The Dark Knight

“Why…so…serious?”

‘Memento’ takes an abrupt fall as Nolan’s magnum opus.

1I had waited for this film for over a year, and wanted see it even more when Heath Ledger died. But, due to working, I could not see it until the Sunday after its release, although my friends Jeremy and Jeb were kind enough to give me a 3:05 and 3:21 am greeting after they had gone to the midnight releases. So, naturally, I was psyched, and I had high expectations. But…well, there’s no but. I can’t figure out anything bad to say.

The film is a sequel to Batman Begins, which saw director Christopher Nolan turn the Batman series around from the George Clooney version (which I call the ‘Nipples One’) to something much more watchable. I am going to quote my friend Jeremy on the transition from Batman Begins to The Dark Knight, evoking the name of Max Fischer – “Batman Begins was the short little one-act about Watergate; The Dark Knight is ‘Heaven and Hell’”.

The thing that impressed me most about this film was its ability to bring worldly themes into it. I wasn’t aware that a superhero movie was capable of it. The film in itself was less about Batman than it was about chaos. So, naturally, I was salivating. It was as if Lola Rennt met and had babies with Jack Bauer. We get little bits and pieces of free will, human nature, human chaos, suffering, and chance all put into a two hour plus package, all while sharing the screen with Batman, Two-face, and the Joker. Christopher Nolan has made this possible for the first time. Major snaps, Janie-faces, etc.

I’m not going to talk much about Christian Bale. His praise was used up on Batman Begins. And, although his performance was much more than satisfactory, he was dwarfed by three actors (in ascending order):

First, Gary Oldman, who played Lt James Gordon. I can’t discuss this in too much detail without giving away plot. So, I will just say that I wasn’t surprised because Gary Oldman tends to steal the scene in many films.

Second, Aaron Eckhardt. What a transformation from lobbyist Nick Naylor in Thank You for Smoking! Eckhardt plays Harvey Dent, who later becomes the murderous two-face. A few months ago, I would’ve said that only Hannibal Lector could outdo Chigurgh with a coin. Alas, I was wrong! I’d bet my life savings on Two-face over Chigurgh even if Two-face had his legs cut off.

Finally, Heath Ledger. Right now, Jack Nicholson’s Joker seems like a cuddly throw pillow that you keep in your closet until your ugly cousin is coming to visit. Heath Ledger delivers (hhem….delivered) a diabolical Joker who’s equally frightening as he is funny. You find yourself rooting for him just because his character is so strong, you want to become as evil as he is (hhem…was). I’m going to make room right next to the Hannibal Lector doll on the golden pedestal for the Joker doll. Yes…it was that good.

This is becoming a rare year. It’s not even the fall season yet, and already I’m giving away my second top grade. But, there’s no hesitation to this one. It receives a solid A.