The Dark Knight (2008)

O Masterpiece
X Excellent
O Good
O OK
O Mediocrity
O Avoid

Review by Jason Pyles / July 22, 2008

“The Dark Knight” is the towering masterpiece of the superhero movie genre. Nothing else even comes close (except maybe “Batman Begins,” but it’s still a distant second).

In fact, I practice significant self-restraint to avoid ranking “The Dark Knight” as a masterpiece across the board, meaning, not just among superhero movies but among all movies. I can’t do that. I’ll explain later. But I do feel comfortable writing this: “The Dark Knight” is the best film of 2008 … thus far.

Yes, Heath Ledger’s Joker performance makes the movie. But one should not overlook the brilliance that is director Christopher Nolan. Let’s remember his filmography: “The Dark Knight,” “The Prestige” (2006), “Batman Begins (2005), “Insomnia” (2002) and “Memento” (2000). Oh, he also was a writer for all those great films, too, except “Insomnia.”

“The Dark Knight” isn’t perfect, but it’s close. I’m sentimental, sure, but not when it comes to dead actors. I thought Ledger’s untimely death back in January was regrettable, but I felt the same briefly passing pensiveness that I’d feel if any 28-year-old died.

Unfortunately, if Ledger receives an Academy Award next January for best supporting actor, I fear many people will shrug it off as a “consolation prize” for dying. But Ledger is deserving of a nomination for the merits of his performance alone. I can’t remember the last time I was so captivated by an actor. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

For all you naysayers, if any exist, compare Ledger’s performance as Ennis Del Mar in “Brokeback Mountain” (2005) with this Joker performance. His range is undeniable; the distance between those two characters is so remarkably pronounced, it seems clear to me that Ledger was one of the great actors of his generation. And while it is true that artists are always better appreciated after they’re gone, I’m not just writing this because he’s dead.

Reportedly, veteran actor Michael Caine thought Ledger’s Joker performance was quite unsettling, even frightening. I’ve heard this a couple places, and I believe it’s true: To prepare for the role, Ledger stayed in a hotel room for a month to “become” the Joker. He worked on the character’s psychology and his voice. He supposedly kept a diary, according to the IMDb trivia, of the Joker’s thoughts and feelings to guide himself during his performances. And Ledger was also given various comic books featuring the Joker, so he could become acquainted with the character.

Not all the credit for this masterful character should be given to Ledger. It was brilliant (on somebody’s part) that he doesn’t have a perma-smile, but instead, scars that grimly suggest a smile. His makeup is “war paint,” used to scare people — not just a gimmick. At one point the Joker says he’s not crazy, which makes him scarier. (What if somebody were truly that vile and simultaneously completely sane? Uh oh.) Now that’s scary. And I love how he isn’t afraid of Batman (Christian Bale), nor is he intimidated; in fact, he greatly appreciates him. How do you battle a guy like that?

In short, Heath Ledger’s Joker is one of the best movie villains in the history of cinema (if not the best), ranking up there with the likes of Darth Vader, Hannibal Lecter and Norman Bates.

Currently on the Internet Movie Database, “The Dark Knight” is ranked No. 1 on its top 250 list. Impressive but temporary. That fickle list is always shifting. Even so, Rotten Tomatoes and its exclusive critics rank this movie 94 percent fresh (out of 100). So, the critics are impressed. The movie-going public is also pleased: “The Dark Knight” broke box-office records for the highest all-time gross for opening weekend, which was $155,340,000. It also broke the opening day record with $66.4 million.

Despite my desire to sit in the theater again for a back-to-back showing, the following reasons were my only grounds for not rating “The Dark Knight” as a bona fide masterpiece: The movie is too long, kinda like this review. Yes, I just wrote about how I was willing to sit through it again, but masterpieces (in my estimation) need to be re-watchable, over and over again. Few people will sit through an overly lengthy movie countless times: Case in point, how many times have you watched your “Lord of the Rings” trilogy?

(There is, however, one exception to this rule: The “Up” documentary series, which is up to its seventh film, is a masterpiece, without question, no matter how seldom one watches it.)

The other problems with “The Dark Knight” are that its labyrinthine plot and its often unintelligible action sequences are a little hard to follow. I love action sequences that are clearly able to be seen and comprehended. And the story is impressive; it’s just not a movie that is completely understandable the first time around.

Another problem is its “surprise” (which isn’t really a surprise for most people) super villain who develops later in the movie. I know the movie was just following the character, but he’s simply a weak character. I will credit this movie for not making us wait until the next film to encounter the wrath of that villain.

And why do most superhero movie franchises always hit that whiny point where the superhero cries about the world no longer needing him, lamenting that the world would be better off without him? That is so tiresome, and I was disappointed to see it in a movie of this caliber. But at least we didn’t have to have an origin story for the Joker, a mystery that made him creepier.

Due to the length of this review, I won’t cite examples, but I found it fascinating how many parallels there were (perhaps homages) to the 1989 “Batman” movie.

And now that I’ve reached the end of this review, I’ll close with a nutshell plot summary: Gotham City’s “white knight,” Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) is cleaning up the city. He’s even putting the squeeze on the mafia. Joker (Ledger) comes out of the blue to rally the criminals and to kill their primary obstacle: Batman (Christian Bale).

“The Dark Knight” is a must-see — in the theater. Go right now and please, take me with you.

Directed by Christopher Nolan
Christian Bale / Heath Ledger / Aaron Eckhart
Action / Crime 152 min.
MPAA: PG-13 (for intense sequences of violence and some menace)

U.S. Release Date: July 18, 2008
Copyright 2008: 305

Addendum: I have received some interesting criticism for this review of "The Dark Knight," even though I gave it a great review. Some people didn't think my review was great enough. Read the exchange at www.ConsideringTheCinema.blogspot.com.