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As a warning, this WILL contain spoilers. I will try to keep them to a minimum, but it wouldn't be possible for someone to read this and not deduce some conclusions that could possibly ruin parts of the movie. Basically; read this if you have already seen the movie, or don't really care about spoiling some things for yourself.
I am writing this as I just get back from seeing the movie. The theatre was completely packed. I showed up at 10:00 for the 10:30 show and I wound up wisely picking up a ticket for the 10:45 show so I could get better seats.
I will go over the characters and what I did and did not like about this movie.
I'l start with Batman. It's ironic that this is a story revolving around Batman, but you really get the impression that he takes a backseat in this. The focus is almost entirely on the villain(s) (Why villain(s)? More on that later). Christian Bale portrays the exact same character as the first, and overall I just didn't care too much about him. Batman's entire three-way love triangle with Rachel Dawes and Harvey Dent just didn't do it for me. There was a sub-plot about Bruce Wayne wanting to give up the persona of Batman so he could be with Rachel, but you know the whole time it's not going to happen, so in my opinion it's hard to care.
Speaking of Rachel Dawes, I felt the same with her as I did with Batman. I think this is a good way to think about it: While watching the movie, I didn't even notice or care that another actress was portraying her. I think that speaks volumes for how much I cared about her character. She was more or less a catalyst in this movie. A reason for things to happen. Harvey Dent loves her; Bruce Wayne loves her; things happen and it leads to exciting moments.
Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/ Two-Face was a lot better then I thought. For all of you who don't read the comics or... somehow managed to avoid the information, Harvey Dent becomes Two-Face. I didn't really expect much from Eckhart playing the part of Harvey. I more or less expected him to do a reasonable job of playing the district attorney, then get to see what hes made of when he becomes Two-Face. The whole story with Harvey Dent is that he is the face of justice for Gotham. Batman is the vigilante who helps the police with getting information and informants and then Dent makes the charges stick. Basically, Dent scares the mobsters and criminals legitimately without hiding under a mask, which Batman respects and envys. (or at least that was my interpretation)
Heath Ledger as the Joker was not what I expected. Ledger plays a totally original incarnation of the Joker and it's really surprising. The first thing I noticed was that although his name is The Joker, he doesn't crack black humor jokes or even laugh a lot. His character is more of a psychopath who doesn't take himself anything seriously. There is a great bit when he tells another character that he isn't a schemer and doesn't really have a plan, he just does. He has a goal, but the consequences of his actions and the way he gets there isn't really of any concern to him. Overall, I really liked the Joker in this and it's too fucking bad what happened to Ledger because I would have to loved to seen this Joker again, he definately didn't wear out his welcome and he took over every scene he was in.
My Dislikes and Likes.
Usually I would start with likes and end with dislikes, but I really liked this movie and want to end it on a high note. That being said, there are a few things that really irritated me.
Why does Batman have to growl everytime he fucking talks. At first I thought it was because he has to mask his voice so no one recognises it's Bruce Wayne. Or maybe it's because he has to be intimidating at all time. However, all of that is complete bullshit because there is a scene where Batman is talking with Lucius Fox played by Morgan Freeman, and he growls at him the entire time. Theres a scene with Joker/Batman near the end of the film where Batman's annoying way of speaking is very, very apparent. Stop growling at everyone, it's not necessary.
There are some cliche moments in this movie that were just awful. They don't ruin the movie, but it could have been changed or done without for the better. For example, Two-Face's entire gimmick is his fathers lucky coin, which is pristine on the one side and scarred/burnt on the other. Dent uses this coin to judge his victims fate. I think anyone who knows the character of Two-Face knows this, but in every scene after Dent becomes Two-Face, he flips the fucking coin. He has a coin, he flips it and acts accordingly; I fucking get it. We don't need to see it in every scene. Not only that, but he flips it so damn high that he takes his eyes off his victim to stare at it, making it pretty fucking predictable and when hes going to get taken out.
My biggest gripe about this film was how they shit all over Two-Face at the end. I don't know if Christopher Nolan (the Director) thought it would be too safe to have both Joker & Two-Face go to Arkham Asylum, but the way they ended this movie made no sense to me. Assuming the real life facts. which is that Heath Ledger is dead, so unless you recast the Joker; that ship has sailed. You would think they would keep their only surviving villain alive, but they don't. They totally shut off any possibility of future Two-Face (and IMO Joker usage), which then begs the question, if there is a third movie, who will be the villain? I just felt like they didn't realise the potential of the Two-Face character and a lot more could have been done.
Talking about what I liked is always harder because it's hard to pinpoint what exactly made this movie really good. Ledgers performance was really good and original and Morgan Freeman/ Michael Caine really nail their respective roles. The action sequences, although impossible to spatially keep track of, are really entertaining.
In conclusion, I would give this movie a nine out of ten. Most importantly, that score doesn't reflect being held up against other superhero movies, or else it would be an easy, easy ten. I am giving it a nine while being held up against some of my favourite movies. It's really entertaining and ceases to be just an entertaining movie and because an excellent film.
 
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I have to disagree with you about the death of harvey/two-face. And I think that it will be a wiser choice to have a new villain in the third film(after seeing this one im pretty sure there will be a third film). They had to have two-face go completely over the edge and do unspeakable things in order to show how every man has a breaking point. They also had to have him die in order to stretch batman's moral boundaries and force him to cope with the fact that he may have to kill in order to do the right thing. Obviousl his killing of dent was totally justifiable, however it is still a breaking of his only rule. You have to remember the two-face character was only a pawn in the larger role of the joker. Now that being said the reason i hope that there is an original villain is because i really do not want them to recast the role of the joker. Not necessarily because other actors couldn't fill this joker's shoes (ledger did give an amazing performance though) i mostly feel this way because I feel like it would be a slap in the face to the memory of ledger and the amazing way in which he portrayed the joker in this film.
That said however, I'm in total agreement regarding Bale and Gyllenhall(spelling?) performances. They were "okay" nothing amazing and nothing terrible. However I will say that they could have casted someone a little easier on the eyes then Gyllenhall.
In regard's to Eckhart's performance, I felt like he did a great job as Harvey Dent and portraying him as the "white knight". However, I thought that his acting job of Two-Face was stiff and sub-par. He didn't do anything to totally ruin the part, but I felt like it was a step down from his job of acting as Dent.
Ledger's performance was amazing, and definitely worthy of an oscar nomination (i don't think he'll win however). I thought he was hilarious as well, I found myself cracking up during parts of the movie simply due to the Joker's various mannerisms.
All in all, it was a good film, by far the best superhero movie, and one of the better sequels of all time(I'd put it in top 5 sequels). I agreed with most of what you said, I'd give it an 8.5/10
p.s. Nice review
edit: And in regards to Dent's death I think it was also important to have him die in chaos in order to prove the Joker right, its almost like a typical second movie moment of a trilogy in which the "bad guys win" in the second movie. Similar to an Empire Strikes Back
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Salv...salv is that really you ? Dont you know what you have done not only to me but to a bunch of other tl people, we were hooked on your blog and you just took it all away from us, cold turkey, i hate you for it. Please bring it back, pleaaaaaase.
But yea i havent watched the movie yet, i dont think its even out in theaters yet here.
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I'll read this fully after I watch the movie. It looks like you've put some work into it.
Until then, Protoss to Zerg blog!
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On July 22 2008 17:16 Aux1 wrote:
I have to disagree with you about the death of harvey/two-face. And I think that it will be a wiser choice to have a new villain in the third film(after seeing this one im pretty sure there will be a third film). They had to have two-face go completely over the edge and do unspeakable things in order to show how every man has a breaking point. They also had to have him die in order to stretch batman's moral boundaries and force him to cope with the fact that he may have to kill in order to do the right thing. Obviousl his killing of dent was totally justifiable, however it is still a breaking of his only rule. You have to remember the two-face character was only a pawn in the larger role of the joker. Now that being said the reason i hope that there is an original villain is because i really do not want them to recast the role of the joker. Not necessarily because other actors couldn't fill this joker's shoes (ledger did give an amazing performance though) i mostly feel this way because I feel like it would be a slap in the face to the memory of ledger and the amazing way in which he portrayed the joker in this film.
That said however, I'm in total agreement regarding Bale and Gyllenhall(spelling?) performances. They were "okay" nothing amazing and nothing terrible. However I will say that they could have casted someone a little easier on the eyes then Gyllenhall.
In regard's to Eckhart's performance, I felt like he did a great job as Harvey Dent and portraying him as the "white knight". However, I thought that his acting job of Two-Face was stiff and sub-par. He didn't do anything to totally ruin the part, but I felt like it was a step down from his job of acting as Dent.
Ledger's performance was amazing, and definitely worthy of an oscar nomination (i don't think he'll win however). I thought he was hilarious as well, I found myself cracking up during parts of the movie simply due to the Joker's various mannerisms.
All in all, it was a good film, by far the best superhero movie, and one of the better sequels of all time(I'd put it in top 5 sequels). I agreed with most of what you said, I'd give it an 8.5/10
p.s. Nice review
edit: And in regards to Dent's death I think it was also important to have him die in chaos in order to prove the Joker right, its almost like a typical second movie moment of a trilogy in which the "bad guys win" in the second movie. Similar to an Empire Strikes Back
I can understand where you are coming from, and I think having Two-Face die would have sat better with me had Heath Ledger not of died, because that shuts out both villains at once. The only good thing that can come out of both villains dying is that it gives room for another villain to step up. As a matter of fact, that would make a lot of sense seeing as how the heads of the mob families are dead, two-face is dead and the Joker imo, is finished. They could have a good storyline of another villain like the Riddler perhaps take over and then Batman has to come back and prove to the people of Gotham that they need him and he needs them.
Either way, let's not forget that the original ending of this movie was to capture and lock up Joker, have his trial. I remember reading that they didn't plan to have Two-Face die in this movie, but ended it that way because of what happened to Ledger and thus they had to adjust their plans. I am not sure if that is true, but perhaps it's just in the back of my mind and it doesn't sit well with me.
I'm curious about what the next villain could/will be. I think that the Riddler is the best choice, since he is the most down to earth and I think a lot could be done with him.
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as a note, i agree with your review on everything but the death of two face.
My issue is more "batman survived a gunshot from close range and a fall off the building" and was able to run away, im figuring that two face could have survived as well, but that harvey dent is dead.
Yes he could be dead, but im figuring that he wont be, as something tells me nolan wants to use him as the primary villain, i could be wrong though
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Going to have to disagree with the statement that Ledger's Joker didn't laugh a lot... he laughed quite a bit. But it wasn't because he was cracking jokes, it was because of all the chaos that he was causing.
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On July 23 2008 03:15 BloodyC0bbler wrote:
as a note, i agree with your review on everything but the death of two face.
My issue is more "batman survived a gunshot from close range and a fall off the building" and was able to run away, im figuring that two face could have survived as well, but that harvey dent is dead.
Yes he could be dead, but im figuring that he wont be, as something tells me nolan wants to use him as the primary villain, i could be wrong though
I think it's safe to assume that Harvey Dent/ Two-Face is dead because they held a memorial for him. I find it hard to believe that after falling from that height and holding a memorial for him, they failed to adequately check if the guy was dead.
On July 23 2008 03:19 zer0das wrote:
Going to have to disagree with the statement that Ledger's Joker didn't laugh a lot... he laughed quite a bit. But it wasn't because he was cracking jokes, it was because of all the chaos that he was causing.
I should have mentioned I was comparing this to the other portrayals of the Joker. The Joker in the animated series, comics, other films laughs all the time, in every scene. There are plenty of scenes in this movie where the Joker is completely serious about what hes doing. For example, meeting the mobsters for the first time, besides his mock-laugh when entering the room, he simply states the plan and escapes when one of the mobsters gets fed up with him.
Compared to the Joker in every other form of Batman related media, I think we can agree that he is much less campy in this version.
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