top The Joker, but it can be done. What if someone were to take Heath's place as The Joker and also introduce a new villain? It wouldn't be the same, but I bet someone out there can do a great job as The Joker.

[MLK]

Originally Posted by jasonbird

I just hope Nolan decides he WANTS to make a 3rd one. And it can't be a money thing. That would be bad.

I think they need to do something crazy for the third one...Bane breaking Batman's back could work, but I don't think we all want to see that happen.
Maybe Batman v. Superman?...don't really see how that can work unless the next Superman movie is as good as TDK and they can tie in their stories to each other...
Now that I think about it, I'd rather not see a Superman/Batman tie in movie. I think it would be too unrealistic compared to BB and TDK. That's not to say that it could work, but I think it'd be very difficult.

[GreenScar]

Originally Posted by SlmShdy1

It wouldn't be the same, but I bet someone out there can do a great job as The Joker.

I agree. I mean who would've thought Ledger could have done what he did looking at his past films? A lot can be forgiven if the quality is there IMO.

[fighthefutureofhd]

Originally Posted by jasonbird

I know, I just like to impose myself on everybody.

But I don't have a man-crush on the guy like some people...

as do i. as do i. the imposing thing. not the man-crush thing. too much of a weight shifter. give me ed mcman. plus there's a chance i'd be the next millionaire.

[SlmShdy1]

Originally Posted by MLK

I think they need to do something crazy for the third one...Bane breaking Batman's back could work, but I don't think we all want to see that happen.

I thought of that too, but then you would have to introduce Azrael which could be a great movie. I hated how they did Bane in Batman & Robin. If they could do an accurate story about him... that would be awesome.

[jeo393]

THANK GOD FOR IMAX!!! Ahhh, this sure was a total orgasim for the senses! This is the ONLY way to watch this movie.... until we are afforded the luxury of the blu release of course. If you have not seen it yet and have a local IMAX theatre, you must experience it there! Totally worth the extra drive, and $$$. Now I'm slightly saddened by the fact I must wait until the blu release 2 rewatch it in the comfort of my home (& undies!)

[fighthefutureofhd]

the dark knight and undies? what an utterly odd combination.

[jeo393]

LMAO, u know u have superhero undies too! I'm refering 2 being in your most comfortable states enjoying good movies with your lady layin next 2 ya!

[Gamma_Winstead]

Originally Posted by jeo393

THANK GOD FOR IMAX!!! Ahhh, this sure was a total orgasim for the senses! This is the ONLY way to watch this movie.... until we are afforded the luxury of the blu release of course. If you have not seen it yet and have a local IMAX theatre, you must experience it there! Totally worth the extra drive, and $$$. Now I'm slightly saddened by the fact I must wait until the blu release 2 rewatch it in the comfort of my home (& undies!)

Absolutly. And The aspect switches did NOT bug me. but the Imax scenes were BEAUTIFUL! I honestly felt like I was looking through a window!

[Steve-O]

Loved the movie, all the cast were well balanced. Eckhart was amazing in the role of Harvey Dent/Two-Face and Heath was totally engrossed in his character, which is something of a rarity these days with actors.

Two fists way up for this film.... can't wait for the Blu-Ray!

[saprano]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

If I say this, I say it not to be attacked or thrown off the Gotham City bridge. It's just my opinion. Be gentle.

First off, this movie IS Heath's movie. I can't disavow him of that. He's absolutely amazing. When he is on screen, the whole movie wakes up.

When he's not, however, it doesn't. It's sort of lifeless. Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman have little to do. Christian and Maggie have very little chemistry and, I hate to say it, she's not right for the role. Katie Holmes (as much as I dislike her) had more of an innocence that the character needed.

Did it hate it? Not by a long shot. But it wasn't the second-coming that everyone is making it out to be. The Godfather deserves 5 stars. This, not so much. I'd say a solid 3 1/2 or 4.

I will go to see it again but never again in IMAX. The switching aspect ratios were goddamn annoying and, as I said in the Blu-ray thread, I wasn't the only person who I heard talking about it. My friend, who sat next to me, fell asleep. In fact, none of the people in the group that I went with were blown away.

It's partly the press' fault for blowing it out of proportion and partly my own for letting my expectations exceed the movie. If I see all of these reviews that absolutely love the movie, I expect it to be a great movie. I expect "Superman-The Movie - great." This doesn't touch the charm, screenplay, acting, EVERYTHING that it had.

Iron Man is still the best movie of the summer FOR ME. Indy is 2nd and WALL-E third. Batman comes in 4th. Whether it moves up after the hype has died down and I see it again, we'll see.

You like iron man over dark night? wow, that movie was just another popcorn movie.

I never got why everybody liked iron man so much? the best part of that movie is when he's fighting war machine....thats it.

but whatever if thats how you feel, but wow iron man? dark night blew me the F away no movie of this summer comes close to it, i think you really DO need to see it again iron man?