The Dark Knight (2008)

"Because he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we'll hunt him. Because he can take it. Because he's not our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. A dark knight."

Cast:

Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman

Heath Ledger as The Joker

Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent

Gary Oldman as Gordon

Michael Caine as Alfred

Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes

The Plot:

When Batman, Gordon and Harvey Dent launch an assault on the mob, they let the clown out of the box, the Joker, bent on turning Gotham on itself and bringing any heroes down to his level.

From IMDB 

IMO:

Yes, after 4 years, I finally got around to watching The Dark Knight. I know it took me quite long but honestly, I also just watch Batman Begins two months ago. I watched the first movie because I was planning to watch the final installment with my friend so one day, I sat down and decided to do a movie marathon of the Batman franchise. Unfortunately, I only ended up watching Batman Begins. I was hoping to fall in love with the movie but I did not. I must say, I am a Christopher Nolan fan so I was surprised at my meek appreciation of the movie. I decided not to watch the second installment. I also got very busy with work and my friend and I never watched the third installment.

Now, I got a day off and having this much free time, I finally decided to just get on with it and watched The Dark Knight. I’m glad I did. The movie was long but what a time well spent. It was great. It was infinitely better than Batman Begins. I finally understand the hype.

Christian Bale reprises his role as billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne moonlighting as a brooding caped-crusader who calls himself Batman at night. He’s currently re-evaluating the results of his actions as a vigilante with copy cats emerging from all corners of Gotham City.

This second installment of the franchise introduces a new character named Harvey Dent played by the ever charismatic Aaron Eckhart. Harvey is a brave do-gooder intent on cleaning up the streets of Gotham City through his work as the DA. They call him the face of Gotham City’s future and Bruce Wayne sees him as his successor. A man who doesn’t need a mask in order to inspire people.

The main villain here is a war-painted, scar-filled, unhinged maniac who calls himself The Joker. Played exceptionally well by the late Heath Ledger, The Joker is an unremorseful yet evilly smart psychopath intent on upsetting the social balance. He takes immense pleasure in killing and turning upright individuals into the dark side.

Harvey Dent, together with Batman and their police ally Gordon, take on The Joker. He proved to be always one step ahead of them and in the course of the movie our protagonists have repeatedly fallen into his trap. One of the movie’s most heart stopping scenes is where both Harvey Dent and Rachel Dawes (his girlfriend and Batman’s childhood friend – and true love-) were kidnapped on separate locations with bombs ticking away every second. The Joker gave Batman the addresses (but switched them) and Batman sped on to the location where he thought Rachel was in. It was Harvey in there and this caused Rachel her life.

All this played perfectly according to The Joker’s plan. His ultimate goal is not to kill Batman (though he enjoyed toying and playing with him). His goal is to turn Gotham City’s most upright man - the man who is the face of the city’s hope into a vengeful and ruthless individual. And he succeeded. Harvey Dent, insane and mad by Rachel’s demise has turned into the heartless Two-Face. Certainly, what a fall from grace.

The Dark Knight doesn’t have an explosive ending like Batman Begins had, but it is grittier, darker and dramatic than the first movie. The movie’s themes of  heroism, man’s corruptibility, villainy and the blurring line between good and evil are interwoven and executed very well thanks to Nolan’s good direction and the actors’ seamless portrayal of each character whether big or small.

Conclusion:

What a truly satisfying movie and it just proves that sometimes sequels can be better than the first movie.


A+