The Dark Knight

WARNING: This review is hidden because it reveals the content of the film.
Click here to show this review. «Wanna know how I got these scars? My father was... a drinker. And a fiend. And one night he goes off crazier than usual. Mommy gets the kitchen knife to defend herself. He doesn't like that. Not. One. Bit. So, me watching, he takes the knife to her, laughing while he does it. Turns to me and he says "Why so serious? " Comes at me with the knife," Why so serious? " He sticks the blade in my mouth. "Let's put a smile on that face!" And... Why so serious? » it's not easy to find the proper words to describe a film like The Dark Knight. The sequel to Batman Begins transcends the superhero genre and director Christopher Nolan makes the Batman universe his very own. Its no longer a comic book movie, it's a serious and realistic drama with strong themes. The Dark Knight is The Godfather Part 2 of superhero sequels, it works on many levels and makes the first movie better. It's a fun summer for sure, entertaining from beginning to end but its also a psychological drama which tackles social and political issues. Some dialogues arent subtle but very much needed to defuse some of the complexity surrounding the plot and make sure the entire audience gets the point the filmmaker is attempting to make. The new Batman movie fails in no point, getting that much closer to perfection, and becomes one of the most satisfying movie experience of the decade. The film takes off exactly where the first movie ended. Bruce Wayne's mansion is being rebuilt and in the meantime, the billionaire lives in a luxury loft in the middle of Gotham. The city is more corrupted than ever but the new District Attorney, Harvey Dent, intents to clean up the street, inspired by the work of Batman. There is a new villain in town, a psychotic motiveless bank robber and killer who find it amusing to call himself «The Joker», because of all that make up he wears. He is all about self-destruction and chaos, as if it was art, bringing misery to whoever crosses his path, doing it for his very own pleasure. His arrival turns the city upside down and Batman is soon pointed as responsible for attracting such a freak, making Bruce Wayne reconsider his role as the icon that was supposed to give hope to people. With the help of Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent, the masked avenger will have to catch the freak before he catches him, which might cost Batman much and see a new villain rise. «You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain. » The complexity of The Dark Knight lies between the characters' believes and morality but also in the use of realistic elements. Batman doesnt have any superpower, only his human strength and intellect, its also very true for the bad guys, which are a little more than ordinary criminals, some are smarter, or madder than others, simply put in extraordinary situations. This sequel is a strong crime drama rising many questions. Its masterfully crafted, every single details of the screenplay is important, and for that reason, the writing skills of the Nolan brothers - director Christopher Nolan wrote it with his brother Jonathan - become the real star of The Dark Knight. «Because he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now... and so we'll hunt him, because he can take it. Because he's not a hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector... a dark knight. » Christian Bale is Batman for a second round, giving yet another strong and layered performance, playing to perfection the duality between his two persona. Aaron Eckhart proves to be perfectly cast as the new D. A. Harvey Dent, almost stealing the show, probably because of the importance and complexity of his character. He gives the most impressive performance of the film, despite being quieter than «The Joker». He is the core of the film in some way, an absolutely engaging performance that goes beyond spectacle. Eckart may be impressive but Heath Ledger IS «The Joker», with one of the most memorable performance in recent cinematic history. He plays a character with no known background, giving him the opportunity to build a complex character nonetheless. From his choice of changing the tone of his voice to his sinister laugh and his swallowing of the blood that keeps flowing from his cheeks - which he probably purposely bites to taste his own blood - Ledger gives fascinating subtleties and details to his character and becomes as creepy and as psychotic as he should be. It's a strong performance worthy of many Awards when the season comes. Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Gary Oldman reprise their roles from the original movie, all doing solid work. The movie Gods love us, Katie Holmes is nowhere to be found, replaced by a much better actress, Maggie Gyllenhaal, who is more convincing and seems to suit the role perfectly from her first presence on screen. Lets note the more-than-a-cameo role of Eric Roberts, coming back from the dead to appear in his first quality movie since the 80's. The Dark Knight was a film for which people had high expectations, and Heath Ledger's premature death earlier this year, made it a film everybody wanted to see at any cost and for once it delivered completely, and probably more than anyone could expect. It is masterfully done on every single level, telling a compelling story, becoming a near masterpiece and most likely the best film of this year. Its so much more than just another superhero movie, it's a real drama, it is very cynical, has high ambitions and big ideas, great acting and storytelling skills. A powerful and quality entertainment that will rarely be equaled.