Sunday, July 20, 2008

Batman: The Dark Knight - PG-13

Warning: Possible Spoilers

Although my nephews and I all enjoyed the latest Batman story, I really don't think it lived up to the hype surrounding it.

There is plenty of action and violence, mostly explosions.

Heath Ledger is indeed brilliant as the Joker.

One of the aspects of superhero movies that interests me is the origin of both the hero and the villains; how they became who they are. In the case of sequels and remakes, I find it interesting to compare how they handle the telling of that aspect of the story.

They specifically indicate they have no idea of the Joker's background, his DNA, fingerprints, or any other information. (in the Michael Keaton/Jack Nicholson Batman movie, we see Jack Napier fall into a chemical vat, causing him to become the Joker).

Right after Rachel Dawes agrees to marry him, we see DA Harvey Dent become Two Face after the Joker leaves him with drums of chemicals, which run over his face, causing him to becomeTwo Face. (In the Val Kilmer/Tommy Lee Jones Batman movie, we only see a brief flashback reference to a criminal throwing acid at Dent, causing him to become Two Face.

I found it sad that Batman, who fights criminals, was so afraid of becoming the villain.
Harvey had said to him "You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain". He seemed to be really be afraid of that happening to him. Considering how the Joker was able to turn Harvey, who was also considered a hero, into Two Face, The underlying theme seemed to be the idea of good succumbing to evil. It was good to see Lieutenant Gordon get promoted to Commissioner.

I didn't care for all the loose ends the ending left.

What happened to the Joker? (although they may have had to leave his fate unknown, because there is an indication that he will be back).
How/when will Batman be back? (We see him ride away at the end, but you know they'll be a sequel :).
Will Lucius Fox be back?
I don't mean to sound too down on The Dark Knight, it really was a cool movie.
Your comments welcomed!


cross-posted on A Catholic View

http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

kudos to the makers of Dark Knight for their record breaking opening weekend... it's no wonder there's talk of another one coming out ASAP

Cynthia said...

As to your "loose ends", I think I may be able to answer one of them. You asked what became of the Joker. In the "Batman mythology", the Joker repeatedly is committed, then escapes from Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane. If they follow the story (which I see no reason for them not to), we will see the Joker incarcirated, only to then see him escape. It would stand to reason that the next movie will have Two-Face as the villian, so maybe the Joker will be a sub-plot. We shall have to wait and see!