Published in Te Waha Nui: http://www.tewahanui.info/wordpress2/?p=282

22 August 2008

Finally, a comic-based thriller far removed from the countless, cheesy superhero films of late. After the bombardment of Spidermans, Supermans, Hulks and Fantastic Four-somes we get a film with complexity that bypasses expected cliches.

The Dark Knight is a futuristic, action-filled crime thriller where good and evil use more intellect than super powers.

Set a year after Batman Begins, a new villain is on the loose robbing banks with a team of look-a-likes. This is the Joker (Heath Ledger) who lives up to, and beyond, expectation in his last ever role. Taking a psychotic and manipulative approach, his creepy yet compelling quirks can turn from worrying to frightening in an instant.

Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is suave as ever with a string of ladies accompanying him to flash functions. But while Bruce is cool, and money-savvy, his alter-ego Batman blends into the darkness, taking out wrong doers behind their backs. He is the anti-hero, hidden from the public of Gotham. This is how the Dark Knight differs to the “my hero!” concept, and is all the better for it.

At only the seventh film Christopher Nolan has directed, including the brilliantly confusing Memento, The Dark Knight is already number one on the Internet Movie Database’s top 250 films of the site’s users.

While it appeals to both Batman lovers and those who know nothing about the Knight it doesn’t dumb-down to the lowest common denominator. It is however, rather violent so keep under 10-year-olds away if you can.

Other stars include a new Rachel Dawson played by Maggie Gyllenhaal (Katie Holmes apparently had scheduling conflicts), Harvey Dent played by Aaron Eckhart, police officer Gordon played by Gary Oldman and Michael Caine reprising his role as Alfred.

As in the first movie, Rachel is more of a distraction than a key part in the plot and it would have been nice to see her character develop more fully. The film is scarce of females in general. However, it is better to only include essential characters to the plot and they all happen to be men.

At two hours and 30 minutes long a comfortable seat is a must, but rest-assured you won’t be bored.

The Dark Knight is everything a blockbuster should be and might even leave you considering it all over again on IMAX.

Rating: M
Running time: 2 hours, 32 mins