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Three The Hard Way: The Dark Knight
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second of a series of reviews, based on fairly popular material that many people could be acquainted with, to give the readers a sense of the writer's sensibilities and development.
FINAL DRAFT
The Dark Knight succeeds where other "comic-book" movies have failed by doing something very few other movies in the genre has done: taking things seriously. Though it seems impossible to make a story about a millionaire dressing up as a winged mammal to combat crime serious, director Christopher Nolan has done just that.
The Dark Knight picks up shortly where the last film ended, and shows the ramifications of Bruce Wayne's decision to become a costumed crime fighter. The juxtaposition of the Batman as The Dark Knight, along side Harvey Dent's noble DA poses the question as to which method of justice is better for the future of Gotham City. Thematically, the film makes several allusions to a post 9/11 world by describing the Joker as a "terrorist," which is far from his perceived role in the comics as a psychopathic but petty Batman foil. The film also brings into play the question of the moral implications of using illegal technology as the means to an end as Batman is forced to rely on his own electronic violation of the Patriot Act.
Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker not only obliterates any memory of Jack Nicholson's in the original Batman, but also takes the Joker to darker places previously unseen. Ledger's Joker is not a silly clown prince who enjoys playing pranks; he is a sociopath dedicated to leaving chaos and carnage in his wake. Christian Bale's performance as Bruce Wayne is passable. Bale as the Batman however is saddled with a near unintelligible growl that is fine when delivered in short bursts, but is grating when required to deliver long stretches of dialogue. Aaron Eckhart sticks his chin out a lot in trying to make D.A. Harvey Dent a three dimensional character who represents order among the chaos. Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine also do fine work in their small supporting roles.
The Dark Knight succeeds by wrapping several themes in a gritty and exciting package that not only entertains, but provokes thought as well.
ORIGINAL DRAFT
The Dark Knight succeeds where other "comic-book" movies have failed by doing something no other movie in the genre has done: taking things seriously [BATMAN BEGINS DIDN'T DO THAT? PERHAPS SWITCH TO "FEW OTHER MOVIES IN THE GENRE"]. Though it seems impossible to make a story about a millionaire dressing up as a marsupial to combat crime serious [_IS_ A BAT A MARSUPIAL? GOOGLE WAS INCONCLUSIVE -- PLEASE FACT CHECK YOURSELF ON THIS ONE], director Christopher Nolan has done just that.
The Dark Knight picks up shortly where the last film ended, and shows the ramifications of Bruce Wayne's decision to become a costumed crime fighter. The juxtaposition of the Batman as The Dark Knight, along side Harvey Dent's noble DA poses the question as to which method of justice is better for the future of Gotham City. [SOLID WORK HERE] Thematically, the film makes several allusions to a post 9/11 world by describing the Joker as a "terrorist",[COMMAS GO INSIDE QUOTATION MARKS] which is far from his usual [TRY "PERCEIVED" -- THE JOKER HAS BEEN MANY, MANY THINGS] role in the comics as a psychopathic but petty Batman foil. The film also brings into play the question of the moral implications of using illegal technology as the means to an end. [WHILE I MIGHT GRASP THIS, HAVING SEEN THE MOVIE, THE READER MAY NOT BE AS CLEAR. CAN YOU CLARIFY WITHOUT A SPOILER?]
Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker not only obliterates any memory of Jack Nicholson's in the original Batman, but also places the Joker in the pantheon of memorable cinematic villains such as Hannibal Lecter.[THAT'S IDEOLOGICAL SHORTHAND. WHY ARE EITHER IN A PANTHEON? PERSONALLY I WISH YOU'D HAVE AVOIDED ANTHONY HOPKINS, BUT THAT'S NOT MY PROFESSIONAL CONCERN] Ledger's Joker is not a silly clown prince who enjoys playing pranks; he is a sociopath dedicated to leaving chaos and carnage in his wake.
Christian Bale's performance as Bruce Wayne is passable. Bale as the Batman however is saddled with a near unintelligible growl that is fine when delivered in short bursts, but is grating when required to deliver long stretches of dialogue. Aaron Eckhart sticks his chin out a lot in trying to make D.A. Harvey Dent a three dimensional character who represents order among the chaos. Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine also do fine work in their small supporting roles.
[UH, NO SUMMATION? NO CONCLUSIONS? WHAT THE HEEZY?]
What the heck is this assignment again?
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