In 2005, Christopher Nolan made a bold decision, one that could jeopardize his career in a judgmental industry, or could ultimately make him the bonafide director that he had always dreamed of being. That decision was to direct Batman Begins, and through his acceptance, Nolan took on the task of rejuvenating a lost franchise within the midst of a heated summer box-office line-up that included such heavyweights as Star Wars Episode III, War of the Worlds and the comedy Wedding Crashers. Yet, somehow, beneath all the speculation and groaning that surrounded both the film and the decision to cast relative newcomer Christian Bale as the man behind the mask, Nolan sent a shockwave across the country as he created a new beginning to a tiring plot line that actually appealed to audiences across the board.
After its initial run and successful DVD release, plans for a sequel were quickly put into place. Returning would be the entire original cast, minus the pitiful Katie Holmes, and the entire crew that worked to create such a stellar first film. Joining the ranks would be Heath Ledger, a suspicious but ultimately accepted choice as the lead villain of the Joker. Additionally, Maggie Gyllenhaal replaced Holmes as Rachel Dawes and Aaron Eckhart would serve as the new district attorney, Harvey Dent.
Now, after three long years and a tragic death to star Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight is finally ready to hit theaters. With the option to be seen in the enhanced IMAX version, the film that was feared to be overhyped delivers on all its promises and proves to be one of, if not the best film in the last couple of years.
Though keeping to the same style and look of Batman Begins, The Dark Knight lacks blood and language as it focuses on certain aspects of Bruce Wayne's life that were not thought important before, leaving any others in the dust.
No longer does the story dwell on the death of Bruce Wayne's parents, nor does it focus on his rigorous double life. Instead, it revolves around his serving as a vigilante and the responsibilities and controversy that come with the role. His public life seems to have been put on the backburner as the film spends more time dealing with his inner struggle to live his lifestyle without his true love. His personal dilemmas that he creates are the driving force of the film, giving it a soul and a heart, two things that are often prevent superhero movies from being so fundamentally sound as that of The Dark Knight.
As the film starts out, audiences are taken on a clever, intense and entertaining heist as they come face to face with the man who calls himself the Joker. Shown on camera for the first time, you find yourself quickly taken aback by both his physical presence and his haunting, yet hilarious personality.
Transforming himself into the hideous being, Heath Ledger gives the performance of his career as he recreates the role that was once made popular by actor Jack Nicholson. His moves, interactions and habitual motions help Ledger transform as he goes deeper into the mind of the psychopath than any other actor would dare to go. From the innocent licking of his lips to his vast mood swings, everything is done to perfection, making Ledger's take on the mass murder as daunting as it is brilliant.
Filled with classic moments that should clearly warrant an Academy Award nomination if not win, Ledger delivers line after line of ridicule and daunting dialogue to those on camera, never faltering for a minute and creating a creepy feeling to all those who watch.
Though every one of his scenes is truly remarkable, Ledger steals the show on two separate occasions. The first is when he is making a deal with a ring of mob bosses, convincing them to trust him with their money and building confidence that he can rid them of the one thing that is keeping them from ultimate power; Batman. The second is when he changes his appearance to work his way within the walls of a hospital. The scene is unexpected to say the least; however, Ledger creates a funny visual from a serious dilemma, forcing audience members to laugh when they should be starring at the screen in high alert.
However, the beginning is nothing for the Joker as we catch glimpses of his growing insanity and strive for control. The man is smart, ingenious even; however, the most disturbing thing about the man behind the white paint is the true reason for his killing ways.
Luckily, Gotham has a new District Attorney in Harvey Dent (played by Aaron Eckhart). Scared of no one, Dent has sworn to rid the city's streets of crime, and he is starting by focusing on the mob. Sadly, the mob is one step ahead of him as they continue to escape the grasp of DA Dent and bring havoc to the streets of the dark and somber city.
All that looks to change when Dent finally joins forces with Detective Gordon (Gary Oldman) and Batman (Christian Bale) to take the men out at the knees. But the mob bosses have a trick up their sleeve, one that brings our two leading actors, Bale and Ledger, together for a constant battle that keeps audience members on the edge of their seats in high anticipation for the climatic and 'heroic' finale.
Unfortunately, both Dent and Batman bring excess baggage to the forefront as they both love the same woman, Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal). Taking the reins from the only lackluster part of Batman Begins, Katie Holmes, Gyllenhaal gives Dawes a much needed upgrade as she presents a more mature, intelligent and confident woman on the screen. Her peaceful motions come across as completely natural as the woman who was most touched by her co-stars death plays the character that she was born to play.
Her interactions with Eckhart and Bale show signs of extreme internal struggle as she is forced to choose between her true love and the one that is accepted by society. Yet, it is her scene stealing performance opposite Ledger during a fundraiser dinner party that made a fan for life out of me. There is just something about the way that she carries herself on film that allows you to become enticed by her every movement and almost forces you to look past the Hollywood actress and into the eyes and mind of an everyday woman.
Which, in and of itself, helps keep this film authentic to 'real life.'
Though the story and the character of Batman would never survive the rigors of today's fast moving world, having Gyllenhaal earn the attention of two extremely wealthy and successful men in Dent and Wayne is pure brilliance in relation to the 'realness' of the story. Gyllenhaal is a beautiful woman, do not get me wrong. However, she does not contain the supermodel look that so many films tend to shove in our face. Instead, she carries the perception of natural beauty, making her appear wholesome and real; thus giving the film another factor of raw authenticity to showcase its relativity to true life.
Continuing on through the entertaining and immensely satisfying two and a half hour film, we are fortunate enough to be pleasantly blinding by the array of visuals that grace the screen. Containing a large number of exploding sequences that range from a forward flip of an 18-wheeler to the detonation of a hospital building, the action is like nothing I have ever seen before. The fire looks real, the reactions flawless and fortunately, the scenes all have a purpose.
Through this strong usage of fierce outbursts, you find yourself tense and motionless, unsure of anything, and praying that things will turn out alright for the famed hero and town that he continues to serve.
Though each actor carries with them a long and well deserved resume, each is worthy of the part in which they play, transforming into their character and selling it as if it were truly them. When put together, the group of A-listers does what many solid casts fail to do; they create a rhythm within themselves, working together for the greater good and ultimately creating a true piece of art that will never die within the minds and hearts of all those who watch.
As the film comes to a close, and we witness the rise of another soulless villain, you can't help but wonder how these films would have turned out without the brilliant work of either Christopher Nolan or Christian Bale. Their cohesive motions and understanding of the story and its characters is simply astonishing, sending a forgotten franchise back to the top where it has always belonged.
