'To them, you're just a freak, like me!'
The
Dark Knight
(2008) directed by the formidable Christopher Nolan; the aforementioned has managed to
create a film with such an allure, such a distinctive style and tone that can capture an audience’s attention with such vigour. A fan favourite for all the right reasons, The Dark Knight features a whole host of memorable characters, from psychotic villains to slightly off the edge burn victims, the film has it all, and unlike most trilogies, the second (in this case) is probably the favourite amongst audiences.
Set in Gotham, a
city formerly plagued by troubles and crime, is now starting to be reformed
under the new district attorney Harvey Dent’s (Aaron Eckhart) regime. However,
the appearance of a newer, darker and more unsettling villain, The Joker (Heath
Ledger) threatens to destroy the very foundations of the city, prompting the
appearance of Batman (aka Bruce Wayne, played by Christian Bale) to try and eradicate
any potential threat to Gotham, along with the help of Lieutenant Gordon (Gary
Oldman), assistant district attorney Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and
Wayne’s trusty butler Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine).
The soundtrack
(composed jointly by tremendously gifted Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard)
is particularly mesmerizing. The eloquently scored ‘why so serious’ is notably
striking and accompanies the continual appearance of The Joker in such a way
that is particularly emotive and unique; Zimmer stated that he used ‘razor
blades on string instruments’ epitomizing the character’s twisted nature and
connoting the infliction of suffering onto others - through the torturous way
in which unnecessarily harsh equipment was used on delicate instruments.
The performances
are unforgettable, particularly the late Heath Ledger who completely submerses
himself in the deranged comical lunatic that is the infamous Joker; the time
that Ledger spent engulfing himself in the role is clearly evident and he is
able to create a character that is notably different to anything you have ever
seen in Burton’s Batman films. What is so striking about the performance is the
ability to resonate a single line into an audience’s mind (‘why so serious?’)
through haunting physical gestures and the eerily calm way in which he manages
to interpret some of the more explosive scenes - for example, whilst blowing up
a local hospital the Joker walks away pausing whilst the bomb delay-detonates -
were partially improvised. The performance is electrifying especially when
combined with his on screen counterpart Batman (portrayed by Christian Bale)
whose characters pivot around their consistent conflict with each other and The
Joker’s desire to upset the foundations of society through crime. Bale and
Ledger are able to convey a unique, idiosyncratic relationship in which one
desires greatly to break the other down to his tormented level and is
inexplicably tantalizing to watch.
The thematic
elements of the film encapsulate the idea of good triumphing over evil,
devastation, anarchy and the structure of society when it is threatened. For
instance, (without giving too much away) the film focuses on the portrayal of
one man’s desire to destroy the very fabric of society, to prove that everyone
can be stricken down to the same level, after all ‘madness, as you know, is
like gravity. All it takes is a little push.’
What contributes
so drastically, besides performance, to the film, for me, is the overall
aesthetic and tone. The colours are superbly structured, the cinematography and
composition of each shot is masterful. Furthermore, the look of the film is almost
histrionic; it further emphasizes every sequence with spectacular chase scenes,
daring visual re-construction of character’s physical appearance and the
technology presented is breath-taking and futuristic.
Although released
in 2008, this film has vastly remained one of the most noteworthy and
distinguished I have had the up-most pleasure to see. I have watched several
adaptations of different mediums of the comic book story (television’s Batman:
the animated series, Burton’s Batman etc.) and although I am a huge
enthusiast and admirer of Mark Hamill’s portrayal of The Joker, I believe for
its particular medium of film, Ledger is able to encapsulate his own, outstanding
representation of a widely acknowledged character, which is nothing short of
ingenious. I find myself hard to truly express everything the film means to me,
and to many others who have watched and will watch this film, it is visionary
in its construction and take on the classic comic book story and turns it into
something more, something spectacular, to be appreciated as what it is, a work
of cinematic art. It presents a perfect balance between visually dazzling and
coherently structured, with its characters and setting realistically rooted in
a society not greatly dissimilar to our own, adding a gritty, darkened feel to
it. It is one of very few films able to enthral its viewers in the subtle but
critical line between fiction and reality, good and evil and light and dark,
and questions the ability to remain of a positive moral character when
surrounded by corruption and the often seductive nature of evil.
On a more lighter
and less philosophical note, The Dark Knight is jam packed with catchy,
comical and witty dialogue from all of it’s characters (most obviously The
Joker, who delivers such twisted, appropriate answers to others around him –
‘and I thought my joke’s were bad’). Overall, the film is sure to captivate,
and provide a flurry of emotion and suspense that should appeal to anyone with
an appetite for action and particularly those who are aware of the comic book
legend. However, if you haven’t been exposed to this significant hero then
never fear, you will not be disappointed watching this true masterpiece.
5 stars
Reviewed by Mel.
