by kpa » Thu Jul 10, 2008 3:05 am
I attended a press screening of the DARK KNIGHT tonight at the Universal IMAX. I thought the film was amazing, but it's also very downbeat and dreary... it's like the tonal opposite of IRON MAN. Anyone who thought BATMAN BEGINS took itself too seriously is likely going to hate this film... anyone who liked BEGINS will enjoy it (and probably love it).
I don't want to ruin the story for anyone so SPOILER WARNING:
MFW's spoiler is technically correct but doesn't truly convey what happens very well.
The story sets up a loose partnership between Batman (the guy who gets things done), Gordon (the honest cop trying to clean up the force and take down the mob), and Dent (the "White Knight of Gotham" who is hitting the mob hard). The three men all want to do what's right, but each has a different moral/ethical line they won't cross to achieve their goals.
The Joker is an anarchist who 's whole rationale is to push people past their breaking point. He wants them to something so against their nature that it will basically cost them their soul. He spends much of the moving messing with Batman, Gordon, and Dent-- an he does some very messed up, evil acts-- so what happens with Dent is a natural outgrowth of the story and the Joker's plans. It works very well and is definitely not a case of Two-Face being shoehorn Venom-style into a separate story.
One thing I liked was that the film asks a lot of moral questions of the characters, and those conflicts are treated with intelligence. There's even a bit that ties in with today's vote in the Senate (good timing there!).
DARK KNIGHT also doesn't feel like Nolan has "said his piece" on Batman. The ending isn't a cliffhanger, but it is clearly a setup for another film.
And if it all possible, see this movie in IMAX. Nolan really took advantage of the format, and there are scenes with an incredible sense of height and depth.
Keith