Last week in the paper and online, I saw 4-star reviews of The Dark Knight across the board. I dismissed the movie's premiere almost immediately for several reasons: First, it was another comic book movie. It seems to me that 9 out of 10 blockbusters that come out these days are comic book movies. Did we really need Elektra? How about the Fantastic 4? How about Xmen 3? All seemed to be mindless action films and I felt the genre was getting very tired. Second, I was sick of hearing about Heath Ledger and how it was his greatest performance ever. Nothing frustrates me more than Hollywood giving accolades to people just because they're dead or old. Yeah, give Alan Arkin the Oscar because he should have won one by now, robbing some other more deserving actor (Marky Mark?). Belushi? Overrated. James Dean? Way overrated. What did he make, a whole 2 movies? Yeah, he's the best. If you remember, Ledger was the guy that couldn't even shed the Australian accent for his first big role playing an American teenager in Ten Things I Hate About You. He's trying to step into the shoes of Jack Nicholson, who played the role so well. Yeah, when I went into the theatre, I was convinced the Dark Night was going to be average. Over the next two hours, I ate my words, because this is one kickass movie. Neil Cumpston would bust three nuts over this one.
For all of my disdain for the furor over Ledger, this is his movie. I was interested in what he was going to do with the character now that Nicholson's Joker was already on the table. He takes it in a completely different direction. Rather than the rather non-threatening cartoon image that Nicholson was, Ledger's Joker is creepy. Really creepy. Rather than have perfect joker makeup that almost looked like a mask, Ledger's makeup almost looks like someone applied it with a shotgun. It's thick and caked on, and hides some sort of scarring underneath that you can't quite make out (but is a lot of fun trying). His mannerisms are fascinating. He continually is flicking his tongue, making you wonder if he's holding a razor blade under it, or if he's just trying to channel a snake. Fantastic.
The script was very well written as well. Rather than have Batman be the wuss that he was in earlier films, he is much darker and much more of a vigilante in this film, willing to do whatever it takes to make the streets safer, especially if it means breaking the law. Damn, I wish this was real life. Offsetting the tense action sequences are a lot of humorous spots, especially involving the Joker and especially the hospital scene. The film has a very nice flow to it, there wasn't a single spot where I lost interest. Well directed, well written.
Finally, my few complaints about the film. First of all, if you're going all the way to make a killer movie, why the hell do you junk it up with second rate people for the supporting roles. Namely, I'm talking about Maggie Gyllenhall and Eric Roberts. Gyllenhall, as the movie's heroine is about as ugly as they come. Her face appears to be made of wax pudding, slowly melting off of her skull. I think if I pointed my rear at a mirror and spread I'd have something more attractive. She's so ugly that if I had to plow either her or her brother Jake, I'd have to think about it for a second. Not saying I'd take Jake, but I'd still have to mull that one over. And who the hell dragged Eric Roberts, fresh off his appearance in The Cookie Thief, out of the closet to play the Italian mobster? He looks about as Italian as I look Korean. Putting these scrubs on the same screen as Ledger and Morgan Freeman are like buying a Ferrari and putting those white trash $50 a pop spinner hubcaps that you can get at Target on it. It just doesn't make sense. Oh, and did I mention Maggie Gyllenhall is ugly?
So, head out and go see Batman.
