The Dark Knight

[Jet16]

Wow. That was incredible. I can't recall any movie that had me as excited as I was before seeing it and I can't recall a movie that has left me with this sensation after seeing it. I really could not praise it enough.

[Hathen]

It better be as awesome as this.

[Merkava]

Only now am I especially sad at Heath Ledger's demise (as awful as it is to say... but c'mon, what else do I have to work with?  A Knight's Tale? NED KELLY? Def' not.)

Uh...Brokeback Mountain?

[Dice]

Anyone else feel the villains over-shadowed Batman?
Chrisian Bale just kinda cleaned up the crime, said something cool, and was followed up with some wit and wisdom from Alfredo.

[everluck]

Anyone else feel the villains over-shadowed Batman?
Chrisian Bale just kinda cleaned up the crime, said something cool, and was followed up with some wit and wisdom from Alfredo.

I think this was the point. The villain consistently outwitted Batman, and was only overcome when

Code:

other people- unknown variables- were brought into the equation.

Just got back from a showing. I don't want to give into the hype and say Heath Ledger's Joker was the best on-screen performance I've ever seen, so I'll just say I'm fucking blown away with what he did with that character. Damn impressive the way some of those lines were delivered, holy fuck.

The movie itself wasn't perfect. I'm still not really sure what happened with

Code:

the Scarecrow

at the beginning of the movie. That whole bit seemed throwaway and a bit confusing to me. Was also a bit put off by the fact that Batman could bend the barrel of a rifle while someone was holding it. Even accepting the fact that Batman may have been outfitted with some strength-enhancing technology, the man holding the gun would have been of equal or greater strength in order for the gun to bend. That was my biggest complaint, which is a shame, because it's something that happens early on and stuck in my mind through the whole film.

Bale played Bale, Freeman played Freeman, but everyone else- especially Ledger- was awesome.

I'm a big fan of Maggie Gyllenhaal, as well. I think she's very sexy. I didn't think this was her best performance, but I still enjoyed the show.

Some great moments in this film, definitely.

[jphussey]

I thought it was great, but must admit it's a tad overrated. I think Batman Begins was better.

Give the nod to Aaron Eckheart though, I thought he was a gem.

JP

[Blace]

As much as I love Batman Begins (in my top 5 movies ever), I think this movie was better. It had better acting (Bale was more confident in the role, Maggie was a better Rachel, and the rest of the cast was ace), a better story, a complex villain, and seriously was just the most entertainment I've gotten out of a movie in years.

[jphussey]

If you really want to get into a serious film discussion, i.e., what is a better movie intrinsically, then I think BB was better.

As a movie, it can stand on its own, had a much more engaging singular narrative, the editing and direction were much more solid.

Interestingly, as "popcorn entertainment," I also found it much more enjoyable.

In the same people love Empire Strikes back, however, I think people will love this.

But it's hard to say that ESB is better as a complete film than ANH because ESB can't stand on its own. It doesn't even have an end for God's sake.

This movie also doesn't feel whole or an end--it is a bridge of what's to come...

Also Josh, when you say (top 5 ever) do you mean in terms of your "favorite" or "best"....?

JP

[Blace]

If you really want to get into a serious film discussion, i.e., what is a better movie intrinsically, then I think BB was better.

As a movie, it can stand on its own, had a much more engaging singular narrative, the editing and direction were much more solid.

Interestingly, as "popcorn entertainment," I also found it much more enjoyable.

In the same people love Empire Strikes back, however, I think people will love this.

But it's hard to say that ESB is better as a complete film than ANH because ESB can't stand on its own. It doesn't even have an end for God's sake.

This movie also doesn't feel whole or an end--it is a bridge of what's to come...

Also Josh, when you say (top 5 ever) do you mean in terms of your "favorite" or "best"....?

JP

As pure popcorn entertainment, I do agree that BB was better in that respect. I just thought that the character development of the villains and such was better in this movie (obviously Batman had more character development in BB, it was his origin story). The drama in TDK was intense and rewarding for me, much like "The Departed" was. I guess you can say that I thought this movie was more compelling. And by top 5, yes I meant favorites.

[jphussey]

Ok. This movie isn't even the best I've seen this month (Wall-E).

JP

[Blace]

Ok. This movie isn't even the best I've seen this month (Wall-E).

JP

I thought Wall-E was good, but it dragged a little in the middle to me. TDK is my favorite movie so far this year. I guess we just have to disagree here :P

[Dade]

The drama in TDK was intense and rewarding for me, much like "The Departed" was. I guess you can say that I thought this movie was more compelling. And by top 5, yes I meant favorites.

Words right outa my mouth.

Was SO awesome.

Academy.....try to remember Heath at Oscar time.

[Dincrest]

I just got back from Batman and...

What a complete and colossal disappointment.  That movie was the most overwrought, overrated, melodramatic piece of garbage I've seen in a long time.  I totally regret wasting my money on this tripe.  
.
.
.

Only kidding.  I fucking LOVED it!  Heath Ledger was so good as Joker (trumps Jack Nicholson's Joker any day), I was squirming in my seat every time he

Code:

asked people about his scars.

The writers did an absolutely stupendous job crafting his dialogue.  This movie did not live up to the hype.  It took the hype, pummeled it into submission, and made it its bitch.  

Hollywood is finally doing comic book movies correctly and the Christopher Nolan Batman films have been the best.

Two things I'm still unclear on, though.  

Code:

When and how did Rachel find out Bruce was Batman?  I don't recall him revealing his identity to her in Batman Begins

or is my memory just fuzzy?  And was there supposed to be

Code:

more with Scarecrow

that was left on the editing room floor?  It's like he was meant to be there, but was barely more than a fodder thug.  

Code:

Scarecrow was wicked in Batman Begins.  And reduced to some petty thug here?  Makes no sense.  Scarecrow got totally shafted.

I guess except for that, I loved the movie. [/quote]

[everluck]

The thing that I'm most impressed by is that The Dark Knight really isn't Batman's story; it's Gotham's. It takes ideas that were present in the first two Spiderman movies and molds them in a way more similar to gangster films or city-wide dramas akin to Heat.

After having a day to reflect on the movie, I have to say that The Dark Knight is really one of the most impressive films I have ever seen. It trumps BB in every way. It trumps most big releases, in fact. It really is one of the most powerful movies I've had the pleasure to watch.

And god damn was Heath Ledger incredible. I was expecting great things, but almost 24 hours later and my hair's still on end. That's fucking awesome.

[jphussey]

The thing that I'm most impressed by is that The Dark Knight really isn't Batman's story; it's Gotham's. It takes ideas that were present in the first two Spiderman movies and molds them in a way more similar to gangster films or city-wide dramas akin to Heat.

After having a day to reflect on the movie, I have to say that The Dark Knight is really one of the most impressive films I have ever seen. It trumps BB in every way. It trumps most big releases, in fact. It really is one of the most powerful movies I've had the pleasure to watch.

And god damn was Heath Ledger incredible. I was expecting great things, but almost 24 hours later and my hair's still on end. That's fucking awesome.

Jesus, Hyperbole alert? Most Powerful movies? Go watch Schindler's List.


JP