With all the hype surrounding it, I wondered if the Dark Knight would end up living up to expectations.

Let me tell you, it did, and so much more.

I’ve seen a decent amount of movies this summer, both in theaters and out, and the Dark Knight blew them all out of the water. If I were to watch only 1 movie this summer, it would have to be this one.

Starting off, as most reviews note, this movie is dark. It’s sadistic and shows to what depths of evil this world can fall. But amidst that darkness, there is a hero who attempts to bring some sanity to the madness. Na na na na na na, BATMAN!

Let’s start off with the acting. The acting is very very solid. Heath Ledger, of course, fills the role of the Joker dead on. He is insanity in a bottle. As a reviewer on Changethought said,

Heath Ledger takes the role of the Joker to a place no actor ever dared. From his hunched shoulders, compulsive lip-smacking and wounded animal limp he has worked out every eccentricity to create a character no one will ever forget.

Even if he hadn’t died, I’m sure Ledger would have been in the running for Best Actor. Posthumous Oscar anyone?

Another actor who may have surprised people is Aaron Eckhart (of Thank You for Smoking popularity). I sure wasn’t, due to his previous acting in Thank You for Smoking Here, he fills his role just as well as Ledger. He displays the charisma, the drive, and the desire to be the justice wielding District Attorney so well that the casual viewer may gloss over him.

Christian Bale improves on his previous portrayal of Batman, pulling off the dual roles of the mysterious Dark Knight and the smooth Bruce Wayne convincingly. Maggie Gyllenhaal also supports well as Rachel Dawes, improving much on the pedestrian acting of the former Dawes, Katie Holmes.)

While the acting may have been stellar, I feel that the story line is really what drove the movie home. The movie may have been a bit long for some, but I feel that it flowed so well, the audience was never bored.

Director Christopher Nolan throws in a few jokes here and there to attempt to lighten the mood of this overall dark film. But that darkness is what helps to drive the movie home.

Several reviewers have mentioned that the movie draws on fears of terrorism in this post 9/11 society, and I would have to agree. The Joker, with his use of bombs and widespread hysteria, invokes a deeply held fear that lies within us all. Nolan strikes an exposed nerve, moving this movie past purely popcorn entertainment.

Of special note, is another character in the movie that helps to push it to the next level, the city of Gotham. Not only the people of the city, but also the architecture aid in the movie’s theme. The gothic feel of the city lends to the overall darkness of the movie. The wide shots of the movie flesh out the idea that the city is so vast, that evil cannot help to fill its nooks and cranies. The population of Gotham also plays an important role, making the movie feel complete and whole, and not just a small play on a large stage with a few big actors. They respond to the Joker’s antics appropriately, presenting the hysteria and depravity that is the human soul, as well as the good and hope that can spring fourth.

So, as you probably already guessed, I’m going to tell you to get out of your chair or off of your couch and make your way to the movie theatre. This is going to be one movie ticket you will not regret purchasing.

The actor who played Nick Naylor did quite a good job in my opinion. The kid who played his kid (who was also in Running Scared) also did a good job.

The gist of the story is that Nick Naylor is a lobbyist for the tobacco industry and has to look out for the company’s interests. He can fast talk is way out of about everything. There’s one scene where he shows up at his son’s class for show and tell. When he says that he works for the tobacco industry, one girl comments that her mom said “cigarettes are bad for you.” He then asks her if her mom is a doctor or a scientist or researcher. When she says no, he replies that “she must not be that credible of a source then.” Talk about being shutdown.

He fast talks his way out of several other situations. As the movie progresses it is easy to become attached to Nick, although his allegiance is questionable. The movie ends nicely, with a couple twists and turns.

I’d highly recommend this movie to anyone with half a brain. It’s though provoking, funny, and quite charming.

I’d give it about a 4 or 4.5 out of 5.

photo courtesty of movies.yahoo.com

After finishing the movie, I felt a little bit shortchanged. I’m not saying it was a bad movie, but it wasn’t anything compared to the Incredibles, much less Finding Nemo.

The characters were developed okay, but the movie felt like there were just too many cliches. The selfish star who doesn’t need anyone finds himself in the middle of nowhere and soon befriends the locals. Then, making it out of there he moves back to the top, only to be in need of his newfound friends, who miraculously show up in time. Whoops, sorry about ruining the ending. But anyone, even my kindergarten cousin could have seen that ending coming 5 kabillion miles away.

It was an enjoyable movie, but that was it. Enjoyable. I probably wouldn’t go back to see it, as I would The Incredibles or Finding Nemo. (Sorry about the comparisons, but I can’t help it.) You can go out and see it if you want, but don’t expect to be amazed.

I’d give it about a 3 or 3.5 out of 5.

photo courtesty of movies.yahoo.com

But at the end of the movie I felt kind of gipped. There were a bunch of holes in the story (not so much inconsistencies, but just parts that they kind of left out) and the fight scenes weren’t even that good. One gripe, a combo of the two actually, comes from the last fight. You go from like half of earth’s mutant population to about 5 of them in a matter of minutes, and you barely even see them fighting. Of course, the Juggernaut utters his famous line: “I’m the Juggernaut, bitch!” but it really doesn’t make up for much.

I actually wouldn’t recommend watching this unless you had your heart set out on it. The acting isn’t that good, and neither is the action. But if you really really want to, go ahead. But this is my warning.

I’d give this a 3, maybe 4 /10.

photo courtesy of movies.yahoo.com

Think of the movie Hitch, and then raise that to the -1 power, but it’s still a romantic comedy (barely earning the category of comedy). There are parts in the movie that will make you chuckle, but there are about an equal amount of parts that will make you sad, and maybe even cry (if you’re not a man, of course).

I’m not going to spoil anything, but let’s just say it’s not Cinderalla. It’s an alright movie, not too bad, but not amazing.

I’d probably give it a 5.5/10.

photo courtesy of movies.yahoo.com