Film:
Holy crap. Simply, see it now. When you’re done, you’ll want to stay for the next screening. I hate to pile on hyperbole for what’s been the film of the year so far, but I can’t recommend a movie anymore than The Dark Knight.
Sadly, I’m a little late with my review, and there’s not much I can say that hasn’t already been said. Heath Ledger’s performance is beyond acting. You forget that this is the teen heartthrob of Ten Things I Hate About You and Knight’s Tale. He becomes a pure, unadulterated nightmare of insanity and evil. He steals every scene he’s in. I’ve heard that term before, and never thought it was actually possible. However, my eyes literally couldn’t leave the part of the screen the Joker occupied.
The other performances are great, and without Heath would be labeled as amazing for a comic book film. Props to Aaron Eckhart, who has also been memorable in Erin Brockovich and Thank You for Smoking.
The film has etched itself a place as a classic crime epic, as well as the #1 spot on IMDB’s Top 250 over The Godfather and Shawshank Redemption. As a people’s poll, the film deserves the honor. My only complaint is that the film seems to spread almost too far, barely able to keep each scene flowing from one into the other. A minor quibble for an otherwise excellent film. It’s exciting to think that this summer season has 2 legitimate Oscar contenders in The Dark Knight and Wall-E. My hope is that Hollywood will learn that people are smart, and expect more than Eddie Murphy’s latest bomb Dave, even during the summer.
Soundtrack:
Dark, ominous, brooding, electric guitars. Huh? Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard follows their awesome Batman Begins soundtrack with another winner. Of course, we get the new Batman theme (the two-horn blast) that in my opinion trumps Danny Elfman’s original by a mile. Also there is the love theme, which is classic in its own right.
The real star of the soundtrack, though, of course, is the Joker’s theme. Tense and quick, then harsh and loud, much like the Joker. At first he plans his attack, teasing, salivating. Then, everything explodes. Relating back to the film, the musical cues of the film use the soundtrack to the utmost, with the music upping the tension, especially with ‘Why So Serious?’.
Also of note, the Joker and Batman themes become intertwined at times. Batman’s two horn theme is flat at points, tainted by the Joker. Batman must become something like the Joker in order to beat him, and the music knows it.
Both: (****) out of (****)
2 Comments
November 29, 2008 at 2:05 pm
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January 5, 2009 at 5:41 pm
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