Is It Worth the Watch?

I’m not much of a comic fan so, consequently, film adaptations with comic book characters don’t do much for me. That being said, I really liked 2008’s Batman epic The Dark Knight, maybe because it comes off more like a crime drama than a superhero flick.

It was wildly hyped when first released, primarily Heath Ledger’s turn as The Joker, which was completely deserved. His Oscar-winning performance is simultaneously hilarious and terrifying, and that’s pretty tough to do. It also became the fourth highest-grossing movie in history at the time, not so deserved (as I write this, it’s the forty-ninth highest-grossing film. Not as impressive, but still, somebody made money and it wasn’t me). 

The story of a chaotic madman, The Joker, who is murderously running roughshod over a major city, and the enigmatic vigilante Batman’s attempts to stop him, includes themes of escalating violence, corruption obtained through power, and, ultimately, mercy, often from those you least suspect. While it is very entertaining, and the often spectacular visuals and thrills come fast and furious, a lot of the fun is siphoned off because of uneven tone. Director Christopher Nolan was trying to give serious meaning to what is essentially an episodic Saturday afternoon cliffhanger serial. I liked the serious aspects, but I also liked the fun, wacky superhero angle. I just wish they had been separate films.

The acting ensemble overall is quite good, with Ledger as the stand-out, but with the exception of Christian Bale’s bland portrayal of Batman. He seemed to think using a mostly whispered, bizarrely husky, growling voice would give him solemn earnestness. I just found it increasingly hilarious.

Is It Worth The Watch? This is a memorable supervillain vs. superhero outing with an intriguing storyline and some spectacular visuals, but a better stylistic grasp, as well as losing about twenty minutes, would make it so much better.

2008

152 minutes

Starring – Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Aaron Elkhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman, Eric Roberts

Director – Christopher Nolan

Screenplay – Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan

Story – Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer

Source – characters appearing in DC Comics