July 22, 2008
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The Dark Knight
I saw the Dark Knight a few days ago and have been meaning to blog about it. I thought the movie was extremely well done (how can you go wrong with a $180 million budget). There were so many things I liked about it, but there were also several things that really disturbed me about it. As a whole, though I enjoyed the movie, it would take a lot to convince me to see it again, and I don’t think that I could recommend the movie to everyone. Here’s what I liked, and what I didn’t:
Good Point #1
Chicago is a beautiful backdrop for the movie. The reason that I wanted to see Batman so bad is because it features the city I am so proud of and still have my roots in. Though distinctive landmarks are blurred, the overall style and atmosphere of Gotham City is clearly Chicago.Bad Point #1
It is too violent. There is a disregard for life from the very beginning all the way to the end. Bad guys kill bad guys; good guys kill good guys. Though I appreciate the fact that the actual dying moments and the blood that entails were omitted (it is not a bloody movie), psychologically the deaths are there and the head count is ridiculous.Good Point #2
Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman are amazing actors. Their roles are dynamic and convincing and really enjoyable to watch.Bad Point #2
Katie Homes didn’t come back to play Rachel Dawes. I have to admit that I didn’t like her performance in Batman Begins, but if you are going to replace her, replace her with someone who fits the role. Rachael is supposed to be optimistic, full of integrity, and beautiful. Because the new Rachel doesn’t fit that description, it is hard to believe that there are 2 men in love with her. There is no chemistry between Gyllenhaal and Christian Bale or between her and Aaron Eckhart, and the result is that there was absolutely no sexiness in the movie. I missed that.Good Point #3
The plot keeps moving throughout the movie, keeping you on the edge of your seat. The movie appeals to your intellect, your emotions, and especially to the thirst for action. I thought it was well-developed, sophisticated, and appropriate for contemporary America. I liked the fact that no one was completely good or, with the possible exception of the Joker, completely evil.Bad Point #3
Aside from presenting an overall bleak and dark look at humanity, the movie presents a solution to the human predicament that I find chilling. The movie makes a clear Packeresque point that not all truth is good. Not all truth is relevant. Not all truth is beneficial. In fact, to give people hope it is noble to cover up the truth and lie. This just infuriates me. Yes, all leaders have two faces, but covering up one face, no matter how noble the intention, is not right. In fact, it is no different than the very mob the movie vilifies.So that’s my review. See it if that kind of movie suits your fancy (and if you can stomach the killing). I did like the movie, but unlike Batman Returns which is part of my collection and is a favorite I will watch over and over, I will leave the Dark Knight where I left it in the theaters.
