When something lives up to the hype, it’s very special and you cannot stop talking about it. This is the case with The Dark Knight. So much hype, and so much payoff and then some. Whether it be the trailer, the death of Heath Ledger, the perfect casting, or the standard the Batman Begins left for all comic book adaptations, there was much hype. I am proud to say everything about this film is simply flawless.
A good script from Christopher and Jonathan Nolan is elevated to a great film with the performances of its cast. Heath Ledger is superb as The Joker as expected. Christian Bale reminds us that we’re a long way from the Clooney/Kilmer Batman’s that nearly killed the franchise, and turns in his best performance since American Psycho. But with those two performances that were greatly expected, in my eyes, the show was stolen by Gary Oldman, and Aaron Eckhart. Oldman portrays Lt. Gordon who is greatly involved with this film more than Batman Begins. Gary Oldman has been one of the most underrated actors of our time but in this role, you can’t help but feel sorry for him and root for him for being squeaky clean and uncorrupt. Eckhart on the other hand, is destined to become a star with this role. As District Attorney Harvey Dent, Eckhart plays the role perfectly, whether he’s trying to clean up the city, or use vigilante justice to get his way, Eckhart plays the role without flaw and leaves you wanting him back for more screen time.
The film features more gadgets and more special effects than its predecessor, but it’s not a bad thing. Usually, sequels are hurt because they use more effects and gadgets to heighten the weak plot, in this film; you hardly care because the writing and acting are so good and those scenes featuring gadgetry and CGI are hardly pivotal or are just as exciting and intense as those “regular” scenes. Christopher Nolan directs it so perfectly and makes it more realistic and believable than it should be. We know there aren’t any psychopathic guys wearing clown makeup as much as we know there isn’t a guy in a bat costume putting bad guys away. At the end of it all, you have to remind yourself it’s just a movie because everything is done perfectly.
Along with the welcomed additions of Eckhart and the late Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal fits into the role of Rachel Dawes so good, you hardly even notice Katie Holmes is gone. It’s not like they even look like each other either. Gyllenhaal is the better actress and more believable as the love interest of Bruce Wayne and Harvey Dent. The love triangle is inevitable but it works and is one of the best love stories worked into a comic book adaptation, even better than the love triangle in the Spider Man series. The triangle never feels sappy or never feels like it takes away from the action, it simply works.
I could go on and on about how amazing this film was. I would go as far as to call it a masterpiece. Come awards season, expect a nomination for Ledger and a much deserved screenplay nomination for the Nolan brothers. They’ve created the best comic book film of all time and one of the best films of the year. They’ve resurrected a comic book franchise that was turning into a joke once Tim Burton left. In a summer where superhero films have dominated box office receipts, The Dark Knight stands alone. Not only is it a great super hero film, it’s a great thriller, it’s a great drama, and most of all, it’s a great reminder of why we love summer movies.
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