It's the biggest hit movie this year so far yet. The soon-to-be superhero movie of the year. The last production of a movie star that left the face of earth too soon. The long awaited sequel to the so-so start Batman Begins. Yes, it's none other than Batman: The Dark Knight.
Batman: The Dark Knight starts off with the Joker (Heath Ledger) doing his thing around Gotham City, wreaking havoc and leaving a trail of destruction wherever he goes. This brings about the attention of the local mafia / mobs and the Joker manages to convince them to rid off their problem in Gotham - Batman himself. However, Joker's true notions was just to unmask Batman just for the fun of it, and he won't stop till he get what he wants.
On the other hand, a new hero has appeared on screen - Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart). He's the new District Attorney and the all-righteous/justice/rid the world of evil good guy. His role in the movie was a beacon of hope for the people of Gotham that a day of justice would actually come. In other words, he was kind of like the "Messiah" that has been finally sent down from Heaven to Gotham.
As for Batman (Christian Bale) himself, he has to juggle between fighting Joker and his many devious yet meticulous/fool-proof plans and helping the police force and rising white knight, Harvey Dent in maintaining his reputation.
To top it all off, Rachel (Maggie Gyllenhaal), Bruce Wayne/Batman's old love has moved on and found new love in none other than Harvey Dent. This only complicates things between Bruce and Rachel as he is willing to give up Batman anytime for her but Gotham needs a hero, which is believed to be Harvey Dent. However, the true story is that Batman has to get his hands dirty and get things done to maintain that belief.
On to the movie review and my personal rants. This movie, in my opinion is gonna be the blockbuster of the year. If Harry Potter or James Bond is unable to deliver a stunning performance as this one that is. This Batman movie speaks volumes of the entire Batman series, standing out amongst all others. Why so?
First and foremost, throughout the movie, there was never a dull moment. Watching it, you'll be gripping the edge of your seat, heart full of anticipation, a mixture of fear and excitement as you plow through the 2 1/2 hour movie. Yes, I said 2 1/2 hour. Despite the fact that it spans such a long time, you won't feel any loss of time when you watch the movie.
As for the movie plot, it is amazingly intricate and good as it tells about the peak of Joker's criminal career and also how Two Face came to be. Action was plenty, not to mention gadgets and other creative inventions. Also, the movie was much darker and complicated than other Batman movies, Batman also faces external dilemma with the world outside rather than his internal mind battles like in Batman Begins.
Now for the main course of this review, the main reason why Batman: The Dark Knight rocked everybody's socks off. Here to steal the spotlight, Heath Ledger as the Joker.
We all know that Christian Bale plays the main role with his slick, playboy personality and style as Bruce Wayne and the dark crusader in the night with his raspy voice as Batman. But... His lack of acting skills and.. Ultimately, EMOTIONS. And other qualities that he didn't have to put him in the limelight of the movie.
Anyways, Heath Ledger playing his role of the Joker was... simply AMAZING in the movie. His acting, his total transformation from his previous movies and metamorphosis into the crazy-ass Joker. Heath Ledger completely transformed the image and opinion of Joker in everybody's minds.
With the ghastly white paint/makeup on his face, his sliced up mouth with the slap-on red lipstick and the supposedly sick-green hair, Joker played his mastermind plans in the movie flawlessly. In addition to his sick sense of humor, his heartless murders and meticulous plans, Joker is the ultimate mind-player criminal because he is able to twist and in a way, f*ck around with Batman's mind.
But the best part is that Heath Ledger totally changed from his previous characters into this sinister, evil and murderous villian who does all this just for the fun of it. Imagine this...
Heath Ledger as a Knight
Heath Ledger the Casanova
Heath Ledger as a gay cowboy
turning into...
this psycho-maniac of a JokerAnyways, my point here is that: Heath Ledger did an excellent job in playing his role of Joker till the point of kicking Batman out of his rightful throne as man of the movie and thus stealing the spotlight all to himself. His acting is the main reason why the movie's such a big hit, and without Joker.. The Dark Knight wouldn't have even seen the light of day.
Unfortunately, all good things come to and end. As everybody knows, Heath Ledger passed away earlier this year due to overdose of medicine/drugs (if I'm right...). We all mourn the passing of this talented and promising actor who had a bright future ahead of him. However, there's a rumour going around that Joker killed him.
Meaning, Heath Ledger's involvement in Batman: The Dark Knight and his role as Joker caused his death. As shown here:
Ledger recently told reporters he "slept an average of two hours a night" while playing "a psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy ...
"I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going."
Prescription drugs didn't help, he said.
I personally believed that Heath Ledger psycho-ed himself to death over the role of Joker. His dedication and commitment to the movie proved to be his end. Hence, Dark Knight will stand as Heath Ledger's cinematic gravestone, and trust me when I say that this is his best and last performance yet. I would like to say that, Heath Ledger deserves mention and many many nominations / awards or whatever for this last movie of his. Standing ovation please.
This said, I would like to urge everybody to watch this movie. Forget all the other movies I said MUST WATCH or whatever else. This is a keeper for decades and decades to come, so catch it in cinemas and also buy it on DVD or something. Trust me, it is that GOOD.
P.S. Sorry for the super long ass post, but I just felt that I hadta do this movie justice. Especially with a dead actor who was the true Dark Knight of the movie.
Krystal Meyers, I'm pretty sure none of you have ever heard of her. She's a 20-year old American Christian rock musician. Released two albums and releasing one more sometime this year if I'm not wrong. Anyways, she is has been closely linked to Avril Lavigne and other young, punkish, energy bursting female rockers out there but personally, I think she sings like the girl from Paramore. Err... Hayley Williams.
Whoa, just realised that the two kinda look alike. Freakyy...
