FILM REVIEW: The Dark Knight

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In 2005, Director Christopher Nolan and an amazing cast of actors re-launched the Batman franchise with the release of Batman Begins. Now, three short years later, we get a follow-up to the film in The Dark Knight. The end of Batman Begins gives fans a great tease as to what - or more specifically, who - this film new film would be about with Lt. Jim Gordon handing Batman a playing card - a Joker. Instantly fans were set into a fever pitch inferring what was to come. And though fans couldn't possibly understand what would be accomplished with the introduction of the Clown Prince of Crime, there's little doubt fans will be amazed. I am going to try and keep this review relatively spoiler-free, but spare me should I go too far - it's taxing to contain my passion for this new film...

Nolan’s new film, a considerably darker and far grittier film than the first, reunites the director with his original cast (minus Mrs. Tom Cruise) and adds some amazing new talent. We catch up with the citizens of Gotham City one year after the events of Batman Begins. Still cleaning up the streets following the outbreak of Arkham Asylum, Batman - once again played by Christian Bale - continues to work, un-officially of course - with Police Lt. Jim Gordon. A new symbol of hope, Batman gives Gotham City an ideal - though dark and menacing; a though of better things. And even though Batman may be a hero to some, to the police he continues to be a vigilante, breaking many laws and regulations to bring his own brand of justice to the criminals of Gotham.

Bruce Wayne seems to have accepted his role as Gotham’s Dark Defender rather well, though he has lost the love of his life to the arm of another man and his need to wear the cowl. His childhood friend and former girlfriend Rachael Dawes - played this time around by the talented Maggie Gyllenhaal - has become an item with new District Attorney Harvey Dent, played by Aaron Eckhart. Dent, the newest crime-fighting sensation in Gotham, takes on the mob where others won't - or can't - and becomes the White Knight to Bruce’s Dark.

What starts with a bank robbery riddled with multiple double crosses and clown masked thugs changes everything. Fans first taste actor Heath Ledger’s sinister and sick portrayal of The Joker and this deeply disturbed but incredibly intelligent force of chaos owns the film. The Joker jumps off the screen in these first few moments and really never stops his assault. No doubt Ledger delivers his finest performance and fans will not be disappointed.

In fact, the entire cast delivers extraordinary performances throughout with Aaron Eckhart delivering an amazing performance as District Attorney Harvey Dent. This version of the star D.A., flawed but centered, shows a man who believes in making his own luck and isn’t afraid to take on the entire mob of Gotham City to prove he's got what it takes. But, as previously stated, he’s flawed. He doesn’t believe he is what Gotham City needs in a hero. But reassured by the love of his life, the beautiful Rachel Dawes, he too becomes both a hero - and tragically, a villain - to the public and those closest to him.

The film moves at an amazing pace and even with a running time of a little over 2 hours 30 minutes, the action and drama unfolds on the screen and never feels slow or unnecessary. Viewers get to see the Dark Knight travel out of the USA (a first in the new film series), the return of an old villain (albeit briefly), and the introduction of what could possibly be one of the greatest vehicles ever created for film.

While some will see The Dark Knight as a story of Bruce’s acceptance of what he has to become to truly defend Gotham City, it's really Harvey Dent’s story. The rise and fall of this promising legitimate and lawful hero perfectly compliments the Dark Knight's story. It's Harvey’s descent into madness which gives fans the second most amazing scene in the film and his transformation into Two-Face is truly disturbing and fitting. While the birth of Two-Face is something of legends and the rise and sudden fall of Dent is enough to make any man of justice turn to chaos, fans are in for a treat in the way writer/director Nolan and actor Eckhart bring this villain to life on the screen.

While fans all know Dent become Two-Face, the main threat in this new film, the mysterious and homicidal Joker, performs more than a laughable act full of magic tricks. Truly one of the great rivalries in film or literature history - the relationship between the Batman and the Joker fleshed out for all to see - forces each to address their own tactics as well as morals (or in the case of the Joker, a LACK of morals).

Seen in greater length this time around, Batman’s relationship with Lieutenant Gordon (Gary Oldman) again receives attention. This un-official team-up between the vigilante and the police, built upon mutual respect, shows what happens when two very different justice-seeking minds think alike. Gordon understands he needs Batman to clean up the city, even if the costumed hero breaking laws doing it. And Batman sees Gordon as a lone ally and liaison to the normal justice system. Thankfully, the relationship pays off, especially at the end of the film.

I could write on for pages about The Dark Knight, but I really can only say this is the Batman film fans have been waiting to see. I have heard people say The Dark Knight reminds them of The Empire Strikes Back in how a sequel, bleaker than its predecessor, can overshadow an original and I would agree. The Dark Knight is truly very a dark and disturbing work of cinema. While it does contain some bright and fun moments - most dealing with Wayne’s butler Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine) and Wayne's tech-guru Lucious Fox (Morgan Freeman), the overall tone of The Dark Knight is bleak at best.

The Dark Knight may not be for all children and parents may have some rough comments to make about the film. If you have children who want to see this film, I cannot warn you enough it is very dark. But if you're a fan and have been eagerly awaiting this film than please, go see it. I know for a fact it doesn’t matter what anyone reviewing it says. Films like The Dark Knight can never be accurately captured in a review or critique and must be seen and experienced to be fully enjoyed and appreciated.

Mark my words, The Dark Knight is the film event of the summer.

To read what others thought of The Dark Knight, check out MovieManiacs.net.

- review by Jason Devall